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What to Do Around Levi’s Stadium

Make the most of your time before and after a game by exploring Santa Clara, San Jose, and San Francisco

The San Francisco Bay Area plays host to a range of large sporting events and concerts all year long, with both Super Bowl LX and World Cup matches headed to Santa Clara’s Levi’s Stadium in 2026. This state-of-the-art venue just outside San Jose is home to the San Francisco 49ers and offers tours year-round, plus it has its own onsite museum. Whether you’re looking to tailgate before a big game or celebrate after, use this guide to find the best places to eat, drink, shop, and stay near Levi’s Stadium

Where to Eat Around Levi’s Stadium

Grab a bite before kickoff in Santa Clara at Clara’s Junction, a vibrant pre-game hangout that’s less than a half mile from the stadium gates. Walk to this restaurant and bar to catch football watch parties and enjoy a beer in the large outdoor garden with firepits, lawn games, and music. Plus, there is a taco truck parked there on weekends.

There aren’t many other restaurants within walking distance of Levi’s Stadium, but you can find other local dining options less than a mile away in a small strip mall that houses HiroNori Craft Ramen and a branch of Santa Cruz favorite Pizza My Heart. Downtown is just under 2 miles away and offers additional options at Santa Clara Square Marketplace, including the popular taco spot Puesto and craft beer favorite Barebottle Brewing Company.

If you want to celebrate at a bar near Levi’s Stadium after the game, check out The Sportsmen’s Lounge, a classic dive bar 5 miles from the stadium, or Taplands, a neighborhood brewery, taproom, and bottle shop that’s a 10-minute drive from all the game-day action. 

Things to Do Near Levi’s Stadium

Ride a few roller coasters before the game at Great America, a theme park that sits next door to Levi’s Stadium and is home to 50 rides, including roller coasters, a Planet Snoopy area, and a rare two-story carousel. If you’re in town for a San Francisco 49ers game, don’t miss Great America’s ultimate all-inclusive, pre-game party: Red Zone Rally

Or get your steps in at a few nearby parks. Ulistac Natural Area, located a mile from Levi's Stadium, offers 40 acres of native plants, trails, and views along the Guadalupe River. About a mile and a half away, the 70-acre Sunnyvale Baylands Park sits on the San Francisco Bay Trail, which connects 300 miles of trails in the area.

Where to Stay Near Levi’s Stadium

Making a weekend out of your sports trip? Stay at these hotels near Levi’s Stadium to be close to all the pre- and post-game action. Hilton Santa Clara is located next to the stadium and hosts its own TailG8 bash before 49ers games, featuring food trucks, a DJ, and VIP bottle service. 

Both the upscale Hyatt Regency Santa Clara and the recently remodeled Avatar Hotel Santa Clara are a quick walk away—making them winning choices for game-day travelers.  

Day Trips Worth Adding on from Levi's Stadium

Extend your sports getaway to see more sights in Santa Clara and San Jose. Learn about Silicon Valley’s tech giants at Santa Clara’s Intel Museum, or embrace the weirdness of the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose. Nearby, you can shop at luxury retailers at Santana Row or tuck in for local bites at the San Pedro Square Market. Be sure to stop to smell the flowers in the Municipal Rose Garden.

Bringing the kids? Don’t miss The Tech Interactive, a hands-on science and tech museum in downtown San Jose. Then discover the largest collection of Egyptian artifacts on exhibit in western North America at the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum. This large complex also includes a planetarium, a peace garden, and a research library. 

For sports fans, there’s more than football here—come early or extend your stay to watch other Silicon Valley teams play, such as the San Jose Sharks and the Golden State Warriors. 

Foodies, meanwhile, can easily fill a few days dining around San Jose’s multicultural dining scene, which includes plenty of locally made wine and beer. Head to Story Road for amazing Vietnamese restaurants and East San Jose for authentic Mexican cuisine (to name a few).

San Francisco Attractions Accessible from Levi’s Stadium

Explore more of the Bay Area by adding on some time in San Francisco before or after any game. Downtown San Francisco is about 45 miles from Levi’s Stadium, and you can hit the highlights in a day or two. Start with sourdough and sea lion spotting in Fisherman’s Wharf, then cruise across San Francisco Bay by ferry to see Alcatraz, the infamous prison that’s now a national park site. 

Ride a historic cable car to see the best city views on the go, or catch a bustling farmers’ market every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at the historic Ferry Building Marketplace on the Embarcadero. Step inside to taste diverse cuisine from local vendors. Discover urban outdoor adventures just a 10-minute walk from the Ferry Building at Salesforce Park, an elevated urban garden located atop the Salesforce Transit Center. 

Wrap up your San Francisco trip with a walk or pedal across the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, or get breathtaking bridge views from afar at the Presidio Tunnel Tops park, a great stop for family-friendly fun.  

Beaches Near Levi’s Stadium 

While there are no beaches in Santa Clara, you can drive to the coast in about 45 minutes. After the game, drive 30 miles to see the Pacific Ocean at Sunny Cove Beach in Santa Cruz. Relax at this secluded, hidden gem known for its calm waters—perfect for swimming and kayaking. If a lively boardwalk is more your post-game vibe, drive 45 minutes south of Santa Clara to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. This iconic destination is famous for its historic Giant Dipper roller coaster, carnival-style dining options, and family-friendly fun.

See big waves and watch surfers and kitesurfers catch breaks 50 miles southwest of Santa Clara at Waddell Beach. The surf can be high here, but it’s a great place to soak up the sun and watch the pros. If you just want to picnic or take in the coastal views, drive 45 minutes northeast to Half Moon Bay State Beach, a state park made up of four beaches: Francis Beach, Venice Beach, Dunes Beach, and Roosevelt Beach. 

How to Get to Levi’s Stadium

If you’re planning to drive to Levi’s Stadium, it’s wise to purchase a parking pass in advance through the stadium’s website. Day-of options are often limited and costly. Parking lots typically open three or four hours before kickoff for tailgating, but check your event page for game-day details. 

To reach Levi’s Stadium from San Francisco via public transportation, take Caltrain to Santa Clara’s Mountain View station. From there, transfer to the VTA (Valley Transportation Authority) Orange Line Light Rail and get off at the Great America Station on the north side of Levi’s Stadium. 

You can also take BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) to the Milpitas Station, then transfer to the VTA Orange Line towards Mountain View, exiting at the Levi’s Stadium stop. 

Coming from the greater Northern California region? The Capitol Corridor trains provide service to Levi’s Stadium from Auburn, Rocklin, Roseville, Sacramento, Davis, Suisun, Fairfield, Martinez, Richmond, Berkeley, Emeryville, Oakland, Hayward, Santa Clara, Fremont/Centerville, and San Jose. From the station, it’s a quick walk to the stadium. 

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