Discover the Best Places to Stay During Coachella

Where to Stay During Coachella

Finding a place to stay during Coachella is probably one of the trickiest parts of the whole experience. There are many factors to consider such as transportation, proximity to the festival grounds, and the balance between convenience, comfort, and budget. Here are the most popular places to stay during Coachella.

Coachella Camping

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

Coachella offers on-site camping options, allowing attendees to stay within walking distance of the festival grounds. The camping areas are transformed into vibrant communities, filled with rows of tents, campers, and canopies, creating a lively and communal atmosphere.

The campsites are equipped with various amenities to ensure a comfortable stay such as restrooms and showers, water stations, charging stations, and even a general store for essential supplies. There are also dedicated food vendors and dining areas where campers can enjoy a range of culinary options.

The sense of camaraderie is palpable in the camping areas, as attendees bond over shared excitement for the festival. It’s common to see people hanging out, playing games, or hosting impromptu parties. The energy is infectious.

One of the major advantages of camping at Coachella is the convenience of being just a short walk away from the stages. Campers can easily return to their tents between performances to rest, freshen up, or grab supplies. This proximity allows for a stress-free experience, as you can totally immerse yourself in the festival’s activities without worrying about transportation logistics.

As the sun sets, the campgrounds come alive with illuminated decorations, art installations, and a vibrant nightlife. I’ve even attended a silent disco in the campgrounds. It’s a perfect opportunity to explore and connect with fellow festivalgoers, sharing stories, and creating lasting memories.

It’s important to note that camping at Coachella requires some preparation and planning. Bringing essential camping gear such as a tent, sleeping bag, camping chairs, and portable lighting is crucial. It’s also advisable to pack sunscreen, a hat, comfortable clothing, and sturdy footwear to withstand the desert environment.

Read more about what to pack for Coachella.

And although Coachella tries to make it as enjoyable as possible, keep in mind you are still camping in the desert. It will be extremely hot while the sun is out, cold at night, dusty and windy, and the showers don’t always work.

If this sounds like your vibe, you will need to purchase Coachella Camping Passes. For Coachella 2024, there are several different ticket options:

Car Camping

The most popular option. Allows you to park your car next to your camping spot so you can build a little oasis. Comes with a 30’x10′ spot and you can fit as many tents and friends as you can. Only 1 vehicle is allowed per spot, and can only be passenger cars, trucks or vans only (no RVs).

You are assigned your spot when you arrive, but if you don’t want to worry about getting in line early, you can upgrade your camping pass to “Preferred”. Preferred Camping Pass holders can arrive anytime because they are preassigned to a specific lot.

Tent Camping

Tent camping is just as it sounds, camping with tents only. Similar to the Car Camping, you can have as many tents and friends as you can fit on your lot. But no cars allowed. If you have a car that you drove to the desert in, you’ll need to buy a separate “Camping Companion Parking” pass to park your car in a different area during the festival.

Check out all the Coachella Camping details and pricing.

Glamping

If you’re not a povvo like me, there are actually a several options available for glamping at the Coachella festival grounds that look bougie and amazing.

Lake Eldorado: Camp in style in a 4-person tent or 2-person lodge at an exclusive lakeside oasis, in close proximity to the general store, food vendors and camping center hub, and just a short few minutes walk to the venue entrance. You can even keep the pillows and sleeping bags after your stay. Packages include Festival Passes.

Safari Tents: This glamping option comes furnished with all the sleeping or lounging essentials plus air conditioned restroom and shower access, breakfast and late night snacks in the air-conditioned Safari Lounge, and of course Guest Passes to Coachella Weekend One or Two.

Safari Residence: (new in 2023) Glamping comes furnished with all the comforts of a studio-style dwelling, plus golf cart transportation, access to private restrooms and showers, breakfast and late night snacks in the air-conditioned Safari Lounge, and Guest Passes. Safari Residence packages include accommodations, passes and concierge services for 2 people.

