Hollywood Bowl Overlook
Hollywood Bowl Overlook
4.5
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Neighborhood: South San Fernando Valley
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
378 reviews
Excellent
225
Very good
111
Average
33
Poor
5
Terrible
4
Habitat P
Los Angeles, CA57 contributions
Jun 2015 • Friends
I first notice people on the ridge from sitting in the Bowl. They looked like the opening scene in Lawrence of Arabia coming over the hill. Since then,I've gone myself. You can hear the music and eat your own quiet picnic. Bring a chair.
Written August 15, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Moser
4 contributions
Sep 2018 • Family
It's a great venue but the amount of POT smoking is bad. Because it is outdoor it gives everyone an excuse to light up. I don't have a problem if you want to smoke on your own and happy to have nice friends who smoke but it's something that I choose not to do. This place doesn't give you a choose because every other person is lighting up.
Written July 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
caram30
Aston, PA34 contributions
Nov 2011 • Solo
I visited the Hollywood Bowl Overlook on my last day in LA. I had my rental car for several more hours, and wanted to see the Hollywood Bowl. The concierge at my hotel told me that I could take the windy road up into Hollywood Hills, and there was an Overlook pull-off with a great view on Muholland Drive. On my GPS I typed in Muholland Drive and was given a choice of Muholland Drive or Multiview Drive. I figured that Multiview Drive made the most sense, so that's what I picked. Fortunately I was right. Anyway there are two or three pull-offs along this road with views. I was traveling from North Hollywood towards Hollywood. I'm not sure where or what was at the first pull-off (as indicated by the GPS), but at the second pull-off there was a wonderful view of Universal City. Several more miles down the road was the pull-off for the Hollywood Bowl Overlook. The views were incredible. You can climb the steps to the top and there is a wonderful view of the HOLLYWOOD sign. The Hollywood Bowl is right below, and the Los Angeles skyline and views of the freeway are straight ahead. The only downside for me was that it was a very rainy day, but even with the rain I got a bird's eye view of Universal City, the Hollywood Bowl, the HOLLYWOOD sign, and a heavily overcasted LA. I can only imagine that on a clear day the view would be phenomenal. If you have a car, going to the Hollywood Bowl Overlook is definitely worth doing. If you don't have a car, some of the tour companies will take you here.
Written November 25, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tirza
Los Angeles, CA49 contributions
Oct 2019
I live in LA, and Mulholland Drive is one of my favorite rides in LA to take my visitors friends. The drive is along Santa Monica mountains ( actually hills), between what we call the City and the Valley. You can see both areas along the way. Hollywood Bowl Overlook along the way, has a beautiful view. If you travel in the summer Hollywood Bowl concert is a must!
Written October 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marc000007
Los Angeles, California, USA34 contributions
Jul 2012 • Family
I can't deny that the atmosphere at the Hollywood Bowl is wonderful. But the hell that you have to go through before and after every event makes this the most unbearable place that I have gone to in my 15 years of living in Los Angeles. I purchased tickets to see Frozen Planet through Living Social. I printed my certificate, but it said I had to go to Will Call to pick up my tickets. Didn't think that would be such a bid deal. I then looked into the best way to get there. Decided I would do the Park and Ride, so I didn't have to deal with traffic. Clicked on their web link multiple times over a week to get tickets for Park and Ride; it never worked. In the end, we decided to drive there. The website says you can park in Lot A, B or C. Fine. Then that's what we'll do. So we drive to the Bowl, and this takes us over an hour from Playa del Rey. OK, this is LA, so we accept that. By the time we get to lots A, B and C, the small sign says "Pass Holders Only". At this point, we passed the other parking lots, and there is no way back. Why could they not state that when we were going by the public parking lots outside the Bowl. So it took us another 30 minutes to be able to come back to the exact same area, and go to the public parking area. Thirty minutes! Then we finally park, and walk about 10 min to the Bowl. The Will Call line was at least 1/4 mile long!. We were in line for about 45 minutes! I complained to the not-so-nice guys at the counter about the ridiculous line, and how the Bowl should be better organized, and why could I not have printed my tickets before. He told me this was because I got the tickets on Living Social!
We brought our kids and a picnic dinner to enjoy before the show, thinking we would have about an hour to an hour and a half to do this. We got to our seats at 7:58 PM for the 8:00 show! We left Playa del Rey at 5:30 PM. So it took us 2 1/2 hours to drive, park, get the tickets, then get to our seats. Leaving us a whopping 3 minutes to get our picnic food in. And after the show, we had to deal with the rush of people all going back to their cars at the same time, and having to wait for every car in front of you to get out before we could leave, since they have stacked car parking there.
Yes, the show was wonderful. But the irritation and stress of getting there, and getting out of there, made this a really crappy evening. I am never going back there.
We brought our kids and a picnic dinner to enjoy before the show, thinking we would have about an hour to an hour and a half to do this. We got to our seats at 7:58 PM for the 8:00 show! We left Playa del Rey at 5:30 PM. So it took us 2 1/2 hours to drive, park, get the tickets, then get to our seats. Leaving us a whopping 3 minutes to get our picnic food in. And after the show, we had to deal with the rush of people all going back to their cars at the same time, and having to wait for every car in front of you to get out before we could leave, since they have stacked car parking there.
