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    The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

    3.8 (283 reviews)
    PriceyMusic Venues
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    Michelle G.

    Cool venue for concert. Came midweek. Shaped like a cool shell. Outside, ocean breeze, downtown San Diego walking distance to everything- Petco park, convention center and Gaslamp, etc. lots of food and drink vendors. Clean overall and beautiful.

    Mariness D.

    The architecture and location of this place is just perfection. Overlooking the water and with the bay and buildings on the other side. It's a great venue for music, especially with the great acoustics, thanks to its shell like shape. Sometimes they also have fireworks here, depending on the show. I also come here to skate sometimes when there are no events. Also once every month they have free yoga events in the morning. Just be sure to come early because parking can be challenging. Keep in mind. The place is on a hill made of turf, so no matter where you sit you can see the stage.

    Laura P.

    The Rady Shell is a fantastic venue and it was well run and organized. I had not been there since the remodel and I was very surprised at all the changes. On the positive side first and foremost they now have regular bathrooms available which is so great. They also have a really nice area for sitting and having food and beverages along with many options for ordering. I miss not being able to to bring my own food and picnic but at least the alternative is nice. I was also surprised at the seating which is now all level and continues much further back. I think when they had the risers the seating was closer with the exception of the option to bring your chair and sit in the back. The seats further back now feel very removed and the video monitors are much too small for the back location. Overall the changes are positive and the venue is still fantastic on the water. It was a great experience attending a show there and I look forward to going back.

    Aimee C.

    This has got to be one of the best/coolest concert venues I have ever been too. I recently got to go for the Ethel Cain Willoughby Tucker Forever tour on 4/14 and it was such a magical experience! I had general admission & it was a huge turf lawn where you could pick anywhere to take a seat. All employees I interacted with were nice & professional. It had a unique ambiance being an outdoor venue & the acoustics sounded incredible! It's also located right by the water front which added a nice touch. I also appreciated the free water refill stations and the easy to locate restrooms, that were very clean I may add! I loved my experience here at The Rady Shell and hope to be back soon!

    Night of Christmas setup
    Lily Ann P.

    This amphitheater is such a gem and one of our favorite places to catch live performances. You don't come here for the food. There's a solid variety of the typical concert-style options you'd expect at a venue, and the pricing is pretty standard (on the higher end, as most event food tends to be). I tried going the healthier route with the salad bowl with carne asada, but for the price, it wasn't the most impressive. The venue itself is fantastic: being right near the water makes it feel special and elevated compared to a typical concert space. The acoustics are incredible and carry beautifully throughout the entire area. You can genuinely enjoy the music even from outside the venue, which is such a unique experience if you don't have a ticket. Inside, I enjoyed how the lawn area is tiered and the shell-shaped stage adds a lot of value. You get both an amazing visual and audio experience, and it really feels immersive when you're watching a performance. We absolutely love coming here for shows. Even if the food isn't the star, the atmosphere, sound quality, and overall vibe make this amphitheater a place we keep coming back to.

    Biga pizza at The Shell. Easy to order in the new system and yummy! I think the owner was there expediting
    Alyssa S.

    They have people packed in more than they used to, and prices up. But it is super organized and was easy to get in today. And I love the Biga pizza. Ordering and picking it up is super easy with the app or the terminals. I'm much farther back than usual , but OO Center Bridgeview has good views of the screen. Don't wait till intermission to go to the restroom or you'll wait for a long time!

    Toby P.

    I have been to multiple shows here over the years - Boyz 2 men, beach boys x2, James Taylor, pink martini, symphony tribute nights and I'm sure others that I'm forgetting. The sound has always been pretty good and it's a beautiful venue. I have been seated up close, far back and even outside the venue. Each visit and seating location has been a great time and different experience. The food and drinks are a bit pricey (especially the wine), so we always go to a nice dinner first or we bring our own picnic when we sit outside the venue. I wish the seating was less cramped and a little more comfortable, but I need to remember to bring a cushion next time. The bathroom lines can get long but move pretty quickly. The ushers I've encountered have been really friendly and polite too. We also, met a very nice friendly older security guard (when we sat outside last) who was so sweet and clearly loves his job! Just a pleasure to chat with. I usually prebook parking and pay in advance as it's so much easier especially since starting 9/01/25 street parking for events will be $10/ hour I'm really glad this venue exists and I look forward to attending more events here.

