Two good things: this is an incredibly beautiful location among tall trees, and the sound system is really good. The first bad thing is the chairs are really uncomfortable - if you go take a seat cushion. Also, in the middle and back bowls the ground the chairs are on is grass, and the grass slopes down to the stage, so the angle of the chairs exacerbates their uncomfortable-ness. Now to the horrible things. The sound mixing area is high and blocks the view of the seats behind it - even the seats that say they aren't restricted view on Ticketmaster, etc. - so STAY FAR AWAY from the sound mixing area. The worst thing is the food service. We got there when the gates opened and we found our seats and then went to get food. We were surprised to find that they were out of several items (pizza, dumplings) well before the show started. How can that happen? By the time the first act had ended, they were out of all food items - everything! And the food/drink prices are astronomical. Also, the lines for food/drinks snaked everywhere - they need some ropes to manage the lines (basic queueing management, people). And these lines were for stations with NO FOOD! The food service management needs to be fired. read more

Awesome danced our asses off!! Awesome place to go for a concert, Billy strings band kicked ass!!

Awful traffic. Poor planning. Stanford hosted a big soccer game and music festival the same night. It took one hour to go 1 mile entering campus to get to the parking lot. What a waste. Stanford get your sh*t together and plan the calendar of events better read more

Very pretty outdoor venue, with lots of little paths to walk around. Yes, the prohibition is rather excessive, but if you plan ahead it's not too bad. I received an email a day ahead with everything laid out clearly. I brought my empty 16 ounce water bottle to fill inside, and used a gallon ziploc instead of a transparent bag. One person in our party ignored the bag guidance, and had to check it prior to entry. Inconvenient, but not horrific. Parking is expensive, but was easy enough. Bathrooms were clean and enough to go around. Food and drink vendors were fine. Since it's on campus, and a lot of students aren't yet 21, beer lines were short. Which is nice. But that doesn't mean there weren't a lot of drunk-ass 19 year olds sloshing around! read more

Absolutely lived up to all expectations. New favorite venue? Security was great. The drinks were possibly the best I've ever ordered inside a concert venue. read more

There is no better public outdoor venue for large gatherings on the Peninsula. The stage dresses nicely for a variety of event types, the grass is extremely comfortable for seating, but if you need back support, I recommend a stadium seat as the cement terrace is not great on the spine. The security team was chill and helpful. read more

My favorite place to see a gig in the Bay Area. Great vibes always, pretty easy to navigate/negotiate the line. I wish the Greek in Berkeley was as smooth as the Frost. Saw JRAD, Billy Strings, Goose among others. It's always a gas getting Frosty! read more

Good atmosphere and sound. The small, cheap plastic seats in the main section--zip-tied together side by side--create a miserable seating situation. Plus, there is only about 12 inches of knee/step space for late-arriving folks to stumble in front of/over people already seated to reach their seats. Standing way in the back was much more comfortable, but we paid for better. read more

My first time coming here! Apparently the place was remodeled in 2019 and is finally open for business. The staff were friendly and processed the lines of people really quickly. There's plenty of parking. They sell drinks, but they're small in size. The food options are nothing more than different types of wraps, so it's best to eat before the show because there's nothing hearty to eat here. The facility holds 8,000 people, so there's plenty of room to walk around and spread out. I had a great time and would recommend coming here. I'm sure I'll be here again. read more

Frost Amphitheater - VIP for My Morning Jacket!!!!! - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Stanford, California

Beautiful concert arena ! During the summer get there early to get a shady spot and bring a blanket to sit on as well as safe your spot ! Didn't try any food but the drinks were amazing ! read more

Just saw The National here last night. The venue is super nice! The seating is a bit different from other amphitheaters in the area but it's worth the money in my opinion. Blankets are highly recommended so you set up your spot and have your own little cozy area to enjoy the concert. Sound was perfect if not too loud at times. But then again I was in the pit. However when walking in through security, i could still hear the opening band clearly so I doubt sound was an issue towards the lawn in the back. Parking was a pain in the ass due to the fact they only take cash and I had to go find a bank then go back. Seriously, at Stanford in 2019. Cash only. Ugh. I didn't drink or eat anything but the offerings seem to be more on the hipster-y side but I like hipster shit so it was right up my alley. I seriously hope more bands start to come here because this venue is great. ALSO!!! They have a super super strict bag policy. They will return you to your car if you have a bag that's too big or not clear. So keep that in mind and read the fine print. I read it beforehand so I was prepared. read more

