Margarita’s insider tips for enjoying Outside Lands

Bring layers.

Taylor Wallace

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Outside Lands

If you are coming from anywhere outside of SF, including the East Bay, chances are you will underestimate the temperature drops as you head into Golden Gate Park during our ‘coldest season.’  If you find yourself in festival gear more suitable for warmer climates, a la cut off shorts and sandals, just walk yourself over to the merch table and pick up a scarf or hoodie to get you through the weekend. This keepsake will no doubt be a reminder of the coldest winter you spent that summer in San Francisco.

Go early to explore the Outer Lands Experiences

Alive Coverage

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Outside Lands

From Dolores’ to Wine Lands and Grass Lands, these experiences are a good way to decompress if you need a break from large crowds or volume. In past years, I’ve been blessed with Big Freedia's Bounce and Beignets, Grilled oysters at GastroMagic, and Phoebe Robinson doing stand up at the Barbary. These days, you can witness a legit wedding ceremony at City Hall and new at this year’s Outside Lands is The Mission, which features local and national organizations making an impact through activism and collective action.

Wear your comfiest shoes and thick socks!

Sandra Jamaleddine

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Outside Lands

You will likely get in about 20K+ steps each day walking between the stages, exploring the various ‘lands,’ and of course, dancing! Thick socks will both keep you warm and cushion your feet so you can return for more.

Make friends with your neighbors.

Alive Coverage

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Outside Lands

Inevitably, you will have a much better time if you connect with other folks, swap travel experiences, share space, look out for each other, dance together and bond over your love of the artist you are there to see.

Take Muni going toward the ocean.

Joe A. Kunzler Photo

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Flickr / Creative Commons

If you read this far, this is my biggest insider tip. Leaving any festival is a traffic nightmare, and Muni also gets so crowded that it’s unable to pick up passengers if it’s full by the time it gets to your stop. There will be large crowds trying to get on the N Judah or the 5 Fulton going eastbound toward downtown. Going westbound, toward the ocean, not so much–that’s where you get on. You’ll have a seat on an empty bus as it turns around and makes its way back eastbound to pick up the large crowds heading toward downtown, and all it took was a brief detour.