Once upon a time I was sitting at my work computer, I had multiple web browsers up and my phone in my lap, just in case. When that clock struck the hour, I was on it. And after multiple attempts I actually made it, I got me and my friend Coachella tickets for weekend 1!
This was a big deal. Like a hug deal. But this was also way back before hologram 2Pac came alive on the Coachella stage. It was cheaper and easier then.
But even though things have definitely changed in the Coachella game since I last went, I figured my knowledge of Coachella is still relevant because I went with a local Coachella resident.
My friend, Issela, was raised in Coachella Valley and so she was a local of this place. This was also her first experience at Coachella when we went together. But since she’s been many times.
So I figured, what the hell, let’s share my tips to do Coachella like a local in a quick and simple guide.
PREP
You definitely need to prepare yourself for Coachella. That means food, accommodations, rides and the holy grail, Coachella Festival Outfits.
With Issela being a Coachella local, food, accommodations and rides were already taken care of (holla to her friends and family). But if that weren’t the case for me, make sure to book hotels and Airbnb’s quick once you snag those tickets, because they’ll be gone and super expensive before you know it.
And Coachella is definitely a friend group event. So make sure to grab all your gal pals and dudes, and make it a weekend you won’t forget. Plus, this will help with the cost of splitting accommodations and all that fun stuff you really need to worry about the year before that Coachella date.
Overall, PREPPING for Coachella is key to a successful and great weekend without dying. Because if you’re not prepared, you’ll find yourself hitchhiking to Coachella and trying to bum your way into a Coachella tent outside of the festival.
OUTFIT
Outfit prepping for Coachella is a real and serious thing for people. So I recommend packing your things at least a few days before Coachella (I recommend the Chester Carry-on luggage (my affiliate link!)! P.S. If you use the code GETLOST you get 10% off your purchase)
So, think of your outfit and pack your bags before hand, because you don’t want to be that person that didn’t plan ahead.
As for your Coachella Outfits, their rules are, less is better. Okay, that’s not really a rule, but you will see a lot of half naked dudes and barely there shorts running around in Coachella. And a lot of fashion show photo shoots happening all around.
In my opinion, go with whatever you feel the comfortable with.
If it’s a white tee with some ripped jeans or a bikini top with lace shorts, you do you boo. Just remember you are in the desert and you will do some serious walking when you’re there.
So my real recs are:
-Good footwear – like for real. Heels in the desert while walking around is not ideal.
-A light jacket for the night time – Desert nights can and will get cold.
-Scarf or bandana – This will protect you in more ways than one.
-Sunglasses – Again, DESERT.
-Accessories – This is where you can get crazy and fun. I’m talking glitter, stickers, fake tattoos (or real ones if you’re brave) and headbands, ears, the whole shebang!
That’s the recipe for a good outfit. You can pretty much be set in any other outfit as long as you have those along with you.
*Tip*
Since it is the desert, it can get hot and cold real quick.
AND a dust storm can blow your way in a jiffy. Sunglasses and scarf are a definite must when attending Coachella, it’ll cover your face, and your eyes will thank you later when you can see through the dust storm, while everyone else is walking around like they’re in the movie Birdbox.
FOOD
Be prepared for over-priced food.
So, in other words, EAT A BIG FAT LUNCH/BREAKFAST and you also have the power to leave and come back to the festival at any time.
Or buy that overpriced hamburger at night time.
Then later, later, end your night at a Mexican restaurant that serves some late night burritos and tacos. That’s the Coachella way of eating.
Unless you’re one of the rich people getting those VIP packages that includes four course meals. Then do that.
CAR RIDES
Thankfully, Issela’s brother was kind enough to drop us off and pick us up and she had other friends that we carpooled with as well. It was by far the easiest way to get in and out of the festival.
Because one thing is for sure PARKING is a nightmare and TRAFFIC is inevitable at any time of the day. And because of the Coachella camping around the festival, you have to park in far away places and get dropped off in far places (which is why I recommend comfy shoes people!)
So carpool if you can, it saves your sanity and the earth. Double whammy.
And we all know share rides like Uber and Lyft are a normal now. So use them, just be prepared that they will cost more around Coachella because let’s face it, they’re going to make stacks of money by dealing with people who are definitely on some stuff.
JUST SOME OTHER TIPS
–Be nice to people and I mean to everyone, especially the staff. It’ll make your life and their lives easier if you just cooperate and not be a jackass. We were on a time crunch one night and my friends and I got a free golf cart ride from a staff personnel just for being KIND. Our feet thanked us later and we made it on time to our destination.
-There are charging stations lined throughout, so you don’t have to worry about being disconnected. But service does SUCK there, just FYI, it is the desert unless they added wifi to the grounds be prepared for shitty service. So always have a meeting point with your friends. We had this cool artwork as our meeting point because it was lit up and easy to always find.
-Bathrooms are gross and there will always be a line, so you just kind of have to deal with it.
-You can pretty much set up anywhere on the festival, near an art installation (my fav was this glowing art piece that was pretty to lay next to and just stare at) or near a concert stage. Just be wary of people walking, they may actually step on you. Actually, they will step on you.
-If you want to be in the Sahara tent (mostly EDM DJs, etc), get ready to sweat your ass off. And let’s hope you’re not claustrophobic.
-Those big acts you really want to see, they will be late, and it will be epic. Our first night was with Outkast and I loved it because it was an Outkast Reunion and I knew every song!
-Actually look at the music schedules that they send you through their Emails. Map out your band route and rock on. I got to see Ellie Goulding and I just love her stuff, so that was pretty freaking awesome.
-Again, COACHELLA is HUGE. So have a meeting point with all of your friends. It is VERY easy to lose people.
-If you are 21 and above, don’t forget to get your drink pass so you don’t have to carry around your ID all afternoon and possibly lose it. It makes it nice and easy to just slip into the beer gardens and snatch your drink.
-Get your pictures in before you start getting sweaty and crazy. Your outfit is always the highlight of the Coachella trip, so make sure you get those Insta worthy pics before you look like a hot mess that’s been in the desert all day.
-It will take you almost an entire week to settle down from the Coachella Festivities. So don’t forget to HYDRATE before, during and after. Also take some time off to get some rest post festival, best advice I gave myself after Coachella.
-Lastly, ENJOY YOURSELF! Self-explanatory, but while Coachella was a lot of fun, there were times that were stressful and annoying. Losing friends, figuring out which band was playing where, spending $30 on a burger. But in the end I had my fun. And I hope you make the best of it too.
CHEERS
Hope you enjoyed my quick and simple guide to Coachella. I’m sure you’ve seen and heard these tips everywhere, but I hope you enjoyed my version. As you can tell, it was my sarcastic local version of preparing for Coachella.
I really did enjoy Coachella, but I’m not sure if I will really want to go again for a full weekend. Especially at my age. But I did want to share my experience in some fun tipped ways. So I do hope you enjoy and have a great time there!
Hope all you Coachella goers will have fun during the first weekend and the second weekend! Get crazy, rock your cool outfits, stay hydrated (don’t be that person that passes out), and have a good ol’ Coachella time!
XOXO
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