San Diego Entertainment

Although it doesnt pack as much of a punch as Los Angeles or San Francisco, San Diegos nightlife and cultural scene is still a force to be reckoned with. The citys opera, live theatres and musical centres regularly host some of the finest performances in the country. But that doesnt mean that San Diegos night-time options are limited to the highbrow arts. This town also has a fun side, with dozens of vibrant bars, nightclubs, concert halls and booze-cruises on the bay. To find out whats going on during your visit, pick up a free copy of the San Diego Weekly Reader every Thursday.

Nightlife

The laid-back coastal ambience of San Diego is reflected in the nightlife, which is an engaging mix of urban dance clubs, martini bars and cover bands. Theres a little bit of everything here, and its all done with subdued style. The downtown area is the hub of activity after dark. The Gaslamp quarter is probably the best place to start your explorations. Dozens of trendy nightclubs and expensive cocktail bars line the streets.

If you want something a bit more casual, simply head to the water. Mission and Pacific beaches have the same kinds of places as downtown but cater to a more relaxed college-age crowd. Ocean Beach, on the other hand, is frequented by more dedicated drinkers, bikers and the like. Last call in all bars is around 01:40, with the sale of alcohol prohibited after 02:00. Its also noteworthy that all bars, nightclubs and restaurants are smoke-free.

Theatre and music

San Diego has a cultural arts scene to compete with the USAs other major players, but its often overshadowed by Los Angeles. The locals appear to enjoy music, theatre and dance, and the city keeps a busy schedule of arts events throughout the year. Free concerts in the parks and along the waterfront fill up the summer nights, complemented by the citys own resident opera house, ballet company, symphonic orchestra and local theatre troupes. Live music can be found every night of the week at one of the dozens of bars around the city. San Diego is big into rock bands, but there is also a popular coffeehouse music scene that attracts softer musical tastes.

Festivals

San Diego has one of the most dynamic and action-packed events calendars of any city in America. The excellent weather makes it the ideal site for festivals throughout the year.

• Mardi Gras, in the Gaslamp quarter, brings the fun of New Orleans with it on Fat Tuesday and includes live music, traditional Cajun food and drink (February).
• Adams Avenue Roots Festival brings vintage blues, jazz, folk, country and international music to six outdoor stages (May).
• Street Scene is a three-day urban music festival featuring 100 bands from around the world on 10 stages in the city centre (August).
• Encanto Street Fair and Cultural Arts Festival is a multi-ethnic event showcasing entertainment, food and crafts from around the city (August).
• Balboa Park December Nights brings in the holiday season with carolers, music, dance, crafts for sale and free admission to all the citys museums (December).