When the stars align, two major events occur at the Santa Anita Racetrack: the 626 Night Market and…read moreCal Phil's Festival on the Green. Despite their proximity, it's hard to believe that these events could exist in the same universe, as the two events could not be more different. While the former is overcrowded and unruly, the latter is relatively low-key and calm. Thus, if you're looking for a fun experience but not enthused about battling pushy people and lengthy lines, I'd highly recommend checking out Cal Phil's Festival on the Green.
Since this is THE Cal Philharmonic Orchestra, the excellence of the music is indisputable. But, the selection of pieces could probably have been improved to better fit the advertised theme. For a concert entitled "Lights, Camera, Action," I expected more music from iconic movies, as we only heard one piece from Hercules, Jurassic Park, Lawrence of Arabia, Psycho, and Star Wars. Other selections, such as Korngold's Violin Concerto and Shostakovich's Symphony #5, were beautiful, but were less engaging given their disconnect from the night's theme. (The programs for the other concerts in the series seemed to feature a mix of pieces as well, but I can imagine that the musical / pop-oriented concerts allow for more crowd participation.)
The setup of the venue is pretty straightforward: closest to the stage are tables; behind the tables are rows of benches; and further back is the eponymous green. While you could score seats closer to the stage, I'd recommend choosing the cheaper lawn seats, as this is the perfect spot to have a boozy picnic with friends before the concert. Just don't forget the corkscrew! Although lawn chairs are helpful, they are certainly not needed as long as you bring blankets or towels to sit on. There is a slight berm along the edges of the venue, so if you want to be elevated / avoid having someone stick their chair right in front of you, then arrive early to stake your spot! We arrived at approximately 6PM and most of the elevated lawn spots had already been claimed. Tickets can be purchased online via Cal Phil or Goldstar.
If you choose to purchase food at the venue, you do have several options in the form of food trucks serving ice cream, sliders, and Cajun fare. Obviously, this can't compete with the fare you'd find at the Night Market. And, if you don't bring enough libations, there is a bar that sells various forms of booze, including entire bottles of wine.
There is ample parking is available through Gate 6. It costs $15 per car, so it's definitely worth it to carpool. You probably could walk over from somewhere with free parking, but it would certainly take you awhile, especially if you have lots of stuff to carry.
Definitely check out Cal Phil's Festival on the Green if you're interested in a fun experience with family and friends. Even if the music isn't your cup of tea, you'll have fun being outdoors and picnicking in good company!
