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.
Live Music
Maddeningly, many artists still bypass San Diego in favor of another night in LA. On the plus side -- especially when it comes to acts that haven't pushed through to the mainstream -- if they do play locally, chances are it's in a venue smaller than what you'd find them in up north. Note: If you're under 21, much of the city's nightlife will be off-limits to you.
Large Venues
The city has two monster venues. The ipayOne Center at the Sports Arena (tel. 619/225-9813; www.sandiegoarena.com) is west of Old Town. Built in 1967, the 15,000- to 18,000-seat indoor venue has middling acoustics, but several big-name concerts are held here every year because of the seating capacity and availability of paid parking. Qualcomm Stadium (tel. 619/641-3131), in Mission Valley, is a 71,000-seat outdoor stadium mainly occupied by football (Chargers and San Diego State University) and things like motocross or major music tours.
The Open Air Theater (tel. 619/594-6947), on the San Diego State University campus, northeast of downtown along I-8, is a more intimate 4,000-seat outdoor amphitheater. It has great acoustics -- if you can't get a ticket, you can sit outside on the grass and hear the entire show. Cox Arena (tel. 619/594-6947), also at SDSU, has equally superb acoustics in an indoor, 12,000-seat facility that is used for bigger draws -- these venues are easily accessed by San Diego Trolley. Coors Amphitheatre (tel. 619/671-3600) is a slick facility seemingly a stone's throw north of the Mexican border, in Chula Vista. Built in 1999, the 20,000-seat venue has excellent acoustics and good sightlines, and it lures many of the summer tours. The drawbacks: overpriced snacks and drinks, and a location 25 to 45 minutes south of downtown (depending on traffic).
The Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway (tel. 619/235-9500), and Copley Symphony Hall, 750 B St. (tel. 619/235-0804), are wonderful old vaudeville houses, which also are used by touring acts throughout the year; past shows have included Annie Lennox, Sting, Margaret Cho, and Forever Tango. For both venues, tickets are available at the box office or through Ticketmaster.
