On sunny days, pretty much everything is better outside. Park days, beaches, desert sunsets? Restorative. Adding live music to the experience? Sublime. And the live music season is finally upon us.
Ready to spend a whole weekend outside, recharging your mental battery under the sun? Any festival can give you a fix of music and the outdoors, but read on for a few Sunski-approved options, listed in chronological order.
Iconic art installation at Coachella, photographed by Andrew Ruiz
Stagecoach: April 26-28, 2024
Can’t talk about music festivals without mentioning Coachella’s country cousin, Stagecoach. Held at the same venue as Coachella (in Indio, California), Stagecoach is all about country music. Expect denim and cowboy boots at this hoedown.
Stagecoach may be sold out, but with performers like Miranda Lambert, Erich Church, Post Malone, Willie Nelson, Leon Bridges, and Morgan Wallen, it can’t hurt to put yourself on the waitlist. Beware, even in late April, the desert locale can get pretty toasty. But that also makes it the perfect way to ring in the summer season! You can catch up on all the missed Vitamin D and bask in the glow of a desert sunset.
This festival can get rowdy, so if you’re in it for a full-send weekend, Stagecoach is just the match for you! Packing musts: premium sunnies like the Baia or Bernina, to stand out from the crowd in style.
Stark desert sunset, photographed by Jordan Whitt
BottleRock Napa Valley: May 24-26, 2024
For chiller vibes, you may enjoy BottleRock Napa. BottleRock tends to lean more casual and family-friendly, with a lot of locals in attendance. For the three-day festival, performers this year include Stevie Nicks, Pearl Jam, Ed Sheeran, Megan Thee Stallion, and Kid Laroi, to name a few. BottleRock has an abundance of food and drink options that are sure to leave you satisfied, and the venue is a large fairground among the trees in Napa.
As a nature lover, you’ll also appreciate BottleRock’s commitment to sustainability. They eliminated all single-use plastic bottles on site, and there are even places to refill your reusable water bottles. All food is served with compostable serviceware, and recycling options exist for wine corks, aluminum, glass and more. It feels sweeter attending a festival that cares about the planet!
That alluring golden hour haze, photographed by Danny Howe
Outside Lands: August 9-11, 2024
Since 2008, Outside Lands has been blessing San Francisco with its music, food, and general charisma. Sometimes referred to as a love letter to the city, Outside Lands goes beyond a line-up of rad musicians. Food is central to the Outside Lands experience, and all of the food vendors are from the Bay Area. The festival has a lot of local pride, which is reflected in their choice of food, wine, beer, artists, and cannabis.
The name itself was even inspired by the city’s history. In the 1800s, today’s Richmond and Sunset districts were referred to as Outside Lands, viewed as inaccessible and inhabitable due to the sand dunes. Now, those districts surround Golden Gate Park, the venue for Outside Lands. A fitting ode to San Francisco’s natural landscape.
From the heart of the Outside Lands, photographed by Julian Bialowas
Plus, Golden Gate Park is a gorgeous spot for the festival. Enjoy the music and the food among the trees and greenery during the dog days of summer. In true San Francisco fashion, plan for the day to be sunny and pleasant, but pack a layer. You’ll be thankful for it when the evening fog rolls in.
Ohana Fest: September 27-29, 2024
Is there a better combo than music and the beach? Held in sunny Orange County, Ohana Fest is the ultimate music festival for chill beach lovers. At Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, you get the charm of a Southern California coastal town with a serving of musical icons. This year, you can dance and sing to acts like The Chicks, The Killers, HAIM, Eddie Vedder, and The Foo Fighters.
After savoring the sun and the tunes, head to the harbor and check out the exhibits and panels, which features environmentalists, conservationists, and professional surfers. Spend the day outside by the ocean and let yourself recharge to the sound of the waves and the music.
Dana Point Harbor, photographed by Spencer Bergen
If you’re like us at Sunski, you know life is best lived outside. Take advantage of the opportunity to vibe in urban green spaces and let yourself de-stress to some cool tunes. Need to pack the essentials? The Type-1 Fun Sling can stow your snacks, phone, sunscreen, and favorite sunglasses without a hitch!
