Things to Do in the SF Bay Area for FIFA World Cup 2026™
The FIFA World Cup 2026™ is bringing the world to the San Francisco Bay Area, with matches taking place at Levi's Stadium. But the excitement doesn’t stop at the stadium.
The region boasts a growing soccer culture, with clubs like the San Jose Earthquakes, Oakland Roots, and Bay FC energizing fans across the Bay. Between matches, the Bay Area offers iconic landmarks, coastal towns, wine country, redwood forests, and innovation hubs — all accessible thanks to extensive public transit.
Here’s your guide to the best things to do in the San Francisco Bay Area during the World Cup.
San Francisco — Icons & Culture
No visit to San Francisco is complete without exploring the city’s world-famous landmarks and vibrant neighborhoods.
Top things to do:
Walk or bike across the Golden Gate Bridge
Take a ferry to Alcatraz Island
Ride one of the city’s historic San Francisco cable cars
Explore neighborhoods like the Mission District, North Beach, and Chinatown
Enjoy waterfront views at Fisherman's Wharf or Crissy Field
San Francisco is perfect for sightseeing before or after a match.
The South Bay — Match-Day Energy & Innovation
Anchored by Santa Clara and San Jose — is the heart of the Bay Area’s World Cup action.
Top things to do:
Dine and shop in Santana Row
Visit downtown San Jose for nightlife, breweries, and diverse dining
Discover hands-on exhibits at The Tech Interactive in Downtown San Jose
Dive into computing history at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View
Staying in the South Bay means the shortest commute to Levi’s Stadium, plus plenty of entertainment between games.
Oakland — Arts, Food & Waterfront Energy
Across the Bay, Oakland offers a creative and culturally rich experience.
Top things to do:
Walk or bike around Lake Merritt
Dine at Jack London Square
Catch a show at the historic Fox Theater
Explore global cuisine in the Uptown and Temescal neighborhoods
With BART access, Oakland is an energetic yet convenient base for World Cup visitors.
The East Bay – Outdoor Adventure & Local Wine Country
Spanning Alameda and Contra Costa Counties, the East Bay combines college towns, hiking, and hidden wine regions.
Top things to do:
Visit UC Berkeley and its vibrant college town
Shop and dine in Walnut Creek or Pleasant Hill
Taste local wines in Livermore Valley
Hike to panoramic views at Mount Diablo State Park
The East Bay offers easy transit to San Francisco and Santa Clara.
Marin County — Coastal Escapes & Redwoods
North of San Francisco, Marin County offers breathtaking scenery.
Top attractions:
Stroll the waterfront town of Sausalito
Walk among towering trees at Muir Woods National Monument
Explore coastal trails at Point Reyes National Seashore
Take in Golden Gate views from the Marin Headlands
Marin is perfect for a nature reset between matches.
Napa Valley & Sonoma — World-Class Wine Country
At the northern part of the Bay Area, Napa Valley and Sonoma County are among the most famous wine regions in the world.
Things to do:
Go wine tasting at iconic Napa and Sonoma wineries
Take a hot air balloon ride over vineyards
Explore Oxbow Public Market
Walk the historic Sonoma Plaza
Wine country is an easy day trip or overnight getaway from the World Cup host city.
The Peninsula — Silicon Valley and Coastlines
The Peninsula stretches between San Francisco and Santa Clara, blending dramatic coastlines with the heart of Silicon Valley.
Top things to do:
Watch the sunset along Half Moon Bay
Surf and hike in Pacifica
Explore tech landmarks and universities in Palo Alto
Visit the scenic campus of Stanford University, including Stanford Stadium, which hosted six matches during the 1994 FIFA World Cup, including four group-stage games, a round-of-16 match, and a quarterfinal.
It’s a great mix of ocean views and tech culture just minutes from the stadium.
Solano County — Waterfront Views
Often overlooked, Solano County offers relaxed waterfront communities.
Visit the Vallejo Marina
Explore Suisun City’s boardwalk
Ride coasters at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
Santa Cruz — Surf, Sand & Redwoods
Just south of the Bay Area, Santa Cruz is a classic California beach destination.
Top Santa Cruz experiences:
Ride historic attractions at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
Watch surfers at Steamer Lane
Explore the colorful seaside town of Capitola
Hike among giant trees at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park
Only 45–60 minutes from Santa Clara, Santa Cruz is the perfect coastal addition.
Make It a Bay Area Experience
The San Francisco Bay Area is diverse — urban energy, wine country, beaches, redwoods, and innovation hubs all within reach of Levi’s Stadium.
Come for the FIFA World Cup 2026™. Stay for the culture, cuisine, coastlines, and communities that make the Bay Area unforgettable.