svanessac
This place is amazing. The location is wonderful, the mountain side was to die for. The down side was the long lines to parking, but considering it looked to be a solder out show, it figures. The staff was friendly and helpful.
TERESA980
I love this place, the audio is great and anywhere you seat it is a great view! The place is a great size. Small and not that small at the same time but to the point that you really get to enjoy the concert to the best!!!!
59ashleys
The concert was fun. We had lawn seats and due to the crowd though nothing was allowed in (no blankets, chairs, etc) which ended up being ok because I wouldn't have wanted to sit on the lawn anyways. The venue was great, some of the patrons were a little wild, but that was to be expected. Leaving Sleep Train it was REALLY hard to get a cab, so I would recommend either leaving a little early or hanging around a bit.
Daniella101
I had never been to the venue before and I drove from the IE. I read the reviews so I knew about the dirt parking lot. Drove in and parked fairly quickly. If you want to eat before hand I recommend stopping before the FRWY exit, once you exit for the arena there is not to many food options. We tailgated in the parking lot for a bit with no problems. We entered the venue after the opening act so there was no wait. I brought a backpack since you were able to bring in one 20oz waterbottle and a gallon size clear bag of food, was told I had to check by backpack in at guest services because it was not allowed. Although my friend was allowed in with a cinch back pack because it didn't really look like a backpack?! So heads up. We had lawn seats and were emailed prior to the show that no blankets or chairs were allowed for this show. We didn't mind since we never sat down rocking out to the bands. Like most venues beer was expensive $11 for a tall can of Coors Light CASH ONLY. We were able to see and hear great and had an awesome time! My friend brought us all glow sticks and were great when looking for our group after a bathroom trip since it gets pretty dark in the lawn section. We left during the last song and had no problem with traffic on our way out. Would definitely come back to this venue again!!
wernemi
Had never been to this venue before but could not get these good seats in my hometown of Washington but got great seats for the price in Chula Vista! We have summer home in San Diego and only eight miles from this venue. My spouse dropped my friend and I off, thankfully, because the line for parking was tremendous. We also ate at a restaurant prior because food at all concerts is outrageous. Sound was great, seats were great, rest rooms easily attainable. Extremely hot in May even for San Diego, but it had cooled off enough to be nice. I like this amphitheater better than many others I've been too. The parking seems to be consistently a problem though so would recommend getting a ride and being dropped off and picked up. Leaving the venue again traffic was horrible.
RJL71
I love this venue! Outdoors and in a beautiful location! Go early for concert parking!!!! Grass area is still with great view of stage! Restrooms and concessions are very accessible throughout the venue!
ChelseaG61
This place has changed hands plenty of times, so I am not sure if that is part of the problem. Sound is good, holds a lot of people, can see from just about anywhere, but...It takes a lot of effort getting in and out. This could be helped by more traffic attendants after a show. Free parking is all in dirt lots, so remember where you park or use an APP. Food and drinks will bankrupt you, and the ATM fees are insane. Be prepared.Rules and regulations are inconsistent. One concert it's fine to bring a blanket or beach towels for lawn seating, the next they don't allow them. Sometimes only one entrance got that memo, so while you may have to abandon your stuff or walk it way back to your car, other people will be in the venue sitting on them. Sometimes you need a wristband for the pit area, sometimes just a ticket will do. Most of the event staff have different answers for the same question also. The seating section is long, long rows. If you are going to get in there and sit the whole time great. If you are the person on the ends and the people are going to stay at their seats the whole time, great! Otherwise getting in and to your seats can be a bit of a pain. The entrances to the seating area used to be easier to maneuver. Now they chain one side off to check tickets for people going into seats. This creates a back up for people getting up for something. It's a huge back up when the band first comes on and everyone is trying to rush back to their seats to see the show.If you are not somewhere where you are buying the tickets to be handed to you, make sure you print at home or have them mailed, if time allows. For one show I missed the entire opening band because the Will Call line was so backed up, and I arrived 30 minutes prior.If you do bring kids expect pot, everywhere, so don't be complaining or getting huffy. (Ha, ha) It's a concert venue. I don't partake, but I expect it, and there is always plenty of it. When I hear parents complain I wonder what they were thinking. If I really want to see a band then I'll go here. On a warm summer night, it's a great evening venue. Sometimes there are some awesome Groupon or 4 pack prices. I wouldn't seek out a concert here, but I end up going a few times a year for certain bands.
