The stunning sport in a stunning city: A guide to the San Francisco Bay Area for the 2026 World Cup

May 30, 2026

Visiting the San Francisco Bay Area

When you arrive in the San Francisco Bay Area, the first thing you’ll want to think about is logistics. It’s not as straightforward as it might seem, and, honestly, for those coming from out of town, it can be quite confusing.

Levi’s Stadium is located quite a distance from San Francisco. If you’re coming from the city, you should expect the journey to take between 60 to 90 minutes via public transport, especially considering delays can happen during major events. The traffic can be, well, a nightmare, and parking? It’s a bit chaotic.

If your visit is brief, consider staying near the stadium to cut down on travel time. The area around Levi’s Stadium is filled with homes and business districts, primarily designed for cars. To navigate around San Jose, you’ll likely need rideshare services like Uber or Lyft. Though the options for exploration nearby are somewhat limited and the food choices might not be excellent, you can still enjoy your game day.

If you have some time and are seriously into food and urban culture, you might want to explore San Francisco and Oakland using Caltrain or BART. A heads-up about timing: for night games, say, between teams like Austria and Jordan, or Jordan and Algeria, you’ll find that they wrap up late enough that getting back to San Francisco could be a hassle.

For those interested in nature and hiking, renting a car is a good idea. San Francisco offers a unique blend of striking architecture and beautiful landscapes. You could spend your entire trip enjoying some fabulous urban hikes right in the city.

But for the ultimate experience, you’ll want to drive. Iconic places like Big Sur, Point Reyes, Yosemite, and Lake Tahoe are anywhere from a 2 to 4-hour drive away. Whether you decide to camp, take a day trip, or stay overnight, you’re likely to have a memorable experience.

June 13th: Qatar vs. Switzerland — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (3 p.m. ET)
June 16th: Austria vs. Jordan — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (12 a.m. ET)
June 19th: Paraguay vs. Turkey — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (12 a.m. ET)
June 22: Jordan vs. Algeria — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (11 p.m. ET)
June 25th: Paraguay vs. Australia — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (10 p.m. ET)

Levi’s Stadium is chosen as the San Francisco Bay Area venue for the World Cup.

July 1: Group D Winner vs. Group B/E/F/I/J 3rd Place — San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (8 p.m. ET)

Notable matches: Turkey vs. Paraguay seems like it could be thrilling, especially if Yildiz is back in good form.

Keep an eye on: The game between Jordan and Algeria is bound to be intense; don’t miss watching Riyad Mahrez!

Tickets can be bought through FIFA’s official ticketing platform. Interestingly, the resale market seems to be more favorable for this group, so you might find some decent deals.

San Jose’s SJC Airport is conveniently close to the stadium, which makes it great for short visits. Both San Francisco and Oakland airports are about equidistant from the city itself, roughly 45 minutes away if you use BART. Hotels in San Francisco, particularly downtown, can be a bit sketchy, so if you’re booking there, I’d recommend looking around Fisherman’s Wharf or checking out an Airbnb.

When I go to 49ers games, I don’t usually eat much during the match, but I can’t resist the street carts selling bacon-wrapped hot dogs afterward—seriously, they’ve started to recognize me. Puesto is a local spot that has some decent bites, featuring a Levi’s stand.

The San Jose area has vibrant Asian, Indian, and Latin American communities. When it comes to cuisine, you might find Indian, Mexican, and Vietnamese food that could rival even the best. If I had to pick favorites, I’d say Surmai in Sunnyvale for Indian, Tacos Mama Cuca in San Jose for Mexican, and both Doc Hon for traditional banh mi and Mommy’s Banh Mi for modern twists in East San Jose.

Santa Clara has a big Korean community too, with 10 Butch’s and Cheongdam being my go-to places for Korean BBQ.

Outstanding food options from various countries:

Türkiye: San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium is close to Baklava Story and Mangal/May House near Anatolian Table.
Jordan: You can find Mazura in Redwood City, about 30 minutes from Levi’s via Caltrain.
Algeria: Check out Kayma in San Francisco.
Switzerland: Matterhorn in San Francisco is a great spot.
Austria: Visit Naschmarkt (near Campbell and Levi’s) or Leopold in San Francisco.
Australia: The Coffee Movement is not just Australian-owned but also impressive.
Qatar: You won’t find many strictly Qatari places, but the Middle Eastern food scene here is thriving, along with Halal Texas Indian BBQ, which is also worth trying.

Just near the stadium, Brits in downtown San Jose has an enthusiastic soccer crowd. PayPal Park, where the San Jose Earthquakes play, features a large outdoor bar with a massive screen. If you find yourself in San Francisco, Maggie McGarry’s offers a lively soccer vibe.

As I mentioned before, if you’re around, make sure you make the most of your visit.

If you’re just in the South Bay and don’t have a car, check out Mission Peak in Fremont for a relatively close hiking spot. Castle Rock State Park in Los Gatos, while further, is much nicer.

Now, if you’re in San Francisco sans car, there are endless hiking opportunities right in the city. Areas like the Presidio/Chrissy Field, Land’s End, Golden Gate Park, and Twin Peaks are all stunning spots.

If you have a car, well, the possibilities are endless depending on what sights you’re up for and how far you’re willing to drive.

Beaches: A trip to Santa Cruz or Half Moon Bay takes about 45 minutes and they’re favorites with locals. If you’re looking for breathtaking coastlines, make your way to Point Reyes or Point Lobos, both a couple of hours away.
Mountains: For an alpine adventure, Lake Tahoe is roughly three hours to the east in the Sierra Nevada Mountains.
Forests: If you’re hoping to see redwoods, Henry Cowell and Reinhardt are about 45 minutes away, while Armstrong State Park is about two hours to the north.

Verizon aims to enhance soccer culture and community impact throughout the year by bringing together fans, backing local businesses, and creating unforgettable moments centered around this global sport.