Beautiful venue and acoustics to see a concert — highly recommend it if you’re considering an artist here!
Em B.
Place rating: 4 San Diego, CA
What a beautiful venue for an intimate concert with your favorite musical artist! We saw the incredible Harry Connick Jr. here recently and he put on a show to remember. He entertained us not only with his vocal and instrumental talents, but also took great share in showcasing his equally incredible band. Blew my mind! The ushers are extremely kind and helpful although one was a bit overzealous when I was simply turning off my phone… she took great pleasure in shining her flashlight in my face and hissed at me «NOPHOTOS!» to which I hissed back, «Um, may I turn OFF my phone? Thanks.» Calm yourself Usher Nazi. The seating is quite comfortable and roomy. No matter where you sit, you get a great view of the show. Wonderful acoustics showcased the concert nicely and you couldn’t help but toe tap and sing along to Harry and his band’s catchy tunes. Overpriced drinks and beverage but that’s nothing new, so eat post or prior to your event. There are a few lots surrounding the venue so parking is decent, but not the best, which goes hand in hand with downtown. Definitely a happy camper. 4 stars!
Amy P.
Place rating: 5 San Diego, CA
Beautiful venue. Refreshments served. Not really a bad seat in this theater. We sat in very top section, and although we were a little ways a way we could see perfectly. Great sound. The only negative for us was parking. We parked at Balboa Park and took and Über down. * hint* Grant Grill offers 20% off food purchases before or after the show. I think there are a couple of restaurants that offer deal too.
Samuel D.
Place rating: 5 San Diego, CA
Such and awesome place with lots of history since 1929. Atmosphere: I recently came here during comic-con 2015 Saturday night for the Zelda: Symphony of Goddesses Master Quest. Lots of fans dressed in cosplay form of their favorite Zelda characters along with others wearing their Zelda tees. This has yet been the best Symphony I’ve seen by far. Very nostalgic in music which brought so much memories from my childhood. Seats: We sat on the main floor row«O» aisle seats. No complaints great view of the whole stage. Usher’s were very polite and helpful directing you to your seat. Snacks/Drinks: Specialty drinks were made and along with premium and beer offered. Coffee and other soda beverages were available. Along with cookies and candy bars for purchase. They are also allowed in the symphony room. Pricy but glad they have options if you decide you are hungry/thirsty. Parking: valet = $ 25 parking lot across the street = $ 20 garage = $ 20 Overall: With special events and other concerts here, it can feel a bit claustrophobic with a small main hall. But the venue of Copley is great with at least 2200 seats and a very visible stage. Will definelty come back during another concert favorite.
Kathie S.
Place rating: 4 Fallbrook, CA
Its been a while and can’t wait to go back. copley is just one those places that hold dear to me.
Claire D.
Place rating: 5 San Diego, CA
Other than the parking being awful, this is such a great venue. The ushers and everyone working there were all very nice and friendly, and it’s just beautiful. The seats are a bit older and since it’s a classy place they don’t have cupholders or anything, but I love that they sell upscale snacks and actually have signs saying you can eat and drink inside. SO thrilled that they had Cravory cookies and Eclipse chocolates. Very cool that they sell local goods. The bathrooms are also nice and plentiful so the lines weren’t bad, which is obviously important. Would definitely go back. The feeling inside is surprisingly intimate.
Daphne L.
Place rating: 4 San Diego, CA
I’m not giving this place 5 stars because it costs $ 20 to park in the parking garage but you still have to walk a distance and take 2 sets of elevators from the garage to get to the symphony hall. This hall is very nice and it is located in a building known for glitz and glamor. The elevators have the latest technology where you push a button on a screen and it will tell you which elevator to take. I was amazed when I first came here because I had never seen anything like it! However, I think it would be a little bit confusing for the older patrons because some of them were confused as to how to use it after our concert the other day. Anyway, this is a beautiful symphony hall and the acoustics are great. I highly recommend you swing by to hear the San Diego Symphony play!
Sugey L.
Place rating: 4 San Diego, CA
Came here when Carmina Burana was in town and IT.WAS. FANTASTIC! This hall was perfect for this master piece. We got the least expensive tickets and the sound quality and view were beyond the ticket price. It was a great experience. The experience provided by the acoustics is magnificent. Definitely returning!
Taylor C.
Place rating: 5 San Diego, CA
I love coming to see the San Diego Symphony perform here! The hall sounds amazing, the design is beautiful, and the remodeling of the lobby looks great. The ushers are always very helpful in finding seats in the large audience. There are usually student discounts available at the box office. This is my favorite performance venue in San Diego, don’t pass up a chance to come see a concert here!
