THE MAP
Every vinyl destination inside the greater San Diego footprint. Zoom in to see individual venues.
San Diego has always run its own scene.
San Diego's record scene runs through North Park, Hillcrest and downtown. M-Theory Music, Thirsty Moon and Cow Records anchor the North Park corridor. Folk Arts Rare Records is one of America's essential folk / roots counters, still going after seven decades.
The dig is heavy on punk, hardcore, jazz, folk and Mexican imports (the border proximity matters). The Casbah handles the nightlife. Compact, walkable in each neighbourhood, weather cooperates every day of the year.
THE FIVE ROOMS
The city's essential new-and-used generalist — indie, rock, jazz, hip-hop. In-stores and events.
Since 1967. Lou Curtiss's roots-music archive-and-shop — the world's essential folk, blues, gospel counter.
Curated second-hand — soul, funk, jazz, rare grooves. The DJ counter.
The beachside shop — deep second-hand rock, punk, indie. A San Diego lifer's counter.
Small, sharp, curated — jazz, ambient, indie. The tastemaker's Hillcrest counter.