This comprehensive guide covers everything from buying tickets and transportation to lodging recommendations and festival survival tips.. Planning your first trip to Coachella? Read on!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival 2017<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Dates<\/strong> Venue<\/strong> Headliners<\/strong><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Radiohead, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar (Beyonc\u00e9 was replaced by Lady Gaga due to pregnancy)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Tickets:<\/strong> General Admission (3-day pass) $399 For young Californians, especially in Los Angeles, Coachella is more than just a festival\u2014it\u2019s a cultural phenomenon. The excitement, fashion statements, and energy make it a must-attend event for many teens and young adults.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Coachella tickets go on sale nearly a year in advance. For 2017, initial tickets went on sale in June 2016 and sold out immediately. Additional tickets were released in January 2017 and also sold out quickly.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Here\u2019s how things went down for Coachella 2017:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Tickets for Coachella 2017 first went on sale in June 2016 and sold out in about 3 hours (in 2015, they reportedly sold out in just 40 minutes!). By fall, when I suddenly realized, \u201cI want to go next year!\u201d, it was already too late\u2014talk about a moment of panic. What surprised me was that the tickets sold out even before the artist lineup was announced, or possibly even decided.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Fortunately, additional tickets were released in January 2017, which also sold out within a day. I managed to secure my ticket during this second release.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Tickets were also available on resale platforms like StubHub, but they were expensive\u2014around $600 at the lowest. Your best bet is definitely to purchase your tickets directly from the official website.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Allowed: small backpacks, cameras (non-detachable lenses), sunscreen (no sprays), sealed plastic water bottles, portable chargers, small blankets. Free parking is provided but involves a 20-25 minute walk to the entrance. Consider VIP parking ($150), using shuttles ($75), or pedicabs ($20+) for convenience.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n #1: Near<\/b> Blue Gate<\/strong><\/b> #2: Near Red Gate<\/strong><\/b> #3: Near Yellow Gate<\/strong><\/b> Rent a Bike<\/strong> Use Pedicabs<\/b><\/strong> Get a VIP parking pass<\/strong><\/b> The festival grounds are easier to navigate than you might expect. Multiple stages, food & drink stalls, art installations, and rest areas ensure a comfortable experience despite the heat and crowds.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Water Stations My first Coachella was incredible: great music, amazing atmosphere, and unforgettable moments. Whether it’s your first or tenth time, preparation makes all the difference. Stay hydrated, plan your schedule, and most importantly\u2014have fun!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n \u25c9 References:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n I Finally Made It to Coachella! Ever since moving to California, attending the Coachella Valley … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":3143,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_locale":"en_US","_original_post":"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/?p=3080","footnotes":""},"categories":[104,90,83],"tags":[124,121],"class_list":["post-6678","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-100-los-angeles","category-art","category-westcoast-style","tag-124","tag-121","en-US"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6678","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6678"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6678\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6691,"href":"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6678\/revisions\/6691"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3143"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6678"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6678"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6678"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Weekend 1: April 14\u201316, 2017
Weekend 2: April 21\u201323, 2017<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Empire Polo Club, Indio, California (approximately 2.5 hours east of Los Angeles)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"\u30e9\u30a4\u30f3\u30ca\u30c3\u30d7\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_lineup-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n
Capacity:<\/strong> 125,000 per weekend
Organizer:<\/strong> Goldenvoice<\/a><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Since 2012, Weekend 1 and Weekend 2 have featured an identical lineup, with the same artists performing at the same scheduled times. Generally, Weekend 1 is more popular\u2014people are eager to see performances first, making tickets sell out faster and command higher resale prices. Celebrities are often spotted during Weekend 1; in 2017, Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, and Katy Perry were among the attendees. Weekend 2 is known for smoother event operations and more polished performances, making it an ideal choice for my first Coachella experience. Notably, The Weeknd and Selena Gomez were reportedly spotted during Weekend 2.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nAmerica’s Biggest Music Festival!<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\u30b3\u30fc\u30c1\u30a7\u30e9-\u8eca\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/063efb229bfd4a224660344b55958d6a-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nPreparation Starts Early!<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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How to Get Tickets<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nTicket Types and Prices (2017)<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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![\"\u30c1\u30b1\u30c3\u30c8\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_ticket-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n
In March, tickets are mailed to your home.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"\u30c1\u30b1\u30c3\u30c8\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_ticket-kit-1-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\u30b3\u30fc\u30c1\u30a7\u30e9\u30ad\u30c3\u30c8\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_ticket-kit-2-1024x768.jpg\")
Lockers<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\u30ec\u30f3\u30bf\u30eb\u30ed\u30c3\u30ab\u30fc\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_rocker-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n