Ian C.
Place rating: 4 San Diego, CA
i like copley. it’s a charming little venue. it’s like the home for the san diego symphony. because really. there aren’t too many places to go. unless they’re doing chamber music. and the acoustics of this place just can’t support that. me. i personally like the design. nothing over the top. but appropriate. we’re san diego. so don’t expect something you’d find in europe. or with deeper roots/history. they got limited liquor and snacks on both floors. but you really didn’t come here for either. and for watching the ballet. well. there just isn’t room to have a performance with live music. it just wasn’t built for that. but still. i’m happy that we have anything at all. sound wise. i have nothing really to compare it too. plus that can be subjective on so many levels. some may like that up front sound. while other like the back. i’m not one to tell you what you should like. but i prefer it below and from the rear(yeah i’m nasty like that). rather than from the balcony. yet i find the view so much better from the top(plus non one likes a power bottom). so f*ck it. ima be torn and conflicted like how i am with beer. not sure if it tastes great. or less filling. but yeah. i like this place. and the ushers have always been polite. helpful. and friendly. i remember they moved us up to slightly better seats for the ballet. because they were nowhere near capacity. that was nice of them. go here. or not. because i’m not one to tell you what to do. now.
Rebecca S.
Place rating: 5 Spring Valley, CA
All petformed flawlessly. Opened with The Best of Bond. Pink Panther by Mancini with a hue of pink in the background, and an amazing jazz sound. Incredits from the movie ‘The Incredibles’ was performed to the excitement of all. Sheena’s performances received standing ovations!
Princeton J.
Place rating: 5 San Diego, CA
Pretty schnazy I might add… do wear your«Sunday clothes» or funeral attire ;) for this place ;). Get your«fancy on»…round up a tuxedo or evening gown if a Gala… Do pass on the flip flops… and jeans… Prepare to be amazed at whatever show is playing… There are bars located throughout the establishment in the masquerading lobby… Marble covered bathrooms… Wonderful volunteers… very friendly love the music. bring a tissue, the sound is so moving you may trickle a tear at the beauty of the melody… get in touch with your artistic self… Parking is possible with meters. free after 6pm… there are also many pay lots in the nearby vicinity..
Rahul H.
Place rating: 5 London, United Kingdom
Always a great time at Copley. Beautiful venue with great acoustics, plenty of friendly and knowledgeable staff from box office to ushers, and a talented symphony orchestra. Throw some nice threads on, enjoy the concessions, and check out some great classical music.
Mark K.
Place rating: 5 San Diego, CA
If you’re in San Diego there are a few places that you HAVE to see for your visit to be complete. I thought I crossed them all off my list, until I attended an event at the Copley Symphony Hall. The architecture from the inside out is awe inspiring. I was enthralled by how beautiful this venue was from the moment I stepped foot on the floor of the main hall. I could stare at the walls here and be entertained. The ushers were extremely helpful and accommodating in regards to getting people seated and pointing them in the right direction. I had a great vantage point from my seat, and the sound was perfect. I saw and heard everything as is if I had a front row seat. Last nights visit opened my eyes to the potential of seeing more events here. If the opportunity presents itself, I certainly won’t hesitate for a second. This is a magnificent building in the downtown district. Treat yourself to some fine dining and drinks and then enjoy the scenery at Copley. I promise, it makes for a fun evening.
Tinie T.
Place rating: 5 San Marcos, CA
SOMUCHAWESOME. See a show here, any show, because this place rules! It’s über fancy and beautiful inside, the seats are cushioned delights, and the awesome staff members are helpful and nice. I just went here for the Holiday Pops. Uh. May. Zing. Copley Symphony Hall is a must-visit music venue in San Diego. Such an incredible experience! We had seating on the balcony, and I thought it was great. It’s still easy to see the whole stage — plus the huge video screens on either side show what’s happening, more up close. Do it do it do it do it do it do it, go to Copley Symphony Hall.
Carmen V.
Place rating: 5 San Jose, CA
Nothing to complain about this magnificient symphony hall. Great architecture, fantastic acoustics, no bad seats(well, i was in a privileged seat on the six row, just in front but not hyper close to the action point) and what not to like when you have dear ex-colleagues that offer you $ 100 tickets for free to go to enjoy the Jon Kimura Parker concert? 2 hours of pleasure. Feeling like in a geriatric, as others complain? Well, it seems that older folks have better taste. Classical music is always nice no matter the public. Besides, we will all get there and better with the ability to be able to enjoy music and dress up(and do your hair) for the occasion. There were many young people as well, although is true that majority of the audience is in the 65+ age range. Being in a builing that saw the light for the first time in 1929 is already a very nice thing to experience, at least in San Diego where you don’t get that many historic buildings as you can get anywhere in Europe. So just for the experience of being inside and breath some San Diego history is already worth it. I am a carpet maniac, I think the carpet of most public places(especially hospitals) are horrible, unattractive, unwelcoming. Not the case here. Check the pics and judge for yourself. And check the floors more often! No need to walk with your nose up, no matter if this is a symphone hall, after all is chill San Diego!
