The Hollywood Bowl sits in one of Los Angeles’s most interesting areas. Most shows don’t start until 7-8 PM, which leaves your entire day open. Even if you’re traveling for music events specifically for a concert, you’ll want to fill those daytime hours with something memorable.
The Hollywood Hills, Griffith Park, and surrounding neighborhoods offer activities that range from touristy to genuinely cool. Some things are worth doing once just to say you did them. Others represent the best of what Los Angeles offers. Here’s how to spend your day before heading to the Bowl.
Griffith Observatory
The observatory sits directly above the Hollywood Bowl on the same hillside. You can see it from many Bowl seats. It’s about a 10-minute drive or a challenging hike if you’re feeling ambitious.
The observatory offers some of the best views of Los Angeles. You can see downtown, the Pacific Ocean, and the Hollywood sign from various vantage points. On clear days, the views stretch for miles. Sunset is particularly stunning, though you’ll be at the Bowl by then.
Inside, the observatory features exhibits about space, astronomy, and the solar system. The planetarium shows run throughout the day with different programs. Admission to the building is free, though planetarium shows cost around $7-10.
Best for: Science enthusiasts, anyone who wants incredible city views, and families with kids who need daytime activities.
Official website: https://griffithobservatory.org/
The observatory gets crowded on weekends. Weekday mornings offer a more relaxed experience. Parking is limited and fills early, especially in summer 2026. Consider rideshare or the DASH Observatory shuttle from Vermont/Sunset Metro station.
Hiking Griffith Park
Griffith Park is one of the largest urban parks in America with over 50 miles of trails. Several hikes start near the Hollywood Bowl and offer various difficulty levels.
The hike to the Hollywood sign is the most famous. Multiple trails lead there, with varying lengths and challenges. The most popular route starts from the Griffith Observatory parking area and takes about 2-3 hours round trip. It’s steep in sections but manageable for most people.
Other trails wind through the park with less tourist traffic. The Fern Dell trail is an easy, shaded walk through a lush canyon. Mount Hollywood trail leads to the park’s highest point with 360-degree views.
- Bring water – LA heat is serious
- Start early to avoid afternoon sun
- Wear proper shoes, not flip-flops
- Download trail maps since cell service can be spotty
- Parking fills by 9 AM on weekends
Music travel tip: A morning hike followed by an evening at the Bowl makes for a quintessential LA day. Just pace yourself so you’re not exhausted by showtime.
Hollywood Walk of Fame
The Walk of Fame stretches along Hollywood Boulevard for blocks. Over 2,700 stars embedded in the sidewalk honor entertainment industry figures. It’s touristy but also a piece of pop culture history.
The intersection of Hollywood and Highland puts you near many stars and the Chinese Theatre. You can see the TCL Chinese Theatre’s famous forecourt where celebrities have left handprints and footprints in cement since 1927.
The Walk is free to visit anytime. Early mornings are less crowded if you want photos without dodging people. The area gets busy by midday with street performers, costume characters, and tour groups.
Reality check: Hollywood Boulevard is grittier than many tourists expect. It’s safe during the day but has an edge. Don’t expect glamour. Expect tchotchke shops, costume Elmos demanding tips for photos, and crowds.
The Roosevelt Hotel, Musso & Frank Grill, and other historic spots along the boulevard offer more authentic Old Hollywood experiences than the street itself.
Runyon Canyon
This park in the Hollywood Hills is where LA residents actually hike. It’s about 10 minutes from the Bowl and offers a completely different vibe than Griffith Park.
Three trail options range from easy to moderately difficult. All lead to overlooks with views of the city. The park is dog-friendly, and you’ll see hundreds of dogs on weekend mornings. It’s very much a local scene.
The trails are well-maintained and clearly marked. The full loop takes about 90 minutes at a moderate pace. You can do shorter out-and-back routes if you’re pressed for time.
Parking near the Fuller Avenue entrance is limited. Many people park in residential areas and walk to the trailhead. Early morning (before 8 AM) offers the best parking availability and cooler temperatures.
Shopping on Melrose Avenue
Melrose Avenue is where LA fashion lives. The stretch between La Brea and Fairfax features boutiques, vintage shops, and streetwear stores. It’s about 15 minutes from the Hollywood Bowl.
Vintage shopping here is excellent if you know where to look. Wasteland offers curated vintage with designer pieces. Jet Rag is more dig-through-the-racks but with better prices. Decades specializes in high-end vintage couture.
Streetwear brands like Supreme and Stüssy have stores here. You’ll also find plenty of independent boutiques selling local designers. Fairfax Avenue intersects Melrose and continues the shopping with more streetwear focus.
