soccerose

Hi, I'm actually a local and have been to the Hollywood Bowl many times over the years but need some advice. I have tix for opening night and want to plan a picnic and use the park & ride. The last several times have been have been all pre-planned group events, the last time I picnic'd was probably back in the 80's. Every time I've gone it seems more crowded and changed. What I need help on is the timing and tips - the show is on Friday June 17 at 8:30, what time should I plan to get there to be able to get a decent picnic spot and have time to relax & enjoy it?

Any recommendations on the park & ride or other transport? I coming from Ventura County - I was thinking of the park and ride in the valley. traffic is going to be ugly on a Friday afternoon, we're not heavy drinkers, I just don't want to drive and its a birthday celebration. The best would be something just for the hollywood bowl (ie: no stops), but that could go on that dedicated bus line through the valley (used by the red line). I also thought about rented car service but I'd rather not have the meter running so we can go early and enjoy ourselves.

Thanks for any suggestions!

DebitNM

I have no answers but wanted to thank you for bringing back fond memories of picnicking at the Hollywood Bowl when I lived in Thousand Oaks, back in late 70's. Great times. We used to use the park and ride, and have our little picnics. We loved to walk around the expensive orchestra seats that had little tables and look at all the crystal, silver etc that was laid out on those table.

Good luck and happy birthday!

soccerose

Thanks DebitNM (it's actually my boyfriend's birthday and I'm planning this as a surprise). I have a great childhood memory of going back in the 70's and watching in a box ... but though I don't remember vividly, I recall the boxes were bigger and cement or in some way different ... we brought KFC to eat in the box - lol. What a great night, always what I think of when I go.

I'm currently thinking of the shuttle from Universal - the problem is the first shuttle is 6pm and the gates open at 6 ... I don't know how long the shuttle will take - will we be able to get a nice place? I don't need a table, just blanket on the grass with a view.

tracys2cents

I would park at Universal metro lot and then subway down to Hollywood. You'll have a half mile walk up to the bowl but no miserable hour in a bus and traffic.

The shuttle back to Universal might be fine after the show as traffic is hectic but nothing like the rush hour mess earlier.
The tough part will be parking at Universal metro. It's pretty full until about 5pm daily, and on bowl nights continues to fill up as it empties out from day parkers.

tracys2cents

How early can you leave Ventura? CAn you plan to arrive around 3:30pm at Universal...cruise around for a parking spot, take the 4pm train down to Hollywood and then hit a happy hour or do some shopping? Then walk up to the Hollywood Bowl (or take the shuttle from the Hollywood and Highland Center). In fact you might skip the Universal idea and just park at Hollywood and Highland. This would only work if you can arrive early enough to avoid the 4:30 to 7:30 traffic clusters. Note that after the bowl you can take the shuttle back to Hollywood/Highland mall, or just walk with the crowds heading that way.

Jean

I would bite the bullet and drive all the way to the Bowl as early as possible. All the park and ride stuff takes time at both ends of the event. Yes, you avoid some actual driving, but it's definitely a much slower way to go.

There is a parking lot at the bottom of the hill, across Highland from the Bowl entrance, on a big triangle of asphalt. Although the parking is 'stacked' just like the Bowl lots, exit from this lot at the end of the the evening is fairly painless. You'd turn left out of the lot, go under the Hollywood Fwy., left on Cahuenga and catch a northbound onramp on the east side.

We don't picnic, but we arrive no later than 6:00 pm and pick up a pre-ordered dinner at Patina or, if we're lucky enough to have a box, have the dinner delivered to our seats. The picnic areas outside of the Bowl seating area open at something like 4/4:30, so for opening night I would expect them to be occupied long before 6/6:30.

soccerose

Thanks so much for the input. I am now reconsidering the universal shuttle.

the parking for the universal shuttle is not really walking distance from the Metro (opposite side of the freeway) which makes things more complicated - can't really take the metro in then shuttle back.

I'm still pondering which idea/ but definitely am now going to leave earlier. I don't want to sit on the shuttle for an hour - I was hoping it was 15 mins or so.

its kind of crazy, but I actually rented a nice car for the evening - I drive an old stick SUV and HATE to drive it in traffic. Gonna drive me a caddy with some calming music on! I may just go ahead and park at the bowl. Thank you for the tip on the lot!

Alex_Winter

Well I am finding this a little late, but was searching for parking info and thought I'd add my two cents (I work with the Bowl sometimes, and am there half a dozen times each summer as both fan and worker bee).

I usually park at Hollywood and Highland mall and take their shuttle (follow the sings). That's about $8 to park and another $4 to take the shuttle. The shuttle is cool, especially if you are lugging a pack of food/wine, and it's an easy walk back downhill with friends. From parking at H+H to stepping foot on Bowl property, that's about 15-25 minutes.

If you park at the Bowl itself, it's super easy...but it's stacked parking. If you don't mind waiting, no problem. However, I have waited as long as 30 minutes afterwards to get out of the lot b/c I've been blocked in, and I have heard many other horror stories.

If anyone is looking for some good shows to see this summer, I recommend anything classical with Gustavo Dudamel conducting...he is a ton of fun to watch, and the music is guaranteed amazing. You can find more info about his shows here http://www.Hbowl.com/Gustavo (plus this week he has two performances with Lang Lang, which should rule!).

Alex_Winter

Sorry, above, that should be *signs. Freudian....