Melanio F.
Place rating: 4 San Diego, CA
I am getting old so most concerts I attend are with other older folks. However, instead of seeing the Symphony here, I was here for the PETSHOPBOYS concert. This was my first time here so I didn’t know what to expect. The hall was here before the building so I guess they built the whole building on top of it. Symphony towers is modern while Copley Symphony Hall is obviously older. I like smaller venues for concerts nowadays because I avoid heavy traffic and volumes of people leaving after a concert. Pluses, food and drink available(minimal). Cons — expensive. Acoustically, I can’t judge this place based on the PSB concert since their music is electronic and danceable as opposed to the Symphony Orchestra. Parking across the street is reasonable at $ 10 for the night. Old fogey over here is tallying costs. Pricing for the tickets were still stiff over $ 100 for two(bec of all the surcharges and fees). Parking, food. I think this was almost as expensive as eating dinner at one of those fancy restaurants like Bertand’s at Mister A’s or Mille Fleurs. Overall, cost withstanding, I enjoyed myself and after 2 encores left the hall still dancing in my mind. …PSB…you are always on my mind…
Amanda M.
Place rating: 4 San Jose, CA
This concert hall is exceptional. I have never been here until this last friday’s concert, but apparently there has been significant improvement since«last season.» The main lobby where the refreshments are served has been renovated and given a stylish facelift. Everything is bright, and crisp when it comes to appearance. Additionally, within the hall itself, re-carpeting, and lighting changes have also been made. The only complaint I have about these hall is how uncomfortable the seats are. I was doing my absolute best to enjoy the musical stylings of Augustin Hadelich’s,(who is an amazingly talented violin prodigy) but I kept squirming in my seat. There isn’t much back support and I felt like I was sitting in like, a little box. I do hope they look into updating the seats for the betterment of the audience that they cater to. Overall, if you are looking for a great experience for a ballet or musical composition, I suggest looking no further than Copley Symphony hall.
Vincent L.
Place rating: 4 Oakland, CA
Grand, historic concert hall that mixes old and new. You actually enter through a modern office tower, which they’ve managed to build on top of the hall, walking through a foyer that’s part of the new building until you reach the lobby of the original concert hall. The hall inside is cavernous, yet not so large as to feel overwhelming, and, like grand halls of its type, has a breathtaking, ornate ceiling and proscenium arch. There are gorgeous murals on both sides of the main seating level, beneath the balconies. I’ve been here several times and found nothing wrong with the acoustics, although each time I was seated in the first few rows. I did notice that they have an elaborate speaker system set up, ostensibly to improve acoustics in the nether reaches of the hall. There are also video screens to improve visibility for all, and seating is fairly comfortable. At a time when Southern California is often obsessed with all things newer, flashier, and brighter, Copley Symphony Hall is a beautiful reminder of a past era that’s been preserved for all to enjoy.
Steve F.
Place rating: 5 San Diego, CA
Back in my high school days, I played trombone in our band(yes, that’s right — I was a band geek). In my sophomore year, I qualified to take part in a concert performance at Copley Symphony Hall — it was one of the highlights of my high school career. I went here over the weekend to see John Williams conduct the San Diego Symphony. While I was struck at how small the stage appeared, the décor and environs was more than enough to catch my eye. Very elegant performance hall, and the video screens on the sides of the stage were not distracting whatsoever. Plus, while I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t be able to see the performers due to my seat arrangement, it doesn’t appear that there was a bad seat in the house. The lobby also was quite beautiful — I loved the mural near the front, and since it’s the holiday season, there was a rather gorgeous musically-themed Christmas tree that was a prime location for pictures. As for the concert itself — watching maestro Williams conduct our city’s symphony(and guest cellist) through his works was an amazing experience I will never forget. I have to admit, tears came to my eyes during the first encore, when the Raiders March started to play — and during the second encore, when the Star Wars Main Theme went up. While parking can be a pain(I parked a few blocks away, saving me some cash), and the concessions are overpriced($ 6 for a chocolate chip cookie and bottle of water — which you could bring inside the hall)… attending a symphony performance to get your art and culture fix is an experience that should be taken advantage of!