Stern Grove Festival

Attending the Stern Grove Festival was an amazing experience, the community, the comraderie, and positive vibes were infectious. Highly recommend. The mix of nature and good tunes and comfort food was very pleasant.

Wonderful venue and experience bring a blanket and a fold up chair and enjoy the yummy food and festival. You can always go online and see what is ok to bring and make sure u don't bring guns or knives it's not that type of party

I came here for the Stern Grove Festival to see the SF Symphony. It was my first time, and I was blown away by how beautiful the park is. Being here feels like you're in the middle of a forest—I couldn’t believe this was right in the heart of the city.

Great sound and fun. Come early to stand in line if you want a seat. People will save larger areas with their blankets. Just know going in that it's part of the experience. Take Uber or park a few blocks away and walk in. No parking near the entrance. Also, don't bring a wagon since there is no where to store it. All walkways have to remain clear for traffic and the walk uphill out of the venue can make dragging a cart rather difficult. Food concession is good, about what you would expect. You can bring food as well.

The grove was alive Sunday for the great performances of channel tres and ASTU. as usual stern grove doesn't come half handed . The sound was amazing and the crowd was into the flow .

Great sound and audience. Always fun to see people of all ages enjoying live music! No sunshine, but it wasn't cold. The shuttle line wait was too slow.

Hitting up the Stern Grove Festival which is a music festival held annually in Sigmund Stern Grove, San Francisco. It's known for offering a variety of concerts throughout the summer, featuring diverse musical genres and renowned artists. The festival has been a San Francisco tradition since 1938! #sterngrove #livemusic

I loved this small concert venue! The sound was spot on. The stage is large. The large projection screens were set behind the musicians and added quality to the performance. The musicians were great! The staff was professional and friendly. They sell alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Lots of stairs and has an elevator. The building is beautiful. And has a parking garage

I finally made it to Stern Grove! Thank you Yuri! It is beautiful, tranquil & chilly! Huge space, wonderful staff members & really nice venue. We saw the Pointer Sisters. Although, only one sister is still living. Ruth is 79 & her daughter & granddaughter are now representing/performing as The Pointer Sisters. They were fabulous!

I received the email informing me that I didn't make the cut for the Pointer Sisters lottery. Stern Grove has been experimenting with different flavors of concert ticket dispersal these last few years and I knew there must be additional ways to get tickets closer to the show date. Aha! All I had to do was appear at the appointed hour to a sweet little park newly construted: Indian Basin Waterfront Park. On a gorgeous Saturday morning there I met Noah. He does ticket dispersal for Stern Grove. Noah handed me my Pointer Sister tickets that then needed to be registered. When I couldn't reach the site with my phone, he happily handed me HIS phone and I easily registered my tickets! Yea! I'll see the Pointer Sisters tomorrow, thanks to Stern Grove and Noah! I will Travel to a different location on Friday early evening to obtain tickets for Diana Ross; another ticket lottery for which I haven't heard back and assume that, once again, I didn't make the cut for those either. I'm greatful for second chances and maybe I'll see Noah again!

Very lively crowd but huge! We were seated in the front side area and a lot of people stood to dance, so you can't see the stage unless you stand, too. The band, Black London, was really good but very loud and I'm somewhat sensitive to loud noise, so I would have loved some ear plugs to tone it down a bit, but I can see how others might love it! The main attraction was Michael Franti and the Spearheads. I wasn't familiar with them, but a friend who loves them invited me and he didn't disappoint! He ran around the audience while he sang and gave everyone thrills. He had the audience dancing, clapping, and jumping; quite a spectacular performance and all for free! Sure beat the price of the concert across the Sunset in Golden Gate Park! If you're lucky enough to win the lottery for tickets to any of these summer performances, do go!

For this being a free event, i have no complaints! Free music. Free parking. You can bring your own chairs, blankets, picnic and drinks. All they ask is if you can donate to support their magnificent musical festival so they can continue to provide free music. The staff and volunteers are super friendly! They are helpful and so patient with everyone. Food trucks and bars if you don't feel like packing your own picnic. Lots of clean bathrooms. (Real ones! Not port-o-lets!) Get here early so you can find a spot to sit. It fills up quick but it's cool. No matter where you sit, you'll hear the music. If you can't see the performers, there's a large screen to the right so you can watch the performers on there. You can, if you want, get a table for about $1000. You'd get preferred seating and you can see the stage without obstruction. Doors open at noon. So arrive at your discretion. The grove fills up fast. Overall, this is an excellent place to be to enjoy a show. The gorgeous natural setting of being in a forest, beautiful orange flowers if they're in bloom, and talented performers.

