Cow Palace

I have attended many events at this facility and found the facilities met my expectations. The staff are very helpful and each seat provides a great view of the event.

I’ve been coming to this arena for events since I was a young’n… I remember coming here for the Ringling Bros Barnum & Bailey Circus, Disney on Ice, «raves», a tattoo expo, gun expo and just recently, the Great Dickens Christmas fair.
This arena has no ventilation at all. I remember at the «raves» it was like a sauna. It felt like it was raining sweat inside the building. That was years ago, so when I went yesterday to the Great Dickens Fair it reminded me of those events. It wasn’t raining sweat but it was uncomfortably warm in there. The ventilation still hasn’t been fixed… I had to go outside a few times to cool down.
Other than that, this arena is huge and holds about 15,000 people. There is also plenty of parking (for a fee!). Although this place is old and outdated, it won’t stop me from attending an event here. Just hoping it gets renovated soon!

Went to the cow palace for the first time since 1972 or so. Hasn’t changed a bit. Fond memories. We were concerned about getting some food as one reviewer said there wasn’t any vegetarian options. And except for some garlic fries or greasy cheese pizza they were right. We walked out of the parking lot and ran into a real good Asian restaurant 5 minutes down the street called the Asian Moon. Vegan and gluten free menu items were some of the best I’ve had in awhile. Worth the sort walk.

Good venue, ok parking, lousy exit strategy after a show or event.

I attended Ringling Brothers Barnum & Bailey circus yesterday with my children and husband. It was my first and last time attending this circus as it was overall a very negative and depressing experience. I didn’t know what to expect, never having attended a show with live animals. We’ve attended Cirque du Soleil many times and always had very positive experiences. The animal shows that I saw at Ringling Bros. made me sick to my stomach. I honestly couldn’t wait until the show was over and we could leave. I find it horrendous that elephants and tigers are made to perform unnatural tricks and threatened with whips and bullhooks. It is even more deplorable to think about the conditions in which they are housed «behind the scenes». The whole concept of a circus with large animals performing «tricks» for the peoples’ «entertainment» seems like an archaic vestige from another century.
A few things that particularly stood out for me:
* It was incredulous that the issue of the animals’ mistreatment has become so publicly obvious that the announcer even includes disclaimers in the show about how «the elephants do what they’re told 80% of the time but they need a little help (!?) the other 20% of the time which is why we use these (innocent little) sticks that have been used in elephant training for decades». Please — you aren’t fooling anyone with your downplaying of what the «little sticks» actually are, or with your «Elephant Conservation Program» paraphernalia that was repeatedly pushed on us. My five year old child actually noticed and commented on the fearful manner in which the tigers slink around. These highly intelligent animals are ruled by fear and pain alone.
* It was also interesting how sparsely attended the circus was — on a busy weekend nonetheless. Hopefully this is indicative of the fact that the circus really is going away permanently.
* It was very much of a turn-​off that the horribly overpriced products were pushed on us in such an insistent and obnoxious manner. Even had I wanted to buy my kids $ 8/​popcorn or a $ 25/​light-​up piece of plastic from China that would break in a week, the manner in which the vendors yelled in our faces over and over would have prevented my making any purchases.
*The Cow Palace is in a horrible neighborhood and I was actually afraid for my car on the street outside. Homeless sleeping bags, feces, etc all over the place. The building itself is run-​down and nasty and dirty. Overall a gross place to go.
Do yourself and all of the animals a favor and avoid this one!

I’ve attended many different event’s here & all bring fond memories.

History… good times. As a kid I wrecked this place. I caused complete and utter havoc here when I was younger. From Disney on ice to Ringling bros. Good all the way around. Now you can catch an occasional athletic event or musical performance. Just don’t.go to any raves!!! It’s a classic relic that is a San Francisco hidden treasure.

I haven’t been to a sports event or anything like that here but a couple of years ago I came for the Identity Unleashed conference. It was great to hear the testimonies, worship and message that day. I’d say if the event was great and enjoyable I wouldn’t mind all the negatives others reviewed about this place.

This was a nice place, went there last week for a graduation. Sucks that they wouldn’t allow balloons since a lot of people bring balloons for graduation, but since it’s an indoor facility, I understand. The only thing I didn’t like is that the parking, which was $ 12, was only cash. Not everyone has cash on them and most parking facilities let you use credit cards. That was frustrating.

