A First-Timer’s Guide to Coachella (2024)

As a self-proclaimed Coachella expert, I have compiled this ultimate beginner’s guide to Coachella, equipping you with essential tips and insights to make the most of your time at this legendary festival.

From choosing the right weekend to travel tips, we’ve got you covered. So, get ready to dive into the world of Coachella and prepare to create memories that will last a lifetime. Let’s make your first Coachella experience truly unforgettable!

Save this post for later: Coachella Packing Essentials

What is Coachella?

Coachella has become an iconic event that represents the convergence of music, art, fashion, and culture. Its influence extends far beyond its desert setting, leaving a lasting impact on the music industry and the festival scene as a whole.

Coachella is an annual music and arts festival held in Indio, California. It was first organized by Paul Tollett and Rick Van Santen of Goldenvoice, a prominent concert promoter, in 1999. The festival takes place over two weekends in April, typically featuring a diverse lineup of music artists from various genres, as well as art installations and other immersive experiences.

Over the years, Coachella has grown significantly in popularity and has become one of the most prestigious and influential music festivals in the world. It attracts a wide range of attendees, including music enthusiasts, artists, celebrities, and fashion influencers.

The festival’s significance lies in two key factors:

Groundbreaking Lineups

Coachella consistently presents an impressive roster of musical acts, spanning genres such as rock, indie, hip-hop, electronic, and more. The festival is renowned for showcasing both established and emerging artists, often introducing new talents to a global audience.

Coachella’s success has influenced the global festival landscape, inspiring the creation of similar events worldwide. It has set high standards for production quality, artist curation, and overall attendee experience, influencing the way music festivals are organized and executed.

More than Music

Coachella is not just about the music; it offers a multi-dimensional experience that includes large-scale art installations, interactive exhibits, curated culinary offerings, and various recreational activities. Attendees are encouraged to explore and engage with the festival grounds beyond the stages.

Coachella has become a cultural phenomenon that extends beyond the music itself. It has become synonymous with fashion trends, celebrity sightings, and influencer culture. The festival’s distinctive style and fashion have influenced trends and set the stage for new looks and aesthetics.

Coachella has created a sense of community among attendees who share a passion for music, art, and the festival experience. It has become a meeting point for like-minded individuals, fostering connections and a shared love for the arts.

In this beginner’s guide to Coachella, I’ll teach you the right way to plan so it can be the most memorable weekend of your life.

A Beginner’s Guide to Coachella

Choosing the Right Weekend

The first decision you’ll need to make for your first Coachella experience is Weekend 1 vs Weekend 2. It’s a big decision, but what are the differences? And which weekend is right for you?

Looking at the big picture, both weekends are essentially the same. The lineup of artists and performers is usually the same for both weekends, with minor variations in special guest appearances or surprise performances, and the art installations are the same.

If you’re thinking back to Coachella 2023, that was kind of a fluke. What happened that made each weekend have a different headliner? Well, Frank Ocean backed out after Weekend 1 and organizers had to pull together another act last minute with Four Tet, Fred Again and Skrillex. But usually the headliners and the rest of the lineup are exactly the same both weekends.

Each weekend is guaranteed to have amazing performances, delicious food, unreal art installations, and good times. You really can’t go wrong with either, but there are some subtle differences between the two.

Keep following the beginner’s guide to Coachella to discover which weekend is right for you!

Weekend 1

Weekend 1 is considered the “it” weekend and always sells out early. This is typically the weekend everyone in LA, the gays, and the influencers attend. The fashion and outfits seem a little more extra, and there are noticeably more people in attendance.

The biggest thing Weekend 1 has going for it is the air of anticipation and excitement as festivalgoers experience the performances and ambiance for the first time. You can definitely feel the buzz as everyone starts to arrive on day one and witnesses the incredible art installations, experiences, and stages.

Weekend 1 tends to have a higher likelihood of surprise guest appearances, collaborations, or unrehearsed moments since it’s the initial run of the festival. And artists may be more inclined to experiment or bring out special guests during the first weekend, creating unique and unexpected moments for attendees.

Weekend 2

Although Weekend 1 tends to get all the hype, don’t sell Weekend 2 short. The vibe at Weekend 2 is way more chill and relaxed, and since it is less crowded, you can get a better vantage point for your favorite artists.