Such an amazing festival! This concert is one hot ticket to get, and not an easy one. But it is soooo worth it! Such a great venue, the attendees have such good vibes and the planners do a great job. Can't wait till next year!

Wow the execution and the organization of this event! It went so smoothly from ticketing, to lining up, to getting in and finding a spot, to the well planned walkways for pedestrians. Much appreciated Going out take an awhile because so many people are bunching into narrow paths and leaving at same time. Many entrances from different sides of the park

I have been attending these concerts for over 20 years, my favorites over the years being Aaron Neville, Anoushka Shankar, and Buddy Guy. I was lucky enough to get lottery tickets for Michael Franti today! The events are well organized with helpful staff and volunteers. I love that you can bring your own food and alcoholic beverages, and there are food trucks if you don't have time to pack your own food. I recommend using the Wawona entrance to avoid the long entry lines.

Stern Grove alone is an amazing San Francisco park but on Sundays during the summer the park plays host to an amazing FREE music concert series with line ups to please everyone. To sit in the grove and groove is a surreal experience that everyone will enjoy. Bring your picnic basket, beverages and layers (can be foggy or sunny or both). Thank you to the organizers and donors who make this festival fun and free just amazing

Best festival experience for the price - in the case of Stern Grove, free! They have a lottery system for free tickets or you can book a table right by the stage for a fee. It's a unique festival experience. Very communal. BYOB and snacks. Feel free to share. Finding a spot on the hill makes you feel connected to your SF brethren. Plus our mild summer makes this perfect festival weather to just chill and enjoy the music outdoors. Well organized. Easy access to public transportation. Food and beverage stands if you forgot your own. Overall a fun yet laid back festival. Love SF.

Stern Grove is such a cool concept! The oldest non-profit music festival in the country, bringing FREE live music to San Francisco. This year they changed several things, one is how you get tickets, it used to be you just get them online at the time they drop, now you enter a lottery system and hope you win. I was lucky enough to win the lottery to see Phantogram! While the idea of free music in the woods is a good one, Stern Grove is not for the weak. I say that because unless you can afford to make a donation big enough to get a picnic table or the VIP areas, it's a fight to get a good spot and more than likely you'll end up in the dirt on and incline hoping and praying the snacks and drinks you brought don't go sliding down the hill. It's also a trek to get in and back out so remember that when you want to bring lawn chairs, packed coolers, etc. As with any big music event, you have loads of people oblivious to common courtesy so a lot of people stepping over or on you to get through and try to find space to sit. I give 4 stars thought because they bring some LEGIT artists here! This season alone they will have Diana Ross and the Pointer Sisters so there is a really good mix of genres and you cannot beat free! Just know, the odds are high you're not going to be super comfortable for the 4+ hours the festival lasts but I would say to go at least once and experience it!

July 2025 events First time Event is busy so finding parking is harder than usual, understandable Location is easy to location, big signs everywhere Place is clean and organized Lots of staffs and help everywhere Overall, had a good time and traffic wasn't too bad

Stern Grove Festival is one of those hidden San Francisco gems that makes you fall in love with the city all over again. Every summer, they host a free concert series in a beautiful natural amphitheater surrounded by trees and tucked away in the Sunset district. The music lineup is super diverse--from the SF Symphony to local bands, global music ensembles, and well-known singers. It's completely free, but you do need to enter a lottery for general admission. Alternatively, they have paid reserved tables up front (not sure on pricing, but those definitely look like the VIP way to go). For everyone else, seating is first-come, first-served and opens at 12 p.m., with the concert starting at 2 p.m. Pro tip: Get there early. We arrived around 12:30 and the place was already packed. We got lucky and found a spot with a decent view, but it was pretty far up on the hill. The higher up you go, the steeper and less stable it gets--so wear good shoes and be careful. One of the things I love most is how picnic-friendly it is. You can bring your own food and drinks (including alcohol), though they do have some restrictions listed on their website. There's also a bar and food vendors if you don't want to pack a meal. Picnic blankets and low lawn chairs are welcome, but tall chairs aren't allowed. They also make an effort to be family-friendly and accessible, with kids' activities and wheelchair seating areas. The sound system is impressive and fills the grove really well--even if you're further up the hill, the acoustics are solid. That said, it can get a bit noisy during orchestral performances--it's not quite the same experience as the opera house, and people tend to chat more casually. Parking can be tricky. There's some street parking in the area, and the Stonestown Galleria lot is just a few blocks away and a good backup option. All in all, this is one of the best things to do in SF during the summer. Beautiful venue, great music, and free--can't ask for more. Just bring your picnic gear, get there early, and soak it all

