Once a year, Outside Lands Festival transforms Golden Gate Park in San Francisco into a whimsical, complex world brimming with eccentric sights and sounds. While the performances on the Lands End and Twin Peaks stages will be off-the-wall, yet again, the music is only the beginning of this festival’s offerings. Instead of focusing on just the music – because that’s what everyone else is talking about – we wanted to highlight some of the super cool things Outside Lands will be bringing that only a concert in the eclectic city of San Francisco can provide. Follow our guide this weekend and we promise you won’t miss out on any of the wonderful oddities happening at this weekend!
Located in the Eco Lands area of Outside Lands . . .
Remove Phone/Computer/iPad From Hands and Relax
The Digital Detox & Camp Grounded Analog Zone is a different kind of detox, and is exactly as it sounds – no iPhones, iPads, or anything digital allowed! Find answers to any questions at the human powered search engine, catch your favorite bands in the Device-Free Tea Lounge, or write Mom a letter at the typewriter – yes typewriter – range, which will melt her heart… as soon as she receives it, in approximately 5-7 business days.
Getting Lei’d Without Going Far
Not that we doubt your festival game, but if you head to the Conservatory of Flowers tent, we promise you’ll have a 100% chance of getting lei’d. At this tent, create recyclable leis and document your experience in their Instagram photo booth (complete with props + backdrops). 
Garden for the Environment
Festivals are all about making new friends and trying new things, so why not do a little gardening with the festival music in the background? This booth will be offering worm composting workshops twice daily for your enjoyment! 
Get Some Flower Power at the Wigg Party
You can score all sorts of goodies at the Wigg Party! They’ll be giving away their popular “chalkboard necklace” (a.k.a instant friend maker devices) again this year. A lucky few might even stumble upon this booth during “Flower Hour,” when they’ll be handing out free flowers for an hour each day.
Meanwhile in Other Parts of the Park . . .
The Back Wine Mini Golf Course: Where Wine and Golf Meet
Outside Lands gets a little more sporty this year with the addition of a 3-hole mini golf course near Wine Lands. We’re talking mini-golf and wine…together! The course takes you over Ranger Dave’s tongue, across the Golden Gate Bridge, down Lombard Street, and through the Napa Valley vineyards. You’ll definitely “travel,” but don’t worry. Each hole will be paired with wine tasting from Cannonball Wine Company. FORE! 
Eat Crème Brulee at the Polo Fields
By day three, you might be craving a break from booze and cheesy carbs. Grub on some gourmet goodies at the Crème Brulee Cart, while listening to bands play at the nearby Lands End Stage. This cart serves classic crème brulees, with tempting toppings like candied pecans, dark cholocate shortbread crumble, toasted coconut, gingersnap bits, and bourbon caramel drizzle. This truck is an S.F. staple, bringing decadent five-star restaurant desserts to the Bay’s back streets since 2009. But the trucks don’t stop there! Also by the Lands End Stage, you’ll find Rocko’s Ice Cream Tacos, Del Popolo, Bacon Bacon, and Seoul on Wheels. These guys are vendor veterans. While wandering through Eco Lands, you’ve gotta try Kara’s Cupcakes, Señor Sisig, and Those Fabulous Frickle Brothers. If you’re not dirty after a stop in Eco Lands, you’re sure to get messy trying Midwestern-style BBQ at The Rib Whip – conveniently parked next to Beer Lands. 
Check Out Dr. Flotsam’s Hell Brew Revue in McLaren Pass
Deep in the woods of Golden Gate Park, catch Dr. Flotsam’s Hell Brew Revue, the sinister revival of the Faustian legend of Mephistopheles, which has been praised by the likes of Rolling Stone, Juxtapoz Magazine, and the San Francisco Chronicle. For centuries, Dr. Flotsam and his clan of Carny Bastards have traveled the globe hawking their mysterious Hell Brew elixir. You won’t want to miss this celebration of roots music and creepy carnival entertainment.
Enjoy San Francisco and Outside Lands 2015!
-Roaming Hunger
