San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium — plus everything to eat, drink, and do in Santa Clara for a perfect sports weekend.
Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara sits in the heart of Silicon Valley — 50 miles south of San Francisco and 35 miles from Oracle Park (Giants). The Bay Area offers one of the finest combinations of food, culture, and sports in America. The 49ers' stadium is one of the most technologically advanced in the NFL, built in 2014 with the Valley's resources behind it.
Use GamePlan to find a 49ers game that overlaps with a Giants home stand or a Stanford home game. The Bay Area rewards a full sports weekend — and the food scene makes every day between games exceptional.
Levi's Stadium opened in 2014 with strong focus on sustainability and technology — solar panels, a green roof on the 49ers Museum, and one of the most sophisticated connectivity infrastructures in professional sports. September games at Levi's can be brutally hot — the Santa Clara sun is intense.
You cannot leave Santa Clara without eating these.
The finest hotel in Silicon Valley. Set in the hills above Stanford with stunning views, a world-class spa, and one of the best restaurants in the South Bay.
Best for: Luxury travelers, couplesA beautifully restored 1931 Art Deco landmark in downtown San Jose. Excellent restaurant and bar, easy VTA access.
Best for: History enthusiasts, couplesIf you're staying in San Francisco, the St. Regis is the gold standard. Michelin-starred restaurant, exceptional service.
Best for: San Francisco-focused trips, luxury travelersConsistently ranked one of the finest cocktail bars in America. The menu changes with a new concept every six months.
Must order: Whatever the current themed menu suggests — it's always rightSan Francisco's finest craft beer bar with 30+ rotating taps and an excellent food menu.
Must order: Whatever local Northern California brew is on tapOne of the most intellectually interesting bars in America — housed in the Long Now Foundation with a library and cocktails from historical recipes.
Must order: Historically-inspired cocktailJames Beard-awarded as the best taqueria in America. The Mission burrito — without rice, with sour cream, perfectly wrapped — is the standard.
Order: Carnitas super burrito, agua frescaThe expanded version of Tartine Bakery. The best bread in San Francisco, excellent pastries, and a lunch and dinner menu that rivals any full restaurant.
Order: The porchetta tartine, seasonal pastries, a loaf to take homeThree Michelin stars. An open-hearth kitchen and one of the finest tasting menus in California. Book months ahead.
Order: The tasting menu — the hearth does the workSeptember games at Levi's Stadium can reach 95°F. Dress light, find shade, and hydrate constantly. Sunscreen is not optional.
The VTA light rail from Mountain View (Caltrain transfer from SF) puts you directly at the stadium. From San Francisco, the drive on game day is 2+ hours. The train wins.
The city itself — the Mission, Hayes Valley, North Beach, the Ferry Building — is the point of a Bay Area trip. Levi's Stadium is a field trip from civilization.
November–June, fresh Dungeness crab is available. A game-day meal at Swan Oyster Depot is one of the great California experiences.
Oracle Park in San Francisco is one of the most beautiful ballparks in baseball. 50 miles away but worth building a trip around.
The 49ers are a premium ticket — Silicon Valley money and a franchise in a Super Bowl cycle mean prices are high. Buy early.
Use GamePlan to find the exact dates when your favorite teams all play in the same window — then book everything in one trip.
⚡ Open GamePlan — Find My Weekend