Worst staff ever. And very unsafe practices. This represents the Ford fully. I went to the Ford Amphitheater with my friends to see a show. The parking staff here was very unsafe and rude. They yell and disrespect you when you are trying to let people walk by you and not hit them with your car. Who the hell hires unsafe parking attendants?? The Ford does. And when you try and have a normal conversation about it, the staff turns it around on you and starts treating you as you are a problem and tried to fight/argue with you! I have never been yelled at like I was some stupid child as I did by Parking Attendant #332 with the Yellow Vest. His Manager Tal is no better. Tal did not hing to hep the situation except make it worse. I have been trying to reach the Ford Amphithete House Manager or anyone at the theater and there is no way to get a hold of someone. I'm literally about to place a complaint with the city of Los Angeles for unsafe practices at this business. And I wil never let someone talk to me that way again. I stayed professional becasue I was with a group and we wanted to see the show. Next time someone talks to me like that I will not take this lightly. You want to yell at me like some idiot on the street, Then you will be yelled at right back and treated like an idiot as well. F your staff for being rude and thinking that can get away with it! This is not over. People BEWARE! read more

Really pretty venue, I've gone twice now. My favorite thing is the parking: you can park at the Universal/Studio City Metro lot, and The Ford has shuttles that take you for free to and from the venue. Takes away a lot of stress! I brought a tote bag with water and Gatorade, next time I'm packing more snacks (they sell food like sandwiches, salads, and charcuterie, but can be a bit pricey). The staff is very friendly, especially the kind man who checked my bag. Very intimate theater, even sitting in the back has a great view, and the stage is so pretty with all the palm trees behind it! read more

Not a bad seat in the House. Employees are very friendly and helpful. Seats are very comfy. Upgraded restrooms are super clean and ample. Look forward to seeing another band play here soon! read more

The Ford - Row O seat 107. Not a bad seat in the house! - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

This venue is breath taking. It's a place of romance and relaxation. The outdoor atmosphere is so intimate and the colors that change behind the stage ever so often gives the event such a seductive feeling. If there are any instruments being played on stage the lights gives them an extra sparkle. The sound that amplifies from the stage is awesome. It's not too loud and overwhelming but it's loud enough to give you that concert effect. The seats are situated beautifully. In my opinion it allows attendees to get up if need be and/or take pictures/videos without really disturbing the view of others. I appreciate the cup holders that are situated on the back of the seat in front you. I love the fact that this venue has a high volume of employees to keep things running smoothly. They have parking staff that plays different parts. The cashier's (who have neat employee numbers on the uniforms) who's not stuck at a register, walks up to the vehicles to collect the funds for parking. You also have those who guide you to a parking space, those who drive golf carts to give the disable a ride to the box office, security officers that scan purses for harmful items, those at the box office who are organized and release tickets, greeters who conduct ticket scans, those who greet you off the elevator to guide you to your theater number, those who give out the program and ushers who walk you to your seat. This place treats their attendees royally. They made me feel good. read more

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Imagine this scenario: You're an author writing a play, and you think to yourself, "Hmm, where is the best place to stage my play? Cahuenga Pass seems like a beautiful setting, why don't I just buy the land and build a theater, just for my play." Absurd, isn't it? This is exactly how The Ford Amphitheatre was born in 1920, when Christine Wetherill Stevenson thought that the hilly terrain will be a perfect dramatic backdrop for her new piece, The Pilgrimage Play. Of course, to keep true to its Los Angeles roots, the theater burned to the ground in a brush fire in 1929. It's since been rebuilt a few times, but the look of the theater stays true to the first after-fire architectural design of 1931, in the style of ancient Judaic architecture. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/H9hcNKbU18t1LA620vUvnA?select=Ffg7dMsEXvGtNU68Gl44Wg So there you have it - a fabulous intimate open-air theater, with a stage flanked by the Gates of Jerusalem, more or less across from its huge Big Brother, The Hollywood Bowl. I love it so much more than the Hollywood Bowl because it only has about 1000 seats, which makes it 18 times smaller than the Hollywood Bowl. Even if you have the "worst" seats, you're still not too far from the stage. The backdrop is a gorgeous hill with magestically lit cypress and chaparral trees, and I always imagine that there is a little fairytale cottage behind the trees, and a family that lives there will one day just wander onto the stage. No luck so far... http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/H9hcNKbU18t1LA620vUvnA?select=56TNdwrJV3Ig_OUDrRvTfw Because it's a smaller venue, they take chances and bring you all kinds of mainstream and quirky acts, theater, and music; from jazz, to rock, to Mariachi, to pop. The place is beautiful, there are a couple of places to buy food, and there are also plenty of places to sit down and eat, if you want to bring a picnic and partee before the show. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/H9hcNKbU18t1LA620vUvnA?select=C5Q9xNtwpcousCJTrZWmvg The season is winding down, but if you've never been, give it a shot, Ford Amphitheatre has a real Old Hollywood feel to it. read more

