There are a few weeks a year when our little desert truly explodes with people. It’s been a few years since this has been the case and we locals, well we’ve gotten comfortable here. We’ve taken up a bit more space and to be honest we also may have forgotten what it is like to navigate the month of April here in the Desert.
For those of you who are “new” locals and for us who may have forgotten, let me give you the run down and a few tips and tricks we locals need this month.
Coachella and Stagecoach this year are in a span of three weekends. Coachella is April 12–14 & 19–21 and Stagecoach is April 26-28.
Our Local Festival Tips: (for non-festival goers)
Prepare for Noise
If you live nearby, be prepared for noise from the festival site will most likely begin on each Thursday of the festival. This is mainly due to sound checks and on-site camping guests. Some residents say they can hear the festivals from Indio to Indian Wells!
Beware of Price Surges when using Uber
If you are a frequent user of this app in the desert beware that you will not be the only one using this during these weekends. On the plus side, if you are interested in moonlighting as an Uber driver… now may be the time to do it.
Schedule Brunch and Lunch!
If you a looking to go out to eat for Breakfast, Lunch, or Brunch in any of the desert cities, be sure to make reservations in advance it will be very very busy!
Grocery Stores
Many festival-goers drive into town and then immediately go grocery shopping to set themselves up for the weekend. Beware of grocery stores and an increased amount of people on Wednesday and Thursday! You may want to go grocery shopping at the beginning of the week or try late evenings while many festival goers are already at the concerts.
And most of all.
Traffic & Road Closures
It’s not just the city of Indio that is in for a wild ride, you can expect delays all across the valley!
A little more about these closures:
The first road closure — Avenue 50 between Madison Street and Monroe Street — began Monday, March 25, according to an announcement from the city of Indio. The closure is expected to last until Monday, May 6.
City officials are advising drivers and pedestrians to adjust their commutes accordingly, with recommended detours including Highway 111, Dr. Carreon Boulevard, Avenue 48, and Avenue 52.
Last year, the stretch of Avenue 50 just north of the festival grounds was closed well ahead of the event for the first time.
Several other road closures will be in effect only from Friday through Monday during the three festival weekends, including Avenue 49 between Hjorth Street and Monroe Street; Avenue 50 between Madison Street and Jackson Street; Hjorth Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 50; and Madison Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 52.
The city of Indio also warned of significant traffic delays along the following streets that are used as main access points during the festival weekends:
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Jefferson Street, southbound, from Interstate 10 to Avenue 52.
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Washington Street, southbound, from I-10 to Avenue 52.
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Monroe Street, southbound, from I-10 to Avenue 52.
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Avenue 48 between Jefferson and Jackson Streets.
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Highway 111 at Jefferson Street.
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Highway 111 at Monroe Street.
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I-10 exits eastbound at Jefferson Street.
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I-10 exits eastbound at Monroe Street.
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I-10 exits eastbound at Washington Street.
On the Monday after each festival weekend, traffic on the streets surrounding the festival, as well as Interstate 10, will likely cause significant delays, with more than 40,000 campers leaving the area, according to the city.
City officials also reminded festivalgoers that private golf carts are not allowed on any of the streets listed above.
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