CanJam SoCal Newbie Question

[LaneMeyer]

Hey all, I'm thinking about getting a ticket to CanJam in Socal this September. I'm trying to decide between which day to go or considering going both days as well. My question is which day will likely be less crowded? Also if I only go one day do you think I would be able to listen to headphones at most booths?

Thanks!

 

[AxelCloris]

While not always the case, Sunday is generally the least crowded of the two days. At some events the attendance is roughly the same across the weekend, and since CanJam SoCal is one of the largest events of the year you may find Sunday just as crowded as Saturday. In my opinion it's difficult to experience everything you want to audition in a single day, especially if you're planning to hit most of the exhibitors. Seriously, CanJam SoCal is monumentally massive.

Since you have the time to plan, I'd say try to make it for the full weekend if you can. In fact, I recommend it so strongly that I included it in my 8 Top Tips for attending any CanJam.


If you can only attend one day, here's a rough breakdown from my personal experience having attended CanJams for well over a decade:

• Saturday - Typically more crowded than Sunday, more time to audition,
• Sunday - Typically less crowded than Saturday, often a bit quieter for more critical listening demos.
• Weekend - May require a bit more planning to attend both days, great for quick demos on Saturday and revisit the ones you liked most on Sunday. Plus you have more time to socialize and meet fellow Head-Fi'ers outside show hours.

And here's one extra top tip not found in that video: if you only make plans to attend on Saturday and find you didn't have enough time to get everything in, come back on Sunday and you'll only need to pay the difference for a weekend pass at the registration table. Better to pay $10 for day two than another single day ticket.

 

[LaneMeyer]

Thank you AxelCloris!

 

[DenverW]

You're gonna want both days, especially if you're traveling here. Two days still isn't enough to hit everything you want, and you won't feel bad about taking breaks to chat, eat, and relax a little.

 

[LaneMeyer]

You're gonna want both days, especially if you're traveling here. Two days still isn't enough to hit everything you want, and you won't feel bad about taking breaks to chat, eat, and relax a little.

I'll be driving up from Escondido. Ya I hear ya about breaks and everything

 

[DenverW]

I'll be driving up from Escondido. Ya I hear ya about breaks and everything

Ah, easy drive, I head up from San Diego. From Escondido you could drive up each morning and back each night and be fine if you wanted to save on the hotel. It's what...40 minutes total?

 

[LaneMeyer]

Ah, easy drive, I head up from San Diego. From Escondido you could drive up each morning and back each night and be fine if you wanted to save on the hotel. It's what...40 minutes total?

Ya I was thinking about that. I think it's probably closer to 1 hour, depending on traffic. Do you have any idea what the parking situation will be?

 

[DenverW]

There is day parking at the hotel, which is a cost. As far as available spots, there are plenty. The last two years in a row when I've driven up on Saturday morning there has been zero traffic (knock on wood!).

 

[LaneMeyer]

There is day parking at the hotel, which is a cost. As far as available spots, there are plenty. The last two years in a row when I've driven up on Saturday morning there has been zero traffic (knock on wood!).

Awesome, appreciate the info! Maybe I'll see you up there

 

[NovaFlyer]

Will second @DenverW suggestion to attend both days if it's feasible. But if you can only do one day this year, by all means do so. As for parking, I've always parked at the hotel, there's a CanJam special parking rate, so be sure to ask when you pay at the front desk. Mid-day parking will be full, so recommend arriving before the show starts.