Budget consideration: Prices run high at trendy boutiques. Window shopping costs nothing and gives you a sense of LA style. The people-watching alone justifies the visit.
Many shops don’t open until 11 AM or noon. Plan accordingly if you want to shop before your evening show.
The Grove and Original Farmers Market
The Grove is an outdoor shopping mall designed to look like an idealized city street. It’s very LA in its blend of commercial and aesthetic appeal. About 20 minutes from the Bowl.
The adjacent Original Farmers Market has operated since 1934. It’s a collection of food stalls, produce vendors, and small restaurants under permanent structures. This is the more interesting half of the complex.
You can eat your way through the Farmers Market with options ranging from gumbo to crepes to tacos. Many stalls have been family-run for generations. It’s a good lunch stop before heading to the Bowl.
The Grove has standard mall stores plus a movie theater. The trolley that runs through the complex and the fountain shows appeal to families. It’s pleasant enough but not uniquely LA.
- Free parking for first two hours, then paid
- The Farmers Market is the better part – focus there
- Lots of outdoor seating with shade
- Good bathrooms, which matters when you’re out all day
Check their website to learn more about the grocers, restaurants in the market.
Hollywood Forever Cemetery
This might sound weird, but Hollywood Forever is a beautiful, historic cemetery about 15 minutes from the venue. Many Hollywood legends are buried here, including Judy Garland, Johnny Ramone, and Cecil B. DeMille.
The grounds are park-like with lakes, peacocks, and impressive architecture. You can walk around freely during daytime hours. Maps at the entrance show notable gravesites.
The cemetery hosts outdoor movie screenings during summer called Cinerama Dome. These aren’t on Bowl nights, but if you’re in LA for multiple days for a specific music event, they’re worth checking. People picnic on blankets while classic films play on the mausoleum wall.
Best for: History buffs, anyone interested in Old Hollywood, and people who appreciate beautiful spaces regardless of their function.
Amoeba Music
This massive independent record store on Hollywood Boulevard is a landmark for music lovers. If you’re traveling for music events, you need to visit. It’s about 15 minutes from the Bowl.
Three floors of new and used vinyl, CDs, DVDs, and music memorabilia fill the space. The selection is overwhelming in the best way. Staff recommendations are solid, and you can listen to most items before buying.
In-store performances happen regularly with both big names and local artists. Check their schedule because you might catch a free show before heading to your paid show at the Bowl.
Even if you don’t buy anything, browsing Amoeba is an experience. The store represents a pre-streaming era of music culture that’s increasingly rare. Budget at least an hour if you’re really into music.
Lake Hollywood Park
This small park offers the best views of the Hollywood sign without hiking. It’s about 10 minutes from the Bowl in the residential hills above Hollywood.
The park has a walking path around a reservoir with unobstructed sign views. It’s quiet, clean, and mostly locals walking dogs or jogging. Benches provide spots to sit and take in the scenery.
Parking is limited but usually available. It’s a quick stop worth making if you want sign photos without crowds or difficult trails.
Capitol Records Building
The iconic round building that looks like a stack of records sits on Vine Street in Hollywood. You can’t tour inside unless you have business there, but the exterior is worth seeing, especially for music fans.
The building has appeared in countless movies and TV shows. A star on the Walk of Fame outside honors the building itself. It takes five minutes to see and photograph, making it an easy add to your day.
Planning Your Day
The best approach is clustering activities by location. Griffith Park, the Observatory, and hiking work together. Melrose shopping pairs with lunch at the Farmers Market. Hollywood Boulevard combines the Walk of Fame, Amoeba, and possibly the Roosevelt Hotel for drinks.
Don’t overscheduled your day. LA traffic makes everything take longer than expected. Leave buffer time to get back to your accommodation, change if needed, and head to the Bowl without stress.
Many music travelers make the mistake of cramming too much into pre-show hours. You want to arrive at the Bowl relaxed and excited, not exhausted and rushed. Pick 2-3 activities maximum and enjoy them properly.
Summer 2026 brings peak tourist season to LA. Popular attractions get crowded by midday. Early starts beat the crowds and the heat. Many things that seem close on a map take 20-30 minutes to reach because of traffic and parking.
Making It Count
The Hollywood Bowl is one of America’s special music venues. The surrounding area offers enough activities to justify a full live music getaway weekend even if you’re only seeing one show.
Choose activities that interest you rather than checking boxes. Not everyone needs to see the Hollywood sign up close or walk the Walk of Fame. But everyone should do something that makes the day memorable beyond just the concert.
The combination of daytime adventures and an evening at the Bowl under the stars creates the kind of travel for music experience that keeps people returning to LA year after year. Plan smart, stay flexible, and enjoy what this part of Los Angeles offers.
We are music fans that travel the world for concerts and music festivals.