Shuttles, Muni, BART, and where to park if you really have to drive to Golden Gate Park’s biggest weekend.
Last verified: September 29, 2026 (2026 festival details; 2027 details will be added when announced)
Outside Lands brings about 75,000 people a day into Golden Gate Park, and there’s no festival parking. Here’s how to get there.
Quick answer: Don’t drive. Your wristband works as an all-day Muni pass (2026 policy), and the N Judah and 5R Fulton get extra service. The official shuttle runs from Bill Graham Civic Auditorium near Civic Center BART. If you have to drive, park free at a BART station and ride in.
2026 Festival Basics
North Gate: 26th Avenue and Fulton Street
South Gate: Martin Luther King Jr. Drive and Metson Road
ADA entrance: 36th Avenue and JFK Drive
Festival parking: None. Limited ADA parking is first come, first served
Getting There: Every Option
| Option | Cost (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Muni | Free with wristband | All lines except cable cars, on your wristband’s day |
| Official shuttle | $37.75 one way | From Bill Graham Civic Auditorium; sells out |
| Bike | Free | Free self-parking plus Bay Wheels valet stations |
| Rideshare | Surge pricing | Pickups restricted near exits; walk away from the crowd first |
| Driving | No festival parking | Park at BART or near Civic Center instead |
Muni Best Value
Free All-Day Muni on Festival Days
In 2026, Outside Lands wristbands worked as all-day Muni passes on every line except cable cars, and not just for trips to the park. Board and show your wristband if asked; don’t tap your Clipper card.
Muni added service to match: extra N Judah trains from 3pm to midnight, and extra 5R Fulton Rapid buses from 2:30pm to 8pm. The added 5R trips only run between Montgomery BART and Fulton & 30th Avenue. The 7 Haight/Noriega also serves the park.
Getting home: Each night, the 5X Fulton Express runs from Golden Gate Park to Civic Center BART from 9pm until midnight or until crowds clear. Lines build quickly after the last set, so the sooner you get in line, the better.
The Official Outside Lands Shuttle
How to get there: BART or Muni to Civic Center/UN Plaza, across the street
2026 price: $37.75 one way; buy through the official Outside Lands site
To the festival: From 11am, with limited service 5–8pm; last westbound shuttle at 8pm
Return: Continuous until an hour after the music ends
If You Have to Drive
There is no public festival parking, and street parking in the Richmond and Sunset is scarce, restricted, and heavily enforced during the festival. Roads in and around the park close too. Don’t plan on finding a spot near the gates.
Your best options are to leave the car somewhere with good transit and ride in:
- Park at a BART station. In 2026, BART offered free parking at its stations after 3pm Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. Ride to Civic Center, then take Muni or the shuttle.
- Reserve a garage near Civic Center and take the official shuttle from Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.
- The Music Concourse Garage in the park (entrances at 10th Avenue & Fulton and on MLK Drive) is a possibility, but it fills fast on busy days and is a long walk from both festival gates. Don’t count on it.
Reserve a Garage Near Transit
Book a spot near Civic Center or a Muni line before festival weekend.
Biking
Biking sidesteps parking and surge pricing entirely. Self-parking is free, in the eastern and southern areas of the festival. In 2026 the city also staffed two special Bay Wheels stations with valets to keep bikes and docks available, which makes a one-way e-bike ride home a solid option.
Rideshare and Taxis
The city restricts pickups near the packed exits and closes roads around the park, and prices surge at the end of each night. Check the official site for the current pickup zones, and walk several blocks away from the crowds before requesting a ride.
Where to Stay
A hotel near Civic Center puts you by BART, the official shuttle, and the late-night 5X express home. Staying near the N Judah or the 5 Fulton line works too.
Book Your Outside Lands Stay
Find a hotel or vacation rental near Civic Center or a Muni line to the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there parking at Outside Lands?
No. There is no public festival parking, and street parking in the Richmond and Sunset districts is scarce, restricted, and heavily enforced during the festival.
Is Muni free with an Outside Lands wristband?
In 2026, yes. Wristbands worked as all-day Muni passes on the festival day they were valid for, on every line except cable cars. Show your wristband instead of tapping a Clipper card.
Which Muni lines go to Outside Lands?
The N Judah and the 5/5R Fulton, which both got extra service in 2026, plus the 7 Haight/Noriega. After the music ends each night, the 5X Fulton Express runs from the park to Civic Center BART.
Where does the Outside Lands shuttle leave from?
Bill Graham Civic Auditorium at 99 Grove Street, across from Civic Center BART. In 2026, shuttles started at 11am, return shuttles ran until an hour after the music ended, and one-way tickets were $37.75.
Where should I park if I have to drive to Outside Lands?
Park at a BART station and ride in. In 2026, BART offered free station parking after 3pm Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday. You can also reserve a garage near Civic Center and take the official shuttle.
Can I bike to Outside Lands?
Yes. Self-parking for bikes is free, and in 2026 the city staffed two Bay Wheels stations with valets to keep docks and bikes available.
Quick Reference: Outside Lands Transportation
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 2026 dates | August 7–9 |
| Festival parking? | None |
| Best way there | Muni (free with wristband in 2026) or the official shuttle |
| Muni lines | N Judah, 5/5R Fulton, 7 Haight/Noriega |
| Late-night ride home | 5X Fulton Express to Civic Center BART |
| Shuttle pickup | Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, 99 Grove St |
| If you drive | Park at BART (free in 2026) and ride in |
| Gates | 26th Ave & Fulton; MLK Dr & Metson Rd |
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