113mielr
Went here to see Dierks Bentley Riser tour! I had pit tickets and got there early to make sure I could get to the front of the stage. It wasn't communicated to anyone that once you entered the ampitheatre you were to get a wrist band to enter the pit section which was a bit of a downfall, but overall I had a good time!
CarolineO313
Plenty of space around the amphitheater so you'll always see even in open grass areas, unless someone decides to stand up. Loads of parking, but remember where you parked your car. Plenty of eating and drinking areas - although expensive.
cblaiz
This venue is in the middle of nowhere and there's no mass transit to and from. The traffic in and out for a large popular concert (we recently saw Journey here) is awful. The food is expensive...$8 for a soda which would cost 99 cents at 7-eleven. We paid $45 for two chicken tender orders with fries and a soda. Same meal would've been $7 at McDonald's and tasted better. I wouldn't go to an event here unless it's one of your favorite artists and you have no other options.
chasetravelbug
I liked this venue for the seating and actual arena was nice. I also liked the setup as far as where to get food and drinks, bathrooms etc. Pretty convenient. What we didn't like was that no one could tell us where to catch a taxi back to our hotel, and one security guard even gave us the wrong directions, and we ended up walking for over an hour, and no cabs would pick us up because they can only pick up passengers at the taxi line, which no one seemed to be able to find! Overall, good experience with a bad ending.
denac364
parking situation sucks venue is pretty good .. food and drink prices are out of control but what is new in this day and age. over sound is good decent size venue your coming here to listen to music this place does the job. be prepared to wait to get out of the parking lot here its a zoo. and a side note the lawn sucks most of the time a bunch of drunks with throw up on the walkways and throw up by the top of the lawn near the vendors. if you have to sit up there because its your only chance to see your band then do it but i would say don't drink to much super long lines up here and the bathroom lines a joke.
Cinquecento
We went to Sleep Train Ampitheatre to see a Jason Aldean Concert. Have been there several times this year for other concerts, but tonight we realized just how poor the event Security was. During an intermission between acts a drunken biker type got into a fight with someone just behind where we were sitting. We call Security to get the fight broken up. Security did come stop the scuffle, but did not remove the aggressor (biker type). Because we had been the ones ( in his mind) to call Security the we became the target of the aggressor's attention next. We were taunted and harassed all night long. At one point, this person come over from his seat and got in my face and threaten me, trying to provoke me. I went back to Security to complain, but was told if I didn't return to my seat I would be escorted from the venue. I guess this is not the first time they have had this type of problem. I have found several stories on the internet of pending law suits against the ampitheatre and their Security for failure to properly protect event patrons. After ignoring the taunting all night long, right up to the end of the concert, the person finally gave up. Not a safe place!!!Also the VIP parking sucks. It is close to the entrance, but it is a large dirt and grass field. Several people I know have complained about flat tire after parking there.
lamberse
Wonderful experience in this Ampitheatre with the worst parking lot we've seen and because of the confused traffic we've lost 30 minutes of the show. :(
tdogbucho
This is based on going to one concert, and not living in the area. This venue is the worst I have ever been at. I have never had to stand in line for an hour before even being allowed to enter. Plus, it is out in the middle of nowhere. Getting a taxi out there was not a problem, but trying to get a taxi back was crazy. Found out the hard way the majority of local taxis do not support going that far, and drivers who do are on their own time. So, if just going down the street, won't take you because they want to take people who are going further. Don't get me started on how bad the food was too. I will travel elsewhere in future for concerts not available closer to home.