Coachella survival guide

Surviving Coachella Escape from the music festival mayhem each night to see more of what beautiful Greater Palm Springs has to offer

Coachella may be in Indio, but the real party is all around you in Greater Palm Springs. With the annual music festival just weeks away, it's time to start making plans and a pack list. We've put together a guide for surviving the festival from the Greater Palm Springs area - it may take a bit longer to get to the concerts, but you'll be relieved to escape the madness for a breath of fresh (and less crowded) desert air each evening. 1. Purchase shuttle tickets.  Forget fighting traffic-plan to ride a shuttle. There are three shuttle pickups on the White Line that runs run- across the valley into downtownto Palm Springs; choose from the Riviera ResortPalm Springs, the Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel and The Saguaro. Shuttles run from 11 a.m. until 60 minutes after the music ends each night. Buy your tickets now, as there's no will-call option-passes must be received through the mail. 2. Map your route. If you plan on bringing a car to the festival each day, be sure to prepare your route. Traffic might be an issue, so give yourself plenty of time to get there. Day parking is free and open from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. Do not plan on leaving your car overnight, as it will be towed. We suggest dropping a pin on your phone from your parking spot to make for an easier exit. 3. Pack light. The festival will have just about everything you'll need in terms of food and beverage, so leave your backpack at home. We suggest small, light bags, and a refillable, empty, non-metal water bottle. Leave the flasks, snack bars, blankets, tents and umbrellas at home-they're not allowed in the venue. 4. Plan your concert schedule. With more than 100 shows packed into two weekends, having a plan is crucial. Take a look at the lineup and prioritize your favorites. Remember, there's no way to see them all, so try not to stress about cramming too much into each day. Make time for resting, meals and shopping, too. If you want to be up close for big-name headliners, plan to get to the stage early for a good spot.

For more about traveling to Greater Palm Springs, and to enter to win a luxurious two-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Indian Wells, visit us at visit.palmspringsoasis.com.