Weekend 1 may have the element of surprise, but Weekend 2 has its own tricks up its sleave. Artists often have surprise guests both weekends, and almost never bring out the same people, otherwise it wouldn’t be a surprise. For example in 2022, Harry Styles had Shania Twain come out during his show Weekend 1 and Lizzo on Weekend 2. They had completely different guest performances to different songs.

Weekend 1 isn’t guaranteed to have the “best” guests either. In 2019, Kid Cudi didn’t have any special guests during his performance on Weekend 1, but for Weekend 2, he brought out Kanye and their performance was insane.

Going into Weekend 2 may lack a total air of mystery, but you can use that to your advantage and decide who you want to see based on their previous weekend’s performance and what people thought of it.

Organizers and artists often use the first weekend as an opportunity to gather feedback and make adjustments for the second weekend, meaning any potential issues or glitches can be addressed and resolved for Weekend 2. When I attended both weekends in 2019, multiple artists had technical issues the first weekend and I ended up leaving their sets to see artists actually performing. When I went back Weekend 2, I didn’t hear of anyone having problems.

If you buy your tickets after the sale from a 3rd party website, Weekend 2 will likely be the cheaper of the two.

Ultimately, both weekends are guaranteed to have incredible performances, captivating art installations, and an immersive festival experience. I’ve attended both weekends and had an absolute blast at both weekends. Whether you choose Weekend 1 or Weekend 2, you can expect a memorable time at Coachella!

Tickets Sales

Types of Tickets

Once you decide which weekend you want to attend, the next step in this beginner’s guide to Coachella is procuring a ticket. But there are several different types of tickets you can purchase and key times in which to buy them. There is the obvious Weekend 1 or Weekend 2 tickets, plus GA and VIP options, along with some other ticket add-ons like shuttle passes or camping.

Here are the different types of Coachella tickets:

General Admission: Weekend 1 & Weekend 2

General Admission with Shuttle Pass

VIP: Weekend 1 & Weekend 2

Car Camping

Tent Camping

Check out the full list of available Coachella ticket options. It is fully updated for Coachella 2024!

I’ll explain the Shuttle Passes and if they are worth it in the transportation section of the beginner’s guide to Coachella.

Is VIP worth it?

I’ve honestly never bought a VIP ticket so I can’t say from first hand experience, but these are the primary differences you’ll notice if you get VIP:

1. A separate entrance only for VIP ticket holders.
2. Access to a special VIP area with dining options, bars, and bathrooms.
3. Separate bathrooms away from the peasants (this perk honestly pays for itself).
4. A separate VIP section at the main stages.
5. Clout and the chance to run into a celebrity.

VIP definitely has the perks, but you will be paying for it… VIP tickets typically cost about twice the price of General Admission. If a GA ticket costs $500, expect to pay at least $1000. Maybe I’ll get VIP someday when I win the lottery, but for now I’m a GA girlie and that’s ok with me.

Coachella tickets are physical wristbands that will be shipped to your house in a unique box filled with information and goodies based on the theme of the year. One year it came with flower seeds.

Presale

Although it’s called “presale” it is really THE sale. Weekend 1 historically sells out during the presale, and sometimes doesn’t even go on sale during the regular sale.

Tickets are cheaper during the presale as well, so if you even think you might be going, I recommend buying during the presale. If you change your mind later, you will definitely be able to resell your ticket.

Presale occurs in June within the first or second week, and historically on a Thursday or Friday. Although the advanced sale for Coachella 2024 has already taken place, you still have a chance during the main sale so keep a close eye on their socials and website for the dates.

Ticket Sales

If you missed the presale, fear not, you still have another chance to get your tickets. Depending on how the presale went, Weekend 1 may or may not be available, but Weekend 2 will still be for sale.

Getting your tickets through the official Coachella portal will save you money as ticket scalpers jack up the prices once all the tickets have been sold. If you decide after ticket sales that you want to go, be sure to go with a trusted ticketing service that will guarantee your money back if you get a fake or used ticket, or don’t receive your wristband in time. Since Coachella tickets are physical wristbands it’s not common to get a fake, but better safe than sorry.

General sale happens in January, and if we look at past years, it will most likely be on or around January 4th.

