The Insider’s Guide to Outside Lands

Outside Lands, the massive weekend-long concert and festival that is celebrating its 8th year in Golden Gate Park, kicks off this Friday afternoon. The extravaganza, that party promoters have dubbed, The Real San Francisco Treat, features musicians Elton John, Mumford & Sons, The Black Keys, Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, D’Angelo and the Vanguard, and many many more. However, what makes Outside Lands stand out among the other music festivals of the summer season are the exact things that make San Francisco San Francisco. How so? Read on for the insider’s guide to Outside Lands.

Photo Credit: Michael Mina’s Tailgate
Photo Credit: Michael Mina’s Tailgate

When it comes to food and drink, SF is a city who’s culinary and wine offerings are unparalleled. Naturally, Outside Lands is the same. At Taste of the Bay Area, many of our favorite restaurants will be serving up festival eats. Stones Throw is offering chicken or eggplant parmesan sandwiches and tater tots. Michael Mina’s Tailgate is serving a brisket platter, Niman Ranch beef or turkey burger, Rancho Gordo bean hummus, and housemade chips. Precita Park Cafe is making fry bread tacos and organic donuts. There’s also 13 different food trucks to choose from, a showcase called GastroMagic that combines music with culinary magic and plenty of booze by 15 Romolo, Boxing Room, Nopa, and the Bon Vivants, plus a sushi demonstration and karaoke show by Masaharu Morimoto, and Choco Lands and Cheese Lands, two separate areas devoted to all things chocolate and cheese. Phew! We’re full just writing about all of these amazing eats. At Wine Lands, over 30 local wineries will be pouring plenty of red and white varietals. The tented area that requires a cashless wristband will showcase Bluxome Street Winery, Scribe, Dashe Cellars, and Chateau Montelana, among others. Not into wine? Don’t worry, you can head to Beer Lands where breweries like Speakeasy, Henhouse, and 21st Amendment will be pouring fresh beers.

Photo Credit: Jeff Kravitz

Although Outside Lands is ultimately a concert, there are plenty of things to do and see besides musical acts. There is an entire lineup of comedians co-curated by SF Sketchfest that features Tig Notaro, Pete Holmes, Jen Kirkman and stars from The Daily Show news team. Local artists like Greg Mike and Ricky Watts will be painting live oversized murals. Dr. Flotsam’s Hell Brew Revue is a performance that combines roots music with creepy carnival entertainment and art. Want awesome festival hair? The Cinta Aveda Institute will be on hand offering stylish braids and updos with accessories like feathers and floral crowns. Play golf at The Back Wine, a 3-hole mini golf course that looks like San Francisco or shop at the Market Place where Alex and Ani will be displaying their eco-conscious jewelry. Three days hardly seems like enough to enjoy all that Outside Lands has to offer. Make your itineraries now and have a great festival!