The Outside Lands music festival is expected to bring approximately 50,000 people per day to Golden Gate Park this weekend. Since the festival launched in 2008, residents in the adjacent Sunset, Haight and Richmond neighborhoods have learned skills and strategies to cope with the massive influx of concertgoers. We contacted several residents who live in the vicinity of the concert to get tips on reducing household stress and protecting their property during the three-day festival, which kicked off today.
This weekend, Park Station police will operate a command center to deal with concert-related issues; residents can call (415) 872-1650 to report problems of a lesser nature. To complain about noise pollution, contact the city's Entertainment Commission by calling 415-554-5793. If you have an emergency, call 911.
Parking:
To reduce the likelihood of a blocked driveway, post prominent signs to discourage anyone from parking an Humvee in front of your garage. If someone ignores your warning, call the city's Parking Enforcement office at (415) 553-1200.
"If you're an enterprising sort, you can rent out the spot in front of or inside your garage," suggested Inner Sunset resident Nicole Mehldal. "People attending the festival are often rich and desperate. Even if they don't bite on Friday, by Sunday they'll be exhausted enough to lay down some cash just to avoid the night hike post-festival."
Alejandro De La Cruz/Flickr
Public Urination:
Preventing public peeing is a perplexing problem; unfortunately, the urine-deflecting paint used by the city isn't available yet to private individuals. To pee-proof your place, move items like flowerpots and planters out of harm's way. "People pee on anything and everything," said Mehldal. Most offenders look for semi-private areas to do their business, so block access to basement steps and turn on exterior lights. According to one resident we spoke to, even a fake "this area is under video surveillance" sign can help.
Trash Disposal:
Leaving trash cans outside for revelers to use might seem like a good idea, but there's no guarantee that the receptacles will be used properly. If possible, move trash and recycling bins into a garage or private area.
Dogs and Noise Anxiety:
Many dogs don't cope well with loud noises. If you live inside Outside Lands' blast radius, your dog may exhibit negative behavior such as destructive chewing or pooping indoors. To calm an anxious mutt, give her a lot of exercise to tire her out, or make a pressure wrap out of a T-Shirt. Vets aren't sure why wraps work, but Thundershirts are available at most pet stores.
Transportation:
The music festival is expected to create heavy traffic along Lincoln Way and other corridors that lead to the venue. Before and after each day's performances, SFMTA will expand service for the N-Judah and bus lines that serve Golden Gate Park (7, 7R, 28, 28R, 29, 44).
"My advice would be to avoid the N-Judah at all costs on these dates," said Hoodline reader and Inner Sunset resident Patty Chinn. "This year, we just might try sitting out on our front porch with a glass of wine in hand and just groove to the musical sounds from Outside Lands," Chinn said. "Sure beats being a sweaty sardine on the N-Judah. As they say: if you can't beat them, join them.'"
Neon Tommy/Flickr
Of course, Outside Lands isn't the only thing happening in the Inner Sunset and Upper Haight this weekend. Here are more options to get out and about in the area over this busy August weekend:
Saturday, August 8th
Arizmendi Bakery
San Franciscans take brunch very seriously, so place an order for one of Arizmendi Bakery's weekend specials. Call ahead to reserve a coffee cake or a specialty bread like provolone-olive, sesame-sunflower or chocolate-cherry sourdough. Arizmendi (1331 9th Ave.) is open from 7:30 am to 6pm on weekends; call (415) 566-3117 to place your order.
Stranded! at the Conservatory of Flowers
The Conservatory of Flowers has a new exhibit: Stranded! Tropical Island Survival. Stranded! attendees will learn basic desert island survival tactics, like building a shelter and "harvesting the clean water found inside bamboo." The Conservatory of Flowers is in Golden Gate Park at 100 JFK Drive and is open from 10am to 4:30pm. Admission is free for city residents.
Monthly Community Cleanup: Hidden Garden Steps
Take part in the monthly community cleanup at the Hidden Garden Steps from 1pm to 3pm. A volunteer-led beautification project with intricate mosaics and native plants, the Hidden Garden Steps connect Kirkham and Lawton. Volunteers will receive gloves and cleaning equipment; long pants and shoes are recommended. The steps are on 16th Avenue between Kirkham and Lawton.The Unknown Mortal Orchestra Outside Lands Music Festival Tour Wrap Party
For just $6, Milk offers a cheaper music alternative to the weekend's festival. Saturday night's show, which starts at 8pm, will feature The Rememberz, DJ Mellows, and "special surprise guests." (Milk, 1840 Haight St.)
Sunday, August 9th
Children's Picture Book Launch Party for "Night Animals"
Expect kid-friendly fun at this Second Act event, which will run from 2pm-5pm and launch a new children's book by Gianna Marino. The author will do a reading from 3-3:30pm with a signing to follow, and there'll be a beer, wine, food and ice cream for kids available. (Second Act, 1727 Haight St.)
Golden Gate Park Band
Visit the Spreckles Temple of Music in Golden Gate Park at 1pm for a performance of the Golden Gate Park Band. Sunday's program focuses on the music of Dimitri Shostakovich "and friends." The performance is expected to last about 90 minutes; admission is free.
Farmers Market
Since 2009, the Inner Sunset farmers' market brings locally-grown food from regional farms to fogbelt kitchens. Located in the parking lot near 9th & Judah, organizers are seeking volunteers to help with cleanup, organizing activities for children or "run book/kitchen tool swaps." To volunteer, contact Andrea Jadwin ajadwin [at] pacbell.net. And if you're closer to the Haight and worried about the pending closure of the Upper Haight farmers market, come on down and don't be shy.
