- Dress for foggy weather – The festival grounds are right near the beach so expect fog and ocean wind to breeze through. Wear something light underneath just in case it gets warm during the daytime. But do expect the evening to get very cold, so grabbing a jacket is a must! I would also do a hard pass on the mini skirt and shorts and go for some pants or denim.
- Wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty – Because of the mist and fog, the grass gets wet and muddy. So wear shoes that can repel moist. Walking through the festival grounds require some uphill and downhill walking, so wear shoes that are comfy!
- OSL is super chill – Unlike most festivals, OSL is more of a chill and laidback festival. Don’t get stressed about wearing anything flashy. At OSL, casual wear is the way to go.
- Pack light – A fanny pack with the basic necessities should do. Your ID, credit card and your phone is all you need. OSL is even making it possible for you to pay for items with your wristband! You don’t want to be lugging a large tote or backpack, especially when you’re gonna be jumping up and down in the crowd.
- Bring an empty canteen – Staying hydrated is important. Fortunately, OSL has filtered water stations for you to fill up an empty canteen.
- Come with an empty stomach – OSL is a foodie’s dream! Only the finest Bay Area restaurants have a booth at OSL. One’s to keep an open eye for are Proposition Chicken, Causwells, Señor Sisig, and Sugar Daddy. See the whole list here.
- Bring hand sanitizer and Wet-Ones – By the end of the night, the porta potties are absolutely TRASHED. And you’re lucky if your stall has toilet paper.
- Pregame! – Alcohol at the festivals is expensive. A glass of wine from Wine Lands can cost up to $22! To avoid spending lots on alcohol, I suggest getting your drinks outside of the park before the festival.
- Leave your car at home – Finding parking near the park will be nearly impossible. So take either BART, Muni, or a ride app to get to the festival. If you absolutely need to drive in, there is permit free parking in the Outer Sunset, Outer Richmond, and Richmond Seacliff area. To find free parking near the festival, click here. There is a shuttle service to the festival from the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium for a fee. Learn more here.
- Download the Outsidelands mobile app – Use the app to navigate through the festival, stay on top of showtimes, and even create a schedule based on the acts that you want to see.
- Don’t miss the small acts – Don’t forget the smaller stages, which you can check out between big acts. The Barbary is known to bring stand-up comedy, magic shows and improv. D.A.V.E. is stage that features speakers who mediate thought provoking discussions. And if you aren’t finished with live music after the festival is done, OSL is hosting “after dark” shows at different venues throughout the city.
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