themrs. and I are going to be in the Bay area in mid-April for a vacation. I want to go to the Earthquakes-Fire match, which I understand will be on 4/11 at 1 p.m. at Spartan Stadium. We've never been to California, let alone San Jose. We'll be driving down from San Francisco in a rental car, unless someone tells me not to. themrs. is a bit claustrophobic, and sometimes gets intimidated by loud, obnoxious people. Other times she wants to fight with them. I'd rather avoid both scenarios. When I order tickets, what section should I get to have a good view, be close to the action, and yet not IN the action? Any other pointers you can give on any subject I should have asked about but didn't think of will also be appreciated.
You mean Saturday, 4/10, not Sunday 4/11, right? The game will be at 1 PM. Driving is the best way to get there from SF. Take I-280 all the way to the 7th or 10th Street exits in San Jose, it's about 50 miles and takes about an hour with normal traffic. Allow time for parking, etc. and please come by the Club Quake tailgate if you want to meet some of us. I'll be at the grill. Get your seats on either side. There are hecklers throughout the stadium (some of our own BigSoccer jokers are in 129 on the east side) but the loud organized groups are in the north and south endzones. Seats on the east side are cheaper, because in the summer, those seats get sun well into the evening games - but this is an afternoon game so there's no advantage to the west side - then again, it's April so the sun probably won't be brutal like it is in August, it might even rain. Really, any section on either side is good, you will see the game well from anywhere in the stadium. Enjoy your trip!
      For the 1pm games, everyone in the stadium should wear suntan lotion.       For all the other games (which start at 7 p.m.), those sitting in the west-side of the stadium don't need to wear suntan lotion as they're protected from the sun by a nice, cool shade provided by the west-side upper deck. As Bill pointed out, however, the east-siders are still exposed to the sun for much of the game regardless of the start-time.       GO EARTHQUAKES!!! -G
Since it is a 1:00 game and shade from the sun is not a determining factor, if you want to shout "EARTH," sit on the west side. If you prefer shouting "QUAKES," sit on the east side. I agree, enjoy your trip.
The car ride you are contemplating is about 1 1/2 hours, one way. The simplest path is to take 101 south until the Story Road exit. There should be signs guiding you from there. Sit a little higher to avoid the majority of the loud people. You have a great view from anywhere.
... if you are going to drive 35 mph on the freeway. 75 mph is the unwritten speed limit in the Bay Area.
Check back the week before the game... maybe we can offer you a ride? Anyway, there are two routes from SF: 101 or 280. The 280 route is far preferable, even if it adds a couple miles to the trip. 280 between SF and SJ is drop-dead gorgeous, with rolling hillsides, a beautiful reservoir/lake, and ranch land (I think) that belongs to Stanford U. Sometimes you can see wisps or banks of fog cascading over the hillside from the ocean to the West. 101 is an eyesore, and the traffic flow is subject to RBAB (random Bay Area backup). Depending on where you're staying in SF, the trip can be anywhere from 50 - 75 minutes. The trouble is getting to the freeway from some parts of SF. Final point: It will make your Spartan Stadium visit far more enjoyable if you come early and tailgate with ClubQuake. http://www.clubquake.org
Since when is total trip time computed from entrance ramp to exit ramp? The traffic around the stadium can be slow, and driving is no picnic in The City either. Besides, over 60 miles, the time difference between driving 65 and 75 is just about 5 minutes.
Thanks, folks, for providing some information that the Quakes' ticket staff has refused to divulge. I sent a quick e-mail to the Quakes about two weeks ago asking whether tickets are required for (very) young children and whether there is a section of the stadium (preferably on the west side) that generally tends to be more appropriate for families. I haven't heard a peep in response, which I find quite rude (not to mention poor marketing). So I'll open up the question to all of you--who are probably more knowledgeable on the subject anyway. Thanks.
The family section is 115, NO ALCOHOL. Some posters might find it sacrilege to sit there considering the selection of beer at Spartan; however, its a good place for kids.
