CALIFORNIA

San Francisco Bay Area

United States

The iconic Golden Gate City meets Silicon Valley innovation! The Bay Area offers stunning scenery, world-class food, tech culture, and perfect weather for World Cup 2026.

Silicon Valley Soccer

Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara is one of the most technologically advanced stadiums in the world. The San Jose Earthquakes bring passionate MLS support to the Bay Area. Perfect weather year-round makes this an ideal World Cup destination!

Getting There

By Air

  • • SFO - San Francisco International (closest to SF)
  • • SJC - San Jose (closest to Levi's Stadium!)
  • • OAK - Oakland (budget option)

From Airports

  • • BART - Rail from SFO/OAK to SF/Oakland
  • • VTA - Light rail from SJC to stadium area
  • • Caltrain - Connects SF, Peninsula, South Bay

Getting to Levi's Stadium

VTA Light Rail (Recommended)

Take VTA Light Rail to Great America station - stadium is a short walk. Connects to Caltrain at Mountain View or Diridon.

Caltrain + VTA

Take Caltrain from SF to Mountain View, then VTA Light Rail to stadium. About 90 min total from SF.

Driving

Stadium is in Santa Clara, off Highway 101. Parking available ($40-60). Traffic can be heavy from SF.

Where to Stay

Stadium Area

Santa Clara / San Jose

Closest to Levi's Stadium. Tech company HQs, Great America theme park nearby.

From $180/night

Iconic

San Francisco

Classic SF experience - cable cars, Golden Gate, Fisherman's Wharf. 45 miles to stadium.

From $250/night

Hip

Oakland / Berkeley

East Bay culture, food, more affordable. BART accessible.

From $160/night

Peninsula

Palo Alto / Mountain View

Tech hub, Stanford University. Caltrain connected. Between SF and stadium.

From $200/night

Must-See Attractions

Golden Gate Bridge

Walk or bike across the iconic orange bridge.

Alcatraz Island

Tour the famous prison. Book weeks ahead!

Cable Cars

Ride the historic SF cable cars.

Fisherman's Wharf

Sea lions, seafood, souvenir shops.

Wine Country

Napa and Sonoma valleys (1 hour north).

Silicon Valley Tour

Apple Park, Google, tech company campuses.

Food & Drink

SF Classics

  • • Clam chowder in sourdough bowl (Boudin)
  • • Dungeness crab (seasonal)
  • • Mission burritos (La Taqueria, El Farolito)
  • • Ghirardelli chocolate
  • • Blue Bottle Coffee (SF-born)

Diverse Neighborhoods

  • • Chinatown (oldest in North America)
  • • Mission District (Mexican, bars)
  • • Japantown (ramen, izakayas)
  • • North Beach (Italian)
  • • Ferry Building (food hall)

Match Day Tips

  • • Dress in layers - SF can be 60°F while Santa Clara is 85°F!
  • • Stay in South Bay if primarily attending matches (closer to stadium)
  • • Use Caltrain + VTA from SF to avoid traffic and parking
  • • Book Alcatraz early - Tickets sell out weeks in advance
  • • Rent a car for exploring Wine Country or coast
  • • Karl the Fog - SF summer mornings are often foggy!

Cost Guide

Mission burrito$12-15
Nice dinner$60-100
Caltrain (SF-SJ)$10
Alcatraz tour$45
Daily budget$180-350

Quick Facts

Weather: SF: 60-70°F, South Bay: 75-85°F

Currency: USD ($)

Time Zone: PDT (UTC-7)

Transit: BART, Caltrain, VTA

Vibe: Tech, diverse, scenic

Levi's Stadium

One of the most sustainable stadiums in the world. Home of the SF 49ers.

View all stadium matches →