We are ages 59 and 64. We parked at the marked lot at Santa Barbara High School near the football field. It was $30.00 and a very simple walk to the venue. We arrived at 5 pm which was an hour before the gates opened. We waited on the cement benches out in front of the security check point. The Bowl offers a free shuttle up the small hill to the very top once you have gone through the screening area. There was a very large line for the shuttle and many lined up at 5:15-5:30. There is a separate line to walk up the little hill. I didn't think that the walk was bad at all but my husband had a knee replacement and he had to sit on a bench half way up. He was just fine with the walk though. Once you get to the top they have snacks and drinks, Mind you, a snickers is $5.00. So my advice, eat before you go... Easy to exit from lot once concert was over.

This is a beautiful setting! Amazing. We parked at the high school for $20 and they took cash or credit. There are plastic seats attached to the concrete. Great local options at the Locals Only bar. Be sure to bring a sweater or light jacket as it does cool down later in the evening.

We love the venue. A perfect place for concerts. At intermission we went to get hot chocolates and we were told that they ran out of hot water!!! How can a concert venue of that size and stature run out of hot water and not be able to serve coffee, hot tea, hot chocolate, hot drinks in general! Next time we’ll bring our own hot drinks!

The Santa Barbara Bowl is an excellent venue for live performances and concerts. It is outdoors with views of the ocean. The fresh air and sunshine or moonlight are wonderful. Dress appropriately in layers for evening concerts since the temperature drops significantly when the sun goes down. There are view screens and concession stands and indoor bathrooms.

Took my daughter to the Santa Barbara bowl to see Hozier. It's been over 25 years since I've been since I've lived there. Still an awesome intimate venue and some changes since I last went! I had to buy resale so we had nosebleeds section A (no seat backs) one row from the very back. But as you may know the SBB doesn't have any bad seats! If I had to do it again I would choose the VERY back as you can use the wall as a seat back and that row seems to have more leg room. Great ocean views from the very top bar/bathroom/dining level. Only thing I would do again is actually park at the high school, walk up to the bowl and then be able to have a car for the ride back. Uber coming back was a nightmare and we have even walked as far down on Milpas to Los Agaves. It took about 40 minutes. Grant it it was the Saturday before Halloween but still...However we kind of expected it, but didn't think it would take soooo long. You can't catch a ridedshare home from the venue as the road is blocked off till the bottom of the hill. But it was a great time and the SBB is still the best to watch a show with 4000 of your friends. Go to the top for the drinks and views and have fun!