ramona bowl amphitheatre

The Ramona Bowl is a wonderful outdoor theater to be experienced. Rolling hills and vegetation set deep in a canyon makes for wonderful views in an amazing setting. It is a good idea to bring pillows to sit on the seats as they are cement. Go early in the season as it can easily get 100+ degrees and that makes for a less enjoyable experience. That is if you are going to see the Ramona play. In the summer they offer great concerts. Check the schedule often and you might be able to catch a real great band in a beautiful setting under the stars. Parking is a little challenging for the Ramona play, this year I believe they are starting to charge for it, otherwise ride a shuttle and park at the near by Hemet High school. For concerts its is usually easier to find space near the entrance. You can also park and hick about a 1/2 mile up the hill........ it is pretty steep. They do serve food and drinks and they are decent. I would definetly recommend the venue.

We went to see the Ramona Pageant. The surroundings were so perfect for that show. It was HOT so wear a hat or bring misters etc. Seating is not really comfortable but if you bring a cushion for your butt, it is okay. You forget about time and place when you're here, it's authentically rugged and beautiful!!!

The Ramona Bowl is a wonderful outdoor theater experience, bring pillows to sit on the seats are cement. but you experience fresh air shows under the stars and the history of the area of Hemet.

We visited the bowl for the Ramona Outdoor play and were very impressed at the presentation. You feel transported back to another time as you view a fast moving play that goes from the mountain top down to the Rancho (the stage).Pay a little more and get a seat under cover, it's really hot in Hemet. Food and drinks are served in the covered area and it was very comfortable. The draw back is everything is up hill. There was shuttle service and people to help but bring your walking shoes and come early for the food and entertainment prior to the show.The play was from the Helen Hunt Jackson book Ramona and there was some fact with fiction. We were very impressed by the singing and dancing and more impressed that these are town people who are the actors.Good value for the money, we enjoyed.

Pageant background and motivation to see it– Visit Rancho Camulos Museum in Ventura County, California. This is where Helen Hunt Jackson stayed to learn of rancho life before writing her 1884 novel, Ramona. This is why both the pageant and book rancho adobes resemble the Camulos adobe. In 1910, director D. W. Griffith came to Rancho Camulos to film his silent film, Ramona, on location. Mary Pickford played Ramona. Only two families have owned Rancho Camulos since 1853; the start of the adobe construction.The first director of The Ramona Pageant in 1923 was Garnet Holme, who went on to direct the first Bracebridge Christmas Dinner Pageant in Yosemite’s Ahwahnee lodge in 1927.Read the novel, Ramona; a wonderful story based on actual events during a time in California when native Indians, Spaniards, Mexicans, and Americans were in conflict with each other; mostly related to land “ownership”. The book that I read included four illustrations by N. C. Wyeth who depicted the words of the book with great fidelity.Two hours before the play starts, there is very good food, entertainment, and the museum to enjoy. One of the 360 actors, Gregg Wilder, took my wife, Vickie, and me on a “back stage” tour where we walked the hill behind the adobe and met other actors and some of the many crew members who make the event happen. The Pageant is a community and multi generation family event; fifth graders start to get involved as Rock Indians; hiding behind rocks on the hill until their time to appear. Rattlesnake safety is taught.Mixed with the main plot are colorful musicians, singers, and dancers; some of which you would see at an Indian Pow Wow. I am always drawn to drumming circles.Bring something soft to sit on; most of the seats are concrete. Prepare for sun and heat; the open upper A Section seats see shade first. Bring your camera. Parking was $5.00. Thank you to all of the people and animals who make this delightful and educational extravaganza possible.

We just attended on Sunday, April 13th. It was a nice day to sit in the fabulous amphitheater. The play "Ramona" is the official state play of California and is a combination love story and history lesson. Usually runs for four weekends in April and May. It has at least 150 performers, weaving the story of Ramona and Alessandro and how the white pioneers ran off all the Indians and Mexicans who lived in Southern California.If your in the area, don't miss it.

