Wow it is incredible, I am here. Exciting just thinking of being here again. Right now! Must see and do this
Hollywood Bowl before the Concert and high in the hills is the Hollywood Sign Photo by Eileen Ludwig
Freelance Tourist: Travel Tips Hollywood Bowl
When in Los Angeles, California my favorite thing became going to the concerts at Hollywood Bowl 2301 North Highland Ave. Attending more than five the summer of 2006 delighted me so much, I miss it with all my heart. Planning days in advanced to attend for fireworks and music July 2, 2006, I had no idea how incredible and exhilarating it would feel. I love music with orchestras and symphonies. Nothing would have prepared me for the vastness of this space. 17,000 seats is HUGE.
Hollywood Sign up in the Hills Photo by Eileen Ludwig
Hotel
My hotel of Choice included the Comfort Inn and Suites on Highland Avenue because I figured it was free parking and I would just have to walk from there. No way was I prepared for the additional charges or higher price since I had booked it at a lower price of $80 for the night. Fixed that through the main group Choice Hotels where I was getting free nights by staying two separate times along my summer road trip
Walk and Music
The walk was all up hill and it went on and on and on until finally you reached the escalators to go up to your seating after picking up my tickets from Will Call. The escalators were endless to almost the top. Literally you are climbing the hills to get to the amphitheater seating. Tickets range in price and mine were $22 so I was high up.
Benches are long and shared for the lower price seats Photo by Eileen Ludwig
People arrived with baskets of food, wine and wine glasses. Some arrived early and picnic on the Park grounds before the concert. Everyone was like one big lawn party except we had seats. Large screens allowed us to see the actual singers and performers. It was obvious I was a new comer. Wrong seat. My seat was much closer and others helped me figure out the seating. No bad seat in the entire place as far as listening.
This was marvelous. Having listen to the Virgina Symphony on Fourth of July on the Ocean Front in the sand before, I thought nothing could top that. This did. My heart was racing with child like excitement. I want this for the whole summer. People here were fortunate to have such a wonderful place for outdoor concerts.
Parking
Parking for the next one was at the bottom of the hill and stayed at a nicer hotel further away for less. Parking closer still cost but once I figured out the right lot to easily get out and back on the 101 going South, I was out within an hour. No hanging around after concert because we were parked fender to fender. Had to wait for the first cars to leave to move. You do not want to block others from leaving. No way did you want to go back down Highland Avenue.
Return Visit Hollywood Bowl
July 7, 2006 came back for the Warner Bros. Bugs Bunny on Broadway. The Los Angeles Philharmonic with George Daugherty as conductor. Way more fun than I expected watching cartoons with classic scores of the favorites and everyone laughing. How could you not love an evening under the stars with fabulous music.
Night falls over Hollywood Bowl Photo by Eileen Ludwig
This was better than being at a Theme Park. This was the best gift I could give myself. My love of the arts started probably with Lawrence Welk and trips to New York with my mother. Trips to Stratford, Connecticut for Shakespeare plays with Junior High Class trips. Beautiful music in the great outdoors soothes my soul and warms my heart.
What are your favorite places for concerts?
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Eileen Ludwig, travel writer of Freelance Tourist brings to the world insights about places to travel, discounts, Staycations, Restaurant Reviews, movie reviews, and fascinating tibits. She is owner of three other sites: Photography, Web Design School, and Social Media School Each are in different stages of development and evolution.
Twitter: aviewtoathrill
What? Another Lawrence Welk fan? Lovely….I think that you can actually catch reruns on tv. Nice report. I’ve heard of the Hollywood Bowl, but never saw up close pics. I had no idea that you had to literally climb a hill to access it.
Twitter: eileenludwig
Renee, Loved Saturday nights sitting with my parents watching the bubbles and dancing. Corny stuff too. Like Ed Sullivan show.
Climbing, maybe literally climbing the hill is too strong. There are paved paths and when it gets really steep there are escalators or moving walkways. At the top, you have stairs. There is an elevator but it is a big wait line. It is so worth it.
Twitter: thetravelchica
I love outdoor concert venues, but I prefer it if they are not massive. I prefer that the performers do not look like ants
My favorite venues are in my home city of Columbus, Ohio. I love Promowest Pavilion outdoor area because it is amphitheater style but on a much smaller scale.
Twitter: eileenludwig
It was amazing to me how intimate this felt. I was surprised to read how many people it seated. It did not feel like a mass crowd which I also hate. Theme Parks feel way more crowded than this did
What a gorgeous venue, I’ve always wanted to go there. I was going to ask if traffic was really bad, but I guess you walked. Lucky!
Twitter: eileenludwig
Scott first time I walked from Hotel because it was an unknown. The other five times, I drove. If you take the 101 north and get off the exit after the HIGHLAND exit and take mostly rights, you wind up at the parking lot directly at the bottom of the hill (paved) up to the first escalators. This is also the easiest lot to get out of – There are ways to take buses in special for the concerts and or park at Kodiak theater parking and walk up Highland
Traffic can be tough until you figure out how to do it. I considered the cost of parking with the ticket and just got tickets under $25 + 13 for parking but it is about 16 now for parking.
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Twitter: Insidejourneys
17,000 seats? Wow, that is HUGE!!!
I love Central Park for outdoor, Radio City Music Hall for indoor. Both beautiful spaces.
Twitter: eileenludwig
I like both of those places too. Can not even remember who was playing Central Park but it was a long time ago when I was married. Radio City Music Hall has its own magic
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Twitter: budgettravelsac
What a great venue for a concert! We have an outdoor amphitheater here in the Sacramento area for concerts. Would love to check it out but it does seem a little expensive. I think outdoor venues are huge here in California because of the weather. However, I bet this weekend wouldn’t have been a good one for visiting the Hollywood Bowl!
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Twitter: eileenludwig
Jeremy, I loved this venue. The outdoor theater is so nice. The price is in line with what tickets are to see a symphony except the price goes higher with seats at the very bottom.
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Wow, that is a huge venue. One of my favourite places for concerts is the Royal Albert Hall (for the Proms), but apart from that I much prefer smaller places.
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Twitter: eileenludwig
Christina Thank you. Normally a smaller venue had been my choice but this was astounding and I loved it. Weather plays a big part. Your venue looks fantastic too http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Albert_Hall
really nice pics and post. i love the idea of going and picnicking and bringing my own wine and fare. it seems like a good sense of community and friendship. as far as the concerts i’ve been to, they’ve all been big commercialized events where bringing anything but your wallet is frowned upon. expensive beer and food at every corner. not that i’m complaining, it’s the norm for concert venues. I just really like the idea of a laid back concert where you can bring your own stuff and enjoy.
Twitter: eileenludwig
Mack, you are right most concerts you can’t bring anything inside which is why this was such a treat for everyone. Groups of people worked it together. Just a fun atmosphere no matter what the music.
that’s what i’m all about!
Twitter: eurotravelista
The Hollywood Bowl is one of my very favorite places for concerts. Before I moved to Northern California we had season tickets with other friends for the Philharmonic. We decided to opt for the box seats so we were the ones bringing a picnic and wine. Sitting outside in the warm So Cal air listening to amazing music (and I’m not a huge fan of Philharmonic music) is to this day one of my favorite things I have ever done.
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Twitter: eileenludwig
Debbie, even the people up in the less expensive seats had their baskets and wine. It was amazing the groups where each one brought something different and they passed it around. It was a joyous celebration for most everyone.
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