There is nothing better than a road trip to catch a professional football game. This is especially true if you are a San Francisco 49ers fan. The coming season, featuring a full year of their star-in-the-making QB Jimmy Garoppolo, is filled with hope for big things to come for the Bay Area team. But you don’t need to be a 49ers fan to enjoy going to see the team compete. Especially if they are playing at Santa Clara, California’s Levi’s Stadium.
Santa Clara, as well as Fremont, Mountain View, and Palo Alto form what has now been dubbed Silicon Valley. The bustling region is located near the San Francisco Bay Area. Aside from football, it is also full of other attractions to see and experience, so feel free to make it a weekend trip or longer.
Levi’s Stadium
Levi’s Stadium is the 49ers’ home stadium. This modern stadium was built in 2012 and officially opened two years later and can host 68,500 fans. It saw its biggest attendance in 2015 when it hosted 76,976 guests for an event that, surprisingly, was not a football game. (It was WrestleMania 31.)
In terms of facilities, the stadium is fitted with all the essentials to cater to football fans. It has a wide range of concessions comprised of different food and beverages. They offer fan favorites, including barbeque, tacos, nachos, fries, pizza, popcorn, and alcoholic beverages.
Fans who need special arrangements will also find that the stadium caters to guests with disabilities. It offers closed captioning for those who are hearing impaired and reserved seating for people in wheelchairs, and courtesy buses and golf carts from its parking lots.
Going to the stadium is also not an issue given that it is served by all major transportation options in Santa Clara, California, which includes the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses, Altamont Corridor Express (ACE) trains and Caltrain.
Other Things to Do in Santa Clara, CA
Football may be the main reason you are heading to this part of California, however, Silicon Valley offers more than that. Given it is the tech hub of America, there are definitely a lot of things to do, see, and taste in this part of the state.
If you are also a geek, you’ll be glad to discover more about technology and tech companies’ history at the following attractions:
- Intel Museum
- Tech Museum of Innovation
- Computer History Museum
Wineries are also abundant in the area. Some of the best vineyards in the world call Silicon Valley their home, which includes:
- Cinnabar Winery
- Mindego Ridge
- Kings Mountain Vineyards
- Chaine d’Or
A football fan can never get too much football. Santa Clara, being the home of the 49ers, and its surrounding areas also allows you to discover more about your favorite team and the history of football. These attractions are a must visit for any 49ers or football fan:
- 49ers Museum Presented by Sony
- San Francisco 49ers SAP Training Center
Places to Stay
No vacation will be complete without a great accommodation. The great thing is that the Silicon Valley area offers a wide range of choices when it comes to hotels. The Hyatt Place Fremont/Silicon Valley is one of the most recommended hotels in Fremont CA. Its location makes it a great accommodation as it is within a short distance from the Great America theme park, Mineta San Jose International Airport, and Fremont BART Station. Its casual rooms offer amenities that include free Wi-Fi, living areas with pull-out sofas, minifridges, and tea and coffee makers.
Fairmont San Jose is a luxury hotel in downtown San Jose. This spacious, modern hotel boasts gorgeous views, well-appointed rooms, and a fun rooftop pool and gazebo experience that’s perfect for unwinding after a long day at Levi’s Stadium. The Fremont Marriott Silicon Valley, located at the southern tip of San Francisco Bay, is another good choice.
