Maybe the Metaphor Cafe is worth driving over to Escondido. See this article in the North County Times

Try the Metaphor Cafe in Escondido. I've read that the new owner is trying to set up a venue for stickly live music in an environment encouraging local bands. At present Metaphor Cafe is said to have jazz and bluegrass Mondays and Tuesdays with other activities other nights. The Metaphor Cafe is located at 258 E. Second Avenue in the downtown area. It sounds like the food is intersting too.