California Free Concerts Shake the Blues

It happens from San Francisco to San Diego--the free summer concerts sponsored by California cities shake the blues and away, and deliver some down-home blues tunes that get the crowds rocking. 

Usually provided by parks and recreation departments of cities, the events include a variety of bands, free entertainment and the opportunity to experience the thousands of beautiful park open spaces.

Each year cities begin announcing the concert line ups around March-May and by June or July the concerts are in full swing. Some cities host their events on a Saturday afternoon, while others have the events on cool summer week nights, inviting the public to bring picnic baskets and blankets to sit and enjoy the old-fashioned way.

The bands that are featured range from local cover tunes bands to top artists.

The one thing that helps make these events so popular is "Free". When things get tough, music is a proven therapy, calming the nerves and rejuvenating the soul. Classical music has even been proven to stimulate the brain in a positive way.

Alpine Summer Concert Series Alpine Community Center Park 1830 Alpine Blvd. Sundays, 6 p.m. 
(619) 445-7330   alpinecommunitycenter.com.

Carlsbad TGIF Jazz in the Parks
Fridays, 6-8 p.m.
carlsbadca.gov.
Calavera Hills Park 2997 Glasgow Road
Poinsettia Park 6600 Hidden Valley Road
Stagecoach Park 3420 Camino de los Coches

Chula Vista Village Vibes
Concert Series
Memorial Park Bowl, 373 Park Way
6:30-8:30 p.m. July -Aug
(619) 422-1982  thirdavenuevillage.com

Coronado Summer Concerts-in-the-Park
Spreckels Park
Orange Avenue, between 6th and 7th streets.
Sundays at 6 p.m.
  coronadovisitorcenter.com.

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club's   Summer Concert Series
Four O'Clock Fridays
Del Mar Fairgrounds
Plaza de Mexico Stage  2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd.

Del Mar Foundation Summer Twilight Concert Series
Powerhouse Park
1600 Coast Blvd.
Check website for times, dates and band list.
(858) 635-1363   delmarfoundation.org

El Cajon Concerts on the Green
6 to 8 p.m. Fridays.
City Hall Plaza Amphitheatre
200 Civic Center Way, El Cajon
(619) 401-8858   downtownelcajon.com

Prescott Promenade
200 block of Main Street, El Cajon
Info: (619) 401-8858    downtownelcajon.com

Encinitas Sunday Summer Concerts by the Sea Moonlight Beach Sundays, 3-5 p.m. 
(760) 633-2740    cityofencinitas.org.

Glendale Summer Concert Series which will take place at Verdugo Park on 5 consecutive Wednesdays, mid-July to mid-August from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. ci.glendale.ca.us

Goleta  Music in the Park Concert Series every Sunday evening starting in September, from 4:00pm to 5:30pm until early October at Girsh Park, 7050 Phelps Road, South of the Camino Real Marketplace, between Santa Felicia and Phelps Road.  goletavalleychamber.com

La Mesa Sundays at Six Harry Griffen Park 9550 Milden St., La Mesa Sundays at 6 p.m. 
(619) 667-1300    cityoflamesa.com

La Jolla Concerts By The Sea
Scripps Park at La Jolla Cove
Sundays, 2-4 p.m.
(858) 454-1600    ljconcertsbythesea.org

Lemon Grove Concerts in the Park
Berry Street Park
7071 Mt. Vernon
Thursdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
(619) 825-3815    ci.lemon-grove.ca.us.

Long Beach longbeach.gov/park/recreation/lb_municipal_band.asp

Los Gatos Music in the Park  lgmip.com
Free summer concerts on Sunday afternoons on the Civic Center (Town Hall) lawn.
Jazz on the Plazz hosts free concerts on Wednesday evenings during July, August, and beginning of September at Town Plaza Park.  town.los-gatos.ca.us

Poway Summer Concerts in the Park Series
Lake Poway  14644 Lake Poway Road
Sundays, 5:30 p.m.
(858) 668-4771   poway.org

Old Poway Park
14134 Midland Road
(858) 668-4771     poway.org

Redondo Beach:  redondopier.com

San Diego

North Park Community Association Summer Concerts
Bird Park, 28th & Thorn streets
Saturdays, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
(619) 284-0156   northparksd.org

Point Loma Summer Concert Series
Point Loma Park
Catalina Boulevard (adjacent to the fire station) in Point Loma
Fridays, 6-8 p.m.
(619) 523-3787   plconcerts.org

Spreckels Organ Pavilion Concerts
Balboa Park
Sundays, 2-3 p.m.
(619)-702-8138   sosorgan.com

San Diego Balboa Park Twilight in the Park Spreckels Organ Pavilion Tuesdays-Thursdays, 6:15-7:15 p.m.  (619) 239-0512 or balboapark.org 

Seaport Village
East Gazebo at Seaport Village, at W. Harbor Drive and Pacific Highway, adjacent to Embarcadero Park North.
Concerts from 1-4 p.m., mostly Sundays
(619) 235-4014    seaportvillage.com

Standley Park
Concerts in the Park
3585 Governor Drive, University City
Sundays, 5-7 p.m.
(858) 552-1652   sandiego.gov

University Heights Summer in the Park
Trolley Barn Park, Adams Avenue and Florida Street, University Heights
Fridays, 6-8 p.m.
(619) 297-3166   uhcdc.org

San Marcos Summer Concerts in the Gardens
Wood House, 1148 Rock Springs Road, San Marcos.
7:30 p.m. Saturdays. $5-10.
(760) 744-9000    san-marcos.net.

San Pedro:  musicbythesea.org

Santee Summer Concert Series
Trolley Square Amphitheater
Cuyamaca Street at Mission Gorge Road
Thursdays, 6:30 p.m.
(619) 258-4100, ext. 201    ci.santee.ca.us