    Yungblood
    Johny L.

    Went to see Yung Blud and it did not disappoint. Food was a little expensive came out cold. No cash bar

    Valerie T.

    What started as a last-minute "why not?" turned into one of the best nights of the summer. My friends and I decided to catch a concert, and Rady's Shell and pulled a total Hail Mary for tickets at the very last second--somehow, it worked. The fun police were clearly ready for a fun night out. We spent the night singing, dancing, and soaking up the magic under the summer sky. Sure, food and drinks were pricey (like most venues), but we were ready for it. The QR code ordering was a game-changer as we were able to grab a drink while we waited for your food? Yes, please. The staff were all smiles, and the whole night felt effortlessly perfect. Can't wait to catch more concerts next to the water all Summer long.

    Jiansen W.

    4th Annual Pride Yoga with Fit Athletic Yoga at the Rady Shell at Jacobs Park was fun! Staff and security were present. Attendees received Gatorade and plant based muscle milk. Sunset Yoga was led by the comedic Viktoria Talbot in collaboration with FIT Athletic July 16, 2025 Dance Party by DJ Sassy & DJ Dova mixed/spun catchy tunes.

    The Shell
    Gavin C.

    Let's get the positive out of the way right up front. The food is terrific here. Best music venue food in San Diego. The scenery? Amazing. The sound? Very good. Not good: even if you have front row tickets, you're a ridiculous distance from the stage. This is a music venue, so I assume one likes to see the performance as well. Big miss for a newer venue. I mentioned the great food. This is offset by prices that seem to have been set by a mental patient. Unless my gourmet dog was made from the innards of Wilbur from Charlotte's Web, then $20 is not a reasonable price here in 2025. The bad: leaving the venue is a nightmare. No matter what means of transportation. This is the most chaotic, disorganized exit experience I've encountered at any venue in the US. About the only way to mitigate this would be to stay in a local hotel after and chill out while the hot zone of people, pedicabs, cars, etc clear out.

    Yoga!
    Alexis P.

    Fit hosts a yoga session every now and then and my friends and I attended the one day! Such a stunning venue. We did yoga right next to the bay and it was so relaxing and GORGEOUS!! We walked from the Hilton hotel which was quick and easy. Hoping to go to a concert here soon.

    Tracie M.

    We've been to two events at the Rady Shell this month. Both were so enjoyable. We sat at the tables toward the front which were comfortable and we had great views both times!

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    Page 1 of 8

    Ask the Community - The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

    Walking map from 6 th and k to Rady shell?

    Yes, that's about a 15-minute walk to the parking lot of the Rady.

    Can u bring a small foldable table to the lawn area where you are able to bring foldable chairs and blankets?

    I haven't seen one but I know the surrounding area is like a public walkway / bay front, so I imagine you can unless security thinks it's a pedestrian hazard.

    Can I bring my own food and wine?

    I'm guessing food might be ok, as long as you are cool about it. Wine, I suppose not. They have a license to sell alcohol, and probably wouldn't like too much coming in… Read more

    Last time we went there were a lot of people sitting outside the venue, can you still do that?

    Yes. It can get pretty crowded. Bring your own chair.

    How does the general admission shows work? I have GA8 does that mean we have GA for a section or is the entire venue GA for that show?

    The General Admission section is located at the back of the venue and is "open seating", but only for the back lawn area/section. The 8 in GA8 has no significance.… Read more

    Is VIP worth it?

    Yass! If you are going to the Shell and you want the whole experience of enjoying a show, fork out the extra bucks and make it memorable!

    Do they offer NA wine & AF beers or kombucha?

