If you are looking for the ideal place to immerse yourself in music and arts, San Francisco is the place to go. The city prides itself on a plethora of music and art festivals where you can make unforgettable memories. We have lined up some of the best festivals San Francisco has to offer for music lovers and arts fans. The best way to enjoy them is to take a road trip with your rented car and start exploring San Francisco’s exciting and unique culture.
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival
This is relatively considered one of the biggest and most popular music festivals in San Francisco. Also dubbed at times as Chella or just Coachella, this annual music event usually happens over two weekends during April. Tourists from all over the world can enjoy a lineup of bands and music artists for six days. This lineup of entertainers are from different genres thus audiences can enjoy being served with different music genres. This music festival happens in Indio California within the Colorado Region. Take your FOX Car Rental and make the 8-hour drive to the Colorado Desert. As this is a long trip, make sure that you have enough food and water in your car.
Sierra Nevada World Music Festival
Sierra Nevada happens in Mendocino County Fairgrounds, Boonville, California. If you are coming from the airport, it will take you about two hours and 30 minutes to reach this place. This music festival started in 1994 and became a reggae-centric world festival. Over the years, it has undergone some changes from the original venue to the types of music played at the event. The festival went quiet for almost five years with the unprecedented pandemic and the passing of its founder. It was only during the Summer Solstice of last year that the Sierra Nevada kicked off again to bring music, peace, and people together.
Burning Man
Burning Man is another week-long music festival held in the Black Rock Desert, northwestern Nevada. If you take a rental car to San Francisco airport, the road trip will take about seven to eight hours long. This is a large-scale music festival held in the desert that focuses on arts, self-expression, and creativity. The unique thing about this festival is that there are plenty of impromptu acts instead of an organized lineup of artists. It’s up to the Burners to come up with their headliners. They are also in charge of putting up their stage, lodging, and other forms of installations. In addition, Burner’s system of trade and economy is focused on the exchange of goods and gifts. Unlike other festivals where money is used for trade. This festival dates back to 1986 when two founders set fire to a human-like sculpture at Baker Beach San Francisco. It was only in the 90s when the festival grew in popularity that it was moved to the Black Rock Desert.
Santa Cruz Music Festival
Unlike most festivals which take 1-2 weeks long, Santa Cruz Music Festival usually runs for two days. This is held in the downtown Santa Cruz area which is an hour away from San Francisco airport. This festival is a curation of more than 100 performers which entertains the audience from different venues. To enjoy the event, make sure that you have your tickets booked ahead. Also, take care of your wristbands as you may not be allowed to enter the venue if it’s tempered or damaged. This music festival does not allow any refunds or exchanges with the tickets.
BottleRock Napa Valley Music Festival
This event runs for three days in downtown Napa. The drive from the airport will take you at least 90 minutes to reach the venue. BottleRock festival is an annual event that takes place around May on Memorial Day weekend. This is not only a celebration of music and arts. This festival also highlights food and wine celebrations. If you are bringing in your rented car, there is street parking along the Downtown Napa outskirts. But make sure to come in early as parking slots get booked fast. There are also paid parking areas near the venue but since there are plenty of festival goers, you have to book it ahead of time. Make time to also visit the culinary stage apart from the stage for the music festival. You might see your favorite chefs with musicians showing some unique performances together.
These are just some of the music festivals in San Francisco that you don’t want to miss out on. Some other festivals include Monterey and San Francisco Jazz Festivals, Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, Mosswood Meltdown, and Country Summer. Before heading your way to enjoy these events, make sure that you plan, pack smartly, and stay well hydrated.