John Anson Ford Amphitheatre

Located across the street and up the road from the 18,000-seat Hollywood Bowl, the John Anson Ford also presents its arts out-of-doors but in a decidedly more intimate setting. Sitting on a scenic 45-acre parcel in the Cahuenga Pass, the 1,241-seat open-air amphitheater has a concrete design rebuilt by the WPA in 1931 to resemble the gates of Jerusalem.

Operated by the Los Angeles County Arts Commission, the amphitheater features an eclectic mix of music, dance and family events from May to October. It has been home to the June-through-September performance series "Summer Nights at the Ford" since 1993. Recently the county invested several million dollars in capital improvements to the facility, including the installation of an elevator. Parking is stacked — and often hectic — in a lot at the base of the complex. Always remember to bring a sweater.