Frost Amphitheater - View from the entrance. - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Stanford, California

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This place is amazing, it is a wonderful venue for staying smaller artists or artists that need a more closed in setting. This isn't your big arena type concert venue it's amongst the trees and just really nice place to go. read more

The programs are good, but there are so many restrictions to enter. They even check the blanket size and water bottle size. Some people had to throw away their food bags because the size was too big. Basically, they want us to buy that expensive cold food and alcohol. It's very cold on any evening there, so all I want is hot tea or coffee, but those are not allowed to bring as well as no hot food or drinks are available. read more

Beautiful amphitheatre located at Stanford! Lots of shuttle stops that come through here, so if you just need a place to sit, relax and eat lunch, this is a great spot! I came here for the Spring Multicultural Fest. TONS of people, lots of food and great music! Bathrooms are located at the very top corner of the amphitheatre...just follow the signs! I do appreciate that the steps are not steep at all, so it gives the image of being grand but it's flat enough that you can still walk to the very top. read more

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I just went to see JOJI 9/1/22. My friend and I arrived at 4:30 pm doors were supposed to open at 5:00, surprisingly we were in line at a good spot, still close to the front. It was pretty warm outside we were waiting in the sun in 85-90°. Then an announcement was made doors wouldn't open till 6:00 pm which ended up being 6:30pm we didn't get inside till 6:40. Your able to bring in a empty clear reusable water bottle or sealed 20oz water bottle. And unopened snacks as well which was a plus! This was a Ga show, once when JOJI came out it got crowded really fast. I do recommend going a bit early if you want to get a good spot. Also bring things you will need depending on the weather hat, sweater, water, small blanket to sit on etc. Another plus was the pre-paid parking. Bathrooms were very clean! An assortment of drinks and food choices as well. I also listed a bag I was able to bring in. I hope this helps read more

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Mixed bag. Best: gorgeous, intimate venue. Worst: Security is worse than TSA. Seriously messed up. Long, long lines. The venue opened its doors at 4:30. We got in line at 4:45. The show was starting at 6:30. We were still in line. Worse than that, they were at least a thousand people in line behind us. We got in around 7:00. Completely unacceptable. This venue needs to lighten up. They also need to increase the number of metal detectors so more than a few people can enter at a time. They could also consider adding more than the one entrance. I've NEVER been had such a nightmare entrance to a show and I am a very experienced concert goer. What a drag in an otherwise wonderful day. read more

Beautiful venue. That said, there was some sound from a party at an adjacent venue that interfered with the classical music concert we attended. The music from that venue was at times as loud as the classical concert. read more

Saw The Avett Brothers here. Amazing band. Amazing venue. Easy walk from the train station at California Ave.

Went to an assigned seating show - they put so many chairs in that it was horribly uncomfortable and after the show so squeezed that multiple people were tripping and falling over since there are no lights. Why pack so many chairs in when you can make more room and still have General admission seats available? Will only consider going back for the right show. read more

Honestly the best concert venue I've ever experienced. The gorgeous scenery and unique positioning in the middle of tall Red Wood trees provided a concert experience like no other. Our family went to ODESZA on back-to-back nights (Wednesday & Thursday), and loved the pyramid-style grass seating/standing arrangement. Be sure to bring a clear, small bag otherwise you're likely to not get in with it. read more

Frost Amphitheater - Stadiums & Arenas Near Me - Stanford, California

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came here to see john sumit at the beginning of november. fire set bad place. super expensive here but they let you bring in sealed plastic water bottles (). i'm guessing students get free or reduced admission? lots lots lots of students here and they didn't know or care to know any of the performers so the energy was not there. i was originally in the very front row close to barricade and ended up going up close to the end of the set through the middle and omg it was so MUDDY. the very bottom is stone but the further up u go it's all grass and very very muddy so don't slip like i did lol read more

