San Diego Bayside Nights – 2016 | Photo credit: San Diego Symphony Instagram page (@sandiegosymphony)

While Los Angeles has the Hollywood Bowl for summer nighttime music under the stars, San Diego has its own summer music tradition that should not be missed. Each summer the Embarcadero Marina Park South near the San Diego Convention Center is transformed into an unforgettable venue to enjoy music by the bay. For over 30 years, the San Diego Symphony has sponsored this Bayside Summer Nights concert series and has delighted audiences with a varied line up of musical performances each year. In 2016 the annual open-air concert series set a record for paid attendance, per an article in The San Diego Union-Tribune.

San Diego Bayside Summer Nights is an annual tradition. | Photo credit: www.sandiegosailingtours.com

After wanting to attend a summer bayside concert for a couple of years, I had an opportunity to go last year when Amy Grant performed in July 2016. If you are interested in going to one of the summer concerts, here are some tips you may find helpful. Tickets for the 2017 concerts are available now and there are some ways to enjoy the music for free (more details on this later in the post).

The schedule of concerts for the summer series is published a couple of months in advance. The first opportunity to buy tickets is to purchase a package or subscription to multiple concerts. In mid-April, the individual tickets go on sale and range in price from $18 – $91 per ticket. Unless there are multiple artists or groups you know you will want to see, the individual concert tickets are what I recommend. This year’s concert series runs from June 30 – September 3, 2017.

2017 Bayside Summer Nights seating chart from the San Diego Symphony website

When you are purchasing your tickets online, you may want to have a picture of the seating chart handy. The venue at Embarcadero Marina Park South has one stage with six sections of seats and a lawn area with a capacity of 2,900. There are seats with tables close to the stage and grandstand seats in the back. There are also areas on the side and in the back for blankets and lawn chairs. Tickets may also be bought at the Copley Symphony Hall Ticket Office in downtown San Diego on B Street. Call in advance before visiting the main ticket office to check hours.

Parking can be purchased in advance and is subject to availability. The prepaid parking is in the lot at Embarcadero Marina Park South next to the venue. Additional parking that does not require advance purchase is available at the San Diego Convention Center and other sites nearby. Public and private transportation are also an option, including MTS San Diego Trolley, taxis, and ride-share companies like Lyft or Uber. Directions to Embarcadero Marina Park South can be found here.

Enjoy beautiful sunsets and spectacular live music along the San Diego Bay. | Photo credit: www.socalpulse.com

The concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. (unless stated otherwise) and it is suggested you arrive at least 30 minutes in advance. After you go through security, the ushers will guide you to your seats. There are booths with food and beverages for purchase and you can also bring your own food. Refer to the official website for what items can and cannot be brought to the venue. Once you enter the venue, there are bathrooms and the site is handicap accessible for the most part.

Bayside Summer Nights concerts have a fireworks display scheduled at the end on all Friday and Saturday nights. Thursday concerts do not. Sunday concerts do not feature a fireworks display, except for the July 3^rd Star Spangled Pops and the September 4^th Tchaikovsky Spectacular presentations. Check the frequently asked questions (FAQ) section on the official website for additional information.

Fireworks are scheduled for every Friday and Saturday night at San Diego Bayside Summer Nights | Photo Credit: www.kpbs.org

Even though the temperature may be comfortable as the concert begins, since the venue is next to the bay you may want to have a light jacket and/or a blanket for after sunset. If you forget a blanket, the San Diego Symphony has some for sale in its venue gift shop along with other souvenirs.

When I went to the Amy Grant concert in 2016, we parked at the Convention Center and walked to Rockin’ Baja Lobster Coastal Cantina in the Gaslamp Quarter for dinner. During the concert intermission, we had dessert and hot cocoa from the venue’s Food and Refreshment Plaza, which is managed by Behind the Scenes Catering. It was a great evening with inspirational music and amazing views of the San Diego skyline and bay.

Is it possible to hear a bayside concert for free? Yes! However, you will not have the full experience or access to the food booths, gift shop, or bathrooms. You will be able to hear the music and may be able to see a portion of the stage depending on where you sit. The prime free spots get claimed early so plan accordingly.

The 2017 Bayside Summer Nights concert lineup has something for everyone. Jazz, classical, movie soundtracks, country, Motown, and more! As stated on the San Diego Symphony website, “Bayside Summer Nights offers an eclectic variety of artists, genres, and performances in a one-of-a-kind, outdoor concert setting like no other.”

Future plans for the Bayside Summer Nights concert venue site are in development. In January 2016, the San Diego Unified Port District board authorized the San Diego Symphony to move forward with a $25 million, 10,000-seat waterfront concert venue on San Diego Bay. When I attended the July 2016 concert it was fun to see the concept drawings of the new space.

Have you been to a Bayside Summer Nights concert? If so, what are your tips? Are you planning on going to a Bayside Summer Night concert this year? Which concerts sound good to you?

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