It should come as no surprise to anyone that has spent even just a little bit of time in Southern California (and in San Diego in particular) that the reggae music scene would be so overwhelmingly popular here.
After all, this is the land of the endless summer, the most laid-back and relaxed major metropolitan area in the United States, and absolutely filled to the brim with young people that are just looking to have a good time!
Bob Marley himself would have loved nothing more than to jam out in some of these clubs and bars in front of packed crowds of people, taking in all that San Diego has to offer.
So if you are planning on spending any amount of time in San Diego and want to check out the reggae scene for yourself, you’re going to want to take a closer peek at this quick guide we have for you below.
We’ll give you the straight dope on some of the best bands, some of the best clubs, and some of the best “hidden gems” of the reggae scene in San Diego, and we’ll definitely be able to point you in the right direction!
Shall we jump right in?
If you want reggae EVERYWHERE you are in San Diego, throw on 94.9 BOB Radio
Though there is certainly something to be said about checking out the reggae scene in person, spending all night in a club listening to the smooth and soulful sounds of some island guys and gals just getting after it, if you’re looking for a little bit of reggae all day long on demand you’ll want to make sure that you are tuned into the area’s largest reggae station.
FM 94.9 BOB Radio is where you’re going to want to make sure that your radio dial is stuck if you’re looking to make sure that you don’t miss a moment of reggae music while you’re in San Diego. They’ll also be able to point you in the right direction as far as reggae clubs and local reggae bands are concerned, so make sure that you’re tuned in.
A handful of reggae bands you can’t miss in San Diego
Subliminal Trip
Maybe the most famous of all the San Diego native reggae bands in the area, Subliminal Trip plays their own original music and a handful of pretty killer covers from time to time.
All of their shows are packed houses, and they have one of the most dedicated traveling followings of reggae bands you’re going to come across in the area. There is a reason why – they burn the house down every single night!
Dano’s Island Sounds
You’re looking for authentic steel drums played by absolute masters, you’re going to want to check out this San Diego reggae band. Mostly playing in front of catered events (weddings, corporate events, retreats, etc.), they are a much more subdued kind of reggae band as opposed to some of the more hard-hitting “modern reggae” acts out there today.
Even still, these guys know how to bring it.
The Carbon Copy Band
As far as real “experience” reggae bands are concerned, you really don’t get any better than the bunch behind The Carbon Copy Band.
Known as the premier cover band in all of Southern California, this band is able to knock out just about every musical genre imaginable, but they especially dominate the reggae. If you’re looking for guys that sound like they could have grown up in the Marley household, this is the band do you’re going to want to check out.
These are clubs you can’t miss out on
There are a handful of reggae clubs in San Diego that are going to be able to offer you that down-home island throwback kind of feel, the kind of reggae clubs that you simply aren’t going to be able to find anywhere else outside of the actual islands. If you should get a driving under the influence of marijuana, contact DUI Attorney Stockton for assistance.
You’re looking to spend the night jamming to some soulful sounds, or are looking for something a little bit more lively to bring a date, here are five of the hottest spots in all of San Diego for reggae music:
* The Red C Lounge (756 5th Ave. in San Diego, California)
* Bar Dynamite (1808 West Washington St. in San Diego, California)
* The Office Bar (3936 30th St. in San Diego, California)
* U31 (3112 University Ave. in North Park, San DIego)
* The Morena Club (1319 Morena Blvd. in San Diego, California)
You can’t go wrong with any of them!