When the Vans Warped Tour returned to Long Beach last summer, thousands of fans flocked to the waterfront for the festival’s long-awaited comeback. But for many attendees, one of the biggest hurdles began way before reaching the entrance: finding a place to park.
As the festival returns to the city July 25-26, organizers are encouraging fans to plan their transportation well before gates open. Along with advance parking reservations, this year’s event will offer expanded shuttle services from multiple Southern California locations, Metro access and rideshare options in an effort to help ease traffic into downtown Long Beach.
“The biggest question I get is, ‘Where is everyone going to park?’” Kevin Lyman, creator and founder of Warped Tour, shared with a laugh just weeks before the festival returns to Long Beach. “We’re reserving a lot of parking lots ahead of time, but we also have a Metro system here in Los Angeles.”
Fans planning to drive can purchase parking passes in advance for several downtown garages, including Civic Center, City Place A and City Place B. The Pike parking structure, one of the closest options to the festival grounds, has already sold out.
Festival organizers say additional public parking garages and street parking will also be available throughout downtown Long Beach, with a list of day-of parking options expected closer to the event. They recommend arriving early each day to secure a spot closer to the venue, while also encouraging attendees to carpool whenever possible.
For those looking to avoid downtown traffic altogether, Lyman expressed that taking the Metro may be one of the easiest options.
“I tell people to park three or four stops up the Metro line, where there’s plenty of parking, and just ride the train into Long Beach,” he said. “I know it’s kind of an alien thing to say in L.A., ‘take the Metro.’”
Metro riders can take the A Line toward Long Beach and exit at 1st Street Station, about a 12-minute walk from the festival entrance. Metro also offers numerous Park & Ride lots throughout Los Angeles County, where parking is free or costs up to $3 per day, depending on the station.
Lyman said he has already been recommending the option to friends attending the festival.
“Last year, I told some friends to park a few Metro stops away and ride the train in,” he said. “They came back saying, ‘That was super cool. There was no traffic, and we were gone.’”
New this year, Warped Tour is also offering several round-trip shuttle options from locations across Southern California.
City shuttle routes will depart from Fullerton Park & Ride in Orange County, the Best Western Plus Ontario Airport in the Inland Empire and a Long Beach location that has yet to be announced. Hotel guests and other attendees can also board a continuous shuttle service from the Marriott Los Angeles Airport beginning at 9:30 a.m.
Unlike the Marriott LAX route, which will operate continuously during select hours throughout the day, the city shuttle locations will each have one scheduled morning departure and one return trip after the festival. Organizers encourage riders to arrive early, noting that buses cannot wait for late arrivals.
Those planning to use rideshare services can also take advantage of designated pickup and drop-off locations throughout downtown Long Beach. Festival organizers and Lyman advise attendees to expect longer waits and higher fares during peak departure times and recommend walking a few blocks from the venue to less congested areas for easier pickups.
Whether arriving by car, train, shuttle or rideshare, organizers say planning ahead will be key for fans hoping to spend less time navigating traffic and more time inside the festival grounds.
For more information, visit vanswarpedtourlongbeach.com/travel
Vans Warped Tour – Long Beach
When: Doors open at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 25 – Sunday, July 26
Where: Shoreline Waterfront, 386 East Shoreline Drive, Long Beach
Tickets: Single-day passes start at $119.98; Two-day general admission passes start at $199.98; VIP passes start at $449.98. vanswarpedtourlongbeach.com.