Frontwave Arena — Attraction in Oceanside

I took mom to her first concert ever. We saw Ben Haggard open up singing his father Merle’s songs. The Mavericks came out in a flurry and rocked the house with their blend of English and Spanish influences and alone were worth the price of the tickets. But then Dwight Yoakum came on stage with an hour and a half set followed by an encore. The sound was clear and loud and left us feeling the music.

The Frontwave has the best darn security of any venue I’ve ever been to, and we welcomed it. We felt SAFE. I had trouble getting through the crowd lined up on the sidewalk with mom in her wheelchair, so I was going to have her get out so I could walk on the street that was blocked from any moving traffic. Once I got mom to her feet, a security officer hustled over out of nowhere to help me. He had me get her back in the chair on the sidewalk and he walked in front of us, moving everyone to the left so we could pass on the right. We thanked everyone as we went! He walked us clear to end of the line and guided me to the ADA entrance. That entrance was a ramp that takes you directly to the walkway that circles the arena. This was also the ADA level seating for wheelchairs. I must say Frontwave takes real good care of their ADA visitors. There are even at least a couple if not a few Family Restrooms, but there are plenty of stalls in the full size restrooms.

The way the arena is set up, every seat is a good seat. You can’t go wrong in a 7500 patron seating venue. There are several bars serving drinks and while the food is as expensive as unexpected (24 oz Modelo was $19!) I wasn’t there for the food. I was there to be entertained and my mother’s limitations respected. That all scored a 25+ on a scale of 1-10!

If I had anything to complain about, it’d be the missing curtain. There are blackout curtains all around the arena on the entry level to block out the lights on concourse. From where we sat in Section 103-seats 13 and 14, our peripheral vision was attacked by blinding light from a higher level where they definitely need a blackout curtain. The arena is great and with the prices charged I am sure they can afford one more large blackout curtain where my attached photo shows how violent that light was. We did not appreciate that. Far as I’m concerned, we should get a courtesy voucher for that disturbing distraction. I’d appreciate a response from arena management about resolving that issue. New arena, new issues arise, but what will you do about it? Anything? It’d only be right.

We did not go to the outside tables at the large bar seen in video, but maybe next time. We will definitely be back. I’ll just try to avoid section 103 at all costs. Our next event will be in October. Already bought the tickets. Section 113 this...

I wish this arena was never made because there are other venues to have shows at here in San Diego California. Plus Oceanside is not the easiest place to go for a show especially if you ride Transit. And because of gas prices. I hope that place has free parking and they except cash and card. When buying food drinks and souvenir items can I hope that this venue serves Coca-Cola products. I know what's going to happen to sports radio but the sports arena is still open at the moment they're taking away shows that was supposed to be at sports arena. If I had to leave this place deserve zero Stars. There are good shows coming up. But if don't have a ride or a car then we can't go there.

Like I said this place should never been made

Adding review. The parking situation is really dumb meaning if the doors were to have open at 7:00 it doesn't matter the parking starts at 6:30 p.m. opening and the price of parking is $30 which is not worth the price. The parking attendants act like their security Witch there not and they need the mind their own business. You can get autographs and photo with artist at concerts as long as the parking people don't act like security. Does security for the arena is very cool I'm very respectful. Since I've checked this arena out so far this is the suckiest arena does have ever been made in San Diego California. They need to have concerts elsewhere not at this arena. This is a super f plus arena. They wasn't almost going to let us Park so we can go to the box office and see for tickets for shows. They do have VIP parking but I guess you have to wait till later when the parking opens then you can park there as well as general parking. There's lots of issues to this place. They say no outside food to be bringing in the arena I beg to differ because if your diabetic you should be able to be allowed to and I think you are can are any medical condition that requires you to have food. It's dumb when you have an arena our venue that is only cashless. They need to have it were they take cash and card. If you're coming from south to North that's pretty far away to not have it be cash some people showed up at this arena not knowing that is cashless. And there's no good restaurants really around the area that is cheap meaning no fast food restaurants. Have not seen no restrooms outside the arena. It is easy to get to buy sprinter train. Make sure if you're coming from south or La of course make sure you come by car. I will be checking out the inside soon and I will have my review for that next week I will try to add pictures to. One of the most shittiest places in San Diego I've ever been to. I never plan on going to this place again unless there's actually somebody in concert I...

First off, five stars to whoever decided to build an arena deep in Oceanside just five minutes from my house.

Like, seriously.

Before we had to drive an hour north to Irvine, or an hour south to Petco or Chula Vista. Now we have an arena for concerts, games, you name it right in our backyard. Love it!

The arena is brand new so of course it's super clean. Drink prices are high as expected. Plus there's tax/tip. $18 for a well vodka tonic. $20 for a Ketel One tonic. They also have Cutwater canned cocktails, but paying a lot for a can of anything is just outrageous. Go have a drink at The Draft, The Junkyard, Enzo's or anywhere else then come here. And just wait till I get to parking.

Bathrooms are a good size, but getting into and out of the bathroom is a weird endeavor due to the stanchions and retractable belts that guide people into the bathrooms. That area takes up way too much space! I can't imagine what the hallways would be like when it's sold out here.

During our CAKE concert, many people were at the outside patio bar watching the Padres game (including us). Sad part is they only had one little TV out there for everyone to watch. They need to add more and make them bigger! And some outside if possible. Come on, TVs are cheap.

The concert itself was great. I wish they had large Jumbotron somewhere in the middle of the venue so we could see the band members up closer, otherwise you are squinting to see what's happening on stage. I have a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and my pics and videos in the dark were not that great. Maybe it's just a problem for us old-timers lol.

Parking looks like a huge mess to me. When we pulled into the arena to park, all I could see is a huge sea of red brake lights of people trying to get in. Not much movement. At that point, I flipped a U-turn, crossed the intersection, and parked over by the hotels across the street. Plenty of free parking there and it was barely a 10 min walk. Best part, when we leave, it's instantaneous. No waiting in a single-file line to drive out which is bonkers.

EDIT: We went to the Junkyard last night for karaoke and noticed a big sign saying no Front Wave parking (they had a rock concert there last night), or you will be towed. No worries, plenty of free parking elsewhere at the nearby businesses. Just stay away from the hotel parking lots.

Overall, love the new arena! Can't wait to explore more, and grab some Tanner's...