Oh my. It is an institution. SF Symphony has been playing there for 83 years? Did I hear wrong? Today SF Symphony with Taimane, American ukulele virtuoso from Oahu. She was terrific. Wow, accompany by the SF Symphony. That is amazing. Get into the lottery and wait to see if you get tickets. Everyone will be scanned for tickets and metal detector. They will search questionable backpacks. If you do get a ticket, get there around 12 noon to find a seat. Bring low beach chairs picnic basket, picnic blankets, and your booze and food. Please don't smoke a joint, it really ruins it for everyone in the fresh air. Forget about the picnic tables,unless you want to sponsor $1500 a table. If not, you have to balance yourself on the hillside. No avalanche even though I have a tiny nightmare of tumbling down. Restrooms all genders!. Really goes fast. Food sold, fried calamari and fries look good. Long line for a shuttle to get to the meadow. Reason, there is a steep downhill and later uphill climb back to the street. I heard the Wawona side is less steep. This is a young and old affair. Very well run, chaotic part is find a seat. Enjoy yourself. Concert starts at 2 pm. Lots of donation people roaming around. Love the nice low cloud SF, perfect SF jacket weather.

I love this festival! This is the first year I've been able to go due to the new ticketing system which I feel has been really fair. I'm impressed with the line up and diversity they are able to bring and have really enjoyed listening to music that's new to me. I hope this can continue!

Well came out today to see the Pointer sisters won tickets in the lottery every thing is different now they didn't open until noon I was here at 10:30 meeting a lot of friendly people was very nice being back here now I remember why I did not come for so many years me being older now I must have a lawn chair it was a nice day good people,good food

Went to the Michael Franti show this weekend, and had a great experience from beginning to end! While the line was already partway onto Crestlake Drive when we arrived just before noon, once they opened the gates the crowd moved pretty quickly through security. They had a food stand that was cranking out grilled meat, salads, and fries, and the bathrooms were very clean. We had tickets for the ADA/ASL section, the volunteers were great about checking us in and showing us to the right area. Both interpreters (Jennie and Azore) were incredible, introducing themselves beforehand and bringing the music to life for the two acts and several surprise guests. There were a lot of videographers walking between the seating area and the on-stage interpreter during the show, but volunteers were good about asking them to move when they were blocking the view. So grateful to Stern Grove for offering ASL interpretation, and I hope they're able to continue it in the future!

Finale of the year, Steel Pulse and Chaka Khan brought out the sun, fun and funkadelic grooves to Stern Grove! The place was packed with kind music lovers, helping those in need of a hand to climb up the hills to find a slanted spot to plant themselves and enjoy an afternoon of smooth sounds. Long live the Stern Grove Festival - see you next year!

Catching Sylvan Esso & Poolside at Stern Grove was an unforgettable experience. The venue itself is steeped in rich history, and the moment you step into the grove, you feel it. The towering trees, the natural amphitheater, and the crisp air all create an incredible vibe that you won't find anywhere else. The crowd was a perfect mix of people, all there to soak up the culture and enjoy the music. The sound was amazing, with the melodies weaving through the trees and creating a truly magical atmosphere. Sylvan Esso and Poolside delivered electrifying performances that were perfectly in sync with the natural surroundings. If you're ever in the area, catching a show at Stern Grove is an absolute must. It's more than just a concert it's an experience that brings together music, nature, and community in the best possible way. Definitely a must-see! Pro tip. Bring folding chairs and some good shoes. At times you may be sitting on a hillside with a slight degree. Come prepared! They also allow for glass bottles.

