Outside Lands 2026: Fog, Food and Fun at Golden Gate Park
The Guardsman was there to speak to festival attendees at the 18th annual Outside Lands festival Aug. 7, 8, 9.
Festivalgoers braved a fog filled weekend in Golden Gate Park all in the name of music, food and fun.
The Guardsman was there to speak to festival attendees at the 18th annual Outside Lands festival Aug. 7, 8, 9.
First-year participants Citlaly and April Chimal, who are siblings, made their way to the DJ set of Emo Night Tour.
“San Francisco in general is a very friendly place,” Citlaly said. "It has everything for everybody."
April agreed.
“They make it so interactive,” April said. "I think that’s something cool for people of all ages to collaborate on. Music is so universal that it transcends age. Everyone can enjoy every artist."
The pair were anticipating Charli XCX’s performance later that evening. The most memorable sets they had seen so far were Wet Leg and Tinashe.
Walking toward the Sutro stage were Daisy Jimenez and Maricela Ramos. While finding a spot on the grassy hill, they were reminiscing about the unforgettable food bites. One highly notable eatery was FOB Kitchen for its pancit, a Filipino glass noodle dish.
“Those noodles are fire," Jimenez said. "Honestly, I might get some later.”
San Francisco institution Original Joe’s joined the festival for the first time and had people raving about their chicken tenders.
“10 out of 10,” Jimenez said.
Last but not least, some of the best lobster rolls in the city from Woodhouse Fish Co., which Jimenez said were a must-try.
Jiminez, a veteran festivalgoer, said she loves the festival because music is for everybody.
"You can feel it, you know?" Jiminez said. "There’s no age limit”
Ramos shared the sentiment.
“Music is appreciated on a global scale. Everyone should be able to experience live music,” she said. “I love how Outside Lands is held in the city but also lowkey,” Maricela Ramos said, “it’s also great having it in nature and seeing the fun stage concepts like the forest mushroom display at Duboce Triangle.”
Cate Ward has turned the music festival into a family tradition. This year, she brought her one-year-old daughter.
“She loves music and we love music, so it’s been a lot of fun," Ward said.
Ward, a frequent Golden Gate Park visitor, loves experiences the park in a different way.
“We spend a lot of time as a family in the park so it’s fun to come for events like this," Ward said. "It’s different from the years I came before. We don’t necessarily get to run from stage to stage, but she seems to really enjoy the music with us so it’s been a wonderful experience altogether.”
