6 Things You Should Know Before Going to Outside Lands Music Festival
Oh, musical festival season. It’s my second most favorite time of the year. There’s nothing like rounding up a group of your closest friends and traipsing on over to the foggy wonderland that is San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park for some delicious culinary treats, craft beer and, of course, great music. This August will be my eighth time experiencing the magic of Outside Lands Music Festival. While I wouldn’t call myself a seasoned veteran by any means, there are definitely some things I wish I had known before my first time at OL that I can share with you now. Here are six tips for getting the most out of your first Outside Lands experience.
1. Layer Up I made the mistake of wearing shorts to my first ever Outside Lands back in 2013. It was…well, a mistake. Even though it said it was supposed to be 70 degrees that day, I was miserable and shivering within the first five minutes of walking around the park. Bring a lightweight jacket or sweater that you can wear when it’s chilly (and trust me, it will get cold at night during the mainstage acts) and remove when you start heating up after all the jumping/dancing you’ll be doing at Twin Peaks.
2. Wear Comfortable Shoes I repeat – wear comfortable shoes. Trust me. You will be walking (and oftentimes running) from stage to stage, trying to make it to as many performances as possible, so leave the wedges at home. My go-to music festival footwear is usually a pair of Keds. They’re lightweight, comfy to slip on and I don’t mind getting them scuffed up. For some reason, I’ve found Keds to be much more comfortable than Vans, but you do you!
3. Check Out All the Other “Lands” Choco Land, Wine Lands, Cheese Lands, Beer Lands, Bacon Lands – you name it, Outside Lands has got it. This music festival is just as much about experiencing food and drink as it is about the music. Make sure to take some time to explore these areas in between sets. One of my favorite food-themed lands is called “Outside Clams” - a celebration of all things seafood! You can snag everything from raw and BBQ oysters sourced from Tomales Bay, to clam chowder bread bowls and lobster rolls. It’s a seafood-lover’s paradise, so I’ll definitely be all over it!
4. The Ramenburger is Worth the Wait I’m not 100% positive that Nombe’s famous Ramenburger will be making another appearance at this year’s Outside Lands, but if it is, you better get in line. It’s basically a traditional burger, except they use ramen noodles instead of burger buns. I know, it sounds strange, but it works! There’s something surprisingly delightful about the crispiness of the noodles juxtaposed with the tenderness of the meat, which is a blend of pork and beef. They also offer a veggie version, a meat lover’s option with added bacon and a miso-infused option with blue cheese. Remember, Outside Lands is just as celebrated for its gastronomic delicacies as its music offerings, so make sure to check out as many food trucks and vendors as you can. My other favorites include the arepas from Pika Pika Arepa Kitchen, the infamous donut burger from Straw and the incredibly fresh poke bowls from Pacific Catch.
5. Bring a Refillable Water Bottle (Or Buy One There) Hydration. Enough said. Outside Lands also sells some reasonably priced Camelbacks if you want to pick up a fun, but practical souvenir.
6. Head to the Panhandle Stage to Discover Some New Artists For those who aren’t familiar with Outside Land’s music stages, the Panhandle is located between Lands End (the main stage) and Twin Peaks. Nestled within the trees, this tiny stage offers a more intimate atmosphere and hosts some of the festival’s more underground artists. It’s a great chance to discover new music and perhaps fall in love with a new band. A few years ago, one of my favorite moments of the weekend took place here. I was sipping on some fresh coconut water straight out of a raw coconut and chilling out to Giraffage with all my best friends, and I just remember having the goofiest grin on my face, thinking life could not get any better.
Well, there you have it. Those are my best tips for navigating your first Outside Lands. While preparation will certainly make the entire experience a bit smoother, the most important thing is to just go with the flow, be open to everything, and have fun.
We’ll see you in August, Ranger Dave!