First time going here with my girlfriend, they offer free concert in the parks every Saturday and Sunday till the end of August. The the workers who work here are very friendly they also offer a shuttle up-and-down from the location of the Stern Grove location where the concert is. Me and my girlfriend went to see Lucinda Williams and there was over 30 K people

The Stern Grove Festival is a blast! Literally one of the oldest and largest open air summer music festival in the world. An amazing green space which can accommodate 20,000 plus people. It's the oldest non-profit festival, bringing free music to anyone who registers for on-line tickets for the past 87 years (2024). There's different areas to enjoy the concert, such as in front of the stage, the steps or the hills. What's not to love about community, with like minded people who love music. There are 3 entrances to the Festival, depending on where you want to sit. For the older generation or those with disabilities, there is a shuttle on the corner of Sloat and 19th which takes you down to the grove and up after the concerts. Restrooms are clean and plentiful, so the lines move quick and they are located by the stage right and in the clubhouse. In the meadow, there are pop up food trucks and a large screen to enjoy the music, where it's less crowded and has more space to move about and great for families. Don't forget to donate to the Stern Grove. Volunteers are all over, with buckets and stickers for donators. I noticed this year you can also donate on your phone. This festival is a must try, at least once. A truly San Franciscan experience.

Let me start off by saying I love the Stern Grove Festival, I've been coming off and on since the 90's. I have so many fond memories of this place. They always book incredible artists, the setting is stunning, and the overall vibe is fantastic. The only reason they are getting three stars instead of five is the safety concerns. My breakdown is below. Commodores: Five stars, they knocked it out of the park their performance was so incredible. DJ: Five stars, he did a great job. Stern Grove: Five stars, the setting is just beautiful, perfect place for a concert. Ticketing process: One star. Entrance procedures: Zero stars. I love that this has stayed a "free" concert, but don't like that you have your get tickets in advance. I miss the days where you could show up, lay down your blanket, and have a great time. Another long time attendee reminded me that those days are gone and this is the new process. I showed up at 9:30am and was shocked that the line was down the block. I talked with other attendees and told me this was the new normal. I didn't go last year so I had no warning this was the case. They started letting us into the holding area around 10am and I think I must've gotten in that location close to 11am. Everything seemed fine, people were sitting in their chairs until about 11:30 when everyone stood. I turned and looked behind me and was stunned to see we were packed in like sardines. It was literally a safety hazard. Had anything happened and people started to run, we would've been trampled on, and I was close to the front. We were directed to walk down the long hill, again, extremely packed. Some people started running, which made it extremely unsafe. I was next to a man who was gently guiding an elder who got separated from her family. I finally was able to squeeze myself into a spot on one of the front lawns, but was amazed over how crowded the entire area was. In all my years of attending, I've never seen it like this. I do love the Stern Grove Festival and I legitimately enjoyed the concert this year. With that being said, this was the first time I ever felt unsafe. Stern Grove organizers need to come up with a better entrance procedure before someone gets hurt.

One of the best parts of living in SF is getting to see free concerts in the foggy summer!

The Festival is a great venue for enjoying a variety of great music -- and the price is unbeatable -- it's free! The summertime entertainment is enjoyed by both locals and visitors from afar (especially fans of the artist of the day). Parking can be a challenge, so carpooling is recommended. You can pack your own lunch (and libations), or take the easy route and buy something there. The event provides shuttle service for the handicapped and seniors; the hike out of the Grove can be a challenge for the aforementioned as well as the less-than-fit. Although San Francisco is famous for its fog (among other things) -- you'll want to dress in layers, as the Grove is protected and it can get surprisingly warm.

I got beer from the tent but when I paid by card it only gave me 3 options to add a tip starting at 20%. No option to custom add a tip.

Everything bad and horrible about a free outdoor concert is represenred here. Terrible to no parking. Overcrowded beyond reason, most attendees will have to scale the hills and sit in a very small space, often constrained by tree root and obscured by branches. Frantic people that get there hours before the gate opens and then rush in like rhe Beatles are performing when it opens. Extremely overpriced tables, which sell out. Any decent performer, sells out. Run by volunteers who have absolutely no experience working concerts and managing crowds of this size. A great idea in theory, a disaster in practice

The Michael Frantis' concert was incredibly amazing including the ASL interpretation onstage and the ADA/ASL seating section provided. Jennie and Azore the ASL interpreters delivered a stellar performance! Hats off to them including the volunteers and workers.

