San Francisco is one of the most expensive World Cup host cities, and the stadium is not actually in San Francisco. Levi's Stadium sits in Santa Clara, 45 miles south of the city. Plan your base accordingly — staying in SF makes for a long match day, but the city rewards it if you have time between games.
Getting to Levi's Stadium
Levi's Stadium is in Santa Clara, home of the San Francisco 49ers. It seats 68,500 and is a modern, well-organised venue.
By Caltrain + VTA: The practical public transit option. Take Caltrain from San Francisco (4th & King) to Santa Clara station, then the VTA Light Rail to the stadium. Journey: 60–75 minutes. Buy a Clipper Card for seamless transfers.
By car from SF: Highway 101 South, about 45–60 minutes without traffic. Silicon Valley traffic can add significant time — leave early.
Staying in San Jose or Santa Clara: Removes the commute entirely. San Jose has better hotel value than SF and is 15 minutes from the stadium.
From SFO Airport: 30 minutes by car to the stadium. BART to Millbrae, then Caltrain south is a viable transit alternative.
Best Football Bars in San Francisco
The Pitch SF (Mission District): The football bar in San Francisco. Multiple screens, strong beer selection, knowledgeable crowd. Premier League, Champions League, and international matches all covered.
Mad Dog in the Fog (Lower Haight): British pub, proper football atmosphere. Small, loud, and packed for big matches. One of the oldest football bars in the city.
Sláinte (Mission): Irish bar that shows all major football. Good Guinness, welcoming to international fans.
Mosto (Inner Sunset): Mexican cantina that becomes a football venue for major tournaments. Mezcal, cold beer, and a neighbourhood crowd.
Where to Stay
Mission District (SF): Best value in central San Francisco. Dense with restaurants, bars, and coffee. 24th Street is one of the best streets in the city.
Hayes Valley (SF): Boutique hotels, excellent restaurants, close to Civic Center BART. Compact and walkable.
San Jose Downtown: Significantly cheaper than SF. Light rail and Caltrain to the stadium. Good restaurant strip on Santana Row.
Santa Clara: Maximum convenience if you have multiple matches. Quiet but minutes from the venue.
Neighbourhoods Worth Your Time in SF
Mission District: Murals, taquerias, Dolores Park. The most vibrant neighbourhood in the city. Get a burrito from La Taqueria or Tartine bread before it runs out.
Chinatown: The oldest in North America. Go for dim sum at City View or R&G Lounge.
North Beach: Italian neighbourhood with City Lights bookshop, Vesuvio bar, and excellent espresso at Caffè Trieste.
The Embarcadero: Ferry Building Marketplace on Saturday morning is worth organising your schedule around.
Food Worth Planning Around
Tartine Bakery (Mission): Country bread that people queue for before opening. Get there early. The croque monsieur at lunch is exceptional.
State Bird Provisions (Western Addition): Dim sum-style service of inventive California dishes. One of the most fun restaurant formats in the country. Book months ahead.
La Taqueria (Mission): The burrito benchmark. No rice — just beans, meat, and salsa. James Beard Award winner. Cash only.
Zuni Café (Hayes Valley): Roast chicken for two, Caesar salad, and white wine. A San Francisco institution since 1979.
Swan Oyster Depot (Nob Hill): Counter seating, fresh oysters, Dungeness crab. Opens at 8am, sells out daily. Go early.