Going to Los Angeles and San Diego in June - where is THE music-spot?

Hi folks,

since I am planing my trip to LA and Sandiego in June, I was wondering, where to go to either see some music/guitar scene or concerts or top-secret-live-bars.
I checked on the internet but i didn't find what I was looking for...

Any suggestions welcome, just like: shops, bars, venues, concerts...

and: if there is Gibson (or even Fender ) involved - even better.
THX for your help!

Here's my two cents as a San Diego person. Guitar shops in SD: Moze Guitars in La Mesa, about half between Guitar Center (Grossmont Center) and Sam Ash (College Grove Shopping Center) which are only a few minutes apart, has some vintage and used gear and a very friendly staff (me included). We got in a 56 Gretsch Country Club and a 79 Gibson L-5S in today. Guitar Center also has a location in San Marcos, about 30 miles from downtown. Top 40 Guitars is in Santee. The Repair Zone is off of Clairmont Mesa, has some guitars/parts for sale. Haven't been to Mark's Guitars in the Midway District for a long time, very small store. While in LA go to GC Hollywood to see the "Rock Walk". They also have their vintage room which is worth seeing. Lots of other GC locations around the city. There used to be a couple of other stores on the same block as GC, but I haven't been up there in quite a while. For live music in SD, there is a free weekly paper that comes out on Thursdays called the "Reader". You can find it at 7/11, AM/PM, etc. Has an entertainment section which lists what bands are appearing where. We also have quite a few casinos which have big named acts. Weather should be foggy in the morning (the June gloom), but clear up by lunch time with temps in the 70s/80s. Bring a light jacket/sweatshirt for night time wear. Ocean water will be chilly, probably in the upper 60s. Go over to Coronado to see the Hotel Del Coronado. La Jolla (pronounced La Hoya) is also very nice. (J's are pronounced as H's) Skip going to Tijuana. Let me know if you have any questions.

Thanx man! That's really kind!eace2
Are there any "must go to" bars in SD? (I'll have a 12,5 hour flight - so I want it all )
The more live-music the better!

The Belly Up in Solana Beach. Great club in the Sandy Eggo area.

I'm in the LA area. Tons of clubs here to hear great music...and some unusual settings too. I've seen players like Eric Gales at the Viper room in Hollywood for real reasonable ticket prices. I've caught Scott Henderson (twice!) at what is normally a dance studio near me; again real reasonable. There's a club in a bowling alley in Hollywood called Lucky Strike Live where you can catch guys from Rod Stewart's band...Joe Perry...Bryan Adams' band, etc. if you happen to be there at the right time. Same for the Elks Club in Santa Monica...from time to time some big name artists just pop in.

Then there's always the Baked Potato on Cahengua where there's often someone fantastic playing. I've caught Josh Smith, Kirk Fletcher, Mike Landau, Jimmy Vivino, Carl Verheyen...all kinds of fantastic players there. There's often jazz on Sundays at the old Light House on Pier Ave in Hermosa Beach.

Up in Pasadena, the Rose is a good place for good tribute bands and occasionally an big act from the past, like the Spinners, or the Babys or Johnny Rivers, etc.

As for stores, you'll want to check into the Vintage Room at the Guitar Center on Sunset in Hollywood. Nutso prices typically but really fun to browse; good acoustic room there too. Haven't been there in ages but the Mesa Boogie store is across the street and that's fun to browse too; usually have some interesting boutique guitars there. There are some other scattered vintage shops around that neck of the woods too....and there's still Norm's Rare Guitars up in the valley.

For killer pedal selection, head over to True Tone Music in Santa Monica. Some nice amps and guitars there too.

The Belly Up Tavern & The Baked Potato are 2 solid suggestions!

If you ever plan a trip to Austria (Europe...homecountry of Arnold Schwarzenegger) gimme a call :yah