Hollywood Bowl

From April to October, the Hollywood Bowl is the place in SoCal to see concerts and performances of every kind. The summer home of the L.A. Philharmonic, it's also the spot where the Beatles and the Doors played back in the day and the venue that hosts the Playboy Jazz Festival weekend every June. There's sometimes ballet on the beautiful bandshell stage, sometimes a classic movie musical unspools with the whole audience singing along, and other times rock, country, Latin or pop musicians belt out their tunes. Bring your own picnic, wines and (especially if you are sitting in a box) tablecloths and candles. Or have a first-rate dinner at Ann's Wine Bar at the Bowl before the show; and remember that there's no hurry to leave when the music ends, as the parking lots stack everyone's cars, so it often takes a while to find a way out.