Shoreline Amphitheatre Guide: Everything you need to know before the show

CLICK HERE if you are having trouble viewing these photos on a mobile device.

Mountain View’s Shoreline Amphitheatre is arguably the top concert venue in the Bay Area.

First off, it’s the region’s biggest dedicated concert venue, with the ability to hold some 22,000 fans.

Also, since opening in 1986, the open-air theater has hosted some of the world’s top acts. In 2024 alone, Shoreline has hosted the likes of Santana and Counting Crows; Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, John Mellencamp and Brittney Spencer; Alanis Morissette, Joan Jett and Morgan Wade; and New Kids on the Block, Paula Abdul and DJ Jazzy Jeff.

Here are some details you need to know about Shoreline

Address and info

Shoreline is located at 1 Amphitheatre Parkway in Mountain View. Find tickets and show schedules at LiveNation.com.

Configuration

The venue is split into two main areas — the reserved seating sections near the stage and the general admission lawn area in back. The lawn area tends to be the vastly more affordable option, but it also places you pretty far back from the musicians.

2024 concert highlights

This season features an wide array of entertainment, including such top shows as NorCal country star Jon Pardi on Sept. 27; hard-rockers Korn and Gojira on Oct. 6; pop singer Meghan Trainor on Oct. 18 and the multitalented Danny Elfman on Nov. 3.

Items allowed into venue

Small clutch (6″ x 9″)

Clear, plastic, or PVC tote bag no larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″

Cameras – nonprofessional only, no detachable or external zoom lenses

Signs 8.5″ x 11″ or smaller only

Small Blanket or Towel

Sealed bottle of water (not frozen) under 20oz

Empty refillable plastic water bottle (no glass or metal)

Items not allowed into venue

Large or oversized bags, including luggage, duffel bags, or large/industrial/camping-sized back packs (Any bag larger than 12″ x 12″ x 6″ will not be permitted).  Any bag larger than a clutch MUST BE CLEAR.

Chairs / Lawn Chairs

Weapons and sharp objects of any kind

Alcohol

Illegal drugs/substances

Glass containers of any kind

Coolers

Pepper spray

Laser pointers

Binoculars

Animals (Service animals are permitted. Emotional Support Animals NOT permitted.)

Fireworks

Blankets larger than 6’x 6’

Umbrellas

Tripods

Banners

Balls or Frisbees

Selfie Sticks

Video Cams / Go Pros / iPads

Glow sticks

Stollers, baby carriers or wagons

Beverages other than a sealed (not frozen) bottle of water up to 20oz.

Flyers and stickers

Musical instruments

Fan signs larger than 8.5”x11”

Cameras with detachable lens or manual external zoom

Aerosol products/cans

Bota bags

Costumes that resemble public safety uniforms (police, SWAT, fire, security or medical) in any way

Drones, remote-controlled aircraft, toys

Eye drops

Gas masks

Glass, cans, cups or coolers

Helium balloons

Large chains or spiked jewelry

Laser pointers and air horns

LED gloves or LED microlights used for light shows

Liquid makeup

Markers, pens or spray paint

Massagers

Over-the-counter medication

Pacifiers

Pets

Professional photo, video, or audio recording equipment (no detachable lenses, tripods, big zooms or commerical-use rigs)

Stickers, flyers

Stuffed animals or dolls

Tents, large umbrellas, chairs or blankets

Toy guns, water guns, slingshots

Unsealed tampons or pads (upon entry)

Weapon or weapon accessories of any kind, real or fictional (including whips, lightsabers, pocket knives, pepper spray, fireworks, fake weapons/props, etc.)

Wind chairs, sofas

Gang actvity; including but not limited to wearing or displaying gang clothing and/or indicia.

Offensive clothing

Where to eat before a show

There aren’t many dining options near Shoreline, in large part because its closest neighbors tend to be high-tech companies like Google, which have their own employee dining halls. But there are some fun eateries nearby if you know where to look. Here are some tasty dining possibilities, from an upscale Italian restaurant to a beloved burrito spot, near Shoreline. Of course, there is an assortment of food inside the venue, from pizza and churros to a variety of food trucks.

Parking and transportation

Basically, everyone who goes to Shoreline drives and parks at the venue’s massive parking lots. General parking is free, but folks can pay to park in the VIP/premier lots which are significantly closer to the theater entrance. There is ADA parking in lots A, C and D.

Concert traffic at this venue can be intense, especially on a weeknight for a sold-out show. Give yourself plenty of time when driving to Shoreline. Our recommendation: Leave for the concert at least two hours before show time — even if you’re only coming from a few cities away. It’s once you get to Mountain View that the traffic really becomes an issue.

Some people park elsewhere and then walk into show. We’ve done that, too. But be very careful about parking somewhere you shouldn’t (like the nearby movie theater parking lot). You don’t want walk back from that cool Phish or REO Speedwagon show to find out that your car has been towed.