PayPal Park: Guide for Visiting Fans

The stadium is located on the Airport West site next to San Jose International Airport — specifically Mineta San José International (SJC) — which is genuinely one of the most convenient airport-to-stadium situations in MLS. The airport is just 3 km away — about 5 minutes by car , and a rideshare runs roughly $8–12. You could even walk it in under 25 minutes if your luggage cooperates.

PayPal Park is directly served by the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) Route 60 bus line. Take any Blue Line or Green Line VTA light rail train to the Metro/Airport light rail station, cross N. 1st St. to the VTA bus stop, and ride any Winchester-bound 60 bus (southbound) to the very first stop after Mineta San Jose Airport terminals. PayPal Park is across Coleman Ave. from the 60 bus stop.

A complimentary shuttle is also available between the Berryessa/North San Jose BART Station and PayPal Park before and after each match — take the Orange or Green lines to Berryessa/North San Jose. From Caltrain, it's a 15–20 minute walk from Santa Clara station — head east through the pedestrian tunnel onto Brokaw Avenue, then right on Coleman Avenue.

Driving in: the stadium is off Interstate 880 and Coleman Ave. From SFO, budget 45–60 minutes depending on Bay Area traffic. From downtown San Jose, expect a $10–15 rideshare; from San Francisco, about $50–70.

Lots are available off Coleman Ave., next to PayPal Park. Lots open 3 hours before kickoff. Parking prices start at $29. Tailgating is permitted in the Tailgate Lot.

The Audi Lot — the closest parking lot to the venue — goes for $75 and is only for prepaid pass fans. If you end up in the PS4 or Tailgate Lot, you'll spend around $25, though these areas are about a 15-minute walk to the venue. Buy in advance online — day-of prices and availability can be ugly for a rivalry match or a playoff push.

Payment in the lots is credit card, debit card, and mobile payment only — cash is no longer accepted. One practical note: parking ranged from around $25 to $75 depending on how far you're willing to walk, and leaving the stadium can take a while — traffic backups lasting nearly an hour after the game are not unusual. If you're driving, the tailgate lot is your friend financially but budget the exit time.

The immediate neighborhood around PayPal Park is more industrial corridor than boutique hotel strip — you're wedged between airport hangars and highway interchange. That said, an Element Hotel (Marriott brand) is right across the street , which is ideal if you want to stumble back after the match. It's airport-adjacent, so prices are often reasonable and the location can't be beat for a nighttime kickoff.

Downtown San Jose, which has a ton of activities, is only 2½–3 miles southeast — easily a $12 rideshare. Staying downtown puts you near San Pedro Square, decent restaurant options, and a better pre-game atmosphere than the Coleman Ave. corridor can offer. The Sonesta Simply Suites Silicon Valley Santa Clara (1.1 mi from the stadium) offers spacious suites with full kitchens, while the Holiday Inn San Jose – Silicon Valley by IHG (1.6 mi) has on-site breakfast — both sensible choices if you're traveling with a group and want flexibility on meals.

The area immediately around Coleman Ave. is not exactly a dining corridor, so plan your pre-game eating before you arrive or lean on the food trucks inside the stadium (more on that shortly). That said:

The Smoking Pig BBQ — A shopping center on the other side of the stadium offers The Smoking Pig (BBQ and beer) , plus In-N-Out and Chipotle if you need something quicker. The Smoking Pig is a local institution — proper smoke-forward BBQ and cold beer, and it's walkable.

Southern Comfort Kitchen — Among the top Yelp-rated spots near PayPal Park, Southern Comfort Kitchen is a notable mention for those who want something filling and unpretentious before the match.

LUNA Mexican Kitchen — Located on The Alameda, LUNA offers a sophisticated, farm-fresh take on Mexican cuisine. Famous for their handmade tortillas and mixed grill platters, it's a Michelin-recognized spot — a short rideshare but worth it if you're making an evening of it.

San Pedro Square Market (Downtown) — This open-air food hall in downtown San Jose is an unofficial headquarters for Earthquakes fans before the match, featuring over 20 vendors, three bars, and a massive outdoor patio that's often filled with supporters. You can grab anything from pizza to sushi, then take a rideshare to the stadium.

PayPal Park prohibits all bags and backpacks from being brought into the stadium with the following exceptions: approved clear bags no larger than 12" × 12" × 6". A small clutch bag or non-clear fanny pack of 4.5" × 6.5" is also allowed. Bags not in compliance must be returned to your vehicle or can be stored for free at the bag check trailer located outside the Main Gate on Earthquakes Way — useful to know if you're coming from the airport with a day bag.

Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff — so for a 7:30 PM match, gates open at 5:30 PM. Parking lots open 3 hours before kickoff. PayPal Park is a mobile-entry facility — download your tickets to your phone before arriving to avoid delays.

The venue operates completely cashless — credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments work throughout, but physical currency won't buy anything. Come prepared.

There are disabled seats throughout all areas and price levels of PayPal Park. Disabled seating and access are fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. ADA parking is located within the Audi parking lot off Newhall Drive; those wishing to park in ADA locations must present a valid ADA placard and registration upon arrival. ADA parking is $30.

The stadium has one elevator to take fans to the top so they can walk down to the higher level rows. The very top ledge/walkway is narrow and open — worth noting for fans with acrophobia or mobility concerns. If using a wheelchair or other mobility device, consider doubling the walking time from Caltrain, or use the VTA Route 60 bus directly to the stadium stop. For specific accessibility questions, the team hotline at 408-909-GOAL (text) is responsive on match days.