The Resort at Coachella: A fully furnished modern yurt with A/C, power outlets, mini-fridge, towels, seating, and more. Comes with Artist Passes to Coachella (granting access to the artist compound and artist catering for gourmet breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and Yurt wristbands (exclusive access to exclusive The Resort areas, Safari campground, and Safari Lounge).

But wait, there’s more. You’ll also get a personal golf cart driver and concierge to assist you all weekend long; access to all VIP amenities and shared guest viewing areas within the festival; breakfast served to your yurt each day; and nightly Outstanding in the Field dinner reservations for 2 people.

Get all the details about Coachella glamping options and pricing.

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.

Renting a house for Coachella allows you to have a dedicated space to retreat to after a long day at the festival. Instead of staying in a hotel or camping, you’ll have an entire house or apartment to yourself or your group, providing a sense of privacy and relaxation.

The houses available for rent during Coachella range from cozy apartments to spacious villas, catering to various group sizes and preferences. You can even rent the extra rooms in someone’s house as a budget friendly option. There is a wide selection of properties on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO, located in nearby cities such as Indio, La Quinta, or the surrounding areas.

Renting a house often offers additional amenities like a fully equipped kitchen, backyard or patio space, private pool or hot tub, BBQ facilities, and ample parking (one year we had a trampoline!). And you can plan meals according to your preferences, saving time and money on dining out.

It’s also an opportunity to spend quality time with your friends or travel companions, creating memories and shared experiences outside of the festival.

While renting a house offers comfort and privacy, it’s essential to plan and book in advance, as availability will be limited during the festival dates. Consider factors such as group size, proximity to the festival grounds and transportation logistics.

The biggest downside to staying in a vacation rental during Coachella is transportation and logistics. Getting to and from the festival can be a harrowing experience, and you could end up stranded and waiting for a ride at the festival grounds for hours. Vacation rentals can also be quite expensive, especially the closer you get the festival.

Renting a house for Coachella offers a comfortable and personalized accommodation option, allowing you to retreat to a private space and recharge for the next day of festivities. It’s a great choice for those who value comfort, convenience, and the freedom to create their own festival experience.

Book a vacation rental with VRBO today!

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

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.

Hotels and resorts offer comfortable rooms equipped with essential amenities, and depending on the hotel or resort you choose, you may also have access to additional facilities like pools, fitness centers, restaurants, and bars, allowing you to unwind and relax between festival days.

Staying at a hotel or resort provides a sense of luxury and convenience. You can enjoy daily housekeeping services, concierge assistance, and on-site dining options, eliminating the need to worry about meal preparations or cleaning up after a long day at the festival.

Some hotels and resorts even host pre and post-festival events.

It is possible to book your hotel as a package from Coachella which also includes GA or VIP tickets and shuttle passes. It is extremely pricey, but if this hassle-free approach interests you, check out Weekend 1 or Weekend 2 hotel packages.

It’s important to book your hotel or resort far in advance, as availability quickly fills up. Consider factors such as proximity to the festival, pricing, and the specific amenities or services that are important to you when making your selection.

Book discounted hotels and resorts with Expedia today!

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.

Off-site camping or RV parks provide a quieter and more secluded camping environment compared to the bustling and noisy on-site campgrounds. They offer a range of amenities such as spacious campsites, clean restrooms and showers, laundry facilities, and even recreational areas like swimming pools or hiking trails.

These parks often cater specifically to RV owners, providing hookups for electricity, water, and sewage disposal. They are suitable for those who prefer a more self-contained camping experience with their own vehicle or mobile home.

The atmosphere is generally more relaxed and serene; a peaceful retreat after a day of festival excitement.

It’s advisable to check the distance to the festival grounds and explore transportation options to ensure convenient access to Coachella.

You can stay at designated campgrounds, or I’ve also seen people offering spaces in their yards where you can pitch a tent for cheap. There are also some glamping options you can book through Airbnb and other sites.

In my opinion, this is the worst option because it combines camping (which I hate) with the hassle and inconvenience of getting to and from the festival each day. But these alternative camping options offer a different experience for those seeking a more tranquil camping environment.

