Quarry Amphitheater Tickets

Quarry Amphitheater Tickets & Events

Carved into a former limestone quarry on the UC Santa Cruz campus, Quarry Amphitheater surrounds its stage with exposed stone, redwood forest, and tiered outdoor seating for about 2,000 guests. Quarry Amphitheater tickets bring you into a distinctive open-air setting for touring concerts, cultural performances, university ceremonies, and community gatherings in Santa Cruz.

This page covers everything you need to know before you go — from finding the right seats to getting there, navigating the venue, and buying with confidence.

About Quarry Amphitheater

Quarry Amphitheater is an open-air amphitheatre located at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Also known as The Quarry and nicknamed “Red Rocks in the Redwoods,” it was carved from a former limestone quarry in the 1960s, later closed for years, and reopened in 2017 after a major restoration. The venue is owned and operated by UC Santa Cruz and has an approximate capacity of 2,000, with seating and event layouts that can vary by concert or campus program.

The amphitheatre hosts outdoor concerts across genres, university commencement and campus ceremonies, community gatherings, and cultural performances. Its warmer-month operating season fits its open-air character, and its setting makes it one of the most distinctive live-event spaces in the greater Santa Cruz community. Historically used for UCSC commencement ceremonies and campus gatherings, it has also welcomed touring concerts from artists including Young the Giant and Lila Downs.

Set into exposed rock walls and surrounded by redwood forest, Quarry Amphitheater is regarded as the largest outdoor venue with a permanent stage and seating in the greater Santa Cruz area.

Location & Transportation

Quarry Amphitheater is located at 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA 95064 — on the UC Santa Cruz campus near the intersection of Hagar and McLaughlin Drives, just north of Quarry Plaza.

Transit: Santa Cruz Metro bus service serves the UC Santa Cruz campus and is a practical option for reaching the venue. Because the amphitheatre sits within the campus environment, transit riders should plan for a walk from nearby campus stops and plaza areas to the performance space.

Driving and Parking: On-campus parking is used for events, with attendees typically parking in nearby campus lots and walking to the amphitheatre. Campus parking rules and event-specific lots apply, so arriving early helps with both parking and the walk from the lot to the venue.

Rideshare: Rideshare drop-off is feasible on campus, with pickup and drop-off points near Quarry Plaza. Because the amphitheatre is away from main roads, expect a short walk between the rideshare area and the venue.

Nearby Accommodation: Lodging is available in the city of Santa Cruz, including hotels near downtown and along the coast. Downtown Santa Cruz offers the greatest concentration of accommodations within a short drive of the UC Santa Cruz campus.

Venue Navigation

Quarry Amphitheater has a natural outdoor layout, with tiered seating set into the former quarry and oriented toward the stage at the base. Understanding the campus approach in advance makes arrival smoother, especially because guests typically walk in from parking lots, campus paths, and Quarry Plaza.

Entrances and Access: Access is from the Quarry Plaza area near Hagar and McLaughlin Drives. Guests reach the amphitheatre on foot from nearby campus parking and plaza areas, then enter the outdoor seating bowl for the event.

Seating Levels: Seating is arranged in tiers carved into the former quarry, with views directed toward the stage below. Concerts may offer general admission seating, VIP seating, or a combination of ticket types depending on the event.

Getting to Your Section: The venue involves a walk from campus parking and plaza areas along campus paths. Comfortable, sturdy footwear is advisable because of the natural terrain, tiered stone seating, and outdoor setting.

Dining Options

Outside the Venue — UC Santa Cruz and Downtown Santa Cruz

Quarry Plaza on the UC Santa Cruz campus offers nearby food options before events. For a broader dining scene, downtown Santa Cruz is a short drive away and includes restaurants along Pacific Avenue, making it a practical pre-show stop for guests who want a full meal before heading up to campus.

Security & Policies

Quarry Amphitheater maintains security and venue policies that are updated regularly and may vary by event. Before attending, reviewing the current policy on the venue's official website is strongly recommended.

Entry Procedures: Digital ticket verification is standard at Quarry Amphitheater events, and policies vary by event and promoter. Arriving with your tickets pre-downloaded can help speed entry at the gate.

Other Venues in the Santa Cruz Area

Quarry Amphitheater is part of a Santa Cruz live-events scene that includes outdoor campus performances, downtown music clubs, historic theaters, and oceanfront entertainment spaces. Fans looking for concerts and events in the area have several nearby venues to explore.

• Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Tickets — Oceanfront amusement park hosting free summer concert series and events
• The Catalyst Tickets — Longstanding downtown Santa Cruz live music club on Pacific Avenue
• Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium Tickets — City-owned multipurpose venue hosting concerts, shows, and community events
• Rio Theatre Tickets — Historic Santa Cruz theater hosting concerts, films, and performances
• Kaiser Permanente Arena Tickets — Downtown arena, former home of the Santa Cruz Warriors (NBA G League)
• Moe's Alley Tickets — Intimate Santa Cruz club known for blues, roots, and eclectic live music
• Cocoanut Grove Tickets — Historic Beach Boardwalk ballroom and event space hosting concerts and gatherings
• UCSC Recital Hall Tickets — University performance hall hosting classical and campus music events

How Much Do Tickets to Quarry Amphitheater Cost?

Quarry Amphitheater ticket prices vary significantly depending on the type of event, the artist, seating section, and demand — which is what you'd expect from a venue that hosts everything from cultural performances to touring concerts.