We attended our first Stern Grove Festival concert this past weekend to see Masego, and it was a lot of fun! 10/10 the vibes were all there and the people really made the experience. Everyone just seemed so happy to be there, which was great to see. We got there kinda late (1pm) so finding a spot for our group of 7 was pretty tough. We ended up in an area near the bottom but with an obstructed view. There were spots at the very top but wanted to hear the music better. While we couldn't see the stage, we got good sound. Definitely get there around 9-10AM if you want any chance of snagging a good spot OR pay extra for the picnic tables. Be prepared to walk and wear shoes you don't mind getting dirty and dusty. What's cool about this festival is that it's BYOB, so you don't have to shell out a bunch of money for drinks. Glass is allowed so you can bring in bottles of wine or tequila. We also brought in our own food and snacks. They do sell food and drinks here. The garlic fries and chicken tenders were delicious. Getting tickets for the festival can be tough, but luckily we were able to snag 4 tickets when they became available last month. We tried on a couple different devices and browsers and one of them ended up working. Parking wise, we parked a couple blocks away, about a 10 minute walk. Street parking is the way to go. Overall, definitely glad I finally got to experience one of these free concerts. The park is such a hidden gem, and worth checking out, especially if there's an artist you want to see.

it is a joke and a half!! from the emailing and wining or losing event tickets, to driving there spending 5 ours before and 2 hours to getin after all of that no place to seat. not reccomendet. not worthed

I had no idea it would be so much fun and sound as good as it did. Totally worth going, even if it's not your favorite genre of music. It's all about the vibe!!

Amazing music venue so 5 stars. But condescending and rude AF staff member selling drinks at the Sleater-Kinney show who insulted what I was wearing. Emailed their HR but didn't hear back. More training needed clearly for staff but still giving 5 stars cause that was clearly just a bad apple.

What's not to love? Stern Grove Festival is one of my favorite events in San Francisco. This little oasis is tucked away in a strip of green in SF's concrete jungle. The great thing about this event is that it's free (donations accepted and imo please contribute to keep this festival alive). There's beautiful greenery, an awesome amphitheater and of course benches that you can reserve (at a cost). I've seen plenty of great artists here. Ozomatli, Carlos Santana, Santigold and Bob Moses to name a few. But the highlight is enjoying the sun with friends to get your pre festival engines going for OSL! So soak in the sun, enjoy the music and don't be a litter critter.

I hadn't been to Stern Grove in more than a decade because it stopped programming jazz. Back then, I found the venue uncomfortable because I sat for two hours on an inclined spot of bare dirt way above the basin floor, with both bad sightlines and awful sound. This year, I was surprised to see Herbie Hancock and the SFJazz Collective lined up for an enticing Sunday bill. I was very happy to score tickets when they first became available and was looking forward to the concert. We arrived 45 minutes before the 2pm start of the show, coming in from the 23rd Avenue entrance. On the way in, we passed the grassy meadow where you can't see the stage, so have to watch the show on a big screen TV. I knew we were in trouble because it already was at standing room only capacity. We continued into the main basin. The area below the walkway was filled with picnic tables sold for $2500 to $4000 and a largely unoccupied media area. The general admission audience was parked on the side of a tall, bare dirt hill amid large trees that would obscure sightlines. There was absolutely nowhere to sit that we could see. Staff told us that there wasn't anyplace to sit except, maybe, at the top of the hill. As we are 74 and 75 years old, that didn't seem a realistic solution. The staff member said the only other option was the meadow, where we could watch the show on TV, so we walked back there. There still was nowhere to sit, so I tried a different tack: I have a torn ligament that requires me to wear an ankle brace, so I asked about ADA seating. I was pointed to a taped off strip of bare grass on the meadow, which had no seating at all and in which all the spots already had been claimed. At that point, we decided to leave. As we were leaving, we saw hundreds of people trying to enter the venue. With half an hour to go before showtime, they weren't stragglers but they weren't going to be able to sit or even stand anywhere. I know my opinion is unpopular, but I think this the worst venue at which I ever have attempted to enjoy music. Too many tickets distributed, virtually no seating anywhere comfortable, a big portion of the audience seated on an adjoining meadow watching TV, and no ADA accommodation all seem disrespectful of audience and musician alike, at least if you don't spend a small fortune for a reserved table. I don't see myself returning, but, obviously, tens of thousands of happy campers fill the basin every Sunday, so I know that others don't see things as I do. If you do plan to go, it appears essential that you arrive long before noon.

Year after year this San Francisco tradition defers some of the world's best musicians for free concerts in this iconic grove by the ocean. Go early for better seats, take a picnic, sunblock and sweaters as you never know what the weather will be!

