The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival is a huge event and like any outdoor festival as big as Coachella, some parking hassles are to be expected. Your best bet is to acquaint yourself with the “lay of the land” before heading out, and know all your options in order to make wise choices. Below are some suggestions to help you accomplish this.

Some good news: There is an ample area devoted to free parking at the Empire Polo Club grounds. It opens at 9am, and must be vacated upon the end of each day’s activities (no camping is allowed). In case you have trouble with your car while it’s parked in the lot, there will be a locksmith available as well as AAA tow truck service. http://www.coachella.com/event/rules-faq#faq2-14

Some bad news: Thought much event promo will describe the parking as conveniently located, “convenient” doesn’t mean it’s a short trip from the lot to the festival area. Plan on walking at least a mile from your car to reach the main festival area. There is no shuttle bus service from the parking lot to the main concert and events area. Your best bet is to arrive as early as possible to secure the best possible parking. http://www.goldenvoice.com/forum/showthread.php?p=17106

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, a dedicated parking area is available for people with disabilities. The coachella.com website provides the following info: "ADA Parking will be available. Upon entry, please ask to be directed to ADA lots. Once your state issued auto identification is verified, you will then be instructed where to park. Parking is limited. SunDial provides persons with disabilities curb-to-curb service in the Indio, CA area. (from Desert Hot Springs in the northwest to Mecca in the southeast). Reservations through SunDial can only be made by ADA certified individuals. Travel must be reserved at least two weeks prior to the Festival. To reserve travel contact: Don Wilms, Customer Service Supervisor at SunLine Transit Agency : Office 760-343-3456 ext. 132, E-mail dwilms@sunline.org" http://www.coachella.com/event/ada

Many enjoy camping on the Empire Polo Club grounds while attending the fest; however, if you don't already have reservations to camp, all options are currently sold out for 2010. http://www.coachella.com/camping/carcamping

If you won't be camping on the grounds but would prefer to avoid parking hassles, check Coachella’s official site for its helpful list of nearby hotels. Shuttle services will be provided daily from local hotels to the festival grounds, and full detail (including shuttle route maps) is also available at coachella.com. The site also offers hotel and event ticket package options that can be purchased directly from the site. http://www.coachella.com/event/hotels http://www.coachella.com/event/shuttles

The parking areas are massive. If you use the lots, it's very wise to take the precaution of writing down your car's location so you don't have trouble finding it later. Fortunately the parking lots are numbered, and you should notice a numbered balloon floating overhead to identify your parking lot location. Your best bet is to write down your parking lot number, and make a mental note of the color of the numbered balloon. Also, make a mental note of where your car is in relation to the entrance and exit of the lot. http://www.ehow.com/how_2030552_car-parking-lot-after-coachella.html

With a little advance planning, parking hassles won't spoil your fun at this year's Coachella!