Finding parking for events at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, CA can seem daunting, but with some preparation and knowledge of the parking options, you can find a spot without too much trouble. In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through everything you need to know to find parking for your next 49ers game, concert, or other event at Levi’s.
Plan Ahead
The first key to finding parking at Levi’s Stadium is to plan ahead. Depending on the size of the event you are attending, parking spaces can fill up fast. Here are some tips for planning ahead:
- If possible, buy parking passes or reserve spaces in advance. Many parking lots and garages in the Levi’s Stadium area allow you to purchase passes ahead of time online or over the phone.
- Arrive early. Give yourself plenty of time to get to the stadium area and find parking. Aim to arrive at least 1-2 hours before the event start time.
- Have backup options in mind in case your first choice lot is full. Be familiar with the different parking options around the stadium so you have a second or third option ready to go.
- Consider public transportation. Riding Caltrain or VTA Light Rail can be easier than driving and parking in some cases. Plan your transit route in advance.
Planning ahead takes some of the stress out of parking and reduces the risk of getting stuck in traffic and missing the start of the event.
Levi’s Stadium Parking Lots
Parking directly at Levi’s Stadium is very convenient but also in high demand. There are over 13,000 total parking spaces in lots surrounding the stadium, known as the Red, Green, and Yellow lots.
Season ticket holders get priority access to purchase passes for these official Levi’s Stadium lots. There are typically a limited number of spaces available for single game purchase, but these sell out extremely quickly.
Prices range from $40-$100 per space depending on the lot location and event. Be sure to factor this cost in when budgeting for your full trip to see the 49ers or a concert at Levi’s.
The benefit of parking directly at Levi’s is getting in and out of the lots quickly when entering and leaving the stadium area. You also don’t have to walk very far to get to the stadium entrance gates.
Offsite Parking Lots
Due to the limited availability in the Levi’s Stadium lots themselves, many fans choose to park in one of the many privately operated offsite lots in the surrounding area. Prices are generally cheaper than the official stadium lots, ranging from $20-$60 per car.
Some key lots to be aware of:
- Blue Lot – Located on Tasman Drive by the Santa Clara Convention Center. About a 10-15 minute walk to Levi’s Stadium.
- Green Lot 2 – On Tasman Drive next to the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Offers shuttle service to the stadium.
- Stanford University – Stanford Stadium parking lots open for overflow Levi’s Stadium parking on event days. Free shuttles provided.
- Great America Parking Lot – Large lot a little under 1 mile from Levi’s Stadium.
The tradeoff for cheaper prices is that these offsite lots fill up quickly on big event days. Leave extra time to arrive early and find a spot.
Residential Street Parking
Many neighborhoods surrounding Levi’s Stadium allow parking on residential streets with no permit required. This can be a convenient and low cost option if you don’t mind walking 10-20 minutes to the stadium.
Some tips for parking on residential streets:
- Pay close attention to posted parking signs and restrictions
- Avoid blocking driveways or double parking
- Watch for and avoid streets where parking is reserved for permit holders only
- Try arriving 1-2 hours before event start to increase chances of finding a space
- Be respectful of residents
Some of the nearest neighborhoods to look for street parking include Crawford, Cottle Village, Laurelwood, and Patrick Henry. This option takes more planning and preparation but can save money compared to parking lots.
Public Transit
Another option to avoid the parking headache altogether is to take public transportation to Levi’s Stadium events. Here are some of the best public transit options:
Transit Type | Routes & Stops | Cost | Time |
---|---|---|---|
Caltrain | Santa Clara Station | $4.25-$14.50 each way | 1 hour from San Francisco |
VTA Light Rail | Tasman Station | $2-$6 each way | Direct line from downtown San Jose |
VTA Bus | Multiple lines | $2-$6 each way | Various routes in Silicon Valley |
ACE Train | Great America Station | $15+ roundtrip | From Stockton area |
Taking transit eliminates parking costs and concerns. The tradeoff is needing to plan your schedule around train/bus times and allowing extra time for the transit commute. But for many, it is an easier option than driving.
Pre-Purchase Parking Passes
If convenience and guaranteed parking are your top priority, purchasing parking passes in advance is the best way to ensure you have a space. Here are some options for pre-purchasing passes:
- Official Levi’s Stadium Parking – Season ticket holders get first access but limited single-game passes go on sale 2-3 weeks before each event.
- ParkWhiz – Partner with many lots to sell advance passes online for Levi’s Stadium events and others.
- SpotHero – Another site that partners with local lots to allow pre-purchase of spaces.
- StubHub – Resell marketplace where fans can buy and sell parking passes too.
