San Diego’s biannual CRSSD Music Festival returns to San Diego’s beautiful waterfront venue this Saturday and Sunday 9/30 – 10/1.  With a lineup that includes Rufus Du Sol, Emancipator, The Black Madonna, Richie Hawtin, Lane 8, and Bedouin, CRSSD fest is the premiere San Diego music event of the fall.  Here at When We Dip, we’re gearing up for wild weekend.  Read on for info about everything you need to know to get ready to take full advantage of all San Diego has to offer.  If you’re heading down to San Diego for the weekend, check out our recommendations on where to stay, where to stock up on festival gear and where to party after hours!  Read on – turn up the volume! – and be sure to check out @WhenWeDip on instagram as we get amped for CRSSD Fest this week.

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Best Spots In SD to Get Festival Gear

San Diego is notoriously sunny and gorgeous year-round (with a few exceptions) and the forecast is looking warm, bright and breezy.  However those of us still in camping festival mode will need to remember to bring everything we need from daytime dancing in the summer heat to the cooler evening’s sets.  Layer up at Dreamgirls at 5054 Newport Ave. in Ocean Beach to get your free spirit fix of shawls, patterned bellbottoms and dreamy shades.

If you’re craving a good thrift store scene, head to 5th Avenue in the Hillcrest District.  There you’ll find Flashbacks, Hillcrest’s best selection of vintage and costume items.  Not sure what you want to rock at CRSSD? A simple stroll down the aisles is sure to provide inspiration – especially if you’re looking for unique and one-of-a-kind pieces.  5th Avenue also boasts a well-stocked Buffalo Exchange amongst other thrift stores as well.

Psst, if you’ve just got to bring an outfit change – CRSSD is taking pre-bookings for on site lockers!  Some even have charging options to keep your phone powered up from day to night.  More info here.

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Where to Stay

If you haven’t yet lined up a place to crash while visiting San Diego – don’t worry!  The city itself boasts many gorgeous neighborhoods each with their own unique vibe.  The venue itself sits to the west side of the downtown neighborhood known as The Gaslamp, a good choice if you find yourself wanting to attend after-parties at Bang Bang.

The closest neighborhood to CRSSD fest is Little Italy, a charming Italian district filled with delicious restaurants, up-and-coming bars (see below) and close access to after parties at Spin, the Kettner Exchange and the Music Box

If you’d rather wake up in the morning and be closer to the San Diego beach culture, try Ocean Beach or Pacific Beach – OB and PB to the locals.  PB has more of a young, college scene – with more bars and margarita specials than you could ever hope to take advantage of.  OB is a little quieter – this neighborhood has a coastal, hippie vibe.  Both have gorgeous beaches, the perfect place to relax after a long night.

Wherever you’re staying – CRSSD strongly recommends you use ridesharing apps or public transportation.  Nobody wants to spend that pre-show excitement stuck looking for parking!

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Best Bars for Before the Show

Looking to grab a few drinks before heading into the show?  Craft & Commerce is nearby on 675 W. Beech Street to satiate your thirst and provide gastropub fare.  A second bar hidden inside called False Idol provides tropical drinks with a speakeasy flair.  Best to email first to reserve your spot!

Looking for something a little more low key?  Bolt Brewery on 1971 India Street is a great example of the local craft brewery scene that San Diego is famous for.  The Waterfront Bar & Grill at 2044 Kettner Blvd is one of the oldest bars in Little Italy, providing classic bar fare and strong drinks to get you on your way to CRSSD!

Keep in mind, doors for the festival open at noon and the folks over at FNGRS CRSSD recommend arriving before 4pm to beat the rush.  You can also purchase expedited entry tickets to the festival via Ticketfly here.

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Best Afterparty Venues

This year’s lineup of after parties is stacked!  Here are some of our favorite venues in San Diego and what they’ll be showcasing:

Bang Bang

Part asian fusion restaurant, part buzzing nightclub.  Bang Bang is sure to transport you to another world after CRSSD ends with Breakbot playing a DJ set on Saturday 9/30 and Richie Hawtin bringing his ENTER.sake experience straight from Ibiza (w/ support from Hito and Lee K) on Sunday night.  (It’s no surprise that October 1st is International Sake Day.)   All Day I Dream’s Lee Burridge also plays Friday 9/29 if you’re ready to warm up for the weekend.

Kettner Exchange

One of San Diego’s most recent venues to hit the scene, Kettner Exchange is an eatery with a rooftop cabana setting you can take advantage of this weekend during the day.  On Saturday, Bearson + Jason Bentley will warm up the rooftop and Sunday will see a performance by Saint Wknd.  These events aren’t strictly afterparties – CRSSD is calling them “by day” but if you want to take advantage of these non-ticketed events – or if you only have tickets to one day of the festival, you should definitely make a brunch reservation.

SPIN

Spin nightclub – a multi-stage, labyrinth of a club boasting a huge dance floor, open wrap-around balcony and rooftop – might just be the best spot to go all night till dawn after CRSSD.  Their Saturday night party with Patrick Topping, Kink, and Joseph Ashworth is already sold out – although with a club of that size we’re suspecting there’s going to be some tickets at the door.  Sunday night catch Solardo B2B Latmun with Detlef and The Drifter.  Tickets available here.

Also – catch big names like Mura Masa and Cut Copy at the Music Box on Sat and Sun night, respectively.  Chris Lake and J.Worra have a sold out gig at the El Camino on Saturday, but Gerd Janson B2B Prins Thomas are sure tear up Blonde Bar on Sunda night.  If you just can’t wait to get the weekend started, Taches plays a set in North Coast SD at Shelter Encinitas on Thursday 9/28.

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Did we miss your favorite SD spot?  Got a recommendation for a hot spot to visit this weekend?  Let me know how you’re prepping for CRSSD and where you’ll be after @lilsagnaa on instagram!