Five Outdoor Music Venues in Southern California

This blog post was updated on November 9, 2018.

During the five years I spent living in the Los Angeles, I went to my fair share of outdoor concerts. There’s nothing quite like experiencing world-class musicians from a seat in an outdoor arena, watching the sun set and the stars emerge overhead.

 

Here are my top five picks for outdoor music venues in Southern California.

Hollywood Bowl – 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles

The Hollywood bowl opened in 1922, under the name the Bowl at Bolton Canyon. Since then, the venue has seen a staggering array of international talent, and consistently filled its 18,000 seats. The Hollywood Bowl is the summer home of the acclaimed Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Greek Theatre
2700 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles

Located adjacent to the eclectic Los Feliz neighborhood, the Greek Theatre is one of the best small outdoor concert amphitheaters in the country. “The Greek” is in a beautiful, wooded area of the expansive Griffith Park. The theater’s 5,801 seats fill quickly thanks to the big name music acts that perform here throughout the year.

Ford Amphitheatre
2580 Cahuenga Blvd E., Los Angeles

This intimate, 1,241-seat outdoor venue opened in 1920. It is named after the former Los Angeles County supervisor John Anson Ford, a major supporter of the arts in L.A. The Ford has been renovated several times, and this state-of-the-art venue is definitely a favorite amongst local concertgoers.
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
8800 Irvine Center Dr, Irvine

Given the Verizon Wireless Amphitheater’s size (16,085 seats) and prestige, it’s no surprise that this impressive venue draws huge names in music. The Verizon Amphitheater is also home to the Pacific Symphony Orchestra.
Levitt Pavillion
Memorial Park, 85 E. Holly Street, Pasedena

This charmig, historic band shell in Old Pasedena hosts a variety of free concerts throughout the summer months. It is the perfect place for a family outing, especially for the Wednesday “Children’s Night” free concert series.

 

There’s only one way to experience these amazing venues for yourself! Find a show and book your cheap flights to Los Angeles today! You can use Promo Code SM17 to take up to $17 off of service fees instantly!

 

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CC Flickr photo credit: Ju Dadalto