Where to Stay During Coachella

Finding a place to stay in probably one of the trickiest parts in the beginner’s guide to Coachella. There are many factors to consider such as transportation, proximity to the festival grounds, and the desired balance between convenience, comfort, and budget.

Coachella Camping

Camping at Coachella offers a unique and immersive experience that allows festivalgoers to fully embrace the spirit of the festival, especially for those on a tighter budget.

The downsides are that you are sleeping on the ground in the desert and the showers don’t always work. But a major upside is the proximity to the festival and no need for transportation logistics.

Vacation Rental

Renting a house or room for the weekend is my preferred way to do Coachella. I just love being able to take a long, hot shower at the end of the night and then crawl into a comfy bed.

The comfort of staying in a house does come with an upcharge. Usually renting a house requires a large group to split the costs, which can be hard to manage, especially when you need everyone to commit pretty far in advance to ensure getting a decent spot.

As a cheaper alternative, you can also rent single rooms people have put on Airbnb so you get the comfort of a house with less sticker shock.

Hotels and Resorts

Opting for a hotel or resort during Coachella offers a hassle-free experience with a range of amenities and services at your fingertips. Hotels in the vicinity of the festival grounds often provide shuttle services, making transportation to and from the festival more convenient.

This can be cheaper than Airbnb depending on the hotel, especially if you are attending Coachella with a small group of friends.

Other Campgrounds or RV Parks

In addition to the on-site camping options at Coachella, there are other camping and RV parks available in the surrounding area. These parks offer alternative camping experiences for festivalgoers who prefer a different atmosphere or amenities.

This might be the most budget-friendly option in the beginner’s guide to Coachella, however I think it combines the worst of both worlds: camping and transportation logistics.

You should book your accommodations well in advance, as options tend to fill up quickly once tickets go on sale.

Best Areas to Stay

The area surrounding Coachella is all fair-game when it comes to finding a place to stay. And if you’re late to the party, you might get stuck pretty far away. Be sure to find your accommodation early so you have better luck staying in the best areas.

Here are the best places to stay for your first Coachella:

Indian Wells and La Quinta: very close to the festival grounds and where most of the nice Airbnb’s and resorts are located. This would be my first choice.

Coachella and Indio: equally close to the festival, however it’s not as nice of an area and you’ll find less accommodation options. However it’s a great place to look for affordable, single rooms on Airbnb.

Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert: farther than Indian Wells and La Quinta, but you’ll find decent rentals at a slightly more affordable price.

Cathedral City: you’re starting to get pretty far from the festival, although still doable. Airbnb’s here will be the most affordable due to the distance from Coachella, but still good quality.

Palm Springs: very far from Coachella and could take over an hour with traffic. However there are tons of cute hotels and restaurants, and lots to do outside the festival (if you have the energy).

Read more: Discover the Best Places to Stay at Coachella

Best Way to Get to Coachella

Where is Coachella?

If you didn’t already know, Coachella is named for it’s location in Coachella Valley nestled between the Santa Rosa mountains and Joshua Tree National Park. The festival takes place at the Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California which is about an hour east of Palm Springs, although still considered part of the Greater Palm Springs area.

Fly

If you are coming from somewhere outside of SoCal, flying into the region would be the first step. There are several options that you can fly into:

Palm Springs International Airport (:40-1:30 hours from Indio)

Ontario Airport (1:30-2:30 hours from Indio)

LAX (2:30-4 hours from Indio)

From these airports you can either rideshare, shuttle, or drive the rest of the way which I’ll explain more below.

Shuttle

Coachella actually offers a shuttle service to and from LAX to select resorts as well as the campgrounds. I’m not certain if you actually have to be staying at those resorts, but with such limited options, I would assume you can get dropped off at these resorts and then rideshare to your accommodation.

These were the drop-off locations in 2023:

• Coachella Camping
• Renaissance Palm Springs
• JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa
• La Quinta Resort & Club

It seems Coachella has raised the price quite a bit this year, the LAX shuttle pass cost $125 per weekend (in 2023, the LAX shuttle passes cost $85). Get more shuttle info.

Drive

If you are already living in SoCal, or flew into LAX, driving is the best way to get out to the desert. But as someone who lived in LA for nearly six years, I must warn you about the Coachella traffic.