DO NOT ATTEND!l Horrible experience! Review for Commodores 7/24. I'm disabled and over 65. We arrived early at 9:30 to stand in the ADA/senior shuttle line "que" for over 3 hours. Ambulance arrived for one person who couldn't stand long enough. It was inhumane!i After waiting for what seemed to be forever we FINALLY got our shuttle only to find NO ADA OR SENIOR seating available or anywhere. WHAT !! Almost every employee was rude as "SORRY IF YOU DONT LIKE IT THEN YOU ARE FREE TO LEAVE" . Please don't attend these concerts as this non profit could care less about disabled people or the customer experience. It was such a horrible experience never heard Commodores as no seats for me and my husband yet people arrived later than us and got seats!! I am contacting an ADA attorney as this is so not right!!!

Stern Grove is absolutely amazing! You literally can't beat listening and seeing a live performance for FREE in a grove full of beautiful trees. The acoustics are superb, and the environment is impeccable.  I recommend arriving when the gates open in order to get a good seat. If you show up close to the show time, then you may not be as lucky to find a good spot. They have ample amount of seating on the lawn, stone area and under the trees on the terrace. Blankets and low chairs are a must! You can bring in your own food and drinks, which is so nice!  Tickets are available in advance online. Visit the website to find out when tickets will be available. Parking is easy to find in the neighborhoods nearby and there are 3 entrances to the park.  This is such an amazing gem in San Francisco and a must visit!

Went here for the Santigold concert. This place was sold out! I don't know what time people got in line? We got there before the venue opened, but the line was already around the corner. I dropped my mom off so she can get in line. I parked a few blocks away, managing to catch up to my mom now moving. We don't live in SF, or I'd gladly take Muni. The only way to enter, is if you register on their website and get a ticket one month prior to the concert date. It's rather complicating. Especially if you happen to be a senior. The venue has a very steep entrance. If you have any disability or are a senior, you can utilize the free shuttle located at the 19th street entrance. Bathrooms move at a decent rate. I didn't use the port-a-potties, I'm sure they're fine. The best part is you can bring food and alcohol. No clear bag with measurement restrictions. Yay! Things to bring, a picnic blanket, low profile chair, sunblock, hat, sunglasses and some dance moves.

Highly recommend public transportation, arriving early as there is a long line if you need ADA there is a separate line for accommodations , look forward to having a good time in the beautiful grove . We had a fabulous first time enjoying Buddy Guy and Eric Gales , the concert was amazing and staff were great .

This outdoor music is a must do summer activity! It's pretty incredible to have free admission to see some fantastic artists. We went two weekends, one to see Snarky Puppy and the next Bob Moses & Neil Frances. The crowd energy was infectious. - We entered from the Vale avenue side - If you want a good spot for a large group and a clear view of the stage, best to start lining up early - We reached around 1:30-2pm both times and took us 30 mins to finally find a decent spot inside - Bring ear plugs, the music can get loud in front - There are always some food trucks inside if you need So glad SF offers this option!

5 stars for the Festival for sure. the free great music and great artists. So rare anything free these days. 3 starts for the organizing. The festival starts at 2pm and if you don't get there around 7am and then fight again for your first spot once they herd everyone into a corral to wait to go down the hill like cows in a line, you will then have to sit up on a steep hill with very loose sandy soil that will be all over you. Having a pic nic in that is close to impossible. The whole time I was afraid the logs people were pilled up on above me would roll down and kill me. Not kidding. It is pretty precarious. I am sure we were also destroying any vegetation or erosion control but literally there was no other place to sit. Around 1pm you see the same people going around and around trying to find a spot to sit with no luck because even though the event is free, people act like they paid full price for it and protect every inch of space they can and that's not the millennials doing this. The over 50 crowd. When the donation passes by I didn't see anyone putting eve $1 in it but specially the ones saying no to people who want to sit next to them. Odd. I let at least 4 people sit by me or even on my blanket. The day I went, the guy who got the first spot by the stage had arrived at 3am. The area was corded off and full before we even made it down the hill. Not sure how early they were allowed in. Very confusing. If I can't pay $1k for a table I am not sure if I will go through it again. Fun event though. gorgeous setting.

One of the best music series in San Francisco and it's free! Bring your friends and family to this family friendly event every Sunday during the weekends. They have an amazing line up every year and there is so much history. I have been coming here for years!

