San Diego Nightlife

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San Diego's cultural scene has never been second-rate, but it's long lounged in the shadows of Los Angeles and San Francisco, content to take a back seat to the beach, the zoo, and our meteorologically inspired state of affairs. But the dot-com wave brought new blood and new money into the city, and arts organizations have felt the impact. The biggest winner was the San Diego Symphony, which in 2002 received a $120 million bequest from Joan and Irwin Jacobs -- the largest single donation to any symphony ever. The city's opera, live theaters, and other arts organizations are also thriving as new ears and eyes claim San Diego's art scene as their own.

But don't think "after dark" in this city is limited to highfalutin affairs for the Lexus crowd -- it also means night lively: rock and pop concerts, trendy martini bars and nightclubs, and dinner-and-dance cruises on the bay. You'll find fine outdoor concert venues that take advantage of our balmy weather, plus several choice indoor clubs. Not all of the city streets pulsate with nightlife, but you'll find late-night activity beyond the Gaslamp Quarter: Hillcrest and Pacific Beach are particularly lively at night.

Finding Out What's Going On

For a rundown of the week's performances, gallery openings, and other events, check the listings in the free San Diego Weekly Reader (www.sdreader.com), published on Thursday (also distributed in hotels and tourist areas under the name The Weekly), or in "Night and Day," the Thursday entertainment section of the San Diego Union-Tribune (www.uniontrib.com). For what's happening at the gay clubs, get the weekly San Diego Gay & Lesbian Times.

The local convention and visitors bureau's Art + Sol campaign provides a calendar of events and profiles of 11 member institutions; see www.sandiegoartandsol.com. The San Diego Performing Arts League produces What's Playing?, a performing arts guide, every 2 months. You can pick one up at the ARTS TIX booth or write to 701 B St., Suite 225, San Diego, CA 92101-8101 (tel. 619/238-0700; www.sandiegoperforms.com).

Getting Tickets

Half-price tickets to theater, music, and dance events are available at the ARTS TIX booth in Horton Plaza Park, at Broadway and Third Avenue. Pull into the Horton Plaza garage (where you can validate your parking) or, if there's room, just pause at the curb. The kiosk is open Tuesday through Thursday at 11am, Friday through Sunday at 10am. The booth stays open till 6pm daily except Sunday, when it closes at 5pm. Half-price tickets are available only for same-day shows except for Monday performances, which are sold on Sunday. For a daily listing of offerings, call tel. 619/497-5000 or check www.sandiegoperforms.com; the website also sells half-price tickets for some shows.

Full-price advance tickets are also available; the kiosk doubles as a Ticketmaster outlet, selling seats to concerts throughout California. As always, although Ticketmaster sells seats for a majority of local events, you'll avoid bruising "convenience" fees by purchasing directly from the venue's box office.

No Smoking

In 1998, California enacted legislation that banned smoking in all restaurants and bars. As a rule, don't light up in any public area indoors. If you're looking to light up in clubs, lounges, and other nightspots with outdoor terraces, check with the staff first.

Downtown

Downtown is the busiest place for nightlife, but much of it is concentrated into just 2 nights a week, Friday and Saturday, when the late-night dance clubs spring into action. Keep in mind that this is an ever-changing scene.

Free Summer Nights

Beach Bonfires -- Fire pits are free to the public in Pacific Beach and around Mission Bay. Head out early to stake your claim, as they tend to get snagged pretty quickly. Glass is never permitted on the sand, and alcohol isn't allowed past 8pm. Be sure to check signs for local laws.

Music -- Every night of the week, San Diego County is a chorus of free music. On select Sunday nights from June through August, the hills of Alpine come alive with the sound of music at the Alpine Summer Concert Series tel. 619/445-1818. Head south of downtown and across the Coronado bridge for more free Sunday nighttime music at the Annual Coronado Promenade Concerts at Spreckels Park tel. 619/437-8788. Fridays in North County really are all that jazz. Parks throughout Carlsbad kick off the weekend with free jazz concerts. Call tel. 760/434-2904 for information. Spreckels Organ Pavilion presents Twilight in the Park Summer Concerts (tel. 619/235-1105) Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights in Balboa Park.

Festivals -- Celebrate San Diego's diverse communities at these free festivals, which keep the party alive well past sunset. The 25th annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off (tel. 619/226-2193) held from 10am to 8pm in late June. Independence Day celebrations, held throughout the county, include Coronado (tel. 619/437-8068), La Jolla (tel. 858/454-1444), and Oceanside (tel. 760/754-4512). The 11th annual Encanto Street Fair & Cultural Arts Festival (tel. 619/266-0936), a multi-ethnic themed festival in mid-August, features entertainment, food, vendors, and a custom car show from 10am to 10pm. Celebrate Chula Vista (tel. 619/420-6603), held at the end of August on the bayfront; this family event features sports demonstrations, entertainment, food, and fireworks from 11am to 9pm.