Rady Shell parking is what a lot of people end up searching for about an hour before a show starts. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park is on the downtown bayfront near the Embarcadero, and on a warm evening it’s a really nice place to see a concert. Being right on the water also means there isn’t a lot of parking close by.
Most people pick one of four ways to get there: a paid garage, the trolley, a rideshare or a private ride. The garages closest to the venue can fill up early, and that gets more likely when the Padres have a home game the same night. Leaving takes a while as well, since most of the crowd heads out right after the last song. Rideshare drop-offs are usually quick, but the pickup area after the show can get crowded.
It’s harder for a group. Fifteen people going for a birthday or a work outing might come in five or six cars, and each of those cars needs a spot. Then people have to find each other before the show. With one shared ride, the group meets at one place, rides downtown together, and gets dropped off with time to spare. After the concert, everyone walks to the same pickup spot instead of hunting for their own car.
Some groups have dinner in the Gaslamp Quarter or Little Italy first, which is easier when nobody has to park twice.
The venue’s official website lists current parking and bag rules, and it’s worth a look before the night of the show. Deciding on a meeting spot for after the concert helps too, because the waterfront gets busy and people get separated.
For concert groups who want to skip the garage, Diego Party Bus & Limo offers limo and party bus rides to downtown San Diego venues.
