Traffic advisory issued for Paul Simon concert due to downtown train derailment
Here is some sound advice for anyone who will be attending Paul Simon’s “A Quiet Celebration” concert at The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park Tuesday night: Arrive extra early.
The legendary singer-songwriter’s nearly sold-out show will take place just a few days after a BNSF Railway cargo train derailment took place downtown jus a few blocks away on Saturday. The derailment forced the closure of a major section of Harbor Drive, which is the closest main street that leads to the outdoor concert venue alongside San Diego Bay.
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Simon’s Tuesday show with his band, for which only 11 unsold tickets remained of early Monday evening, will begin at 7 p.m. That is just 20 minutes after the San Diego Padres’ sold-out Tuesday game against the Cincinnati Reds is scheduled to start at Petco Park, which is barely a half mile away from The Shell.
Traffic typically backs up on Harbor Drive and other main downtown thoroughfares on nights when concerts at The Shell and Padres games take place concurrently. As a result of Sunday’s derailment of three boxcars - which struck and damaged support beams under a bridge near Petco Park and the San Diego Convention Center - southbound and northbound Harbor Drive is currently closed between Cesar Chavez Parkway and Park Blvd., which adjoins Petco Park.
The San Diego Symphony, which owns and operates The Shell, is advising concertgoers on Tuesday to utilize Front Street to access Harbor Drive when when arriving from Interstate 5 or SR-94. The symphony is also suggesting Simon concert attendees use public transportation or Ride Share, and that those using Ride Share arrive and depart a few blocks from the venue. San Diego Trolley service, which runs alongside Harbor Drive and the railway tracks, has not been disrupted.
It is not yet known how long repairs will take before the stretch of Harbor Drive between Cesar Chavez Parkway and Park Blvd. can reopen. The Shell has a busy schedule this week. Simon’s Tuesday concert will be followed by performances by former One Direction member Louis Tomlinson On Wednesday, “Classic Albums Live performs The Eagles: Their Greatest Hits” on Thursday, and the 8th annual San Diego Smooth Jazz Festival on Saturday and Sunday.
In an email advising Simon ticketholders how to avoid traffic backups near The Shell on Tuesday, the symphony recommended reserving parking in advance at the IQHQ/RaDD (Research and Development District) garage and then walking about 15 minutes to the concert venue. The garage is located at near Seaport Village at 925 Waterfront Place.
The symphony also is recommending that concertgoers purchase pre-paid parking from Ace Parking, whose downtown lots include one under the San Diego Convention Center and is the closest major lot to The Shell. The symphony notes that “drive-up parking may or may not be available on the day of the concert” and that, “if available, it may be significantly more expensive than the advance parking price.”
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This story was originally published June 8, 2026 at 6:50 PM.