At this point, you must have heard of Coachella and the buzz that surrounds it. Officially named “The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival”, this event is basically a giant annual music festival in Indio, California. It draws over 100,000 people in attendance yearly and has become one of the most happening music events where the biggest artists, DJs and bands of the year perform on stage.

Simply said, Coachella is the height of experiencing music, fashion, and all things California. But as the old saying says “it’s not the destination that counts, but the journey”, sometimes the best part of going to Coachella–other than the festival itself–is the long roadtrip to and from Indio. Before reaching Coachella or after dancing your way in the festival, you might want to make a little detour to these three amazing cities. Even if you only have less than 24 hours to spend in these cities, your experience will still be complete with these tips from us!

1. Los Angeles

Distance from Coachella: 2 Hours Drive

LA is the definitive hipsters paradise! This is the land of vibrant neighborhood, golden beaches, deep-blue skies and culinary paradise. If you only have 2 hours here, these are the things you can do in the City of Angels:

Be a Beach Babe

Eager to dip your toes in the sand of LA’s best beaches? We don’t blame you! Los Angeles is famous for its stretches of beautiful beaches with perfect scenery. Some of the best beaches here are Venice Beach, Marina Del Rey and Santa Monica

Satisfy California Cravings

Home to a wealth of culinary traditions, there are some staple dishes that you simply must not miss. To start, Californians can’t live without their avocado experiments, so order up a special avocado toast. Next, get your seafood filling with a plate of cioppino and before you leave, grab an In-N-Out Double Burger or two!

Picture Perfect

If possible, make the time to capture some great photos with SweetEscape at these instagrammable spots : The Hollywood Sign, Capitol Record Building, Walt Disney Concert Hall or the Bradbury Building.

2. Las Vegas

Distance from Coachella: 5 Hours Drive

Roll the dice and deal your cards, Las Vegas is not just about high-end entertainments and dazzling desert; it’s also about spoiling yourselves with glorious shopping, dining and fun. 2 hours is hardly enough, but if that's all you got, let's

Hit the Strip

All the high-end casinos and hotels are located on the Las Vegas strip. Swing by the famous ‘Welcome to Vegas’ sign for a must-do selfie, stroll around to check out monumental art pieces, do some window shopping or real shopping if you must, enjoy people watching and take as many pictures as you like.

Dine Like a Tourist

Do your trip right by feasting on Las Vegas’ best must-eat places. Five50 Pizza Bar at Aria, Lago at Bellagio, Spago at Caesars Palace are some of the best names in town!

Try Your Luck

Hey, you’re in Vegas so why not sign up for a game or two? As long as you’re 21 or older, get a little bit of fun with slot machines or roulette table at any nearby casino. Limit yourself to some budget and remember, you don’t need to win big to feel like a million dollar.

3. San Francisco

Distance to Coachella: 8 Hours Drive

SF is best known for its cool summer, fog, rolling hills, and gorgeous cityscape. It’s a popular tourist destination with the promise of exciting restaurants, must-see landmarks, and good times all around. Our picks for you listed below :

Walk the Golden Gate Bridge

If your schedule permits, do not miss out the chance to walk across the Golden Gate Bridge. The iconic structure is one of the most recognized bridges in the world with breathtaking view of the bay. Snap lots of pics and continue to explore before hitting off.

Ride a Cable Car

Another iconic thing to do in the city, hop on one of its adorable cable cars to go through multiple different routes through San Francisco’s streets. Take in the breeze and the city at once to pump up your Coachella mood.

Visit Fisherman’s Wharf

Great food, beautiful view, and endless entertainment, Fisherman’s wharf is a popular waterfront neighborhood that will be worth your visit. Bask in the glorious sea views, taste some of the most amazing food, and stroll the piers for a wonderful memory only in San Francisco.

At SweetEscape, we believe that no matter how short, holiday moments are always worth capturing. Wherever you plan to go for a quick detour from Coachella, we are happy to capture your moments anywhere in the world! SweetEscape connects you to 2000+ professional photographers in more than 400 cities around the world, so all you have to do is to create memories, while we take great photos of your every moment! Use the code FIRSTESCAPE on your first SweetEscape booking to get USD50 off and let's #MakeLifeMemorable!