If you’re looking to enjoy a night out in Los Angeles, the Hollywood Bowl is the place to be. Whether you’re a fan of rock, pop, Broadway, or classical music, you’re bound to find a show to enjoy at this historic venue! With its beautiful views and top-notch entertainment, visiting such a popular spot can come with its fair share of hurdles. With that in mind, here are a few tips for making the most of your next visit!

Pick a Show

Some of the biggest names in entertainment find their way to the Hollywood Bowl, performing everything from classical music, to show tunes, to film soundtracks, to rock and pop and everything in between. With the Hollywood Bowl’s stacked schedule, it can be overwhelming trying to decide who to see. Luckily, with TodayTix you can now conveniently see who is performing and when, and get yourself a ticket to the next hot show!

Find Your Perfect Seat

When it comes to choosing where to sit at the Hollywood Bowl, you really can’t go wrong. You’ll find that there isn’t a bad seat in the house, with stunning landscape views and large screens on either side of the stage so you won’t miss any details.

That being said, it doesn’t hurt to know all of your options! Box seats in the front provide a fun experience for groups of 4 to 6, as you’re seated around tables surrounded by partitions, so you can enjoy a meal or drinks during the show without having to perform a balancing act on your lap. More traditional stadium and bench seating is available throughout the rest of the venue. For ultimate comfort, bring a seat cushion, or rent one from the venue for $1!

Bring the Essentials

While the Hollywood Bowl provides plenty of amenities for your comfort and enjoyment, it’s always a good idea to bring along a few items from home that will allow you to make the most of your Bowl experience. Wearing comfortable clothing and shoes is a must for navigating the grounds of the Hollywood Bowl, and make sure you bring along a light jacket or blanket in case it gets chilly in the evening. As mentioned, seat cushions come in handy, especially if you’re sitting in one of the bench seats. Pack yourself some sunscreen or wear a (non-view obscuring) hat to keep damaging UV rays at bay. You can bring your own food and drink into the venue, however there are different policies that apply depending on who is performing. And, of course, don’t forget to bring your tickets!

Arrive in Style

Traffic and parking woes are cruel but unavoidable to the average Angeleno. It’s not uncommon to leave hours in advance for an event to allow for possible gridlock and lack of parking options. But it doesn’t have to be this way! While the Hollywood Bowl provides on-site parking, it tends to fill up quickly, and you can plan to spend what feels like half of your life waiting in your car to leave the venue once the concert is over. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to avoid this. Hollywood Bowl offers a Park and Ride program, as well as a Bowl Shuttle that will take you from a nearby lot right to the venue. You can also take the Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Highland station and catch a shuttle there, or take a nice walk up Highland to the venue.

Bask in the Hollywood Bowl’s History

Before your concert begins, be sure to stop at the Hollywood Bowl Museum on your way in to get your dose of history and enhance your Hollywood Bowl experience. Take a group or self-guided tour and learn all about the history and culture of Hollywood Bowl, the musicians that performed there, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Depending on the day, you could even catch a rehearsal by the LA Philharmonic or Hollywood Bowl Orchestra during a tour!

Pack a Picnic

While the dining options inside the venue are plentiful (and delicious), nothing beats the charm of a homemade pre-show picnic. There are 14 beautiful picnic areas to choose from at the Bowl, and some are available as early as four hours prior to showtime, allowing you plenty of time to lounge with your friends and enjoy the scenery. Pack yourself some sandwiches, or a fruit and cheese platter, along with a bottle of wine! If you’re lacking in culinary skills, you can also order a picnic box that you can pick up at the venue the night of the performance. Bon appétit!

Keep the Fun Going

Sure, the show might be over, but who says your night has to end there? The Hollywood Bowl’s convenient location makes it easy to top off your night with dinner, drinks, dancing, or all of the above. Hollywood Boulevard is about a 15 minute walk down Highland, where you can grab a late-night bite at 25 Degrees, located at the historic Roosevelt Hotel. Or if great cocktails and music are your speed, check out A Simple Bar!

What are some of your favorite things about Hollywood Bowl? Let us know on Instagram and Twitter!

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Your Ultimate Guide to the Hollywood Bowl