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    San Diego Concert Venues

    Humphreys Concerts by the Bay: Seating, Parking & Boat Tips

    Humphreys is 1,400 seats on the water at Shelter Island, palm trees around the perimeter, boats docked twenty feet from the stage. It's the most pleasant place in San Diego to see a legacy act, and the summer series runs May through October with a booking list that skews classic rock, jazz, comedy, and Americana.

    Shelter Island / Point Loma~1,400 seatedOutdoor bayside amphitheaterOpened 1982

    Last updated

    Quick answer: Every seat is good — it's only 1,400. Sections A–C center are the best. The dinner package at Humphreys Restaurant gets you priority seating and skips the worst of the line. Parking is limited on Shelter Island; arrive early or rideshare. Bring a jacket; it's on the water.

    2241 Shelter Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92106

    Upcoming shows at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

    7 upcoming events we're tracking. Times and lineups can change — always confirm with the venue before you go.

    Saturday, August 29

    Katrina formerly of Katrina & The Waves

    Katrina formerly of Katrina & The Waves live at Humphreys by the Bay in San Diego on 2026-08-29.

    See website for times

    Check website

    Monday, September 28

    Robert Plant / Suzi Dian / Rosie Flores

    Robert Plant / Suzi Dian / Rosie Flores live at Humphreys by the Bay in San Diego on 2026-09-28.

    See website for times

    Check website

    Where to buy tickets for Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

    Box office first (lowest fees), then the primary seller, then resale if the show is sold out.

    See every San Diego concert this week →

    Parking at Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

    Limited on-site and hotel lot parking that fills 90 minutes before showtime, plus free street parking along Shelter Island Drive that's a 5–12 minute walk. Arrive at least an hour early if you're driving, or take a rideshare — the island has one road in and out.

    What parking costs

    Free street / limited hotel lot; arrive 60+ min early

    Transit & rideshare

    No practical transit. Rideshare from downtown runs 12 minutes and $18–$28. The single road on and off Shelter Island backs up after shows, so build in 20 minutes.

    Where to stand or sit

    • 1

      Sections A and B, rows 1–10 — this is a 1,400-seat room and these rows are genuinely close.

    • 2

      Center section C for the best overall mix at a lower price.

    • 3

      Any seat on the bay side for the boats-and-sunset view during the opener.

    • 4

      Rear side sections are the only spot where trees can partially obstruct — check the seat map before buying.

    Bag policy

    Small bags checked at entry. No outside food or drink. Cameras without detachable lenses are typically fine.

    Food & drink inside

    Bars throughout plus the adjacent Humphreys Restaurant. The dinner package (dinner plus a show ticket) is a longstanding local move — it gets you fed well and into the venue early.

    Where to eat and drink first

    All within a short walk or drive of Humphreys Concerts by the Bay.

    Humphreys Restaurant

    The dinner package. Bayside, and it comes with early venue access.

    Bali Hai

    Shelter Island tiki institution. Get a Mai Tai and watch the bay.

    Point Loma Seafoods

    Order at the counter, eat on the deck. The best pre-show meal in Point Loma.

    Mitch's Seafood

    Fish tacos on the dock at Shelter Island. Casual and excellent.

    Local tips

    What this room books: Classic rock, jazz, blues, Americana, comedy, R&B legacy acts.

    1. 1

      The dinner package at Humphreys Restaurant is worth it — early entry plus a real meal beats concourse food and a line.

    2. 2

      Kayakers and boaters float outside the fence and listen for free. If you have a kayak, this is a San Diego rite of passage.

    3. 3

      Shows are outdoors and on the water: it gets cold and damp after 9pm every month of the year. Bring a real jacket.

    4. 4

      The season runs roughly May–October only. There's no winter programming.

    5. 5

      One road on and off Shelter Island means post-show traffic. Grab a drink at Bali Hai for 20 minutes and drive out clean.

    Humphreys Concerts by the Bay FAQ

    What are the best seats at Humphreys?

    Sections A and B, rows 1–10, put you genuinely close in a 1,400-seat room. Center section C offers the best mix for less money. Rear side sections occasionally have partial tree obstruction, so check the seat map.

    What is the Humphreys dinner package?

    A combined ticket that includes dinner at the adjacent Humphreys Restaurant plus your show ticket, with priority entry into the venue. It's the longstanding local approach — you eat well, skip the general line, and get in early for good seat access.

    Can you listen to Humphreys concerts from a boat?

    Yes, and people do every night of the season. Kayakers, paddleboarders, and small boats anchor just outside the venue fence in the marina and listen for free. It's a well-known San Diego tradition.

    Where do you park for Humphreys Concerts by the Bay?

    There's limited hotel-lot parking that fills about 90 minutes before showtime, plus free street parking along Shelter Island Drive within a 5–12 minute walk. Arrive an hour early if driving, or take a rideshare — Shelter Island has one road in and out.

    Where to stay near Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

    Our picks for anyone staying overnight around Humphreys Concerts by the Bay.

    Kona Kai Resort & Spa

    Best OverallUpscale

    One of the closest highly rated Sandi Spots hotels to Humphreys Concerts by the Bay, 0.1 miles away.

    0.1 miles from Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

    • One of the closest strong options
    • Stay in the same neighborhood
    • Family-friendly option
    Check Rates

    San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina

    Best for TransitUpscale

    Direct transit access makes this a practical option for Humphreys Concerts by the Bay (3.3 miles away).

    3.3 miles from Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

    • Convenient transit option
    • Family-friendly option
    Check Rates

    Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego

    Upscale

    Direct transit access makes this a practical option for Humphreys Concerts by the Bay (3.5 miles away).

    3.5 miles from Humphreys Concerts by the Bay

    • Convenient transit option
    • Family-friendly option
    Check Rates

    Sandi Spots may earn a commission from hotel bookings. Recommendations are chosen editorially.

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