Fall may be around the corner, but let this playlist of beachy and San Diego-inspired songs keep you in the summer mindset for a little bit longer. Listen at the beach, on your drive down the 5 or while reading the Union-Tribune’s ode to San Diego’s iconic piers.
The Beach Boys, “Surfin’ U.S.A.”
Released in 1963, this West Coast classic name checks Del Mar, Trestles, Swami’s, San Onofre and La Jolla — The Beach Boys knew a good surf spot when they saw one.
2Pac, “California Love”
Is there really more of an earworm than “California Love”? It’s cool, has a great beat and will inspire a sense of California pride “from Diego to the bay.”
Bing Crosby, “Where the Surf Meets the Turf”
In only a few verses, Bing Crosby will transport you back to the 1937 grand opening of the Del Mar Racetrack, which he co-founded.
JF and Biggie Babylon, “Rollin”This song is upbeat and gives off a sound that you want to hear in your car driving to the beach on a sunny day in San Diego. The song also mentions numerous cities in the county with ocean views, including Oceanside, Mission Bay and Carlsbad.
Michael Franks, “Blue Pacific”
San Diego-born singer Michael Franks wrote the songs on his 1990 album, “Blue Pacific,” during a four-month stay in La Jolla. While he doesn’t mention San Diego in this song, it’s an ode to our idyllic coast. A relatable verse: “Understandably happy to be specific / When I’m snorkeled and finned in the blue Pacific.”
“Summer Nights” by Lil RobAs the title indicates, it’s a song for summer night vibes. Lil Rob grew up in Solana Beach and in this song he says, “I couldn’t ask for no better weather / I’m right next to the Pacific, to be specific.” This song is also very popular with local Mexican-Americans and the Chicano community because it talks about Chevrolet Impalas and Ralfi Pagan and uses Chicano vernacular such as “ruca” (which means “girlfriend” or “wife”).
BRDGS, “San Diego”
“I left my heart in San Diego,” the song goes, with a snappy beat driving it forward. This one is fun, albeit a little sad, recalling a love that was lost in our SoCal paradise.
Nobody Knows and Amon, “Butter Pecan”A hip-hop song with R&B sounds that talks about the growing attraction one person has for another as they spend more time together.
Blink-182, “California”
“Let’s take a walk out on the pier, watch the shoreline disappear / It’s what I’ve always wanted” — Same, Blink-182, same.
Arthur Blythe, “Down San Diego Way”
This all-instrumental 1979 song by the late San Diego jazz saxophone great is upbeat and bright — it sounds like the feeling of roller blading on the Mission Bay boardwalk.
Blink-182, “San Diego”
Hometown heroes Blink-182 didn’t just write about California; they wrote about the city where it all began for them: San Diego. Sadly, the band sings that they “can’t go back to San Diego.” We hope that’s not true.
Jan & Dean “Tell ‘Em, I’m Surfin”
Next time you want to get out of going to an event, just tell them you’re surfing. That’s what 1960s rock duo Jan & Dean would do, anyway.
B-Side Players, “San Diego”A love letter to San Diego, this song mentions various parts of the county, including Chicano Park, Coronado, Sunset Cliffs, the San Diego Padres, the ocean wave and the South Bay culture. The song also talks about being blessed to live in San Diego because of the various attractions and people that are here.
Mel Tormé, “They Go to San Diego”
How can you not like a song that rhymes “San Diego” with both “archipelago” and “Tierre del Fuego?”
Brandtson, “Earthquakes and Sharks”
This song mentions San Diego, Mission Beach and, of course, California’s earthquakes and sharks. It’ll take more than that to scare us off, though.
Switchfoot, “Fading West”
North County rock group, Switchfoot, also known for throwing a surf competition and concert at Moonlight Beach every year, created a surf film, “Fading West,” with this as the title song.
Slightly Stoopid, “Closer to the Sun”
No list of songs to set the vibe for San Diego would be complete without hometown jam band Slightly Stoopid.
Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett, “Knee Deep”
For our country music lovers, this country hit says, “The ocean is my only medication.” And the addition of Jimmy Buffett to the list brings home the beachy mood.
Dean Martin, “Thirty More Miles to San Diego”
In this country music-tinged song, Martin is on his way back home to his lover in San Diego, just 30 more miles away. Anyone who has returned to San Diego from a long road trip can relate to the line: “How can such a short way seem so long?”
Honorable mentions
Tom Waits’ “San Diego Serenade,” Joan Tower’s “Trio La Jolla,” Steve Allen’s “I Left My Nose in San Diego,” Charlie Walker’s “San Diego,” William “Randy” Rebold’s “My Home San Diego,” Frankie Laine’s “San Diego, Lovely Lady by the Sea” and The Coronas’ “San Diego Song.”
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