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I'm one of those individuals whom gravitate toward cultured and refined activities: art galleries, museums, plays, etc. Despite the fake plastic factors in LA; it also has much to be applauded in the art arena. I'd like to introduce to you the "Inside the Ford" theater. Some people may not be aware that the Ford is more than just a large outdoor amphitheater and also has a smaller theater for more intimate in-door performances. These include plays, music, exhibition art, etc. Ticket prices vary but are generally $20/person with a student discount ($12). The parking lot is to the right of the estate (not the main lot) and although on a slight hill which inhibits proper female walking when wearing heels; it is ample enough to provide spaces for the 70 seat indoor theater. The box office is at the bottom of the staircase and the theater is at the top but has a handicapped accessible walk-way. The cute part of the Inside the Ford experience is that they seat people in groups (general admission but they have ushers to help out) and so one group waits in a lobby "waiting room". This helps with congestion while the performers can utilize this space and add to the ambiance. For instance, the play I attended ("Hyperbole") used this space to present artwork related to the performance and a flat-screen TV playing a prelude video. It gave the performance an interactive aspect. The theater itself is quint and charming resulting in a neighborhood local theater feel yet the lighting and sound is top-knotch. There is an actual sound booth reminiscent of a concert hall. However, some of the seats are not optimal and are behind pillars which may obstruct viewing. Staff included both Ford staff and from the performance group involved. Both were VERY kind, cheerful, and helpful. While cultured, you also feel relaxed. Oh, and for the female Yelpers with small bladders: the bathrooms are LARGE with two separate areas with both stalls and sinks and are spotless! I judge bathrooms harshly but Ford has passed with flying colors. If you seek an intimate play performance at one of LA's most well-known theaters, check out the Inside the Ford performances. Definitely a diamond in the rough of 190381293729 theaters in LA. read more

If the Hollywood Bowl had a baby, it would be the Ford Amphitheatre. Nestled in the Hollywood hills, this intimate 1200-seat historic and outdoor amphitheare is the perfect venue for a summer concert. Come to the Ford during the Summer Season series for Music, Dance, Theatre, Film & Family events. The last times I was here were for Kollaboration Acoustic 4 & Culture Shock performances. Tips: - Picknicking: For the Summer Session, the Ford grounds are opened 2-hours prior to show time. I usually bring a picnic basket of fruits, cheese, sandwiches, chocolate to eat at their terraced entryway. - Parking: There's FREE, NON-STACKED parking & shuttle ride to the Ford at the Universal Metro Station (at Lankershim Blvd & Universal Terrace Parkway, North Hollywood 91608). The shuttle leaves from the "kiss & ride" area 2-hours prior to show time, in 20-min intervals. You can also park at the Ford for $5, but it's always congested and it's stacked. Annoying when you leave because it can take a while. Summer Session 2011 is just around the corner! Check out their website for upcoming shows. I'm excited for Kollaboration Acoustic 5! Bring your date, your friends, your family! There's a show for everyone in your life. read more

The Ford Theatre is my favorite theatre in Los Angeles. The outdoor event space sits at the base of a hill, giving it the feel of attending a show in the mountains. The venue has a small feel but with a decent capacity. There are many attendants who will help you find anything. The entire ambiance, look, feel, design is just clean and easy going. The two bars serve a variety of different drinks and there's food as well. Easy pick & drop area for LYFT/Uber; and they have a shuttle to the Universal parking lot. read more