Love this summer festival Protips -Look for tickets 1 + months in advance -bring ear plugs -bus Took the 28 bus Used the entrance from sloat street [https://www.sterngrove.org](https://www.sterngrove.org/)

San Francisco is blessed that locals had the foresight to preserve the native Indian lands without disturbing the majestic trees and plants. This grove has been a treasure for performing arts lovers. I've been to many concerts here at Stern Grove with family and friends. Now we are able to gather again...through lottery draw. Luckily, I decided to waitlist the 4th of July concert with SF Symphony because I got tickets ! The music in the open space of the grove is delightful. The weather is surprisingly comfy as the overcast clouds are blanketing in the heat of the day. This is a great to celebrate America's birthday as an independent country. Happy 4th.

Came here on July 4th when the San Francisco Symphony was playing. Free street parking actually wasn't too hard to find. Security was a bit lax. They did check tickets and everyone's bags, but they did not have a metal detector. We arrived about an hour before the concert and was able to snag a decent spot in the hills. If you come right before or right when the concert starts, you're gonna have a bad time looking for seating especially since the flat grass parts are roped off for the VIPs. The concert itself was about 1.5 hours and very enjoyable. You are also welcome to bring your own drinks and food (although you should try to bring things that are easy to hold onto/ eat since there isn't much space on the hillside to lay out a traditional picnic). If you set your expectations accordingly and do a little prep, the Stern Grove Festival is a fun, free event for all ages.

Wish there was more accessible seating within view of the stage, but they admittedly do a good job setting up the lawn area with a big screen. Great idea with the shuttle because that hill to get in/out of the actual venue space can be tough for some. I usually park near sports basement and just walk to get in but I did notice that there's a decent amount of street parking nearby too.

The people that complained about not getting a "good seat" and the otherwise "privileged" people that can't get their butts up early or have the need to stop and have brunch first before arriving will be sitting in the back. I used to get there at 6am, secure my area, drank coffee from my thermos and relaxed knowing I have a good spot. Waiting until noon to show up was a guaranteed way of getting a poor seat. Now the reservation process in my opinion sucks, as well as the entertainment. The entire reservation process and lineup is catered to the lazy "privileged" so they can take their time getting there, while eliminating the underserved and people of color that planned ahead for these free community events. I personally only attended 3 concerts in the past 2 summers because of the selfishness of the people behind Stern Grove Festivals and its policing volunteers. Shame on you!

Sitting on the hill is stupid and dangerous. We got their at ten and still had to sit on a tree stump. They made us wait in a group of thousand a people before they let us in.

First time to Stern Grove Festival after living in San Francisco long time. Do not know why we did not do this earlier. We went the last show played by Phil Leah band. It was so popular. People started line 4 hours before the show. The weather was very nice, sunny and warm. The music was free but if you want to have a seat at picnic table, $1500 per person. I think it was full as well. It was nice to see so many people came together and happy and dancing. You could sit under tree on the hillside if you wanted to avoid sun. We did enjoy lovely music at Stern Grove. Will come back next year.

Spent $60 to Uber here. Had a valid ticket but they wouldn't let me in cause they were at capacity. The staff told me they overbook tickets by a lot. Smh It's nice that the concert is free but it is completely unacceptable to waste peoples time and money...had a known entrance was not guaranteed I would have saved my time and money

This has been here forever and this year was the first time I attended this event. I have been here twice and it's great (Joan Jett and Fitz & the Tantrums)! I just love it and the fact that it supports arts in education and provides FREE entertainment to the public among the trees and nature. Things to know before you go: - Tickets available online. Go on the website and it will tell you when tickets will be available. When it's the day of, click on the link and wait your turn. - Up to (4) free tickets per person. - The website details everything you need to know before you go. - There is parking if you get there early. - Gates open at noon and it's general admission, so stake your spot early or you'll be one of the people in the hill. - No alcohol is sold at the event so BYOB - Encouraged to bring your own food/picnic - Please help reduce waste. Bring your own bottle since water stations are available, try to take with you what you brought in. There are garbage cans with an emphasis on green, recycle and garbage. - Bring a blanket, low beach chairs - something to sit on. - You will get dirty, don't wear heels or white sneakers like I did the first time. - Dress in layers. It is San Francisco. You might get a gorgeous day or fogged in all day. - Bring sunscreen - Food trucks are available - Merch table on site. - Be prepared to share the space. Everyone I met was generally nice and it's a lot more fun to enjoy a show with an extended group. Stern Grove is donation based, so when you see the volunteers with the box, please donate and get a sticker! Thank you Stern Grove for offering free live music for the public. I appreciate it more having being in lock down last year.