“It’s in between a big naval ship and a big crane,” she said, and for her, this “bare bones” aesthetic makes Portola’s lineup — which includes EDM, alternative and pop acts — all the more enjoyable. “It has a very specific curated taste that’s kind of hard to encapsulate, but it all kind of somehow works together,” Yee said.
If you’ve already got tickets to the Portola Music Festival — or are contemplating buying them — keep reading for our guide to everything you need to know about this newer festival, with insider tips on what to bring, advice for first-timers, road closures, public transportation options and more.
When and where is the Portola Music Festival?
The Portola Music Festival spans a whole weekend: Saturday, Sept. 20, and Sunday, Sept. 21.
Doors open at 1 p.m. on each day and music ends around 11 p.m.
You can view the entire festival lineup and the set times on the Portola Music Festival’s website.
The box office and the entrance to the event are at 900 Marin St., San Francisco.
Can I still get tickets to the Portola Music Festival?
As of publication, passes to the Portola Music Festival — including VIP packages — are still available on AXS.
The earlier you buy tickets, the cheaper they are — but remember, the event is for ages 21+ only.
The festival’s website warns people not to buy passes from a third party, and that organizers “won’t service, authenticate or support passes” purchased from a third party or scalper.” If you decide to forge ahead with buying a third party ticket, Portola organizers also note that receipts and order confirmations can be faked or forged, so “don’t be fooled.”
What should I know about the Portola Music Festival’s Pier 80 venue?
Plan for poor phone signal
A pro tip from Yee: She advised you to make sure that your tickets are already loaded on the AXS Mobile app you’ve used to purchase them, or are waiting in your phone’s wallet app — because the internet signal at Pier 80 is not super strong, and you might not be able to do this in line. Consider also bringing a portable charger, she said, which is allowed at this festival (some venues prohibit them).
If you are going with a group of people and you decide to split up, establish a meeting spot where you can get together again, in case your messages are slow to send.
Don’t rely on cash
The Portola Music Festival is a cashless event, but any cash you do bring can be converted to a pre-paid Visa Card at a Guest Service booth.
Prepare to move around …
While the Pier 80 venue is on “the smaller side” as festivals go, noted Yee, it also has a lot of “open space” that makes it relatively easy to jump from stage to stage.
That said, usual festival rules apply: If you want to get a good spot for a set, be sure to get to that stage early to avoid a mass of people. (A personal note on festival etiquette from this reporter: If you’ve arrived at a stage super early to make sure you catch your favorite performer, remember to be respectful of the artists playing before them — and their fans. This can look like standing, if you can, and clapping at appropriate times.)
Also, be prepared to move around a stage a little, advised Yee, as the volume of Portola sets can range widely from extremely loud (earplugs are recommended) to “on the quiet side,” especially the stages near the water.
… and dress for comfort (plus variable temperatures)
Over the years, Portola organizers have added blue astroturf and floor mats to make standing on Pier 80’s concrete easier on your knees and feet — but you should still plan on wearing very comfortable shoes. You’ll also find some seating and water stations around the venue.
Be sure to check the National Weather Service ahead of the festival to know what to wear. Yee advised that while the warehouse stage in particular gets very warm, the temperature can drop significantly at night. Pier 80’s waterfront location can also make for a lot of wind around the open-air stages.