Had the opportunity to take in an event tonight at the Ford Amphitheater tonight and was blown away on my experience. As with the bowl, it's stacked parking or a free shuttle from a nearby metro station. Parking was not an issue tonight and upon our return to our car, the stars aligned and despite being 5th in our row, the first four came all at the same time and we were out of there. It's a bit of a walk to the theatre, with several flights of stairs OR a criss-cross ramp for the handicapped (actually there is handicapped parking up top, on the third level, near the entrance of the amphitheater). Super well designed and easy. The theatre itself is outdoor, and completely redone this year. It's about 1100 seats, all brand new with excellent sight lines and sounds. It's built into the mountain and is just gorgeous. Staff was very pleasant and attentive, you can arrive early and take your own food, beer, wine to enjoy before, and during (on your lap) the event. Tonight was a TaikoProject concert, which was excellent! If you have a chance to see an event, don't hesitate - pack up a basket, and enjoy. read more

Came here for a yelp elite event "Uprising: An Afro-Jazz Ensemble" The venue itself was beautiful. I was really impressed by the lighting and the back drop of literal nature in the background that I thought added to the vibe of the event. All the staff made it easy to find seats. My one regret was not reading reviews in advance about being able to bring your own food and drinks. BRING YOUR OWN FOOD AND DRINKS, YES THIS INCLUDES ALCOHOL. But if you do forget they do sell some food items and alcohol at LA prices. The event was a combination of South African folk music combined with contemporary jazz. It was a great set and both performers had people swaying and clapping to the music. The message behind each piece was meaningful and insightful. Overall a great experience. The only down side to this venue was the parking. It is a staggered parking for 12 dollars, if you want to park near the venue. But this means that you have to wait till everyone clears out before you can leave. So either come late or very early to park to be able to leave. read more

Wow!! Wow!! Wow! How have I never been to this awesome venue?! It's so beautiful. It must be a secret of LA!! The views are mouth dropping. It's probably one of the best venues I've been too. The staff was super friendly and everyone was helpful. The downfall is the bathrooms are on a different floor and the snacks are on the first floor which doesn't make much sense. The parking situation is really bad, we were 10 minutes late and had to park in a garage two miles away and take a shuttle. Parking was $8, and to park at the theater was $12. Make sure to arrive earlier so you can park at the theater. Also, they only have limited concerts there, not too many shows. read more

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This review only concerns the Ford Terrace Café, not the venue, performances, staff, or service. The John Anson Ford Amphitheatres are one of the best-kept public secrets LA county has to offer! Since their establishment in 1920 as a humble venue to house The Pilgrimage Play by Christine Wetherill Stevenson (of which the current turret-like proscenium architecture pays homage to), The Ford has been uniting Los Angeles' various communities just as much as the interconnected highways have. As part of The Ford's recent major renovation plan, which includes a streetside visitor center and state-of-the-art parking structure built into the historic hills, a luxurious dining plaza has opened up adjacent to the theater and above the loading bay: The Zev Yaroslavsky Terrace. From The Zev, patrons have a gorgeous view (above the traffic) of the mountains that surround the theater, and on certain nights they may enjoy a pre-show thanks to distant sound-checks from the Hollywood Bowl. Most exciting (for The Frequent Fryer, at least) is the opening of a food and beverage counter known as The Ford Terrace Café, with food being provided by Crumble Catering. The Zev is usually open for early arrivals, and its close enough to the theater that you will hear the show begin as you chug down your Chardonnay and easily find your seat before too much of the performance passes. The Zev is closed sometimes for private events, but generally every performance is planed with extremely interesting pre-show entertainment (such as the live-jazz/improvised skateboarding event I witnessed on my visit, thanks to Jason Moran and OC Ramps). But none of that matters. Let's get to the fries! The Ford Terrace Café menu is as varied and eclectic as the acts that grace the stage, so Crumble Catering seems to have researched their clientele when planning it. The same cannot be said of the presentation, however. It does not matter how much you paid for tickets for a world-renowned string quartet; when you awkwardly carry a too-full glass of beer and paper plate of street tacos down a steep ramp to your plastic chair, you may feel like you're at a baseball stadium and not a fine arts concert. You'll find three types of fries at The Zev: regular, garlic, and sweet potato, and all of them cost $8. I know, I know, just remember, you're NOT at a baseball stadium. Just be careful when walking away with your meal, because the bowls of fries are packed so high that each dropped fry must cost a nickel or too, with all things considered. When you've made it to a safe space, then you can go back to the counter for napkins and condiments, since there are no carrying cases to make things easier. While you're there, make sure to ask for the Ginger Ketchup that's served along with the Captain Crunch Onion Rings. If its in stock, it's definitely worth a try! The regular fries are, by no one's surprise, regular; see plain, average, normal, etc. They're served up warm, but because of the open-air nature of the venue, all the fries are susceptible to instant cooling in chilly weather. These spuds are cut thick and semi-wide, landing somewhere between restaurant and steak cut. Like steak fries, there's a lot of substance to chew on, but that potato flesh doesn't do anything but crumble apart. There's no crunch, no springiness, and no salt added on. There's not much flavor, but I've definitely found worse fries than these. With this batch though, make sure you go grab your favorite condiments and seasonings, because you will need them. The garlic fries exemplify a solid solution to the previous potato problem. These are the same as the regular fries in concept, except there are scattered wet clumps of garlic and herbs found in every handful or two. While the garlic is sparse, it's quite flavorful on top of the unassuming fries. The garlic preparation is tangy and tossed with salt, and actually makes for a decent bowl, but extra seasonings and sauces would probably help it still. Finally, there are the sweet potato spuds. The cuts are long, longer than the regular fries, and the batch is only lightly fried to achieve a light orange coloring on the surface and dark brown on the crispy corners. These edges provide the crunch that the other fries have been lacking, yet the centers remain soft and chewy. These may be the best-suited fries for the artsiest audiences, because these fries are exactly like La Croix: looking at it, it has a different appearance, but it still tastes like water that had an idea. The "sweetness" of the sweet potatoes makes for a completely neutral flavoring that's impossible to detect, and the taste lasts as long cotton candy does, which is to say, mere seconds. I don't think this is Crumble's fault, but just an unlucky batch of terrible taters. Final rating for regular fries: 2/5 Spuds. Final rating for garlic fries: 2.5/5 Spuds. Final rating for sweet potato fries: 1.5/5 Spuds. read more

