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Shoreline Amphitheatre is where the big tours stop when they come through the South Bay. It sits on the bayfront in Mountain View, next to Shoreline Park and Google's campus, about a 15-minute drive from downtown Palo Alto outside of show traffic. On a warm summer evening, with the sun going down behind the hills and a lawn full of people, it is one of the classic Bay Area concert experiences.
This guide explains the venue itself, how a concert night usually runs and how to get there and back. We do not list specific shows, because the lineup changes all season. For the current schedule and tickets, go to the venue's Live Nation page.
A short history
The amphitheater was part of the plan to turn Mountain View's bayfront landfill into a regional park. Bill Graham, the Bay Area concert promoter, worked with the city to build it in 1985 and 1986. It opened in the summer of 1986. The first performance, on June 29, 1986, was Julio Iglesias, with Roseanne Barr opening. A Grateful Dead show had been planned as the opener but was canceled because Jerry Garcia was ill.
The Dead got there soon enough. They first played Shoreline on October 2, 1987 and came back dozens of times, with their last show on June 4, 1995. Graham is said to have designed the venue's layout to echo the band's "steal your face" logo when seen from above.
The early years were rough in other ways. The venue sits on the old landfill and the first season brought complaints about garbage smells. Methane from the buried waste caused small lawn fires. Before the 1987 season the city added methane collection wells and a gas system under the lawn. The same spring, wind tore a large hole in the giant tent roof, which had to be repaired before opening night. In February 1998 an El Niño storm knocked out drainage pumps and flooded the bowl to a depth of more than 15 feet. Repairs were finished by mid-May that year.
The venue layout
Shoreline holds about 22,500 people. It splits into two very different experiences:
| Area | Capacity | What it is like |
|---|---|---|
| Reserved seats | About 6,500 | Fixed seats under the tent-like canopy, closest to the stage, with shelter from sun and drizzle |
| Lawn | About 16,000 | General admission grass slope behind the seats, open to the sky, with views of the stage and screens |
| Festival setups | Up to about 30,000 | Some multi-stage events use the parking areas for extra stages |
The canopy was the largest tent structure of its kind in the United States when it was built, covering about 85,000 square feet. It is what you see from Highway 101 and from the trails in Shoreline Park.
Seats suit people who want a clear view and a fixed spot. The lawn suits groups who want to spread out on a blanket, arrive early and treat the night like a picnic. The lawn slopes, so arrive early if you want a spot with a good sightline. The city owns the venue and Live Nation runs it.
How a concert night works
- Tickets. Live Nation lists the schedule on its venue page and tickets are sold through its ticketing system. Buy from the official listing or an authorized resale platform. You can browse upcoming concert tickets and check the face value before paying more elsewhere.
- Gates. Gates usually open well before the first act. Times are on each event page.
- Security. Bags are searched. Ticketmaster's venue FAQ lists coolers, alcohol, umbrellas, pets, tables and barbecues among items that are not allowed and permits one sealed water bottle, low-back lawn chairs and small blankets. Live Nation can change rules show by show, so read your event page.
- Food and drink. Food and drinks are sold inside the venue. Live Nation also sells premium upgrades such as club access and premier parking.
- The show. Headliners often play past dark. Bring a layer. Bay breezes make evenings cool even after a hot day.
- Leaving. Everyone leaves at once. Expect a slow crawl out of the lots onto Shoreline Boulevard and Amphitheatre Parkway.
The venue's season runs mainly from spring through fall. Live Nation's page listed shows into November in late October 2026 and a waitlist for 2027 premium season tickets.
Parking in general terms
Shoreline has large surface lots around the venue. According to Ticketmaster's venue FAQ, on-site parking is included in the ticket price for most events. Paved premier spaces near the entrance cost extra. Rules and prices can differ by event, so check your ticket and event page.
A few points apply to most shows:
- Arrive early. The lots fill and the approach roads back up from Highway 101 in the hour before showtime.
- Note where you parked. The lots are large and look alike after dark.
- Expect delays leaving. Waiting 20 or 30 minutes before starting the car can be quicker than joining the first wave.
- Neighbors close lots on show days. The Google Visitor Experience, for example, says its visitor parking in Shoreline's Lot C closes on concert days.
Getting there from Palo Alto
By car
Take Highway 101 south to the Shoreline Boulevard exit and follow signs north to the venue. On show nights traffic backs up on the exit and on Shoreline Boulevard. If you are not going to the concert, avoid the area in the late afternoon and after the show ends.
Rideshare
Ticketmaster's venue FAQ notes dedicated rideshare pickup and drop-off zones. Pickups after a sold-out show can take a long time and prices often surge. Our guide to robotaxis, rideshare and taxis covers the options from Palo Alto.
By bike
Cycling is the local secret for Shoreline shows. The Bay Trail from the Palo Alto Baylands and the Stevens Creek Trail both reach the Shoreline area on flat, car-free paths. Bring lights and a good lock. Check your event page for bike parking details.
By train
Caltrain stops at the Mountain View station at the north end of Castro Street, a few miles from the venue. From there you need a bike, a rideshare or any event shuttle listed on your event page. Our Caltrain guide covers timetables. Check the last train back before you commit to an encore.
Before and after the show
There is little to eat in the immediate area outside the venue, especially in the evening. Many concertgoers eat dinner on Castro Street first. Our guide to where to eat in Mountain View lists places confirmed open this fall. With an early arrival you can also walk around Shoreline Lake in the adjacent Shoreline Park, though dogs are not allowed in the park.
If you are coming from out of town, staying in Mountain View cuts the drive home to a few minutes. Our page on staying in Menlo Park or Mountain View covers the area and you can compare hotels near Shoreline for your dates.
Shoreline versus Frost Amphitheater
Palo Alto has its own outdoor venue at Stanford. Frost Amphitheater is a much smaller, tree-ringed bowl on campus. Its tickets are sold through AXS rather than Ticketmaster. Shoreline is the place for arena-size tours. Frost suits smaller, often more intimate shows. Our live music guide and summer events guide cover both.
Good to know
- We do not list shows. Check Live Nation's venue page for the current schedule.
- Concert traffic affects Shoreline Boulevard, Amphitheatre Parkway and the Highway 101 exits for hours before and after a show.
- Bring a warm layer. Evenings on the bay cool off fast.
- Rules on bags, chairs and parking can differ by event. The event page is the final word.
Frequently asked questions
How many people does Shoreline Amphitheatre hold?
About 22,500. That breaks down into roughly 6,500 reserved seats under the canopy and about 16,000 places on the general admission lawn. Festivals that use the parking lots for extra stages can reach about 30,000.
Is parking included at Shoreline Amphitheatre?
Ticketmaster's venue FAQ says on-site parking is included in the ticket price for most events, with premier spaces near the entrance costing extra. Policies can differ by show, so check your ticket and the event page before you go.
Can I bring a chair to the lawn at Shoreline?
Ticketmaster's venue FAQ says low-back lawn chairs and small blankets are permitted on the lawn. Live Nation also offers lawn chair rentals in advance for some shows. Rules can change by event, so read your event page.
How long does it take to leave Shoreline Amphitheatre after a show?
It varies, but sold-out shows empty tens of thousands of people onto Shoreline Boulevard and Amphitheatre Parkway at once, so expect a wait. Many people linger in the lot for a while, use the rideshare zones or bike in to skip the car line entirely.
Who owns Shoreline Amphitheatre?
The City of Mountain View owns the amphitheater, which sits on city land within the Shoreline park area. Live Nation operates it. Promoter Bill Graham worked with the city to build it in 1985 and 1986.