I regularly commute from San Francisco to the South Bay to work and to see the Quakes. Take 280. Do not, DO NOT take 101. And enjoy the game...
Not to make excuses for the team, but they just completed moving their offices over the last week which may have hampered their service. I would give them a call at 408-985-GOAL and I would bet (at least I would hope) you could get your questions answered pretty quickly. Best of luck and see you at a game!
Don't drive down 101! When I first arrived in CA almost 20 years ago my first look at the Bay Area outside of SF was down 101 and I thought what the heck! This place horrid! Come down 280 where you will actually be able to do the 75 mph thing and enjoy the scenery at the same time. If you want to enjoy a long coastal ride, come down highway 1 and cross over hwy 17 in Santa Cruz. 17 intersects with 280 will take you right to the 7th or 10th street exits. (It's a long, long drive but well worth it if you have the time, on second thought, make a day of this on a different day and drive down to Big Sur.) Anyway.... The East side of the stadium is a friendly place. The rows closest to the field can be a tiny bit boisterous at times especially in the front of section 131 (if those bozos return this year - not saying I don't want them to, just that they're even a bit much for me). Enjoy your visit to our lovely home!
4/10 ought to be a great day as there will surely be some ceremony for the Champs. There should be no worries about the crowd being crazy & pissing off your wife - particularly a day game at Spartan. As for the kiddies - everyone pays. I suggest getting the cheapest seats possible. You can usually move around some. As for the weather, It could 75 and sunny or cloudy/rainy and 50.
We always take 101 to 280 to 10th/11th and it has only been a problem once (Gal playoff in '02). Either 101 or 280 is okay from SF--I'd take whichever one is closer to the hotel or last pre-game stop. (I would not, however, take a 17 detour--that's best left for another day if you want to explore Santa Cruz). Or you can leave SF via 101, cross over to 280 at the airport using 380, and take 280 the rest of the way. Depends on whether you want to experience the beautiful scenery (280) or the real nitty gritty bay area (101, or better yet, go across the bay and take 880 down...just kidding). I have four kids and we have tickets this year in 129. Gives you a good view of the action. We have never tried the family section but there are plenty of families and kids' teams all throughout the place, and no matter where you sit, you can get to the bathroom in a couple of minutes (proximity to the bathrooms is, I suspect, the chief advantage of 115).
Yeah 101->380->280 is best route haven't used the 7th street exit (west of stadium). If using 10th street exit, then take the first left possible, then take right into the second lot. It's a bit longer walk, but a quicker way to leave stadium from paid parking sections on the east side. paid parking will be about $8. Definitely check out highway one and Monterey (Fisherman's Wharf and Lover's Point) if possible.
Thanks for the info, everyone. If the Quakes recently moved offices, I guess that would explain the delayed response. I shouldn't have gotten so bent out of shape. And yes, proximity to the bathrooms is key--my daughter is still in diapers. (But she already has an impressive left foot; I've got dreams of a future left winger!)
Get seats on the west side if bathroom location is a factor. At the top of the stairs from sections 113-112 just a few yards away, very close. Not to mention the beer stands and food venders are there also. If you don't want to pay for parking, park on 7th. street just past the stadium, it's free on weekends, just look for any "No Parking" signs. Stop by the "Club Quake" tailgate party in the east parking lot and say hello. Just look for our sign on the fence. Good luck.
Kids in diapers aren't a problem. The ones who need instant bathroom access are those that are newly out of diapers and give you 10 seconds warning. Also, I would not bring a stroller to Spartan because of the stairs. I have carried my youngest up and down the stairs many times, and that is okay, but I think I'd give up if I had to shlep a stroller.
If you find yourself in a place near someone you are annoyed by, tell the usher and ask to move to another seat. I'm sure they'll move you to someplace acceptable. RSC - we need all the fans we can get. Please don't suggest to people who have never been to Spartan not to go. They probably will have a wonderful time.