The Ford - Final rating for regular fries: 2/5 Spuds. Final rating for garlic fries: 2.5/5 Spuds. Final rating for sweet potato fries: 1.5/5 Spuds. - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

I attended the J.A.M session West African Dance and it was much different than I expected. I thought it was going to be something I would just be watching but I was very wrong it was interactive and they were teaching us how to dance and use it as a form of exercise. The drumming was amazing and the atmosphere was very laid back, it was just a really nice way to spend a monday evening. read more

The Ford - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Great venue with awesome staff. It is a mini Hollywood Bowl with great local performers. Picnic areas are small and intimate, their bar offers quite a few options to snack on, obviously nothing healthy. They have 4 different types of beer on tap - Heineken, Shock top and 2 others that I cannot remember. Event tickets are inexpensive and any seat you get is great, unless you end up sitting next to girls that talk about her relationship all night. That happened to my sister ha-ha! Arrive at least 1 1/2 early if you want to find parking in their main lot, otherwise you will do a bit of walking. You might have to park at metro station and take a shuttle. Parking ranges from $5 - 10 depending on performance and YES it is stack parking. Don't forget to bring your picnic :) read more

The Ford - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

Summer Movie screenings with Outfest; a beloved Family Summer tradition ! Across the 405 from the Hollywood Bowl, with a tunnel underneath. But parking is cheaper at the Ford, but remember it is stacked, so there will be a wait afterwards. And, remember you can picnic beforehand as they updated a few years ago, with many tables and seating areas. Last year, brand new, very comfortable seats for this outdoor ampitheatre. Enjoy Summer here after checking out the L.A. County website for the John Anson Does Theatre! read more

The Ford - Waiting for The Wizard of Oz to start! - Performing Arts Near Me - Los Angeles, California

First time visiting the Ford Theater and have to say that any seat you get is a good seat! I caught a show this past Saturday that I had gotten last minutes tickets to. I got them on the center row, section V. At first I thought they were going to be mediocre seats because they're almost at the last section of the row but I was completely happy with them. I was able to see the entire stage! Also, I opted to take the shuttle from City Walk Metro Station to avoid the parking issue at the theater. So glad I did. It's literally a 10 minute trip that saves you $15 for parking and a headache. read more

Lovely and stunning venue that is part of the L.A. Parks system! Who knew? Well, this hidden gem is so valuable, with their interesting programming and their expansive community outreach -- bringing arts to those not necessarily getting it. The main space, The Ford Ampitheatre seats 1200, while their Inside The Food small almost blackbox theatre seats 87. Outdoors or in, you can't go wrong. Got a grand tour by Community Events Manager Bill Berry. (Hope I got his title right). Effusive, casual and professional all in one, is he. Learned the history of the space as well as the modern day versions, too. It was destroyed once in a fire back '29, but rebounded nicely -- and has weathered many storms. (This includes mudslides from the fairly recent big fires!) So wotth a visit. read more

