The Outside Lands music festival takes place in Golden Gate Park in early August, and its weather is one of the most talked-about parts of the weekend. San Francisco in August is not warm, because it sits in the middle of the summer fog season. The western end of Golden Gate Park, near the ocean, is one of the foggiest and windiest parts of the city. Festival temperatures usually run from the mid 50s to the mid 60s, often under gray skies with a steady wind off the Pacific. Some people show up in shorts and others in parkas. Knowing what to expect, and why, helps you stay warm and enjoy the music instead of shivering through the headliners.
Golden Gate Park in August
Golden Gate Park stretches about three miles from the Panhandle, near Haight-Ashbury, west to Ocean Beach. The festival's main stages sit in the western half of the park, closest to the ocean. That puts them right in the path of the afternoon sea breeze, which blows in from the west and sweeps across the open meadows where crowds gather.
On a typical August afternoon, the wind across the Polo Field and the meadows nearby blows around 15 to 20 mph, with stronger gusts at times. Combine that with temperatures in the low 60s and frequent low cloud, and the air feels much colder than the thermometer says. The tall trees around the meadows block some of the wind. Spots near the tree lines therefore tend to feel warmer than the middle of an open field.
The fog follows the usual summer pattern in this part of the city. It is thick in the morning, sometimes thins or clears around midday and often rolls back in by late afternoon as the sea breeze strengthens. When the fog clears and stays away, the park can reach the upper 60s or around 70°F in the sun, and the wind often eases. Those afternoons do happen during Outside Lands and make for the best festival days. They are not the norm, though, so plan for a cool, gray afternoon near 62°F rather than counting on sunshine.
Conditions also change across the festival grounds. Stages closer to the ocean feel the wind and fog first, while spots farther east and among the trees are a little more sheltered. Walking between stages can take you from a gray, breezy meadow to a calmer spot in a few minutes. It is worth noticing where the wind feels lightest and setting up there between sets.
What to Wear and Pack
The usual festival advice applies with extra force here, which means dress in layers. A warm base layer, a fleece or hoodie and a jacket that blocks the wind will cover most Outside Lands conditions.
Evenings are the coldest part of the festival day. From around 7 p.m. on, the temperature often drops into the mid 50s or lower as the fog thickens and the sun goes down. Many regulars bring a packable down jacket or a heavy fleece for the headliner sets, however warm the afternoon felt. A hat and a scarf take up little space and make a big difference late at night.
A light rain jacket or wind shell is worth bringing even when no rain is in the forecast. Thick fog in the park can leave a fine mist that is not quite rain but still dampens your clothes and makes the cold feel worse. Wear closed shoes that can handle damp grass, since the meadows can get wet from fog drip under the trees even in a dry month. Sunscreen still belongs in your bag, because a clear afternoon can bring strong sun.
Year-to-Year Variability
Most Outside Lands weekends are cool and foggy, but the weather changes from year to year. When the marine layer is weak, the festival can enjoy sunny afternoons around 70°F with lighter wind, and the crowd swaps jackets for sunscreen. If the marine push is strong instead, the fog can hang on all day, with a cold wind and temperatures stuck in the upper 50s.
Because the festival falls near the peak of the fog season, a cool, foggy weekend is more likely than a warm, sunny one. A warm Outside Lands is still a real possibility. The strength of the marine layer often holds steady for several days at a time. As a result, the forecast a few days ahead usually gives a good sense of which kind of weekend is coming.
Even within one weekend, the days can differ a lot. One afternoon may be sunny and mild while the next stays gray and windy. It is worth checking the forecast each morning before heading to the park and adjusting your layers to match.
Compared to Other Summer Festivals
Outside Lands stands out among big American music festivals for its cold August weather. Coachella in the California desert is often hot, Lollapalooza in Chicago is usually warm and humid and Bonnaroo in Tennessee is known for its heat. At Outside Lands, the challenge is staying warm rather than staying cool.
If you have only been to summer festivals in warmer places, do not pack for a typical summer festival. Pack for a cool fall evening outdoors, because that is what Outside Lands usually feels like, whatever the calendar says. Getting there and back takes planning too, since Muni buses and trains near the park fill up quickly after the final set. Keep a warm layer on for the walk out, when the night air is at its coldest.
