1. Cricket Wireless Amphitheatre
City: Chula Vista, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (619) 671-3500
Address: 2050 Entertainment Circle
Description: This amphitheater adds a much-needed performance venue to the South Bay and to San Diego County. The outdoor theater seats 20,000 (nearly 10,000 reserved seats and 10,000 on the grass). You can bring a blanket but no lawn chairs; food and drink cannot be brought but are sold on the premises. Tailgating is permitted in the parking lot before the show. Popular entertainers (Jimmy Buffet, Santana, and Rascal Flatts to name a few who played here in 2008) are booked at this modern venue. Tickets can be purchased at the box office the day of the event only or through Ticketmaster, (619) 220-8497.
2. Over The Border
City: Chula Vista, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (619) 427-5889
Address: 3008 Main Street
Description: Spanish rock, Mexican ska, funk, R&B, and soul . . . you’ll find this and more, enjoyed by a mostly young, well-dressed Latino crowd (call for the dress code), Thursday through Saturday from 8:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m. In addition to the house band, Liquido, you can see bigger name bands like Los Enanitos Verdes (Little Green Men), the popular Argentine rock band. Cover charge is usually $5.00 before 10:00 p.m., $10.00 after that.
3. Edelweiss
City: Chula Vista, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (619) 426-5172
Address: 230 Third Avenue
Description: Come on, admit it. You like accordion music! But how often do you have the opportunity to hear it played seriously and at its best? Here’s your chance. Get into the spirit at Edelweiss, formerly the House of Munich, which offers up Austrian food and ambience and—Friday through Sunday between about 6:00 and 9:00 p.m.—the accordion music of Gordon Kohl. It’s a different experience and one well worth trying.
4. The Galley At The Marina
City: Chula Vista, CA
Category: Nightlife
Telephone: (619) 422-5714
Address: 550 Marina Parkway
Description: You’ll find lots of South Bay locals as well as seafaring types bellied up to the wood and nautical-theme bar overlooking the marina. It’s a comfortable place to hang out either at the dark bar or a comfortable booth, or outside in the sunshine at one of the white plastic patio tables overlooking the marina. You can order food from the restaurant, or just nurse a beer or well drink. Shows vary by season, but there’s almost always some sort of low-key entertainment—from “interactive” comedy to acoustic guitar—on the weekends.