How was the food? do most people eat there b/c i've heard parking is bad and to get there early. i'm taking my bf as a suprise for his birthday and i wanna make sure everything is perfect and he has a good time

The food is not great and the menu is limited. However, if you eat there, you get better seats for the show which can be worth it. I've done it both ways (eating somewhere else on the strand and then walking, or eating there). My preference is to eat elsewhere like Mediteranneo or Hennessey's or Union Cattle Company (all have pretty good food). The parking is tough in Hermosa but there are two pay lots that you can pretty much find a spot in if you get there before 8pm (which you will anyway) adjacent to the strand. Also, if you eat at Union Cattle Company, you can park in their parking underneath for the entire evening.