If you’re looking for an event to attend that you’ll remember for the rest of your life, then Outside Lands at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco is likely it.
Outside Lands is a three-day music and arts festival that incorporates everything you know and love about San Francisco. From music, artwork, and food, through to comedy, talks, and social gatherings; this festival has it all.
It’s held annually in San Francisco and includes over 60 musical acts from throughout the world. Given its ageless target market and variety of acts, it attracts around 200,000 people every summer.
The location of this standout event is also what continues to draw in the crowds. Outside Lands is held in a large, urban park with over 1,000 acres of public grounds. Therefore, there is plenty of space to catch all the latest action, while also exploring Wine Lands, Beer Lands, Cheese Lands, and more.
Given that you can’t camp at Outside Lands, accommodation is snapped up fast. If you are planning an RV trip to the area, make sure you’re quick off the mark to secure your ticket and accommodation. This is an event you’re not going to want to miss.
Tickets for Outside Lands are in hot demand every year, so you are going to want to act fast to avoid missing out on your favorite package deal. You can buy single-day general admission or VIP passes, Golden Gate packages, and three-day passes for both general admission and VIP. Additionally, shuttle passes for local and regional transportation are available. Anyone over two years of age requires a wristband, and you can register for these online.
With views of the Gulf of Farallones and beautiful driving conditions, your RV will be equally as excited to navigate the roads to San Francisco as you. The two best ways to get to Outside Lands in San Francisco are via US-101 and I-80.
US Route 101 brings you from the area of Golden Gate National Recreational Area and San Rafael, while I-80 takes you over the Oakland Bay Bridge and east into Oakland. Whichever direction you travel from to arrive at Golden Gate Park, it’s likely to be an exciting trip.
For peace of mind, download a travel app with 511 services to remain up to date with weather conditions, congestion, and any delays you may face. Outside Lands also has an app to build your schedule and plan your route. Allow for delays due to the event’s popularity.
With over 200,000 people attending Outside Lands over the three days, you’re unlikely to find a parking spot big enough for an RV in or near the venue. With this in mind, it’s a good idea to plan your accommodation and transportation to and from it before you arrive. The Outside Lands app for Android and iOS may be able to help.
Due to the lack of parking around Golden Gate Park, Outside Lands has stepped it up a notch to make sure patrons can get to the festival without any problems. Park your RV at your accommodation site and jump aboard the local shuttles. These are pre-paid and leave from central San Francisco.
There are also private ride service providers in operation for this event, as well as e-bikes and e-scooters if you’re staying nearby. Even if you’re not proximate to the venue, regional shuttles are also an option for Outside Lands patrons.
The San Francisco Park Code prohibits overnight camping in Golden Gate Park, and you are also not able to leave your RV overnight at the park or Ocean Beach either. Fortunately, there is no shortage of RV accommodation in and around San Francisco with various amenities and service hook-ups to suit your requirements and budget perfectly.
Even though Outside Lands is in a built-up part of San Francisco, there are RV accommodation providers where you least expect them. The closest is within a 2.1-mile drive, or one-hour walk, from Golden Gate Park. There is also another near the Candlestick Point State Recreation Area just seven miles from the venue. Book a site that fits your sense of adventure months in advance to avoid missing out during Outside Lands.
There are over 1,000 acres of ground to cover at Outside Lands, so you’re going to need to put your best walking shoes on for this event. Bicycles, scooters, and even strollers are not allowed at the festival, so your legs are going to get an excellent workout. Fortunately, the park-like setting is perfectly laid out with seating for your convenience. Once you leave the grounds, there are e-bikes and e-scooters for hire to navigate your way around the city.
The entertainment at Outside Lands runs all day and well into the night, with average temperatures of around 68 during the day. Pack breathable layers, but make sure you have warmer items you can put on as the day turns to night. Long-sleeved shirts and pants are must-have suitcase additions, as are comfortable footwear with solid soles.
Outside Lands operates with a strict bag policy for everyone’s safety. When you pack your wallet and a few other items, put them in a clear backpack or bag, or bring a fanny pack, drawstring bag, purse, or empty hydration pack. Large backpacks are prohibited, as are a whole host of items such as alcohol, glass, coolers, and umbrellas, so pop these in your RV before you enter the venue. There are also lockers for rent for anything you don’t want to carry around with you while at the festival.
While Outside Lands recommend that you pack light, there are a few things that may be worth bringing to the festival for health and safety’s sake. If you’re on prescription medication, make sure the bottle is clearly labeled, and the name matches your ID. Pop sunscreen in your bag, and bring an empty container to fill at any of the water refill areas. If you’re a smoker, you will have to wait until you exit the festival to light up.
Once you’ve finished trying out all the offerings from the festival vendors, you may not feel like cooking back at your RV. However, if you do, you’re more than welcome to use your onboard kitchen appliances. A barbeque or campfire might be tempting but check with your host before you break out the marshmallows. Additional supplies can be purchased from any of the grocery stores within walking distance on the nearby streets that run parallel to Golden Gate Park.
If your hunger pangs are too strong to wait in line at the food trucks, then venture out of the park and onto Irving Street, which runs parallel to Golden Gate Park. This street is home to many established eateries that can’t wait to serve you. From tacos and Thai through to Chinese and chicken, there’s almost nothing you won’t find on these nearby San Francisco streets.
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, or have other dietary requirements, you’re in the right place! Outside Lands plays host to some of the best vendors and food trucks in the country, and you won’t want to miss out. Bring plenty of cash to speed up the purchasing process, and leave your outside food and beverages back at your RV.
Outside Lands prides itself on its security measures to keep everyone safe. Not only do they have limitations on the bags you can bring in, but the items in them, too. To speed up security screening and metal detection, only bring your wallet, up to two factory-sealed water bottles, a small bag, binoculars, or an empty drinking vessel. When in doubt, leave it out.
There will also be a heavy security presence, both with festival staff and the San Francisco Police Department. Don’t be alarmed if you are required to undergo metal detection. It’s also helpful to be aware that you must only enter and exit the festival once per day and must get scanned out of the festival.
Given that you’ll be outside in the elements for three days, you’ll be pleased to know that San Francisco typically turns the heat down for the occasion. You can expect average temperatures of around 68 degrees, which is comfortable, but not overbearing. You may need an extra blanket or two at night, but you don’t usually have to worry about weather extremes at the higher or lower end of the spectrum.
No matter where you look at Outside Lands, you’re likely to spot either a festival staff member or medical tent. Both the team and the first-aid sites are well-equipped to handle medical problems. In an emergency, approach an official and dial 9-11. The closest medical center is a half-mile from the center of Golden Gate Park.
