Guide to LA's Best Outdoor Concert Venues
The Rose Bowl
1001 Rose Bowl Dr
Pasadena, CA 91103
(626) 577-3100
www.rosebowlstadium.com
The largest outdoor stadium in the area, the Rose Bowl in recent years has been the home to many of the biggest concerts. Musicians like U2, Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z have all played the Pasadena stadium. With few obstructed view seats, fans are able to see all of the action and the stadium allows for bands to put on a big show without worry. There few better places to be on a beautiful evening than seeing a show here.
The Hollywood Bowl
2301 N Highland Ave.
Los Angeles CA 90068
(323) 850-2000
www.hollywoodbowl.com
The legendary Hollywood Bowl, located north of the Hollywood and Highland shopping complex, is one of America's most storied outdoor concert amphitheaters. The sound is immaculate, which can be attributed to the band shell above the stage and bands love to play here. On a crisp summer night, there are few things better in Los Angeles than hearing music while the purple skies turn black. Between leased events, which feature major touring acts, and subscription nights that can feature the L.A. Philharmonic and KCRW sponsored evenings, the Bowl is a great option for an outdoor concert.
Greek Theatre
2700 N Vermont Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 665-5857
www.greektheatrela.com
A smaller version of the Bowl, the Greek can be a pain to park, but its ambiance is one of the best in town. Located near the top of Griffith Park, the venue has the warmth of listening to music in a friend's backyard. Unlike the Hollywood Bowl which traditionally opens just for summer, the concert calendar at The Greek runs from March through November which can mean it can get chilly at times up in the hills. But, for most of the summer concert season, the Greek is one of the top places to see a show. Oh, and they sell Pink's hot dogs. Score!
John Anson Ford Theatres
2580 Cahuenga Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90068
(323) 461-3673
www.fordtheatres.org
Tucked just off the 101 before Universal Studios, the Ford is a great place to see anything from theater groups to bands. Over the past few years, the 1200 person sized venues has allowed for fans to get up close and personal with some of their favorite musicians. Groups like Jane's Addiction and Dr. Dog have played underneath the stars, giving fans a great soundtrack underneath the stars.
Los Angeles State Historic Park
1245 N Spring St
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(323) 441-8819
www.parks.ca.gov
Though under construction at the moment, the L.A. State Historic Park has been the site of some of the biggest festivals in the city. HARD and FYF have called the park just north of downtown home for years, and more recently, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros put on their Big Top show here. With tons of space for fans to bounce from stage-to-stage, when the Park reopens, don't be surprised if more festivals are attract to this site.
Dodger Stadium
1000 Elysian Park Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(323) 224-1507
www.dodgers.com
With the growing influence of other outdoor mammoth venues that have sprouted up around the city, Dodger Stadium hasn't played host to big shows in recent years. However, that doesn't mean the jewel of baseball stadiums still isn't a fantastic place to see a concert. With the palm trees in the background and not a bad seat in the house, the stadium is a favorite for music fans. This year, Paul McCartney will be returning to one of the Beatles' first conquests and in the past, the Rolling Stones, KISS and a slew of others have also played the stadium.
Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Dr
Los Angeles, CA 90049
(310) 440-7300
www.getty.edu
Known for it's Saturday's Off The 405 concert series, the Getty has quickly become one of the best places to see a show on a summer weekend. Featuring an array of local acts that are as eclectic as the city itself, the Getty makes for an outstanding outdoor venue in the Summer. Concerts, while not free, are often times inexpensive compared to the other venues in the city. The Getty is one of the best venues to get a real taste of what local talent Los Angeles has to offer.