Advance parking passes are probably the most expensive option, but can be worth it for the convenience and confidence of knowing you have a guaranteed place to park ahead of time.
Book Airport Parking
If you are flying in from out of town for a Levi’s Stadium event, consider booking airport parking in advance. Parking at San Jose and San Francisco airports tends to fill up quickly, so reserving a spot ahead of time is recommended.
Here are some options:
- SJC Airport Parking Reservations – Reserve a spot online in advance directly through the airport’s website.
- Off-airport parking – Private lots that offer shuttle service to SJC and SFO airports. Can be cheaper than on-airport parking.
- ParkingSpot – Pre-book parking near the airport through this reservation service.
Booking your airport parking ahead takes one more hassle out of your travel experience. Look for lots that offer free shuttles to make getting to Levi’s Stadium simple.
Rideshare Services
Using a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft is an alternative to driving yourself and parking near Levi’s Stadium. While not always the cheapest option, rideshares provide convenience and peace of mind.
Some tips for using Uber/Lyft:
- Prices surge before and after popular events, factor higher fares into your budget.
- Split the cost by booking an UberXL and riding with a group.
- Request your ride a few blocks away from the venue to avoid congestion.
- Check pickup locations – some areas close to the stadium are blocked for rideshares after events.
While not as seamless as having your own car, rideshares remain a popular transportation choice for Levi’s Stadium visitors.
Bike or Scooter
For locals or those staying nearby, bicycling or using electric scooters can be a quick and low-cost way to get to Levi’s Stadium events. Some key considerations:
- Use bike lanes on Tasman Drive and Stars & Stripes Drive to safely ride towards the stadium.
- Lock bikes securely on racks provided near stadium entrances.
- Scooter companies like Lime and Bird have designated pickup/drop-off zones around the arena.
- Review the stadium bike parking map ahead of time to navigate easily.
Biking or scootering takes more effort than driving but eliminates parking troubles. Just be sure to follow traffic laws and stadium guidelines.
Park and Ride Shuttles
Several “park and ride” shuttle options are available to get fans to Levi’s Stadium without the parking headache:
- VTA Shuttles – Run from locations like Great Mall and McCarthy Ranch on event days.
- Drink & Ride Shuttles – Private service that runs shuttles from bars & restaurants to the stadium.
- Remote Parking Shuttles – Offered from lots like the County Government Center that have more availability.
Shuttles expand parking options for stadium events and allow you to avoid traffic closer to the venue. Just be sure to check shuttle schedules and arrive in time to park and ride.
Use Parking Apps
Apps like ParkWhiz and SpotHero can help locate and pay for event parking on-the-go. Key features include:
- Map and reserve parking spaces at lots near Levi’s Stadium.
- Compare prices across different garages and parking providers.
- Pay for parking ahead of time through the app – no need for cash or a ticket.
- Get lot addresses/directions and real-time space availability.
Parking apps essentially serve as your parking concierge for stadium events. They provide real-time visibility across all the parking options in the area.
Arrive Early
No matter what parking option you choose, arriving early is key to finding a good spot for Levi’s Stadium events. Some general tips:
- Plan to arrive 1-2 hours before event start to give yourself plenty of time.
- For the biggest events like Playoff games, arrive even earlier (3+ hours before).
- Enter parking lot addresses in your GPS to navigate easily.
- Bring cash for parking fees to speed up transaction time.
- Follow lot attendants’ directions to park efficiently.
While arriving early requires more patience, it reduces the chances of getting stuck in traffic or dealing with full parking lots.
Comparison of Parking Options
To summarize the different parking options available for Levi’s Stadium events, here is a comparison table:
Parking Option | Price (avg) | Availability | Walk Time | Convenience |
---|---|---|---|---|
Levi’s Stadium Lots | $40-$100 | Limited | Short | High |
Offsite Parking Lots | $20-$60 | Moderate | 10-15 min | Moderate |
Residential Street | Free | Moderate | 15-20 min | Low |
Public Transit | $2-$15 | High | N/A | Low |
Advance Parking Pass | $30-$100 | High | Varies | High |
As the table shows, there is a tradeoff between price, convenience, and availability among the different parking options. Choosing what works best depends on your budget and priorities.
Conclusion
Parking for major events at Levi’s Stadium can be daunting, but being prepared and knowing your options makes finding a spot much more manageable. Allow plenty of time, arrive early, and consider alternatives like public transit or rideshares if on-site parking is sold out.
With the tips provided in this guide, you can confidently navigate parking and focus on enjoying the big game, concert, or other event you came for. Just stay flexible, patient with traffic, and ready to walk a bit if needed. With smart planning ahead of time, you’ll find parking at Levi’s Stadium is very feasible.