The Best Music Venues in California

Home to everything from intimate nightclubs to amphitheaters under the stars, to indie concert halls, California is packed with live music venues worth visiting. Whether renowned for their long list of previous performances, their elaborate architectural designs, or their intimate atmosphere that allows audiences to be up close and personal with the artists, these concert venues in California offer highly memorable shows—and legendary musicians are always on their lineups. No matter where you end up in California, catch a show at one (or all) of the state’s undeniable entertainment venues.

Top Music Venues in Southern California

1. The Casbah

Location: San Diego

The Casbah is situated near downtown San Diego and has an extensive history. Before moving to its new location and doubling its capacity in 1994, the San Diego music venue hosted iconic bands such as Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins. While the locale might’ve changed, its dedication to bringing in amazing talent has not; The Casbah has hosted various musical acts like Band of Horses, The Black Keys, MGMT, and Postal Service over the past few years and is sure to continue its intimate performances for decades to come.

2. Hotel Cafe

Location: Los Angeles

Between Hollywood and Sunset Boulevards, right along the infamous Cahuenga Boulevard, lies the Hotel Cafe. This unique venue offers two stages—allowing for double the musical performances—and specializes in underground, up-and-coming artists. Before becoming wildly popular, Sia, Katy Perry, Ed Sheeran, Mumford & Sons, and Lana Del Rey all performed at this venue. With a small audience capacity for each stage (about 200 for the main stage and only 85 for the second stage), this location provides an unusual level of exclusivity that should not be missed.

3. Troubadour

Location: West Hollywood

Located in West Hollywood, the Troubadour has established itself as an L.A. icon since its inception in 1957. Although the Los Angeles music venue started out as a folk club, it quickly altered paths toward a folk-rock identity, hosting everyone from Joni Mitchell and Elton John, to Bob Dylan and the Red Hot Chili Peppers—many of whom performed here early in their careers. With a 400-person capacity, the Troubadour accommodates a larger crowd without losing its cool.

4. Hollywood Bowl

Location: Los Angeles

The Hollywood Bowl opened in 1922 and has been a Southern California classic ever since. The top California live performance theater has hosted a variety of legends including The Beatles, Billie Holiday, Carlos Santana, and Leon Bridges under its shell of concentric arches, while an adoring audience listens under the stars. This open-air amphitheater is one of the most popular venues, thanks to its long list of well-known performers, up-and-coming artists, as well as large audience capacity.

5. Hollywood Forever Cemetery

Location: Los Angeles

The Hollywood Forever Cemetery has become one of the go-to spots for summer movie series and unbelievable concert lineups in the Los Angeles area. Aside from being the landmark resting place for the Hollywood elite, the location is also a hub for indie music, having recently featured The Weeknd, Belle and Sebastian, and Hozier—it’s easily the quirkiest music venue in Hollywood.

6. Santa Barbara Bowl

Location: Santa Barbara

Built in 1936, the Santa Barbara Bowl provides one of the best outdoor concert experiences in the state. Often hosting indie musicians as well as a wide spectrum of reggae and rock fusion bands, this Santa Barbara hidden gem has presented such prominent performers as Jack Johnson, The xx, Young the Giant, The 1975, and Rebelution. Lay back and enjoy the sounds of renowned artists as the summer air surrounds you for a taste of California vibes.

NorCal’s Best Music Venues

7. The Fox Theater 

Location: Oakland

The Fox Theater was established in 1928 and originally acted as a movie house before its renovation in 2009. While the California venue today accommodates nearly 3,000 concertgoers, the architectural details create an intimate effect and make the theater a must-see Oakland attraction. The Fox features an eclectic mix of musicians, including a long list of well-known global artists such as The Pixies, Dirty Heads, M.I.A., Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Haim, Sylvan Esso, The Decemberists, City and Colour, Duran Duran, and The Neighbourhood—so it is a necessary stop for any music enthusiast.

8. Shoreline Amphitheatre

Location: Mountain View

Situated along the San Francisco Bay, the Shoreline Amphitheatre is a huge venue that can hold up to 22,000 guests. Along with hosting festivals and comedy shows, the location is known for its extensive lineups of country artists, though musicians from many other genres have also been known to make appearances. Highly acclaimed artists like Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Cage the Elephant, Santana, Florida Georgia Line, Rod Stewart, Halsey, and G-Eazy are just a few of the performers who have made their way into this massive venue.

9. The Fillmore

Location: San Francisco

The Fillmore was built in 1912 and began as a very popular dance hall. In the 1950s, the venue began to book big-name acts, establishing itself as one of San Francisco’s best live music venues. Music icons such as Jimi Hendrix, The Grateful Dead, and The Who have made appearances at this locale, along with a multitude of other artists like The White Stripes, The Cure, and Bad Suns.

10. Great American Music Hall

Location: San Francisco

San Francisco’s oldest nightclub, the Great American Music Hall debuted in 1907 and has retained its luxurious nostalgia ever since. While bands like You Me At Six, Jessie J, Fall Out Boy, and Ingrid Michaelson have taken the stage for energetic live performances, the architectural details of the venue often steal the show. Complete with elaborate ceilings, marble columns, and stunning wraparound balconies, this iconic S.F. architecture provides a beautiful backdrop for any musical experience.

11. The William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre 

Location: Berkeley

The William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre—locally known as The Greek—is arguably the most popular music venue in Berkeley and its surrounding cities. Located on the foothills of the U.C. Berkeley campus, the venue can seat up to 8,500 spectators at any given time. Ever since its inauguration in 1903, the theater has been hosting a series of festivals, concerts, and ceremonies, with the Berkeley Jazz Festival being the most popular. Among the artists who have performed at The Greek are Bob Dylan, Neil Young, and The Grateful Dead.