The moment I saw Luke Combs on the 2025 Stagecoach lineup, the decision was made. There are some things you don’t overthink—and this was one of them. We booked our tickets in early September, circled the dates in the calendar, and started dreaming up the road trip.
Though the festival is held in Indio’s Coachella Valley, we chose to stay in Palm Springs. A little further out, sure—but there’s something about that city. Dusty pink sunsets, lazy poolside mornings, and a calm that hits different after a long night of dancing. We found a sweet little boutique stay on Airbnb—minimalist, mid-century, just the way I like it.
To get to and from the festival, we used the official Stagecoach shuttle from the Palm Springs Convention Center. It was easy, reliable, and honestly a lifesaver after hours in the sun. Highly recommend.
Where to Eat Before You Two-Step All Day
Palm Springs is full of great food spots, but a few stood out.
Elmer’s Diner is exactly what you want it to be: classic, comforting, and more than generous with the portions. The kind of breakfast that sticks with you until sundown. For a slower start, Cartel Roasting Co. and Ernest Coffee became our go-to’s—good coffee, flaky pastries, and perfect places to plan the day’s lineup while shaking off the night before.
Inside the Festival
Stagecoach is impressively organised—from shuttles to sound to merch lines. But be warned: once you’re inside, things get pricey. One evening I forked out £8 for a coffee. (I wasn’t alone—the queue wrapped around the food trucks. It gets cold out there once the sun goes down.)
Food-wise, the options are solid, even if expensive. I’d recommend sneaking in a few snacks—tucked in your bag alongside suncream. Stagecoach does provide free suncream stands throughout, but just be on the safe side, pack your own – the desert sun is hot.
Bag checks are in place, but let’s just say… they’re not foolproof. We somehow made it through with a few beers and soft drinks. Not intentional—but not a disaster either.
A Few Cowgirl Tips
- Buy a locker in advance—they sell out quickly and are a total game-changer when the desert chill rolls in.
- Pack layers. Everyone looks cute during the day, but once that sun dips behind the mountains, it gets cold fast. We swapped cowboy boots for trainers and threw on jumpers as soon as golden hour faded. Practical and absolutely worth it.
- Suncream + electrolytes = your best friends. There are stands around the grounds, but don’t rely on them. Keep your own on hand.
- Wear a (cowboy) hat. Sun protection meets outfit topper (and windbreaker come nightfall). Mine never left my head.
The Magic Moment
There’s nothing quite like it: Luke Combs’ voice echoing into a star-filled sky, Zach Bryan belting our Revival, thousands of strangers dancing and singing in the warm dust of a California night. It was indescribable.
The kind of night you hold close long after your boots are back in the wardrobe and the desert dust is out of your hair.
And if you’re thinking about going next year? Do it. Just don’t forget your hat.
Molly Levi Travels 