Disappointing photos show what Coachella is like in real life
Callie Ahlgrim
Coachella is a popular destination for influencers and Instagram fanatics.Callie Ahlgrim
- Coachella in Indio, California is the most famous music festival in the world.
- However, Insider's music team found the reality is not exactly how it appears on social media.
The first taste of the festival is not very picturesque.
Day parking at Coachella is free. Callie Ahlgrim
The walk from the parking lot is long, tedious, and extremely dusty.
Preferred parking costs $140 plus fees. Callie Ahlgrim
Festival workers try to reduce dust with water, but that often creates mud puddles.
It can take 20 to 30 minutes to reach the festival grounds from single-day parking lots. Callie Ahlgrim
The walk back is even worse.
Most headline performances end well past midnight. Callie Ahlgrim
Many people got lost trying to find their cars and were forced to cut through unmarked areas.
On the first day, there wasn't enough signage to help patrons find their way. Callie Ahlgrim
Some people took off their shoes because their feet had become so sore.
Cowboy boots were a popular footwear option at Coachella this year. Callie Ahlgrim
Lines at the festival are always long.
People who are over 21 years old receive a special wristband that must be renewed each day. Callie Ahlgrim
The line to buy merchandise is especially grueling.
Some people waited for more than two hours to buy merch. Callie Ahlgrim
You could wait 40 minutes or more to buy overpriced food.
There is classic fast food available as well as vegan options. Callie Ahlgrim
This slice of cheese pizza cost $11.
It was OK. Callie Ahlgrim
This order of fries and onion rings cost $26.
The dipping sauces were free. Callie Ahlgrim
There are very few tables or seating areas, so people typically end up eating on the ground.
It's hard to find proper seating at Coachella if you don't have access to VIP areas. Callie Ahlgrim
In fact, people spend far more time sitting on the ground than you might expect.
People sat on the grass to watch FINNEAS perform. Callie Ahlgrim
The sun is so strong that people skip shows and activities just to sit in the shade.
There are art installations and structures that provide some relief from the sun. Callie Ahlgrim
It's so hot that some people can't bear to go near the stage, even if they want to watch the performance.
Coachella's Outdoor Theatre stage. Callie Ahlgrim
It can also be difficult to get close to the stage thanks to massive VIP sections, which are barred to regular patrons.
Coachella's Mojave stage. Callie Ahlgrim
Much of the day is spent weaving through crowds.
Coachella's Gobi stage. Callie Ahlgrim
Those crowds leave trash everywhere.
Throughout the day, employees workers can be seen picking up discarded bottles and food items. Callie Ahlgrim
The experience can be overwhelming and exhausting.
Some people just sleep on the ground. Callie Ahlgrim
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