If you have a lot of stuff, use the lockers available at the venue. If you\u2019re attending with a group and plan to split up but still want to share a locker, the Keyless Extra Large<\/strong> option (set your own 4-digit PIN) is highly recommended. It costs $80.10 for all three days.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPacking Checklist from the Coachella Guide<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Tips from the Coachella Guide<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
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Not Allowed: professional cameras, drones, selfie sticks, umbrellas, glass\/metal containers, drugs, outside food and beverages.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nGetting There and Parking<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\u99d0\u8eca\u5834\u304b\u3089\u306e\u9053\u306e\u308a\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_from-parking-300x225.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nRecommended Parking Lots<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\u99d0\u8eca\u5834\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_parking_map-219x300.jpg\")
<\/a>
From Day Parking Lots 15 and 14, it\u2019s about a 15-minute walk to the Blue Gate. Lot 15 is even closer to the entrance. There are rental lockers immediately inside this gate, making Blue Gate the perfect choice if you plan on renting a locker.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
It\u2019s about a 20-minute walk from Day Parking Lot 2A to the Red Gate. The parking here is on grass, so your car won\u2019t get as dirty and it stays a bit cooler. However, you\u2019ll have to pass by the campgrounds on the way in, which means going through two security checkpoints (one to enter the camping area and another to enter the venue) \u2014 a bit of a hassle.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
It\u2019s about a 25-minute walk from Day Parking Lots 1B and 1C to the Yellow Gate. The ground here is sandy, so your car will end up absolutely covered in dust (Coachella\u2019s dry, windy desert climate certainly doesn\u2019t help with that).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOther Access<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
You can totally bicycle from the parking lot (or even from your hotel) to the festival grounds. Coachella provides a dedicated bike parking area just outside the gates, so you\u2019ll have a secure spot to lock up your wheels.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
These three-wheeled bicycle rickshaws (which can seat up to three people) are available 24\/7. A ride costs about $20 (plus tip), and the drivers are super fun \u2014 they usually have music blasting and keep the party vibes going as they pedal you right up to the festival entrance.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
If you\u2019re willing to spend $150 on a 3-day VIP parking pass, you can park in the VIP lot near the Yellow Gate (one of the closer entrances). It\u2019ll definitely get you closer, but heads up: even with VIP parking, you\u2019re still looking at about a 10-minute walk to reach the festival gates.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nOn-Site Experience<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
States<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\u30b3\u30fc\u30c1\u30a7\u30e9-\u30e1\u30a4\u30f3\u30b9\u30c6\u30fc\u30b8\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/a264485442904b31d89cabdd7aed4fde-1024x768.jpg\")
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Food & Drink<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_coffee-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n![\"\u30b8\u30e5\u30fc\u30b9\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_ColdPressedJuice-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n![\"\u30af\u30e9\u30d5\u30c8\u30d3\u30fc\u30eb\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_craft-beer-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n![\"\u30ec\u30e2\u30cd\u30fc\u30c9\u3068\u30b3\u30fc\u30d2\u30fc\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_Lemonade-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n![\"ID\u30c1\u30a7\u30c3\u30af\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_ID-Check-02-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nStores<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\u30b8\u30a7\u30cd\u30e9\u30eb\u30b9\u30c8\u30a2\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_general-store-768x1024.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n![\"\u30ec\u30b3\u30fc\u30c9\u30b7\u30e7\u30c3\u30d7\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_record-shop-1-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n![\"\u30ec\u30b3\u30fc\u30c9\u30b7\u30e7\u30c3\u30d7\uff08\u5e97\u5185\uff09\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_record-shop-2-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n![\"&M\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_HandM-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n![\"\u6c34\u6c72\u307f\u5834\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_water-station-1-300x225.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n
<\/strong>
Water refill stations are located throughout the venue. (However, rather than bringing your own bottle, it\u2019s easier to buy a plastic water bottle at the venue and refill it. You can simply discard it when it\u2019s no longer needed.) Note that the refill stations likely provide tap water, not mineral water. If you\u2019re concerned about that, you can purchase bottled water separately as needed ($2 per 500ml bottle).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"\u5145\u96fb\u30a8\u30ea\u30a2\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_charge-station-300x225.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n
Charging Stations<\/strong>
You can charge your devices for free, but stay vigilant to avoid theft \u2014 over 100 phones were stolen during Weekend 1! (Fortunately, the thief was quickly caught on-site using the \u201cFind My iPhone\u201d feature.)<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"\u30b3\u30fc\u30c1\u30a7\u30e9-\u89b3\u89a7\u8eca\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_giant-wheel-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n![\"\u30b3\u30fc\u30c1\u30a7\u30e9-\u30a2\u30fc\u30c8\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_artanimals-1024x768.jpg\")
Art installation by UK-based artists Joanne Tatham and Tom O\u2019Sullivan<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\nFinal Thoughts<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"\u5915\u713c\u3051\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/6d4988e92d5efc4f2378dbf70fbe7fff-1024x768.jpg\")
![\"\u65e5\u9670\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_rest-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n![\"\u30b3\u30fc\u30c1\u30a7\u30e9\u30d5\u30a1\u30c3\u30b7\u30e7\u30f3\"](\"https:\/\/www.west-coaster.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Coachella_fashion-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/figure><\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n