For concerts, general admission tickets can start at approximately $65 and up. This is typically the most affordable way to experience a show at the amphitheatre, especially for fans who want flexibility within the tiered outdoor seating area.

For VIP or premium concert options, tickets are approximately $115 or more. These listings can place fans closer to the stage or in upgraded seating areas for select events, with pricing driven by the performing artist and overall demand.

Buying earlier generally secures better availability and pricing, particularly for higher-demand shows at this intimate-capacity venue. As inventory shrinks and the event date approaches, the best remaining seating options can become more expensive.

> No hidden fees. At Box Office Ticket Sales, the price you see is the price you pay. All fees are shown before checkout — no surprise charges when you reach the final step.

How to Buy Quarry Amphitheater Tickets

Getting your tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com is fast and secure. Here's how the process works:

1. Browse Quarry Amphitheater events — Search for Quarry Amphitheater tickets and select the show or event you want to attend
2. Pick your seats — Use the interactive seating map to compare sections, rows, views, and real-time pricing side by side
3. Secure checkout — Pay with a credit card, PayPal, Apple Pay, or Affirm for flexible payment options
4. Receive your tickets — Digital tickets are delivered to your email or mobile wallet before the event, ready to scan at the gate

Every order is backed by our 100% verified ticket guarantee and on-time delivery promise. Once your order is confirmed, you'll receive an email with your invoice and all event details you need before show night.

Quarry Amphitheater Seating Guide

Quarry Amphitheater’s seating layout is worth understanding before buying because the venue uses tiered outdoor seating carved into the former quarry, with general admission and VIP seating offered for concerts. The amphitheatre’s intimate size means distance, angle, and proximity to the stage can shape the experience.

Best Seats at Quarry Amphitheater

• Best value: General admission seating is typically the most affordable option, offering access to the amphitheatre’s tiered outdoor setting and the atmosphere of the quarry bowl.
• Closest to the action: Front rows and VIP seating nearest the stage provide the strongest proximity for fans who want to be close to the performance.
• Best overall experience: Central tiered seating facing the stage offers strong sightlines within the intimate outdoor bowl, balancing view, sound, and atmosphere.
• Premium and suite options: VIP seating is offered for select events and can provide an upgraded concert experience near the stage.
• General admission: GA is offered for concerts, giving fans a flexible way to enjoy shows in the venue’s outdoor seating environment.

Quarry Amphitheater Seating Chart

You can view an interactive seating map for Quarry Amphitheater events directly on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com while browsing available listings. The map lets you compare sections side by side, check row depth and distance from the stage, and see real-time pricing for what's currently available — all before committing to a purchase.

Can I See Where My Seats Are?

Yes. The interactive seat map on BoxOfficeTicketSales.com shows your exact section and row placement before you buy. Use it to understand your position in the venue, your distance from the stage, and whether you're in general admission, in central tiered seating, or in VIP seating near the stage — so the tickets you choose match exactly what you're looking for on event night.

Getting Ready for Your Quarry Amphitheater Event

Once your tickets are confirmed, a few practical preparations make your visit run significantly smoother — especially at an outdoor venue on the UC Santa Cruz campus with a walking approach from parking and plaza areas.

• Download your tickets before you leave. Save your tickets to your phone's wallet or screenshot them before departing so you're ready at the gate without needing a signal.
• Charge your phone fully. Digital ticketing is standard, and your phone is your entry. A portable battery pack is worth having for a full evening.
• Arrive early. Allow time for campus parking and the walk from Quarry Plaza to the amphitheatre.
• Wear the right footwear. The venue is set into a former quarry with tiered stone seating and campus walking paths, so comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended.
• Dress in layers. As an open-air venue surrounded by redwoods, evening temperatures can drop after sunset.
• Build extra time into your transit plan. Whether you are parking on campus, using Santa Cruz Metro bus service, or arriving by rideshare, plan for the final walk from campus access points to the venue.
• Know the Quarry Plaza approach. The amphitheatre sits away from main campus roads, and the approach near Hagar and McLaughlin Drives through Quarry Plaza helps orient your arrival.
• Check the bag policy in advance. Reviewing the venue's guidelines before packing prevents delays at security.

Is Box Office Ticket Sales Legit?

Yes — Box Office Ticket Sales is a fully verified, secure ticketing platform that has served over 1 million customers since 2012. When you buy Quarry Amphitheater tickets through BoxOfficeTicketSales.com, here's what backs every purchase:

• 100% verified ticket listings — every listing is authenticated before it reaches you
• On-time delivery guarantee — your tickets arrive before the event, or we make it right
• All seats together unless explicitly noted otherwise in the listing
• SSL-encrypted checkout — your payment information is protected at every step
• 24/7 TrustGuard monitoring — active security oversight around the clock
• Access to 125,000+ live events nationwide, from Quarry Amphitheater concerts to major sports and entertainment across the country
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Quarry Amphitheater events — particularly marquee artists and warmer-month concert nights — move fast. The best-value listings disappear well before event night, and inventory for popular events tightens quickly once demand builds. If you have a specific event in mind, acting sooner gets you better seats at better prices. Browse Quarry Amphitheater tickets now and lock in your spot before inventory moves.

Need Help With Your Quarry Amphitheater Tickets?

Our support team is available before, during, and after your purchase. Reach us through any of these channels:

• Live chat: Log in to your account at BoxOfficeTicketSales.com to chat with an agent
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• Phone: Call the number on your order confirmation invoice
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