    Not the night I went. There's soft drinks and etc though!

    What about parking?

    Convention center structure or seaport village and walk.

    Does anyone know if you can bring a few snacks in for kids? I know it says no food or drink but wondering how strict.

    Not sure. Probably depends on which section you're in. But if I had small kids, I'd probably bring something I know they will eat. Just be inconspicuous. Don't bring a huge obvious bag. We actually didn't have a problem bringing our water bottles in… Read more

    How early should you get there to get food or is there a wait staff? Sitting parkside...

    Depends on your seating section. The front sections have specific menus and a wait staff. Food is brought according to the designated time you choose. So convenient. But you can also just grab food from the available eateries on site instead of… Read more

    Does anyone have any parking tips? How long is the walk from seats to parking garages? Are there always parking traffic after the shows? We are bringing a child and want to limit long lines as much as we can.

    Long lines in and out. Try getting there very early and park near exit or find parking structure across the street. It is only a 5-10 min walk from parking garages associated with Rady Shell but traffic can be difficult.

    Where do we park, and what are the prices?

    Couple structures right near venue. Prepare to wait to park and exit. I would recommend finding another garage and walking to venue. If you prepay you save 3-10$ but wish I didn't because I got locked into a garage with a long line to get in

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    Review Highlights - The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park

    The restrooms were clean and maintained, overall the cleanest outdoor venue I've ever been to.

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    Prohibition

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    4.0
    (1k reviews)
    0.5 mi
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    As I approached the old law office, we found a line wrapped outside ensuring ID was confirmed prior…read moreto entry. Our group was surprised as is was 2115, it's been open for about an hour and a half and packed. As you enter this old law office down a staircase one would find the "speakeasy statutes/rules" to maintain the 1920s atmosphere-- we loved the setting, the people, the drinks, and of course the live music!! One would not be disappointed. The cocktail menu was on an old record, which I thought it was so clever. Back to the rules, seems pretty easy! They mention to keep an open mind with the drinks as they do not carry vodkas, redbull, Budweiser or bulls**t. Mentioned a dresscode, more so be classic and states be respectful and don't be a di*k. I couldn't agree more with the rules. I don't think there is good at this establishment, as our group just came from dinner I wasn't looking for food. Just spirits, live music and a good time. Highly recommend if you are looking for live music and uniquely crafted cocktails.

    I am writing this review to bring a serious safety and security issue to management's attention. On…read moreMay 18th. around 10pm, I was at this establishment and was unfortunately dealing with a male date who became erratic, weird, and made me feel unsafe. Multiple bystanders witnessed his behavior but failed to intervene, assuming it was just "relationship drama" After the man finally left, the venue's security completely misread the situation. Instead of checking on my well-being or ensuring the aggressor had left the premises, security targeted and chased me as if I were the problem. It is incredibly disappointing and dangerous for a business's security team to lack the basic situational awareness and training required to identify the actual victim in a situation. I felt entirely unprotected by the staff here. I hope management takes this as a serious sign that their security team needs immediate retraining on bystander intervention and de-escalation, rather than harassing women who are already in vulnerable situations.

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    Prohibition
    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila
    El Fruterio featuring Azunia GBOD single barrel reposado tequila
    Live Jazz/Blues/Roaring 20's kinda vibe! My kind of bar/lounge! (5/5)