Do not underestimate how long it will take you to drive anywhere during this time, and expect major delays especially driving from LA to Coachella and back again. If you were to leave LA during rush hour the day before Coachella, it could honestly take you up to five hours to drive 130 miles.

To avoid this horrendous traffic, here are a few tips:

1. Leave for the desert very early in the morning or late at night.
2. Do not drive during rush hour.
3. Leave Coachella early Monday morning or Monday evening.
4. Take deep breathes and accept you will be sitting in traffic.

If you have the time, another perk of driving is the opportunity to stop at the legendary Desert Hills Outlet Mall located just before you reach Palm Springs, and get deals at stores like Prada, Balenciaga, and Gucci.

Getting to the Festival

Rideshare

Uber and Lyft have always been my go-to Coachella transportation options. However with the decline of Uber in recent years, this may not be the best option anymore.

It was still reasonable to get a ride to the festival during the day. But leaving the festival at night was a nightmare. During Uber’s prime, you could easily get a ride after the shows and their system was very organized. Unfortunately the last couple years have been a disaster. You could be waiting for hours in the parking lot for an available car and then pay massive surcharges.

Shuttle

I mentioned you can add a shuttle pass to your GA ticket, but what does that exactly mean?

Coachella promotes their shuttles as a way to skip festival traffic and leave your car at home. However from what I’ve heard, you could be spending hours on the bus trying to get home at the end of the night. But at least it’s warm and you’ll be sitting in a comfortable chair.

You are limited in where you can stay to the hotels specified by Coachella in order to utilize the shuttle. And it’s important to notice the exact locations the shuttles pick up and drop off; some of these are actually quite far away. Palm Springs is an hour drive from the festival grounds on a good day, let alone with the insane post-festy congestion.

If I were to purchase a shuttle pass, I would probably choose my own accommodation and drive to the closest Park & Ride location. That way you have a guaranteed way out of Coachella at the end of the night, while still being able to stay where you want.

Adding the shuttle pass to your GA ticket only adds $100, which is a pretty good deal if you consider how much Ubers will cost all weekend. However you are limited to where you can stay to take full advantage of the shuttle. I have personally never taken the shuttle so I can only speak to what I’ve heard from others which was mixed feelings.

Save this post for later: Coachella Packing Essentials, must-have items to bring such as comfortable clothing, sunscreen, refillable water bottle, and much more!

Drive

You can actually drive to and from the festival in your own car if you wanted. There are parking passes available for designated parking lots. If someone in your group agrees to be the designated driver, this isn’t a bad option especially if your accommodation is farther away. You have total freedom to come and go, but expect to wait for hours leaving the parking lot at the end of the night. At least you’ll be sitting in a warm, comfy car.

Need to rent a car? Book here!

Walk

If you can manage to stay anywhere within a couple miles of the festival grounds, your best option might be to walk. I wouldn’t suggest this during the day unless you are actually close. But with the traffic, unreliable rideshare situation, and potential price gouging, walking two miles home in the middle of the night doesn’t sound like such a bad idea.

The campgrounds are located right next to the festival which makes walking to and from the festivities each day super easy. I don’t normally like camping, but this reason alone is very tempting.

Coachella First-Timer Tips

Coachella stands as a shining beacon in the music festival landscape, captivating audiences with its groundbreaking lineups, immersive experiences, and cultural significance. From its humble beginnings to present-day status as a global phenomenon, Coachella has redefined the way we experience live music, art, and community.

Whether you’re a first-time attendee or a seasoned festivalgoer, the allure of Coachella lies in its ability to bring people together, fostering unforgettable memories and transcendent moments. Prepare to embrace the pulsating energy, lose yourself in the music, and immerse yourself in the vibrant tapestry of art and culture that Coachella offers.

I hope this beginner’s guide to Coachella has been helpful. Here are some final tips to ensure your first time at Coachella is a success:

1. Buy your tickets during the presale.
2. Book an accommodation as you as you can.
3. Plan your outfits and festival essentials; check out my Coachella packing guide.
4. Strategize how you will get to and from the festival.
5. Review the lineup, stages, and set times and plan your festival day.
6. Hydrate!

I can’t wait for you to embark on this incredible journey and join the ranks of countless others who have been touched by the magic of this extraordinary festival. I love Coachella!