This place is pretty. Outdoor theater. Reminds me of the Hollywood Bowl but smaller and more intimate. It's really big and I wouldn't mind watching a show here! I saw a dance how here and sat in the front VIP area. Great view. Great show too. Parking Stacked and shuttle... Good luck. It's really bad here. That's why I'm not giving it five stars... Parking is a bitch. Items for sale Overpriced Overall, beautiful theater. Lots of stairs. read more

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I was visiting LA for the first time in 12 years and I must say I really enjoyed the "FlyPoet" 201 Summer Classic event here at the Ford Theatre. I loved the outdoor environment. It kind of put me in the mind of an outdoor Shakespeare Theatre with the natural, wooded backdrop. I also appreciated it being well kept and clean. But the highlights of this venue were the performances, hands down. The poets were dope and since I don't hear live poets often I was turned on to a Chi-Town Poetress named M'Reld Green and ATL poetress named Queen Sheba. All the poets were dope but these two women really resonated with me. And Goapele & Musiq Soulchild's performances were really great. A bit short but really good quality. I also enjoyed watching the artist draw as the performances were going on. It was really cool. The band was nice and I can appreciate that they had 2 women in the band, as well. The host was dope and I was glad to hear he'd been doing this for many, many years and that it is still growing in popularity. Oh and I cannot say this enough that the show ran on a tight schedule leaving us no time to get bored or irritated...KUDOS to the production staff for starting on time, keeping a great flow of the show, and ending within a decent hour. My only real complaint and reasoning for the 3-Star experience is the parking. I mean we were triple and quadruple parked and if you were one of the firsts to park in your row, you were screwed. There MUST be a better way to accommodate the many people who park here. I don't know if there needs to be a parking structure built or what but this must be rectified. Not only did we have to fight the grueling LA traffic but we had to deal with a parking nightmare! read more

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Great venue, small, intimate, beautiful. Skip it if you're concerned about covid, there are little to no precautions taken. More people without masks than with, no spacing of seats. If I had known that I would have said no to the concert invitation. Attend at your own risk. read more

Since Hollywood Bowl stopped having their Summer Sounds program, I wanted to find something else for the kids and Ford Theatre offers their Big World Fun. It costs $5 for adults and children (I forget cut off age) are free. Parking is $5. If you get there an hr prior to the show, they have an art and craft project. They had animals/reptiles to view. I thought we would be sitting in the sun but they actually shaded the amphitheater. They provided fans. There's a small area if you want to have snacks and a small gift shop/snack shop. I'd definitely bring my kids again. I'm not sure how an evening here would be... the parking looks small and I heard it's stacked parking. But it's definitely more intimate than the Hollywood bowl. read more

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Very bad parking Bad bad bad no supervision at all The venue is not very big but it is very nice n airy but the parking is the worse of its kind And that's not tolerable read more

Having a graet time at the Ford. Seem to be here once a month. Nice on those hot L.A days. read more

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Small, awesome venue!!! The outdoor amphitheater setting, up against a mountain, is beautiful, you don't feel like you are in LA. They serve food & drinks. Getting in was easy, line went fast, security was cool. Everyone who worked there was very helpful. Lots of bathrooms, which is nice when you're drinking! All the seats have a great view cause it's small, holds 1200 people. Newly remodeled, beautifully. Good sound. After seeing a covert here, I never want to go back to the Bowl! read more

What a treat :) Having grown up in LA and done the commute up and down Cahuenga into and out of the Valley for many mooons, it's amazing to me that until a few weeks ago, I'd never made it to the Ford. How could I have gone this long without experiencing one of the most serene little gems that LA LA Land has to offer? Beats me, but sooo happy that I finally discovered it. It's like a little secret place nestled in the hills with beautiful seating that surrounds a fantastic little stage. I was there for my friend, Rocco Deluca and while it was a sonic ride through bluesy soul and awesomeness, I couldn't help but wonder what it might be like to see something like Romeo and Juliet here. It just seemed like a fairytale it was so pretty. They also have what might be one of the most gourmet little snack shops at a venue I've seen. They had really nice wines and even ahi salads? Wow, who woulda thunk it. They also had the usual suspects like hot dogs and nachos, so being the gourmand that I am, I of course went with a nice Cab and a hot dog. Soooo fancy :) Definitely will be back to see a show here again and I hope if a show or production comes through here that you've wanted to see, you will go, because it really is fantastic and a lovely way to spend an evening. read more