Attended the official grand re-opening of the Frost Amphitheatre last Wednesday to see ODESZA! I've been to a lot of venues, but this one just instantly made it to the top of my list of favorites! I love how secluded this venue is because you're just in the middle of a bunch of Stanford trees. You'll get a nice view of the stage wherever you stand since they have steps on the lawn. In addition, security was very efficient despite the huge crowd. All the workers were really friendly! I was dreading their clear bags rule, but it seems like a lot of other venues are doing this nowadays too. Can't wait till they book more performers so I can go back to see more shows here! read more

What a magical venue! The stage is bordered by trees, making it feel like you're watching the show in the middle of a forest. We came here to see Odesza and our experience went so smoothly! When we first arrived at the venue, we jumped in a fairly long line, which ended up moving quickly. There were tons of security lines, allowing for quick entry into the venue. Inside there were also tons of bars, so we didn't even have to wait in line for a drink. I got their sangria and my boyfriend got the cocktail with butterfly pea in it. They were both delicious and presented so well. They were handcrafted bar status! To be honest, I was a bit scared to go into the restrooms after the show ended but they were still super clean! Also, the food stands give out free food at the end of show. They were handing out their leftover items like the $17 cheese plate. I ended up with chips and salsa and a cookie. Neither of which were good... I would not recommend getting food here, only the drinks. Overall, we had a positive experience at the Frost! Would recommend! read more

This is a beautiful venue and the restoration work is great. I am giving it one star because the Security Theater in place now rivals the TSA for complexity and inanity, and I will probably never come back. A clear plastic bag policy is heavily enforced. The list of prohibited items is long and ridiculous - look it up. https://live.stanford.edu/venues/frost-amphitheater/what-to-bring Frickin' *hula hoops* are called out for some reason! A shallow cardboard box being used as a tray for food (in suitable clear plastic bags) was turned away. We were here for an SF Symphony performance and I can't imagine that this crowd is likely to have done anything more than have a glass of rosè and some cheese and crackers. The staff were extremely nice and were clearly aware that this was stupid. That was the only positive. SCREW YOU STANFORD read more

Unbelievable experience 1000/10 seeing Joji for the first time every definitely made the experience that much better

Ridiculous set of restrictions that make this spot feel like you're going to a stuffy opera versus an outdoor music venue. Was shocked when we received an email detailing the correct "chairs" "blankets" and "bags". Even has visuals to support. They also require CLEAR bags yet state all bags will be searched. Are you for REAL??? So sad because we live walking distance from this spot. Guess we will be flying to the Hollywood Bowl instead of attending anything at this venue. Shame. read more

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I will be glad never to attend another concert here. What others here say about the fascistic security policies are 100% accurate. Some of the low points include: - Pretty much anything you can vape or smoke is not permitted, not just to use, but to possess at all. Hope you don't have a vape, a pack of cigarettes, or even just a lighter with you: they will take it. They don't trust you to respect their no smoking policies. An outdoor venue has no business confiscating these things from grown adults. (By the way, their website [https://live.stanford.edu/venues/frost-amphitheater/what-to-bring] says nothing about lighters being prohibited, yet ours was taken. It is also ambivalent about tobacco products: the graphic there says they are prohibited, but the text on the page merely says that "Smoking and vaping is not allowed anywhere in the venue." This is quite a misleading understatement about the reality at the gate.) - As a result of the above overreaching security practices, the line to get into the venue is very long and very slow. - Parking is a ridiculous $30, when there are no reasonable transport alternatives. I'm all for disincentives to driving, but they only work and are fair when there exists an alternative. On a Saturday night in Palo Alto, there aren't many. Even Shoreline doesn't charge for parking. I honestly find it amusing that Frost is so bad that it makes Shoreline look good. - Drinks are the usual ripoff you can expect from most music venues, but Frost doesn't get a pass. In addition, there were only 3 beer choices, 2 of which were just awful. - The sound is not very good in the upper half of the amphitheater. My message to artists considering a gig at Frost: please don't! Stanford, the school that prides itself on being founded by a robber baron, has an entertainment venue to match that legacy. read more

Went there for a concert and paid 15 bucks for the shittiest piece of pizza I've ever had. The crust was so hard. It was literally cheese on a brick. Then I regrettably got a pretzel hoping it would be a little bit better and it was also awful. Just stop serving 'food' please. Just. read more

Great concert venue love the outdoor setting and amazing view of performers wherever you are.

