We are not concert people. Like at all. But when the W2 lineup dropped and Sabrina Carpenter was headlining, I did not even have to think about it. Years ago she performed at Coachella and manifested to the crowd that she would be back when she headlined. We watched from home and I looked at Ethan and said I will be there when that happens. And then she did it the same year we both turned 30. That was it. We were going.
Getting There
The drive from Concord down to the Indio area was really pretty, but we were on a mission. Our first priority was getting close to Bear Lake City, about two hours from Indio, where the babies were staying with a boarding couple for the week. Finding someone to take all three of them was not easy, and honestly it was the furthest we have ever left them from a family member. We ended up camping on some BLM land between there and Barstow, an OHV area that was basically a big empty parking lot. Not much going on, but the mountains around it were gorgeous. It worked.
Dropping them off was sad. We knew they were in great hands, the couple had been doing this for years and you could tell immediately. But with how hot it was down there, it would have been wrong to bring them. We missed them the whole time.
Day 0
Coachella is not just the music, and Day 0 proved that immediately. There were activities everywhere, balloon toss, raffles, all kinds of things going on. We did not get there super early so we just focused on walking around, getting familiar with the layout and meeting our neighbors. They had dodgeball on other days and honestly that hurt a little because dodgeball was everything to me in elementary school. But those days we could not get ourselves moving before noon so that was a no from us.
We also di the sunset on the hill, a staple as we were told and a must by many reddit comments we saw.
Car Camping at Coachella: Do It
We had a car camping pass and it was the best decision we made. Everything was walking distance. No shuttles, no long lines to get back, no logistics. You just walk back to your home and that is it. I even saw people who had rented vans for the weekend which is honestly such a smart hack if you want the experience without having the whole camping setup some people go all out for, you don’t have to!
If you live in your van and are thinking about it, just know they do not allow running water or visible toilets in the camping area. As long as you can tuck those things away you are completely fine. They were so nice about it. They also require plastic stakes only, no glass, no metal. Just read the rules, follow them, and do not ruin it for everybody else.
Day 1: It Was Always Going to Be About Sabrina
Day 1 was Sabrina and only Sabrina. We barricaded early and ended up under the sun for 10+ hours before she even came on. And we were ready. Water packs, 32oz water bottles with electrolytes, granola bars to hold us over. We came prepared. We also may or may not have snuck in some of our own food. We are not going to confirm or deny anything.
Ethan did treat us to chicken tenders at some point, 3 for $25 with fries. No dip though. WHY is there no dip. They were really good but come on. The food around us looked incredible honestly, but we are too cheap to find out firsthand so we stuck to our snacks and zero regrets.
The main stage artists throughout the day were so so good and made the wait so much easier than you would expect. By the time Sabrina came on we were more than ready. Ethan locked down incredible front row spots and it was everything I had been waiting for. Perfect is the only word.
Saturday Almost Broke Us
Saturday’s lineup was so stacked that we just could not stop. We went from stage to stage and did not sit down, then waited a couple of hours to get a good spot for Justin Bieber. By the time he came on it was close to midnight, which meant it was technically Ethan’s birthday. He has a song where he sings happy birthday and it felt like it was made for that moment.
After Justin Bieber, on the way back to camp we could barely even walk .. it was so so bad lol
Sunday we paid for all of it. We woke up so sore it was almost funny. We spent the whole day joking that this is what 30 feels like, just pure pain. We did whatever Ethan wanted, which meant a slow easy day, lots of laying on the grass, sitting away from the crowds. We did get up for Laufey at the outdoor stage and got close for her, which was worth every step. We actually first got to know her when we were in Chicago and she was a guest on Wait Wait Don’t Tell Me. Her sense of humor was everything and we have been listening to her music ever since, so getting to see her live was a full circle moment. Then we closed out the night with Karol G. Throughout the weekend we also caught Teddy Swims and Sombr, and every single one of them delivered.
Was It Worth It?
Oh my god, yes. Everything and more. Even Ethan came out of it surprised by how much he loved it. We have said it ruined concerts for us and we mean that in the best way. The production, the camera work, the screens, the talent, all of that in the middle of a desert surrounded by mountains and palm trees. It is a lot to compete with.
We are not going every year, that is just not us. But for the right artist or the right lineup, we will absolutely be back.
If you are on the fence about Coachella, just go. And when you do, car camp. You can thank us later. Oh, and bring ear plugs, nasal spray, eye drops and, a pashmina (trust us later). What artist would get you to make the trip?
Wandering with Charlotte 
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