What a beautiful place to see a show. Picture the Greek Theatre but on a much smaller scale. Pretty much wherever you're seated, it's a great view of the stage and you're surrounded by the hills and treelined backdrop of whoever is performing. The acoustics sound great and the seats are decent in terms of comfort. Each one comes equipped with a drink holder in front, but be warned, if you're seated in the middle of the aisle, you might want to stay put because getting out can be a little rough. There are two areas for concessions and I recommend hitting the outdoor one. There is one on the fourth floor indoors, but it's freaking hot inside with little to no ventilation. Add in a line full of people wanting to buy snacks and beer and it's like taking a hot yoga class without ever getting into a downward dog. Even some of the concession workers were complaining about how miserable it was. For beer, the difference between a large and a small is $1. Definitely go all out to get those extra ounces of brew - if you've waited patiently in line, you definitely deserve it. Parking is a little chaotic since it's stacked. It fills up pretty fast and they force you to park at a metrolink station nearby close to Universal Studios. From there, a free shuttle takes you to the venue and drops you right off in front of the box office. It's easy in theory, but if you're really trying to see a show and get there when it starts, you've ended up missing pretty much all of the openers by the time you've gotten to your seat. Just give yourself about 20-minutes for the whole shuttle situation. When you leave, it's just as fun as you have to wait in a line of people in order to get back on to a bus to get back to your car. If you get there early and buy your drinks before the rush, it's a-okay. Just give yourself time to park, maneuver the venue and find your set and you should be fine. They open the doors two hours before the show, so take them up on it. read more

Only been here once and I am quite impressed at how nice it was. Its beautiful at night here! Summertime at the Ford Theatre is full of events and is an awesome spot for music events especially. =] A few tips I'd like to share with you since I knew nothing of this place before I went: - you can bring in food! I'm talkin' about coolers worth of food! - bring a light blanket if you're attending a night event, trust me, you'll be glad - although the theatre offers $5 STACKED parking, you can also choose the free-nonstacked route which is: Ford Amphitheatre Summer Season evening performances only: Shuttles start running 2 hours before the show time at 20 minute intervals A FREE shuttle to the Ford stops at the - Universal City Metro Station at Lankershim Blvd. and Campo de Cahuenga in the "kiss and ride" area. Parking is free in the Metro Station lot. The address of the Universal City Metro Station is: Lankershim Blvd & Universal Terrace Parkway North Hollywood, CA 91608 read more

This place is more intimate than a newly married couple on their honeymoon. I have been to three shows at this place and can vouch for it as one of the great concert halls / amphitheatres in Los Angeles. The parking situation kinda sucks but all in all its a great place to eat drink and listen to live music. For those of you who go to a lot of shows I'd compare this place to the mini version of the Hollywood Bowl, with backyard sort of feel. I think this place holds about a thousand people so there is definitely a sense of exclusivity and intimacy at this venue, but what makes this place really special is its the fact that its nestled amongst the trees way up in the Hollywood Hills. Its truly an amazing venue, and if you haven't seen a show here then you are definitely missing out. There is something magical about the Ford, and my review will not do it justice. So do me a favor, actually do yourself a favor and check this place out. read more

This review is to give a great big THANK YOU to all the staff who were so helpful. This is an outdoor theater that has an overhead parachute type canopy to keep out the heat. SoCal weather being mostly sunny, I guess I took a turn for some heat exhaustion (not quite heat stroke). I was fine from the beginning of the performance (Kayamanan ng Lahi) then started feeling a woozy and close to fainting,with tremors and all, just toward the end. Very quickly ANIKA came up to our area and asked if I might need assistance. Lickety split, BILLY came with a wheelchair. He also wheeled me up and out of the area to where there are buses to take you to the additional parking area. JESUS the day's manager also came by and very kindly stood watch with me while my family went to get the car. that is EXCEPTIONAL, PERSONAL AND CONSIDERATE SERVICE! I would love to come to an evening performance some other time. This little amphitheater is part of the L.A. Parks service. In addition to the show itself, there were park rangers with rescued wild animals to view (not to pet) - a large green nonvenomous snake, a desert tortoise, several rescued birds (an owl and the world's tiniest falcon, among otheres ) and pelts of animals (now I get why Cruella DeVil likes fur). It's a great way to introduce children to the wildlife in our midst. read more

