City Overview
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area combines the iconic city by the bay with Silicon Valley's innovation culture.
From the Golden Gate Bridge to wine country, cable cars to tech campuses, the region offers diverse experiences.
Levi's Stadium sits 45 miles south of San Francisco in Santa Clara, heart of Silicon Valley, but San Francisco's attractions make it the de facto fan base for many visiting football supporters.
The Stadium
Levi's Stadium (Capacity: 68,500)
Home to the San Francisco 49ers, Levi's Stadium opened in 2014 as one of the world's most technologically advanced sports venues.
Fan Zones & Public Viewing
Details are still being finalised, but expect major installations around the Bay Area.
- San Francisco: Civic Center Plaza, Embarcadero waterfront, Golden Gate Park.
- San Jose: Plaza de César Chávez, SAP Center area.
- Santa Clara: Near the stadium.
Fans Visiting San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area hosts six matches in total.
- Saturday, 13th June - Qatar vs Switzerland.
- Tuesday, 16th June - Austria vs Jordan.
- Friday, 19th June - UEFA C vs Paraguay.
- Monday, 22nd June - Jordan vs Algeria.
- Thursday, 25th June - Paraguay vs Australia.
- Wednesday, 1st July - D Winner vs 3rd B/E/F/I/J.
Getting To The Stadium
By Air
San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is 30 miles away, while San Jose International Airport (SJN) is just eight miles from the stadium.
- From San Francisco: Caltrain to Santa Clara + VTA light rail or shuttle.
- From San Jose: VTA light rail direct.
- Uber/Lyft: 50-60 minutes from San Francisco.
- Using public transport from San Francisco can take up to an hour and a half.
- If you're driving, Bay Area traffic is notorious.
Accomodation
Where to Stay in San Francisco Bay Area
- San Francisco Downtown: Union Square, walkable.
- Fisherman's Wharf: Tourist-friendly.
- Mission District: Trendy, restaurants.
- San Jose: Closer to stadium, tech hub.
- Santa Clara: Adjacent to stadium.
- Oakland: Across the bay, more affordable.
- Berkeley: University town atmosphere.
Eat & Drink
Where to Go
- Sports Bars: 4th Street Bar & Deli (San Jose), Kezar Pub (SF).
- Ferry Building Marketplace: Artisan food stalls.
- Mission District: Taquerias, international cuisine.
- Chinatown: Oldest in North America.
- North Beach: Italian restaurantss.
- Napa/Sonoma (one to two hours).
Local Cuisine
Highlights
Cioppino is a beloved Italian-American seafood stew that originated in San Francisco, famous for its rich, tomato-based broth and a medley of fresh seafood. One of the most iconic ingredients in an authentic San Francisco cioppino is Dungeness crab; a local delicacy prized for its sweet, tender meat.
- Sourdough bread (SF staple).
- Mission-style burritos.
- Farm-to-table California cuisine.
- Dim sum in Chinatown.
- Wine (nearby Napa/Sonoma).
- Craft beer (Anchor Steam, locals).
- Irish coffee at Buena Vista Cafe.
- Ghirardelli chocolate.
Top Attractions
What to See in San Francisco Bay Area
- Golden Gate Bridge.
- Alcatraz Island (book early!).
- Cable cars.
- Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39.
- Lombard Street ('crookedest street').
- Chinatown.
- Golden Gate Park.
- Painted Ladies (Victorian houses).
- Tech campuses (Google, Apple - guided tours).
- Muir Woods (redwood forest).
- Napa/Sonoma wine country.
- Santa Cruz beach (1 hour).
Getting Around San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco's local MUNI system includes buses, light rail, trolleys, streetcars, and the famous cable cars. MUNI is an economical and safe way to travel citywide, though you might experience some wait times at stops. You can pay fares conveniently using the MuniMobile app.
- Bay Area Rapid Transit: BART is a fast, reliable, and inexpensive electric train system connecting San Francisco with surrounding areas, including the San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport. From SFO, you can take a short walk or shuttle to the BART station and ride directly into downtown San Francisco. Similarly, Oakland Airport has a BART station close to its terminals, making transfers to San Francisco straightforward.
- CalTrain and Ferries: Besides MUNI and BART, CalTrain serves the peninsula and South Bay, while ferries operate from Pier 41 on Fisherman's Wharf to destinations like Sausalito, Tiburon, and Angel Island. The Embarcadero waterfront area is well connected by ferry and is home to many popular attractions.
- Biking: San Francisco is one of the most bike-friendly cities in the U.S. You can rent bikes, including Ford GoBikes, to explore the city and the Bay Area at your own pace.
- Walking: Many neighbourhoods and tourist spots are walkable, especially around downtown, Fisherman's Wharf, and the Embarcadero.
- Taxis and Rideshares: axis are available, with fares from SFO to downtown typically ranging from $46 to $66 depending on your destination.
Practical Tips
- Layer clothing; SF microclimates (coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco).
- Fog is common, especially in the mornings.
- Book Alcatraz weeks in advance.
- Don't tip - it's not customary in Japan.
- Traffic across Bay Bridge/Golden Gate is brutal.
- Tipping: 18-20%.
- Legal drinking age: 21.
- Sales tax: 8.5-9.5% varies by city.
- Expensive area; budget accordingly.
- Homeless population visible in San Francisco.
- Use Clipper Card for all transit.
- Plan stadium travel time generously.
- Tech culture pervasive.
- Very liberal city socially.
- Parking is extremely expensive; use transit.
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