Best Coachella Tips No One Ever Talks About

This past weekend I went to what might be my last time attending Coachella Valley Music and Art Festival. I have gone every year for the past 6 years and it forever holds a special place for me and my late 20s. It feels as almost Coachella was a great defining part of my 20s, figuring out who I wanted to be, what I wanted to see, and what I wanted to care about.

 As I see the weekend two-ers heading out to the Empire Polo Grounds, I reminisce about heading out and getting the feeling on the grounds. Running around free to gaze at artwork and hear the sounds of new or favorite musical acts. Trying to find shade to plan where I would go next. Even at the condo I went to every year and standing in the kitchen trying to plan which acts to see when and how to carry the least amount of things while not being freezing cold at night.

So for those going this weekend, here are some pointers:

• If you don't get a locker, take as little into the fairgrounds as possible. It's not worth carrying around a bag because it will hurt your back and you'll hate yourself. Keep it small to a thin drawstring backpack/Camelpak or Fanny pack. It also is easier to manage away from pickpocketers and gets everyone through security faster. And if you don't bring expensive stuff like sunglasses, you can also just toss them when the sun goes down and donate it to the Coachella gods.
• Buy one water there, and then just keep refilling it for free. You can also carry in a water bottle, but honestly it is easier to just buy one there and dispose of it at the end of the night, especially if you are going to drink beers until sunset and have only a Fanny pack.
• Bring a scarf/handkerchief. No matter what. It will help shade your neck in the sun, keep the dust from your lungs, and add a layer of warmth at night. Literally the best thing you could ever bring in.
• Wear flat closed toed shoes or hate yourself. Whether you go into the pit or not, you'll be walking forever or standing. According to my FitBit, I walked 26K steps/10 miles in one day, and I only was at the fairgrounds less than 7 hours. So forget the heels or be that person who always has to sit when everyone is dancing. I encourage boots with wool socks because like for hiking, they keep your feet feeling great and then warm at night.  If you can add arch support, you'll be dancing all night long. But if you need to wear flip flops or sandals, just don't be mad when someone accidentally steps on your toes.
• If you need to sneak something in, underpants railroad it. Let's just say, if you want to sneak anything in, and its small enough, best bet to hide it will always be your under garments. Things slightly larger, such as a protein bar or nips (mini alcohol bottles), you can put down in boots or packed tightly in a Fanny pack under that handkerchief (worked for me).
• At the end of the night, you can usually find a random person to drive you home within 5 miles for $10 each without waiting at the end of the Green line. No one wants to wait for an Uber (which is also in the freakishly long Yellow line), and no one wants to drive if you are staying 10 minutes away like in PGA West, so take Uber or a shuttle to the fairgrounds (some even provide a can of beer!), and find a random parent to drive you home.  Scheduling a pickup from a shuttle is terrible, because everyone is leaving at the same time and there are only like 15 seats in a bus (so chances are, you'll wait about an hour like you would at the Uber Lounge).  Just go to Parent drop off and exit one of the stalls (like A or B), and select one of the drivers reaching to take your money. If you also get a $10 bike-shaw to take you from festival exit to the end of the Green line, you can easily exit the fairgrounds in less than 15 minutes and minimal walking.  It would be the best $20 you'll ever spend that night.

So although my time is done (I think), I hope everyone else out there has a magical time and learns from my tips.  HAPPY COACHELLA!!