First edition · Outside Lands
Outside Lands
First-timer guide
Do not drive. The festival says so in capital letters: there is no general event parking, and the Richmond and Sunset blocks around the park are permit-only and enforced. Take Muni, or BART to a shuttle, or a rideshare to one of the posted pickup zones several blocks off the park. Second thing nobody tells you: the site is cashless everywhere except Grass Lands, the 21+ area, which still takes cash and has ATMs.
Getting there
The venue is Golden Gate Park — Polo Field, Hellman Hollow, Speedway and Marx Meadows. Fly into SFO (~30 min) or OAK (~50 min) and base yourself around San Francisco (Outer Richmond and Sunset are the neighbors). Typical timing: three days, early August (August 7-9 in 2026) — confirm your edition's exact dates on the official site before booking anything nonrefundable.
Know the scale
You are joining roughly 225,000 across the weekend at an event running since 2008. That number shapes everything first-timers underestimate: entry lines, cell coverage, water station queues, and how long it takes to cross the grounds.
Make an arrival plan
Know where you will enter, where you will meet, how you will get home, and how you will keep your ticket, ID, water, and phone power accessible.
Keep the first list small
Get essentials, weather protection, and a recovery layer right before adding extra gear. A lighter, organized bag is easier to use all day.
Official source
Ready to pack?
The Outside Lands packing list
The saved checklist plus 12 gear picks chosen for these exact conditions.
Open the packing list →