What a great venue! Give yourself the opportunity to check out a show here, you won't regret it! The perks: *It's BYO...Anything! Dinner? Snacks? Poison of your choice? Bring 'em all! But if you choose not to (for whatever reason), they do have concession stands throughout. Just be mindful that their items are not cheap! $4 for a bottle of water? No, thank you. *The venue has plenty of picnic seating to accommodate big groups or small, if you choose to picnic prior to the show! (Word to the wise: Definitely picnic before the show. Makes the night that much more fun. Trust.) So get there a bit early and claim a spot. Once the show starts you're more than welcome to take your snack/drank ('cuz we're keeping it classy) to your seat and munch/sip away! *Parking is only $5. It's stacked parking, but you won't wait for too long to get out. You also have the option of parking at the Universal City metro station lot and taking a shuttle up. And depending on the show, this option is free! This works perfectly if you enjoy taking the metro :) *The theater is super quaint. So every seat is a good seat! Enjoy the show! read more

I suppose the comparisons to Hollywood Bowl are apt, but Ford Amphitheatre is really a whole other animal. Whereas "The Bowl" is all about glitzy, big budget productions conjuring up images of John Mauceri, pyrotechnics and catering by the Patina Group... Ford is more modest in its offerings: Ladysmith Black Mombasa, Vox Lumiere, and $3.75 hot dogs. Built in 1931, it's an interesting example of early Deco / Industrial architecture. It's a time machine. One can imagine Aimee Semple McPherson or Al Jolson holding forth onstage. The steep cant of the seating area combined with its relative smallness guarantees that there's not a bad seat in the house. Dramatic lighting on the lush landscaping provides a feast for the eyes. There's an indescribable charm about the Ford. Just go. You'll see what I mean. DO NOT drive your car to the Ford and park it. Just like the Bowl, there is stacked parking and who needs to put up with that? DO park your car at the Metro Station on Lankershim and take the free shuttle to the Ford. Shuttles begin 2 hours before showtime and depart every 20 minutes. DO take a bottle or two of wine and a picnic to the Ford. Dine and drink before the show at any of several tables scattered about the grounds or at your seat during the show. Food is available in a surprising variety. Everything from pizza to sandwiches to fresh salads and a few hot entrees are available for under $10. Beer and wine are also offered. For an evening of entertainment that is eclectic, inexpensive and even romantic... check out the Ford Amphitheatre. Once you see for yourself, you'll be hooked. It's a hidden gem. read more

AHOY AMIGOS! I LOVE THE FORD! Beautiful and intimate venue with great acoustics and tons of natural backdrops. Outside amphitheater and smaller inside theater as well. Seating- individual chairs, not benches. Lots of tables around the front and outside in nooks where you can hang out, eat your picnic, etc. Concessions there too, didn't buy anything, can't speak to that. Also, free shuttle from the Park and Ride Universal Metro Station! If there is ever an event you want to to go to and you find out it's playing at the Ford, DON'T MISS IT!!! read more

I went here to see Chris Cornell and it was a great night. The actual Amphitheatre is small, only about 1,200 seats or so. It's also first come, first grab on seats (even though your tickets look like it's assigned seating, it's not). I like that and don't like that respectively. I like that because we got great seats due to waiting in line for about an hour. I don't like that because I like to be able to come to a concert that has seats and expect my seat to be open. If I didn't take the day off work, I would have been screwed because I can't make it up to LA from Orange in time to get a good seat. Also, I didn't know about the BYOB factor before coming. I wish I had known so I could bring some awesome beer instead of settling for Shock Top at $12 per glass. We were about 7 rows back, and the sound and experience was stellar. I would love to come back, and bring my boyfriend so he can carry the cooler! A few points to add: -Not Heel Friendly (very steep at times) -Cold (bring a jacket) -Seats will hurt your ass so bring a ass pillow if you have one -Get there early -DO NOT TAKE A CAMERA OR PICTURES (watch many people try to sneak a pic with their cell phone and get thrown out) -BYOB (in a light-ish cooler) read more