Not that great of staff is very unfriendly very miserable atmosphere dirty dingy disgusting

The worst food in any venue in California – shame on you!!! Nothing for healthy people, no options for vegetarians, and even over salted popcorn is overpriced. Venue is fine. Suggestions: soup station, pre-​made baguette sandwiches, bags of nuts, fresh fruits.

This place is a dump. Sorry, but it must be cheap as hell to host an event here. Location is near SF – which must be the only reason this place even exists – but the rest is horrible.
Parking can often be found in the residential areas if you come a little early enough (depends on how popular your event is).
Overall, it’s NOT an inviting place. Dark, gloomy, and a little creepy at night I’m sure.

Came here for the Ringling Bros Circus performance. Venue was huge — lots of seating. Staff was nice. Parking tho? It’s a dooozy but that is to be expected. Borderline SF, parking around cow palace can be stressful on event nights. Parking for the event was $ 15 which is not bad but why pay when there is residential parking around? so if you do plan to park reseidential, GO EARLY because it will take you around 30 minutes if you are not fast and lucky

I went to the Jehovah’s Witness convention here at Cow Palace and it was an amazing event! The venue itself is kind of old looking, but it gets the job done and the seats were very comfortable. There aren’t very many bathroom stalls in the upper level, so I would recommend going downstairs because the restrooms are a lot larger and the line will move more quickly (especially for the ladies).

I went here last year for the circus
I came here for Halloween 99’
Today I came here for meeting of Christians
Parking was so easy to find and no parking Fee
I always like coming here for events, compared to some other arenas, this one is always great!

Its really too bad that the Cow Palace has been kind of relegated to a dump.
First of all… not easy to get to and then when you actually get there… its sooo dated.
Well, I’m sure its nostalgic for some folks…

*WARNING THIS IS MY MOST GRAPHIC/​GROSS REVIEW YET*
Here for a three-​day sports card show. The bathrooms are beyond disgusting. I understand that is going to happen when you have a decent number of folks who are drinking gross beer and eating a gnarly version of pit food at ten in the morning, I get it. With that said, can’t they have one of their staff members assigned to at least check in every now and again to see that the toilets aren’t filled with feces, the toilet seats don’t have blood on them and that there aren’t finger nails on the ground? Excuse me while I go and puke for a moment (hold my hair back for me?) …

I came here on a Saturday night to see a rodeo show. It was my first and I have to say that it was an interesting experience. Having never been and not knowing much about rodeos, I did not know what to expect.
Overall, the place was okay. Most of the seats offer good views. The air was very musty and you were breathing in all the dirt. But it was a rodeo so I guess that is to be expected.
Not sure if I will go back. It is more of a one time experience.

Yes, this place is old and run down… but it brings back so many memories. This place has incredible history!
I’ve been to numerous events here from WWF (now WWE) to raves to concerts and most recently, the tattoo expo.
There really isn’t anything special about this place. The parking is plentiful… it’s semi-​clean, and the events run smoothly.
Not my first choice of venue… but if there’s something that I want to see, I don’t mind coming to the Cow Palace.

I came here for the first time this past Friday for the SF BULLS East Coast Hockey League game. (Or at least I think it was my first time)
From the time my car got onto their property, I experienced nothing but bad quality customer service.
–The guy at the parking station was rude when I asked simple questions.
–The lady at the box office was rushing me and kept talking over me.
–The vendors at the concession stands were unfriendly and seemed miserable.
I liked that it was roomy to walk around to our seats, their aisles were wide enough not to feel claustrophobic. Our seats were way at the top but I could still see the entire game, which was really nice!
One thing that super annoyed me was that every 5-​freaking minutes, someone’s getting in your way yelling that they were selling something. It was either popcorn guy, or the churros guy, or the sno-​cones guy, or the candy guy, it got so annoying!
I’m trying to watch the game STFU! Have the curteousy to wait till the game was slow, or on time out or during intermission.
The bathrooms are disgusting! The way their doors are positioned, you can see everything that’s going on inside the Men’s and Women’s restroom by standing right in the hallway or just walking by. It’s gross and not private at all. Some creep and just stand and stare at these little girls while they’re inside.
All in all, I hope they wont be holding any cool events soon so I don’t have to come back till they fix a few things!