Coachella Travel Tips for First Time Festival Goers (VIDEO HIGHLIGHT)

VIDEO HIGHLIGHT

Coachella weekend two is about to begin, and for many music fans, planning for next year has already started. The California festival continues to attract visitors from around the world for its live performances, desert setting and large scale art installations. For anyone thinking about attending in the future, a little preparation can make the experience much easier.

1. Book your hotel early and skip Airbnb.

Many festival visitors recommend hotels over short term rentals, especially during Coachella weekends when last minute cancellations can happen. Booking early also gives more options closer to shuttle routes and festival transportation.

2. Choose a hotel with a shuttle or arrange a private driver.

Cell service around the festival grounds often becomes unreliable once crowds build. Ordering an Uber after the shows can mean long waits and long walks outside the venue, so transportation should be planned ahead.

3. Fly into Los Angeles International Airport and arrive at least a day early.

Traffic heading into the desert can take longer than expected, especially on festival weekends. Arriving early gives visitors extra time to settle in before the events begin.

4. Going with a group? Bring walkie talkies.

Phone service can drop during busy hours inside the festival. While there is Wi Fi in some areas, many groups still use walkie talkies to stay connected throughout the day.

5. Check the food lineup before the festival starts.

Coachella has become known for its food vendors as much as its music lineup. Past festivals have included spots like Prince Street Pizza, Villas Tacos and even Nobu. Looking at the food list ahead of time helps visitors plan what they want to try.

6. Arrive early each day.

Many guests spend the earlier part of the day exploring art installations, activations and pop ups before the larger evening crowds arrive.

7. Pack for the desert weather.

The afternoons are usually hot, while evenings can cool down quickly. A bandana or face covering is also useful when leaving the venue because of dust and sand in the area.

8. Try different viewing spots during performances.

Some fans enjoy being close to the stage, while others prefer sitting further back where there is more room to relax. Switching locations throughout the day gives a different experience for each performance.

9. Look out for hidden bars and speakeasies.

Part of the festival experience is discovering smaller spaces tucked around the grounds. Many visitors say finding one of the hidden bars becomes one of the highlights of the weekend.

10. Don’t focus too much on influencer culture.

While social media often highlights outfits and content creation, most people attend Coachella to enjoy the music, spend time with friends and meet new people throughout the weekend.