There are a few weeks a year where our little desert truly explodes with people. It’s been a few years since this has been the case and us 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 us locals need this month.
Coachella and Stagecoach this year are in a span of three weekends. Coachella is April 15–17 & 22–24 and Stagecoach is April 29-May 1.
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 festivals. This is mainly due to sound checks and on-site camping guests. Some residents say they can hear the festivals all the way 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 maybe the time to do it.
Schedule Brunch and Lunch!
If your 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 begining 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!
- Instead of using Highway 111, think about using Fred Waring, or Country Club
- Avoid the I10 as much as possible, especially on Monday mornings after the festival or Wednesday or Thursday. Chances are it is backed up both ways.
We should expect significant impact to traffic at the following locations:
- Jefferson Street, southbound, from I-10 to Avenue 52
- Washington Street, southbound, from I-10 to Avenue 52
- Monroe Street, southbound, from I-10 to Avenue 52
- Avenue 48 between Jefferson and Jackson
- Highway 111 at Jefferson Street
- Highway 111 at Monroe Street
- I-10 exit eastbound at Jefferson
- I-10 exit eastbound at Monroe
- I-10 exit eastbound at Washington
On each Friday of the festivals, through each Monday, the following roads will be closed:
- Avenue 49 between Hjorth Street and Monroe Street
- Avenue 50 between Madison Street and Jackson Street
- Hjorth Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 50
- Madison Street between Avenue 49 and Avenue 52
Expect the following delays:
- Avenue 50 between Madison and Monroe Street will experience intermittent closures and delays before the festivals. Additionally, full closures will occur Friday through Sunday, April 15th – 17th, 22nd – 24th and April 29th – May 1st. The street will reopen to normal traffic patterns on May 6th.
- On each Monday following the festivals, streets surrounding the festival site and Interstate 10 will be busy with over 40,000 campers leaving the area.
Consider the following alternate routes:
- North and south travel, use Washington Street, Jackson Street, Calhoun Street and Golf Center Parkway
- East and west travel, use Highway 111, Fred Waring Drive, Miles Avenue, Dr. Carreon Blvd. and Avenue 54
Did we miss any tips or tricks? Let us know in the comments!