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    The Shout! House

    The Shout! House

    3.9
    (1.7k reviews)
    0.6 mi
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    Live music
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    On our last night in San Diego we asked the concierge for a suggestion. We wanted something far…read moreenough away ee could walk our dinner at The Melting Pot but not so far we would have to Uber back. She had complimentary tickets ( usually a $10 cover) to The Shout House, a dueling piano bar. We almost didn't go and let me tell you, that would have been a sad mistake. We walked in and while it was a little loud for us older folks, we looked around and took in all that was happening. There were people there much older than us as well as people barely old enough to be in a bar. The pianist (s) were hard at work a the drummer was rocking out too. We sat down. Let me tell you, that was the most fun we have had in a long time! All three musicians played multiple instruments, piano, harmonica, sax, and drums. The songs were everything from Slim Shady to Elton John and everything in between. Slips of paper were placed on the piano, a nod was given and off they went. The crowd sang along and we all laughed! Some of it was silly but ALL of it was fun! Highly recommend. About 10:30 the older crowd started making their way out, us included, early morning flight but we would have stayed until closing time. We might have paid for it the next day but had we not had a plane to catch we absolutely would have stayed. It was fun to see multiple generations having so much fun together and the music was incredible. We had just eaten so we didn't order food but what we saw on other tables looked good. Go!! You won't be sorry!

    When you wake up with a hoarse throat and sore muscles, you know you had a great night of singing…read moreand dancing. Had a blast at dueling pianos, a little cheesy, but the performers kept it rolling and entertaining with little to no lulls. Food is pretty basic bar food, service was top notch. I was amazed how well our server handled what we needed along with everything else he had going on.

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    Guest having fun at The Shout! House
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    Humphreys Concerts By The Bay

    Humphreys Concerts By The Bay

    3.3
    (424 reviews)
    3.5 mi
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    I came here to see Paul Anka with my mom and sister. There were plenty of staff to help coordinate…read moreeverything from parking, entrance, to finding our seat, etc. The outdoor seats were really close together, I was practically on top of my neighbor. But overall, I think it's a nice place to watch outdoor concerts.

    I attended a great concert at Humphreys concerts by the bay, a venue that I had been wanting to…read morecheck out for years. As a first time attendee, I was very impressed by the more intimate lovely outdoor space nestled in between the hotel and sailboats. The overhead outdoor lights really gave it a nice ambiance. However, at times it was a little too intimate since the rows are very narrow and feel like you are packed in like a sardine. I feel the venue is big enough to space the seating further apart which would be more comfortable. At the back are the concessions and bathrooms that offered a variety of items. I got a heavy pour of bourbon in my cocktail and a large pretzel, but sadly they ran out of cookies. I also want to commend all of the staff I encountered. They were very welcoming starting with the security check to the ushers. They seem to really value the venue and the musical acts. Lastly, it helps to be aware that there is free parking across the street, or if you prefer to be right outside the venue, parking is $25.

    Photos
    Seated shoulder to shoulder on white folding chairs.
    Seated shoulder to shoulder on white folding chairs.
    Humphreys could be a great venue if the owners were not cramming us in so close to each other.
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    Winstons Beach Club

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    3.7
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    Simply the best for Dead music in SD…read more Every Monday and often on weekends I've been here 400+ times

    So I found this place by sheer happenstance. Came here on a work trip and flew in on a Sunday…read moreafternoon when I really just wanted to watch my Redskins play on Sunday Night Football. Found out there's actually a Redskins watch party at this place called Winston in Ocean Beach really other side of America and there's a group of Redskin fans signed me up. These are my people here's what Winston's had to offer: Ambience: literally a dive bar in the middle of Ocean Beach security and everything. Guess they do a lot of events here live music parties, etc. actually quite a cool freaking place. Service: fast friendly and fun not only because I was here for the game but because they decorated up for the Redskins and literally had like 40 to 50 Redskins fans. Seems like they do a lot of live events and music which is super cool and I'm sure they do a great job as my service was fantastic. Food: I ordered a pizza. Some other guys had nachos. Everything looked good. My pizza was actually pretty good for a dive bar. Beer was cold. Tasty had some local flavor added in. It's not a Michelin restaurant but for a game night perfect. The summit all up I had a fantastic time. Parking is a nightmare down in Ocean Beach, but you know what it's a small price to pay for having a great couple hours watching a team celebrating with others that love the same team singing the same songs I eat the best fight song in NFL and doing it on the beach in California. I don't think it gets much better than that. Thanks for a great time Winston's hope to see you again. Keep munching, and HTTR!!!

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    Male review. Hell yeah.

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    The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park - musicvenues - Updated July 2026

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