My daughter and 2 friends (18 and 19 years old) want to drive to L.A. (we live in northern California) and go to see Tom Petty this summer at the Hollywood Bowl. They are all in college and responsible, but I remember that the one time we drove to the Hollywood Bowl the traffic was awful, and was wondering if there is a good place to stay near the venue (preferably where they could park and walk to the concert.) Does anyone have any ideas?

There is a Best Western Hollywood Plaza Inn on Highland Avenue that is .3 of the mile which should be an easy walk. There is free parking. I am not acquainted with the hotel. There are also shuttles, and you may want to check the Hollywood Bowl website for more info regarding Bowl buses and Park and Ride.

Thank you, Flimm. I did look at the shuttles after I posted, and I think that might be the best way to go.

FYI - hotels may not allow 18 & 19 year olds to get a room.

Deb

Why would that be? They're legally adults aren't they?

From Priceline:
"Must be 21 Years of Age: The guest on the reservation must be 21 years or older to check into the hotel."

I don't think they are alone in this requirement.

Deb

I would check with the individual hotels as some that allow 19 year olds to check-in might have different rules when concerts are in town and they don't want 8 teenagers trying to cram into one room etc.

Comfort Inn on Highland is just around the corner from the Hollywood Bowl if they have availability. There's also a Holiday inn on Highland, and "Hotel Celebrity" and "Orchid Suites" right in Hollywood, all walkable to the Bowl.

The problem with the shuttles is that THEY get stuck in traffic just like the cars do!

The Universal Hilton, if it's in their budget, is right at the theme park and they could hop the subway down to Hollywood & Highland and then walk up to the Bowl. Actually, staying anywhere north of Hollywood they could park at the Universal Metro lot and ride the subway (5 min ride) down to the Bowl. Best Western Burbank or Safari Inn Burbank would be fine for this, they're in nice safe areas and just a 6-8 minute drive to the Universal Metro Station.

We saw Tom Petty at the Hollywood Bowl two years ago (great show) anyways, we stayed at the Roosevelt Hotel took the shuttle to the Bowl and then walked back to the hotel afterwards. Its a bit of a walk, but so much easier than trying to get out via a vehicle and probably quicker too. Enjoy the concert - we've got tickets for Calgary and the Gorge!

Thank you everyone for responding to my questions. This gives the girls some things to think about, and they obviously need to check into hotel availability. My last question is this: which would be the "safest" way to go. I know there will probably be a bunch of people on the streets after the concert, walking to hotels, etc. but not knowing the area, and not having any guys with them, what would you recommend if it were your child?

Thanks!

If they're not used to big-city driving, then staying at a nearby hotel and walking is the way to go, there are lots of people walking these sidewalks before and after the show and lots of security as well. Metro is also very safe from the Universal area, and the Burbank Best Western is in a perfectly safe area with lots of restaurants, a block from the Warner Brothers Studios.
Parking at the Bowl and exit is a mess, and a mess of traffic, so that is really the only "unsafe" way to go in my opinion.

There is also a Renaissance by Marriott hotel located at the Hollywood and Highland shopping and entertainment center. I'm not sure what your budget is, but this is one of the safer areas of Hollywood. That's what I would recommend if it were my child.