Nearly all fans are seated in the upper tier, some 3 meters above promenade level, with 30 rows at an angle of 30 degrees providing a very compact feel and great sightlines. The honest truth is there's almost no bad seat in the building — the rake is that steep.

The "shady side" of the stadium is found in sections 101 to 113, with slightly higher ticket prices, while sections 124 to 134 get afternoon and direct early evening sun. For away fans, sections in the 120s range (opposite the main home supporters) give you some separation and the full view of the pitch. The Earthquakes have two supporters' groups — each occupies behind one goal post , so if you want to avoid the loudest home sections, stay off the end-line seats behind each goal.

The suites and club seats are located at field level , an unusual arrangement that puts premium seating closest to the pitch — if you want the immersive experience without noise, that's your call. For the actual away-fan social experience, mid-tier sideline in the 120s–130s range is the sweet spot.

Roughly a dozen local food trucks line the perimeter of the Epicenter Fan Zone, offering a wide range of cuisine: hot chicken sandwiches, Korean BBQ, slow-smoked BBQ, tasty tacos, teriyaki and sushi, burgers and fries, kabobs, and more. The stadium also has traditional concession stands under the seats offering hot dogs, burgers, pretzels, and the like, plus more unique choices like a carvery with fresh-sliced pork or turkey sandwiches, a pizza stand, and churwaffles (sweet and savory cornbread waffles). Expect to pay roughly $14–16 for a craft beer and $12–18 for a food truck meal; the entire venue is cashless , so card out before you're thirsty.

PayPal Park is, genuinely, a good experience for visiting fans. The crowd is enthusiastic without being menacing — this is Silicon Valley, and even the hardcore supporters have early morning standups on Monday. The staff and fans make witnessing a match incredibly worthwhile, and they seem pleased you've visited their team and stadium. What catches you off guard is the setting: planes landing at SJC fly incredibly low over the open end of the stadium, creating a signature "San Jose" moment that fans cheer for. It's genuinely surreal the first time — a 737 passes maybe 500 feet overhead mid-match, and both sets of fans instinctively look up. The other thing worth knowing: the steep seating means there's no mid-level walking path — everyone enters from the base and walks all the way up to their seats, so grab your food and drinks before you sit down. The vendors walking the aisles with churros and cotton candy help, but the concourse trip is a proper commitment once you're seated.

Transit: For the return trip via BART shuttle, fans can board on Earthquakes Way outside the stadium's main gate after the final whistle. Shuttles back to Berryessa/North San Jose BART start 15 minutes after the final whistle. The VTA Route 60 bus also runs post-match from the Coleman & Earthquakes Way stop — it departs every 20 minutes on normal frequency, though demand spikes immediately after the final whistle. Wait 15–20 minutes for the first rush to clear before heading to the bus stop, or walk toward the airport stop if the queue looks brutal.

Driving: Exiting onto Coleman Avenue can be slow due to traffic lights and airport congestion. The lots closest to the stadium take longest to clear. If you're in the Tailgate Lot, you have a slightly easier exit path, but still budget 45–60 minutes to reach moving traffic on I-880. The single best tip: wait inside the Scoreboard Bar for 20–25 minutes post-match — let the Coleman Ave. signal backups clear while you finish your beer.

Rideshare: Surge pricing kicks in immediately after the final whistle around the main gate. Walk two blocks south toward the airport terminal loop on Airport Blvd. — Uber and Lyft operate throughout the South Bay, with drop-off and pickup at the Coleman Avenue entrance. For cheaper fares, input a destination that pulls drivers away from the immediate stadium crush and walk slightly toward the airport side — pricing normalizes within about 20 minutes of the final whistle.

What's the easiest way to get to PayPal Park without a car?

VTA's Route 60 serves PayPal Park directly with connections to Caltrain, light rail, BART, and SJC. The most common route is Caltrain to Santa Clara station, then either a 15–20 minute walk or a quick VTA 60 bus hop to the stadium.

What is the PayPal Park bag policy?

Approved clear bags no larger than 12" × 12" × 6" or a small clutch/fanny pack up to 4.5" × 6.5". No backpacks. Free bag check is available outside the main gate if you need it.

How much does parking cost at PayPal Park?

Parking prices start at $29 for general lots. The premium Audi Lot closest to the entrance runs $75 and is prepaid only. Buy online in advance.

What time do gates open?

Stadium gates open two hours before kickoff. Parking lots open 3 hours before kickoff.

Is PayPal Park cashless? Yes. The venue operates completely cashless — credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payments work throughout, but physical currency won't buy anything.

Where should away fans sit? Midfield sections in the 120s–130s range give you solid sightlines and separation from the main home supporter sections behind each goal. PayPal Park has the steepest seating of any soccer-specific stadium in America, so no matter where you sit, you'll have a great uninterrupted view of the action.

How far is PayPal Park from San Jose Airport (SJC)?

Just 3 km — about 5 minutes by car , or roughly a 20–25 minute walk. It's one of the closest airports to any MLS stadium in the country.

Is outside food allowed at PayPal Park?

No large outside food items (hoagies, fast food, bags of chips, etc.) are permitted. Coolers are not allowed. You may bring one factory-sealed plastic still water bottle (32 oz or smaller) per person, or one clear, empty reusable water bottle.