I just visited this theater on Saturday night with my husband and 2 friends, to see Chester Whitmore & his band with some very special guests. I must say that not only was the performance amazing, but this theater was perfect. I've lived in the L.A. Area my entire life and I've never been here before, it's the sweetest little hideaway ever!! Great outdoor venue, amazing acoustics, the staff was so helpful, they walked us right to our seats. And best of all, the parking was only $5.00!! You can't beat that. I'm looking forward to the next event. read more

Intimate theater! Loved it. Saw a Kina Grannis showing here :) Park at the Universal City Metro Station (free) and there's plenty of shuttles going to the theater every 10 minutes 2 hours before the show (also free!) Some annoying helicopters during the show but it adds to the charm of the outdoor theater. Bring your own food/wine/drinks as the fare is typical and overpriced. Would definitely come back again if our artists are playing here! read more

A cool, small outdoor theater. The driveway is kinda small, mmm uncomfortable, claustrophobic, bipolar, oh wait that's just me, lol. It's refreshing though being in there with plenty of trees and sitting areas and tables. Had a nice picnic before a show. I thought we were going to be seated way in the back because the staff told us to go to the 3rd floor, it turns out the entrance to the theatre is on the the 3rd. floor. Staff are very nice here it seems like with every step one of them said "good evening... good evening.... enjoy the show... enjoy the show... good evening... etc..." Leg room, what leg room? Seen/heard: three ladies walked down the aisle towards the very front when one of them quirked "Are we gona sing in the damn thing?" (I larfed.... and larfed... so hard...) read more

Great place to watch a show! Beautiful theater and wonderful summer weather make this place a must on your LA to-do list. Biggest plus? BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic). Get there early, grab a table, and enjoy some wine (and snacks, if that's your thing) while catching up with pals. Then, take some more wine to your seat 'cuz you don't wanna be one of those suckers who pays for a drink at their overpriced bar. Only gripe? Parking! Stacked parking is a pain....but that goes away with each sip of your wine. PS: Grandeza Mexicana's performance (Magia del Sureste) was AMAAAAZING! read more

I gotta agree, this is a great venue. I was very impressed with the diversity of the crowd--families, "family", various ethnics, artsy to hood, Hollywood to beyond...this was for Mark Governor / Notes from the Edge concert 6/15/08 If the event you're interested in is here, count yourself VERY lucky. Follow the advice, people. Can be downright chilly. Show up early. Don't be in a rush. Bring that food for the pre-show picnic (don't depend on the lousy food they sell). The lazy stop at TJ's. You can bring wine, but they sell that ($9+ a glass, ok a couple of 8's) and they sell beer too. You CAN park in the stack, it kinda depends on the event. You could be in your car for 40 minutes as another reviewer said. Or just drive off as I did. Parking in the hood is verboten, so you'd have to hike up probably all the way up Cahuenga from the 101--an option for the young. BTW navagating back on Franklin takes a lot longer than the hated parking lot if that's the way you're going if u run into the general Bowl foo. Valley exiters have it kinda easy....Then again I chatted with a guy from Amsterdam who really wasn't going to complain about parking: we're spoiled. He didn't understand about George W. Bush, though. Read The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder . It WILL happen. And then we can truly philosophise on the color of blood, and the bouncing of heads. But that's another review isn't it? read more

Cute spot! Surprisingly small (thought it would be much bigger from the outside). Came here for an early screening of Ghostbusters, which was a part of Outfest. Stacked parking reminds me of Hollywood Bowl and seemed similarly terrible - definitely recommend ubering if you're anywhere near the area. The venue is super cute and intimate and you can see stars above you. Only negative is that the acoustics are very bad (for a movie screening, anyway - I have no idea how it is for a concert). I wouldn't necessarily recommend this spot for a movie but otherwise it's a very cute theater that makes for a fun LA experience. read more

After reading several reviews about the stacked parking, Tschane and I decided to get there super early so we would be guaranteed a spot. This turned out to be a really good idea -- the way it works is FIRST IN, FIRST OUT. The venue itself is amazing! It's an outdoor theater with a backdrop of California foliage. The sound is excellent, seats are comfy, and they sell quality food and drink. If you reserve tables ahead of time you can bring a picnic meal and eat there before the show. This is a great alternative to the Hollywood Bowl -- it's an intimate venue with even more charm! read more