If only there was someone who really knew the music scene in LA, some group of people who had been to every theater and every club. People who had tested all the sound systems on every stage and all the drinks at every bar. They'd have to be creative. They'd have to really love music. They'd have to be... musicians.
Los Angeles is full of talented local musicians who live and breathe the LA music scene. I presented the best of them with a question:
What is your favorite place in LA to see live music and why?Their answers make up an ongoing series called Musician's Pick.
The Musician
Ken Wilder is a singer, songwriter, guitar player and a of member of the hit LA band, The Four Postmen. He joined up shortly after the band formed in 1992 and he's been playing regular gigs around LA ever since.
There are very few places to see live music in this city that he hasn't seen, either from the stage or the audience.
The Pick - The Hollywood Bowl
"The Hollywood Bowl is an outdoor amphitheatre nestled between the Hollywood foothills. The sound is fantastic and the experience of listening to your favorite band, sipping your favorite wine (alcohol is allowed if carried in plastic containers) and watching the sun set against the landscape makes this one of my favorite spots in Los Angeles. It doesn't have the intimacy of smaller LA venues; but it's one of the best experiences LA has to offer."
- Ken Wilder
The Hollywood Bowl
This LA icon is the largest outdoor amphitheater in the world. It seats 18,000 people. It’s the home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the summer residence of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. It’s hosted performers from Frank Sinatra to Gwen Stefani, Johnny Cash to Isaac Stern, and Monty Python to Plácido Domingo.
It’s also the home of the annual Playboy Jazz Festival and the Mariachi USA Festival.
Seating
The Bowl provides seating for you and 18,000 of your closest friends. But all seats are not created equal, there are three specific types:
- Box Seats
These are collapsible chairs with canvas seats and backs. They're snug, but pretty comfortable.
Sections: Pool Circle, Garden Boxes, Terrace Boxes, Side Boxes.
- SuperSeats
These are fold up stadium seats made from molded plastic. They have cup holders in the armrest and are relatively comfortable, but you're going to enjoy the show more if you bring or rent a seat cushion.
Sections: D, E, F, G, H, J, K, Ramp Seats.
- Bench Seats
Welcome to the cheap seats. They may still cost a bundle for many performances, but they are simple wood-slat benches. If you are sitting here, a cushion is an absolute must.
Sections: L, M, N, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X.
- Hollywood Bowl Seating Chart
There are big video screens to enhance the experience of those in the back, but be clear, if you're in Section Q or beyond, bring binoculars if you want to figure out who the little ants on the stage are.
Local's Note - Seat CushionsThese simple little pieces of comfort will make a huge impact on your ability to enjoy the show. If you don't have one, you can rent one at the Bowl for just 75 cents. It's worth it.
Dining
You have two food options to consider when planning a trip to the Bowl; you either buy it there, or pack it in.
Buy It ThereThere are several tasty dining choices at the Bowl itself.
- Order Box Service
- Reserve a box dinner. You must place you order by 4pm the day before you attend the Bowl.
- The Rooftop Grill
- Sit-down service for a pre-concert meal with a great view of Hollywood.
- Patina at the Pool
- For a truly upscale experience, enjoy waitstaff service while dining in your Pool Circle box. These are the priciest tickets at the Bowl.
- The Marketplace
- An upscale mini-convenience store loaded with dinner options.
- Staccato
- A walk-up counter selling gourmet-to-go.
If you'd rather bring it with you, you'll find a great selection of picnic dinners at these restaurants.
- The Artisan Cheese Gallery
- 12023 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604
- (818) 505-0207
- The Bistro Garden
- 12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, CA 91604
- (818) 501-0202
- The Grill
- 9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210
- (310) 276-0615
- Julienne
- 2651 Mission St., San Marino, CA 91108
- (626) 441-2290
- La Cachette
- 10506 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025
- (310) 470-4992
If you want to pick up supplies at the grocery store, try Trader Joe’s. They’ve got a great selection of pre-made dishes.
Tickets
Get Hollywood Bowl tickets now: Buy Direct.Parking
If at all possible, do not drive to the Bowl. The parking lot is a nightmare and the traffic on Highland Avenue before and after the performances is truly epic.
Take the Metro system Red Line to Hollywood & Highland. The Bowl is an easy 15 minute walk north up Highland Avenue. If you don't want to hoof it, there is a shuttle available. It leaves from west side of Hollywood & Highland on North Orange Avenue. It's free if you have a Metro ticket, otherwise it's $3. That's the way to beat the traffic, unless you enjoy sitting in the Bowl parking lot for an hour after the show, waiting in line to get out and slowly baking in the exhaust fumes of thousands of other cars.
- Plan your trip with the LA Metro Trip Planner.
Local’s Note - Free Concert Rehearsals
Want to check out the Bowl without opening your wallet? Orchestra and Philharmonic rehearsals are open to the public at no cost during the summer season, from mid July to mid September.
Rehearsals run Mon, Tue, Fri, 9am-12pm.
Hollywood Bowl Basics
- Address: 2301 North Highland Avenue, Hollywood, CA 90068
- Phone: (323) 850-2000
- Map
- Hollywood Bowl website