Yes, the show was wonderful. But the irritation and stress of getting there, and getting out of there, made this a really crappy evening. I am never going back there.
Written July 7, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
786malgorzatac
Los Angeles, CA298 contributions
Dec 2019
Located on Mulholland Dr. the overlook gives you a chance to see the city panorama.On a sunny day whole LA is well visible, and it is a great spot to take a photo of the Hollywood sign! The only thing is that the parking lot tends to be extremely busy, so be careful while parking!
Written December 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
funnyfarmwest
Redding, CA46 contributions
Nov 2019
One of the joys of attending concerts here was bringing a picnic lunch or dinner complete with tablecloth, wine, candles the works. Just set it up on a nice patch of lawn and enjoy. Good way to people watch. It was years ago I was there but very fond memories of the concerts there.
Written November 19, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
teejay11
Lytham St Anne's, UK809 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
Went on a sight seeing tour very impressive sight would love to see a concert there nice scenery on our drive around the area.
Written November 12, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luxury T
Los Angeles, CA44 contributions
Aug 2019
It’s great option to experience great time with friends and family, hollywood time. We take our snacks, drinks and even sandwiches and enjoy their music and shows. I love it. It’s stress free time.
Written September 29, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
leahb908
East Troy, WI353 contributions
Sep 2019 • Couples
Our Airbnb was nearby so we decided to drive up to this. It’s a fun drive up the canyon and you wonder what it’s like to live on the narrow winding road.
Be aware that the parking area is tiny! You may have to drive away, turn around, and come back to find a spot. You don’t need long here but it’s a pretty view. I’m sure it’s neat to see at night but, sadly it closes at 6 pm.
Be aware that the parking area is tiny! You may have to drive away, turn around, and come back to find a spot. You don’t need long here but it’s a pretty view. I’m sure it’s neat to see at night but, sadly it closes at 6 pm.
Written September 20, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bluesausage
Seattle37 contributions
I would like to take sunset pictures at the Hollywood Bowl Overlook, but I will be traveling without a car. How hard will it be to get an Uber or taxi from this location? Is there cell service?
g4sheprescue
Paso Robles, CA22 contributions
I bought 4 tickets and received them as bench seats, every other seat...74, 76, 78, 80. Is this the way the seats are marked or is my family literally going to be sitting in every other seat with people in between each of us? So odd. Can anyone help? Thank you.
Jerry Crawford
Los Angeles, CA296 contributions
Yeah, that's how the (sequential) seats are numbered at the Hollywood Bowl. Those four tickets that you bought are next to each other, not "every other seat" with strangers between you. Don't forget that although you can take food and alcohol into the Bowl, you still have to go through a long security line to get in. Take small coolers and small canvas bags since there isn't a lot of room between rows of benches, with barely enough room for your legs. If you take too much stuff, it will be difficult for people to get by when they have to exit your row. If you buy box seat tickets, this won't be an issue. Cushions are $1.
little_darln
Brisbane, Australia130 contributions
Hi 1badgmc
Your post was very helpful with my holiday planning.
You mentioned that Hollywood Bowl overlook is the second best view of the Hollywood sign, where is the first?
Thanks
Jen
Pierre The Foodie
Bucharest, Romania57 contributions
Hi Jen,
If you want to see the Hollywood sign, there are several places you can go.
- The Griffith Observatory at the Griffith Park: There are several trail that leads to the Hollywood sign but there are fairly long and may take you a while to get there. Anyway from there you have a great view and you can visit the Observatory for free.
- Hiking Trail starting at the end of N Beachwood Dr: The hiking trail is about one hour and you will find yourself as close as you legally can to the sign. Also at the end of Beachwood Dr, there is a ranch called Sunset Ranch where you can ride horses on that same trail. Really fun but a bit pricey.
The Hollywood bowl is an outdoor concert venue and you won't be able to see the sign from there. I hope this helps.
Enjoy your stay in LA.
Gesa J
Newcastle upon Tyne, UK154 contributions
Sounds like parking and traffic is a nightmare, but are there any other ways to get up here? Thanks!
MARK L
King City, Canada358 contributions
Well it is not a "must go" if you ask me. Just a spot along the route to see the Hollywood sign. There are of course tour buses that you can pick, but it is really an easy drive with a GPS, so, if it is busy, just come back in 5 minutes; most people here just take pictures and leave anyway. Hope this helps!
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Frequently Asked Questions about Hollywood Bowl Overlook
- Hotels near Hollywood Bowl Overlook:
- (0.77 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Hollywood Walk of Fame, an IHG Hotel
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- Restaurants near Hollywood Bowl Overlook:
- (0.82 mi) Magic Castle
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- (1.52 mi) Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
- (0.73 mi) Yamashiro Hollywood
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Hollywood Bowl Overlook Information
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