Sigmund Stern Recreation Grove — Local services in San Francisco

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 all which 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 retuning, 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 about noon when...

This is why I have not moved out of the bay area. This such a gem in San Francisco. This tree stand many stories high and brush the fog. Carl alway eventually falls into this park. There's a steep hillside that gives view the the belly of this park. It is perfect for the free music festival in this park, The Stern Grove Festival. If you get the opportunity, please make sure that you go to see it. Some of my favorite artists have played here. I was skeptical of there being tickets at first, but they are still are free and prevent the event fee and prevent the event from being too crowded. The sound was great and the crowd was friendly. I also appreciated the gender...

A calming place due it's natural surroundings. Great place to excercise for humans & dogs alike. Parking is available in two lots, except on cettain Sundays during summer. This is because there is a yearly summer Sunday concert series in the Concert Meadow & it's free. Throughout the years there has been a wide variety of people who have presented here like Santana, Pink Martini, SF Ballet, the Merola opera as well the Grand Old Opry, The Lamplighters, musicians from all over the world. People bring picnics & their blankets & there benches for Seniors & disabled people. It's 1st come etc. There are a few bbq areas & a fire...