Read more: A Beginner’s Guide to Coachella

Best Areas to Stay During Coachella

You know what they say about property… location, location, location! And when planning where to stay during Coachella this is true as well. Although technically you can stay at any location on the map below and still have a good time at the festival, but you might also have to deal with traffic, transportation logistics, long car rides, late nights, and stress.

Indian Wells and La Quinta

These neighboring cities provide the majority of the lodging choices, including luxury resorts and vacation rentals. They are within a short driving distance from the festival grounds, which you will be paying a premium for.

Although Coachella is technically in the city of Indio, the festival is located at the intersection of Indio and La Quinta.

Coachella and Indio

These two neighboring cities located just east of the festival are mostly residential neighborhoods. People in these areas often put their extra rooms for rent on Airbnb at a “decent” price. They are also within a short driving distance from the festival grounds, but aren’t quite as nice as the other areas nearby.

Rancho Mirage and Palm Desert

These two suburban cities are about 30 minutes to an hour from the festival, depending on traffic. They although it could take you a while getting to and from Coachella each day, it’s not as far as some of the other cities, and Airbnb’s will be less than in the cities closest to the festival.

Cathedral City

This city is getting pretty far from the festival grounds, and with traffic however, it could take just as long to get there (or longer) as staying in Palm Springs. Airbnb’s in Cathedral City will likely be the cheapest due to how far it is from the festival. If you stay here, it may be best to drive yourself as Uber’s could get very pricey. I stayed here one year and it was fine, but I would prefer to be closer as we spent a lot of time in the car.

Palm Springs

Located about an hour away, Palm Springs is a popular destination for Coachella attendees. The city offers a wide range of accommodation options, including hotels, vacation rentals, and resorts, along with a vibrant nightlife and dining scene.

If you want the option of having things to do before or after Coachella each day, Palm Springs is great. But the majority of people just want to go home at the end of the night. Between shuffling out of the festival in a hoard of zombies, waiting in line for the shuttle buses, and then another hour commute (or more), you might not get home until after 3am.

Common Mistakes When Deciding Where to Stay During Coachella

Booking a hotel listed on the Shuttle Pass without checking where it’s located.

The shuttle passes are a great solution if you want to avoid the nightmare that is trying to find an ride home after the festival. Ubers and Lyft’s have been almost impossible to find in recent years.

However one mistake I’ve heard people make, especially those who are not from SoCal, is booking one of the hotels listed in the shuttle pass’s designated drop off sites without researching where it’s actually located. The shuttle buses drop people off at hotels and resorts as far as Palm Springs, which is over an hour from the festival grounds.

Although this is about as far from Coachella as you can get, there is a ton to do in Palm Springs outside of the festival, but I personally don’t have the time or energy to do any other activities.

Waiting until the last minute to book an accommodation.

Waiting too long to book a place to stay during Coachella will result in very limited options. This could mean paying more, staying far away, or sacrificing quality. This one has always been my biggest struggle because I can never get my friends to commit that far in advance.

Staying in an accommodation that is far from the festival grounds.

You might notice when booking your accommodations for Coachella, the farther away you look, the more reasonable the price. But beware, getting home from Coachella is no easy feat. If you didn’t get a shuttle pass, you must rely on rideshares that are unfortunately not reliable anymore. This becomes expensive not to mention extremely stressful.

Depending on where you stay, you could be commuting over an hour each way. Last year I stayed relatively close to the festival and still got home at 4am, simply trying to find a ride home.

If you do choose to stay far from the festival grounds, I think driving yourself to and from Coachella is the best way to go. It may be annoying making sure someone is the designated driver, but it will save so much stress and money at the end of the night.

To ensure no one gets stuck driving the whole time, you can rotate so the person who drives to the festival doesn’t have to drive home. And the person who drives home at the end of the night can drink before and still have time to sober up. That way everyone gets a turn going crazy and being responsible.

Not accounting for traffic when looking at distance to the festival.

Distance isn’t the only problem when looking at where to stay during Coachella. Traffic is a real issue. If you look on google maps on a normal day you may see Palm Springs is only 40 minutes from Indio, but during the festival? It could easily take another 40 minutes with traffic.