I didn't think this was the best venue to watch the San Francisco Symphony. Air traffic overhead was often distracting. It's a nice venue better suited for a rock or comedy show. WARNING: They are strict about what type and size of purse or bag you can bring in. Please review their rules before showing up. I heard a lot of disgruntled people complaining that they had to return their backpacks, purses and bags to their cars before they could be allowed in. Don't think that you can talk you way out of it--you can't. Waiting behind your whining selves in line is a pain for the rest of us. read more

The venue is amazing. The seats, sound system, bathrooms, getting in and out an absolute dream - everything super easy and very very lovely surrounded by oak trees. They open the doors at 5 pm for 6:30 pm start giving you plenty of time to spread out a blanket and have a picnic. Bring your own food. They simply do not have any despite what the web site says. There anemic chips and salsa and dinner rolls with what they said was hummus and that was all. REALLY missed the boat on the concessions. You need clear plastic stadium bags and no liquids, chairs with no legs, and blankets. It was super fast and easy to get through security. We rode our bikes and there were plenty of well lit places to lock them. read more

It's no Greek Theater, but it will do (Go Bears!). Frost Amphitheatre is actually a cool place - can't comment on the live music acoustics because I was there for a graduation but it's definitely scenic. The grassy seating is probably more appropriate for a concert but there were chairs set up on the tiers and at the bottom for the graduation. Just about every seat is good...unless you are trying to stay under the tree's shade (boy, can it get hot there) - the seats on the very edges are not so great for viewing. The one thing that is tough about this venue is that it makes it difficult for elderly or handicapped people to get around. There is a "ramp" of sorts on the sides, but the incline is so steep (and there is no handrail) that most people who would have problems with the stairs would have problems with the "ramp". read more

Here are the protips you've all been looking for: - Parking is $30. Prepay online otherwise its cash only at the venue. Its expensive and kind of a shitshow. Two days before the show they told us the parking lot was closed and we would have to use another parking lot. When we arrived the parking lot was open. - Pack food. There is only one food booth and its crazy expensive and terrible prepackaged cold food. We got the cheese plate and salmon plate. This venue has the worst food options I have ever seen and I did not realize you could bring full meals in. You can practically pack a picnic if you arrive early. - Bring an empty water bottle and fill up at the fountain right after you get your tickets checked. We spent $40 on the saddest food and canned water you've ever seen. - Bring a clear bag. I just didn't bring a bag at all. They were making people turn around and supplying plastic bags to stick your stuff in but the parking lot is far from the venue so you're not gonna want to walk back. We saw The National here and showed up WAY too early. Not sure if its because its a new venue or what but I'm used to waiting in an hour long line to see The National. We were so early we were able to literally be front row and it was the best show I've ever seen in my life. Matt walked through the crowds and was right next to us multiple times. Its a beautiful amphitheater. My edibles melted in the heat and I overdosed and I refused to get high for two weeks straight after because I was so traumatized but worth it. read more

I like the idea behind Frost, and the actual performance space is great, but they ran out of water at this year's Frost event! Considering they make you dump out your Nalgenes when you come in, and keeping in mind how hot it was out there, this seemed like a really dangerous thing. Plus a wheel off my fiance's bike got stolen here! I'd come back because the hill and the stage are so great, and because they usually have fantastic performers in the spring... but I wouldn't park my bike here, and I'd make sure to buy many sealed gallons of water! read more

Came here for Frost Music Festival 2013, featuring MGMT and Delorean. Parking was full in the lot immediately next door, but there was plenty of parking closer to Cantor. The theater layout was good with plenty of grass for people to set up blankets for seating. The tiered heights also helped with view, although I decided to go up to the barrier for MGMT. Clean restrooms right behind the theater area. read more

The seats are crammed in worse than an economy flight. I was so physically uncomfortable during an otherwise AMAZING show. We thought leaving would be a nightmare, but the parking was handled smoothly. I would hesitate to return just because of the discomfort of the seats, because everything else was as expected or better. read more