Once a year, the Ramona Pageant is played out here, and one must see this play at least once. The outdoor theater is rustic and unique being cradled by large granite rocks. The sound is naturally released. During the pageant, Indians literally come out of the rocks. During the summer, the theater has musical shows and some small plays in the courtyard. A ver neat and unique experience for sure.

I have gone to several events and it's just a wonderful place to see concerts, live stage/theater productions and of course, you can't miss the Ramona Outdoor Play that's performed every spring. I have even been to a college graduation at Ramon Bowl Amphitheatre. For about 9 months of the year, if you attend an event there, remember your sunhat and sunscreen and drink lots of water if you attend a daytime event. That's nights are perfect because it cools down and the sky looks magical.

This is a great pageant. It take place in the early years of the valley. It shows the struggle of a young couple ( similar to Romeo 7 Juliet ). It all takes place in an outdoor amphitheater which makes for and extra experience. I highly recommend.

This is one of the longest running plays in America. I danced and had a small part and all I can say is we put a lot of hard work and fun into doing our parts. everyone should see this play at least once.Costumes are authentic.When I was in the play there was so much enthusiasm.The dancing was so alive and fun. so please come out and and join in the fun.

We have visited the Ramona Bowl, an outdoor amphitheater, several times for several different venues. Our favorite by far is the play Ramona. The amphitheater is beautiful in it's setting of natural surroundings. All seats are good however if you go midday I highly recommend the shaded seating area at the top of the "bowl", the small additional pricing is well worth not cooking in the Hemet sun. Check out their web site, WWW.ramonabowl.com for the ever changing menu of brilliant live plays and concerts. Truly a must experience. Guests coming to town, an excellent destination spot before or after a dinner at a Temecula restaurant which is an easy 20 minute drive, you won't be disappointed.

The Ramona Bowl play has been being been a Hemet tradition for probably a hundred years and is good history about the Indians that once lived in the valley, however it is long and can be very hot as you are outdoors.

awesome venue and lovely play! take a lot of water as it gets hot sitting there... maybe even take a personal water mister or spray bottle for your group!

The Ramona Pageant is an entertaining version of Helen Hunt Jackson's novel that was written as a love story and as a critique of the way Native Americans had been treated in California. The outdoor stage is impressive as people ride their horses over the hill or pop up suddenly on the hill side with the cast of over 400. The pageant mostly uses the story as a reason to showcase Mexican and Native American dancing. There is no shade, so it can get hot (we actually got chilled so you just have to be prepared). The acting is what you'd expect from a volunteer community production that plays to a far away audience. The actor who plays Alessandro has obviously done it for years and does a great job. There is a museum and pre-show entertainment that is worth arriving early. The best part was seeing how much all of the volunteers loved what they are doing, from trolley drivers, ticket takers, to the cast members (who came out to mix with the crowd right after the show). This is a great community production and a part of So Cal history! Even my teenaged son admitted it was fun.

This is a charming Southern california tradition, sincee 1923. It is the Official outdoor play of California. The presentation of this melodramatic play, which is based on an 1883 novel, Ramona, by Helen Hunt Jackson, was intended to show the plight of the Indians at the hands of the US government and Americans. Presented in a lovely outdoor natural amphitheater, there are colorful costumes, horses, mexican music and dancing, Indian music and dancing all woven within this charming but sad story. It is a community effort, with most of the chorus and group cast members coming from the community of Hemet. Professional actors play the main roles. Bleacher type seating, with covered seating available for an extra charge. Covered seating is preferable since it can be very hot in Hemet. Parking is a reasonable 5 bucks, and on the day we went- there was no shortage. Handicapped accessible over some rough pavement. Children ok, but may be bored during some parts. Nice little museum and gift shop. Additional food in courtyard, all very reasonable.There are motels nearby, and The Riverside Mission Inn is about 35 minutes away. A two hour drive from Pasadena, California. Dining service is available in the covered seating, inexpensive serviceable menu, beer, wine and margaritas available. We really enjoyed this folksy California tradition, charming and entertaining.