The High Cost of Culture

And I’m not talking about the cost of admission, but rather the emotional cost of parking.

The Hollywood Bowl is a 100-year-old Los Angeles cultural institution. It has hosted many renowned singers and bands over the years, notably including the Beatles (remember them?).  The Hollywood Bowl now seats 17,500 guests.  It’s located in a canyon near Hollywood Boulevard and Highland but offers only about 1,750 parking spaces on-site (this is my own estimate, which may be too high).  Even though their shows often sell out, they only have parking for about 20% of the audience (assuming two in a car).

For that reason, the Bowl provides “off-site” parking.  I live in the San Fernando Valley, so I can drive to the Eastern end of Ventura Boulevard, park in the large lot there, and take a 20-minute bus ride to the Bowl.  Last night I met my son at the venue to enjoy a performance that began at 6:00 pm.  By 9:00 pm we were both exhausted, and he had to be at work early the next day.  We walked to where he had parked his car at a private lot six blocks away. It’s a lot where the cars can easily leave at any time and are not blocked in by the hundreds of other cars parked around them.  He then drove out of his way to drop me at the Ventura Boulevard parking lot where I had parked my car earlier in the evening.

And there my adventure began.

First, I had to find my car in the dark.  I thought I knew where it was, but my car always seems to move around by itself after the sun goes down.

After ten minutes of searching, I finally found my car, but it was totally blocked in by other cars.  So I sat in the driver’s seat for one hour (thank goodness for the solitaire game on my cell phone), waiting until other drivers showed up to let themselves out, and release me from Hollywood Bowl Parking Prison.  I left the Bowl at 9:00 pm and finally got home after 11:30 pm.

One benefit from watching sports events and concerts on TV is that when the show is over you’re already home.  And a hamburger doesn’t cost $18.00.

Also – an added benefit – I don’t have to search for my car, then sit in the dark for an hour.

Grumble mumble.

Alan