In 2022, I surprised my boyfriend with a trip to the Coachella Music Festival as a birthday gift, yes, I’m a nice partner and love gift giving. It was our first time experiencing the iconic festival, and while it was an unforgettable trip filled with music, fashion, and memories, there were definitely some lessons learned along the way. Here’s a full breakdown of our experience, including costs, travel tips, and a guide to help you plan your Coachella adventure!
Coachella Packages and Costs
For our trip, we chose a Weekend 1 Package (the more intense weekend versus the chill vibe of Weekend 2). Here’s the breakdown of what I purchased:
- General Admission Tickets (2) and unlimited festival shuttle pass
- LAX Airport Shuttle to Hotel (2) roundtrip with helpful attendants
- Hotel Stay: Hampton Inn and Suites in Indio (10 minutes from the festival)
- Continental Breakfast FREE for two
- Total Cost for Two: $2,800
This package was convenient because it included everything we needed—tickets, transportation, and lodging—but there were some surprises along the way that you’ll want to account for.
Travel and Arrival
We flew out of Atlanta and landed at LAX, which worked smoothly aside from the delays with crazy LA traffic. Here’s a major tip: arrive on Thursday instead of Friday morning. We arrived Friday, which made the whole day feel rushed as we tried to travel, check in, and get ready for the festival all at once.
The shuttle included in our package was convenient but had one downside: it dropped us at the Marriott (not our specific hotel). From there, we had to grab an Uber to the Hampton Inn—this was only 10 minutes away, but surge pricing made the ride cost a whopping $100! Lesson learned: staying at the shuttle stop hotel would have saved time and money.
When we finally made it to the Hampton Inn, we received our welcome box with festival passes and goodies, rushed to get ready, and headed out for Day 1 of Coachella.
Day 1: Rushed Beginnings and Cool Desert Nights
We missed part of the first day due to travel delays, but we still made it before sunset. Here’s how the day played out:
- Outfit photos by the Ferris wheel (a must!)
- Grabbed quick bites (burritos and watermelon margaritas)
- Caught amazing performances by Lane 8, Big Sean, Lil Baby, and a secret set at DoLab by Diplo
One thing I didn’t anticipate was how cold the desert gets at night. My leather jacket wasn’t enough, and I highly recommend layering and renting a locker to store your extra clothes. It’ll save you from freezing once the sun goes down.
Also, a heads-up: you can only drink alcohol in designated areas, so don’t expect to sip margaritas while watching performances.
SHOP MY LOOK
Day 2: Full Day of Music and Energy
We started Day 2 with the included continental breakfast at our hotel before heading to the festival early to make up for lost time. This was my favorite day because we got to see so many incredible artists, including:
- Billie Eilish
- Flume
- Disclosure
- 21 Savage
With more time to explore, we could soak up the full festival experience, enjoy the fashion, and stay energized throughout the day.
SHOP MY LOOK
Day 3: A Hot Finale
By Day 3, the desert heat was in full force. I took a bold fashion risk with a metal dress (YOLO!), and we started the day lounging in the shade to conserve energy. Some highlights from our final day included:
- Karol G
- Doja Cat
- Vince Staples
- Swedish House Mafia/The Weeknd b2b
One of my regrets was missing Fred Again, who was still up-and-coming at the time. This festival is huge, and you’ll need a strategy to see as many artists as possible—realistically, it’s impossible to catch everyone.
SHOP MY LOOK
Tips for Planning Your Coachella Trip
- Arrive Early: Travel on Thursday to give yourself time to settle in and avoid the Friday morning rush.
- Choose Accommodations Wisely: Stay at a hotel close to a shuttle stop to save time and avoid expensive Uber rides.
- Pack Layers: Desert mornings and evenings are cold, so bring warm clothes and rent a locker to store them during the day.
- Strategize Your Schedule: Plan ahead which artists you want to see, but accept that you won’t catch everyone.
- Be Ready to Walk: The festival grounds are massive, so comfortable shoes and plenty of stamina are a must.
Final Thoughts: Would I Go Again?
Coachella was an amazing experience, but I’m not sure I’d go again. These days, I prefer smaller festivals with more EDM variety, fewer crowds, and the freedom to sip a margarita while dancing with friends. That said, the festival is undeniably beautiful and Instagram-worthy, and planning outfits was one of my favorite parts!
If you’ve never been to Coachella, it’s worth experiencing at least once, especially if you’re into music, fashion, and an incredible art vibe. Just be sure to plan ahead and pack your patience—you’ll need it!😅
Would you go to Coachella, or are smaller festivals more your vibe? Let me know in the comments!
If you love these looks and want to shop more, you can find all the links to my outfits in my Shop My Closet here!
Until next time,
Dominique Ledesma
Wandering-in-Style
Stay stylish and keep wandering!🖤