One of my favorite concert venues at this beautiful outdoor amphitheater. Have only attended one concert which was all assigned seating in chairs. View from the left side in Lower Bowl section was perfect; acoustics were great (although a bit loud). Gorgeous outdoor venue that gets even more beautiful as the sun sets and after dark, and I'm glad I used the restroom at the very top so I could see the view from up there too. Food wasn't so good (we tried nachos ... not expecting anything extraordinary, but they were cold when we got them and lacked flavor), but plenty of restaurants nearby to grab dinner before. As with any big event on Stanford campus, expect to be stuck in some traffic afterward if you park near the venue - but it wasn't too bad considering what looked like a full concert -- or enjoy a nice walk and park a little further away. The beautiful venue makes the concert even better. Can't wait to attend more! read more

One of my favorite venues in Northern California. Unique experience and stress free parking. Highly recommend seeing a show free.

Attended the SF Symphony concert here last night -- a Wednesday 7:30 pm performance in July. A logistics nightmare and probably not the best venue for quieter music. - Traffic on Campus Drive came to a standstill as drivers tried to get into parking lots, older people tried to turn into handicapped drop-off areas that were blocked off, and everyone struggled to negotiate all the construction. Clearly inexperienced traffic staff couldn't keep traffic moving, get pedestrians across the street (going both ways, see below), and advise increasingly frustrated patrons about where they might find parking. - All the parking lots were full -- not clear whether there were other events or what was going on. Signs said all parking full except pre-booked. (?! Nothing about this on the Lively Arts website ...) Parking is $30 a car in cash ... if you can find it. (wow.) - Security lines to get into the venue were 100+ people long -- 20+ minutes' wait -- each! Frost had instituted a clear-bags-only policy (no purses or backpacks), so attendees were having to return to their cars (often parked 20+ minutes' walk away) or check personal stuff at Bing cloakroom, then return to the line. Chaos. - Seating is on folding chairs in the front sections, then on the lawn up above. Rows T and above are a comfortable level above the stage; below H or so, you are looking up at it. - Nice sound system, beautiful stage ... close your eyes and it's like sitting on your porch with a good quality stereo in front of you. Hmm. It may be better for a louder selection of music than the SF Symphony picked. I felt sorry for the superb violinist as he competed with helicopters every 15-20 minutes, jets, ambient traffic noise. - A gentle squirt of bug spray is probably a good idea -- at least around your ankles. Bugs were not a major problem, but were clearly all around. - Warning emails came out today from the SF Symphony for the two upcoming concerts about clear bags -- not clear how they're going to fix the other problems. But you're at least forewarned now. read more

For many years, I took my family to Third/Fourth of July concerts at Frost, and to occasionally other events, and we absolutely loved it and were sad when those events stopped happening. I was so pleased when I read that Frost had reopened, and even more so when I saw that Willie Nelson was coming! So we went last night -- but not before dazedly following the long list of stern prohibitions. My partner shopped for a clear plastic bag, no more than 12" x 12" x 6", to carry something to eat. But not to drink! I measured beach towels and roll-up ground covers, but nothing was within the permitted 40" x 60". My small wallet with my ID? Nope -- it was 1/4" too long, so it stayed home. Not our usual low-slung beach chairs? No, but we were able to locate some stadium seats. We don't smoke, anything, ever, so no problem with that one. And what happened? We saw lots of people with beach towels or blankets or ground covers exceeding the limits. Women with wallets or "clutches" surely larger than 4.5" x 6.5"-- inside their clear plastic bags. Stadium seats (with backs) with supports and a generous amount of foam in the seats, 6" high per Amazon -- looking very comfortable, but how is that different from beach chairs? Maybe all those precisely stated measurements, with threats of confiscation, had really been only suggestions? And smoking? Pot smoke began drifiting over us even before the first show, and continued, visibly arising from the crowd and not, say, from the trees just outside Frost. I don't happen to like the smell, so I wasn't at all happy about it. Fortunately, it washes out of clothes. Summary: Willie is a national treasure, Frost is still beautiful, the sound system usually worked well, and the crowd was pleasant (maybe the pot?). But Frost, if you are going to have all these rules, figure out a way to enforce them. It leaves a very bad taste in the mouths of those who actually try to cooperate. read more