22 min. walk from the Caltrain station area. Closest town to the stadium, with Caltrain to San Francisco and San Jose.
San FranciscoVisiting fans pick this
Caltrain to Palo Alto, then walk. Make a weekend of it in the city and ride Caltrain down for the game.
Stanford Health Care, San Jose, Google Maps
San Jose
Caltrain to Palo Alto, then walk. Close to SJC airport, on the same Caltrain line.
Around the stadium
From a specialist guide
Downtown Palo Alto around University Avenue and the Caltrain station, about a 22 minute walk across campus to the stadium.
Map of the area
Tap a pin to see the place.
Getting to Stanford Stadium
From San Francisco International
From a specialist guide
SFO San Francisco or SJC San Jose. From SFO, take BART to Millbrae and change to Caltrain for Palo Alto.
On game day
Checked at the source
Caltrain to Palo Alto. Palo Alto station, then a 22 minute walk to 625 Nelson Road. BART plus Caltrain. Change at Millbrae for Caltrain to Palo Alto. Marguerite shuttle to Stanford campus. Waymo. The Oval.
Parking and tailgating at Stanford Stadium
Tailgating
Checked at the source
Fans can park and tailgate in any designated football lot around Stanford Stadium. In the Sunken Diamond Lot, don't spread into extra spaces. Lots open 5 hours before kickoff. Lot 2 at El Camino Grove opens at 6 AM, and overnight pass holders can enter at 3 PM two days before a Saturday game. Free Fan Fest in the Hammer Throw area of Cobb Track and Angell Field, open from 3 hours before kickoff until 30 minutes before. Food trucks, a beer garden and family games; vendors are cashless. RevelXP sells reserved tailgate packages on Maloney Field and Avery Plaza. Visitors without a pass can pay on the day at General Lots 7 and 8 and IM South Lot 4. Card or digital payment only.
Game day at Stanford Stadium
Getting in
Checked at the source
Bag policy: Clear bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, or a clutch up to 4.5 x 6.5 inches. Bag drops at Sunken Diamond and the north end near Gate 10 open 30 minutes before gates.
Re-entry: You can leave and come back until the end of the third quarter, with a ticket scan and security screening.
Cashless: Concessions are cashless.
Touring the stadium
From a specialist guide
The observation deck sits 250 feet up, with views across campus and, on clear days, to San Francisco. Open 10 AM to 4 PM, closed during academic breaks and finals.
After the final whistle
Checked at the source
Walk back to Palo Alto Caltrain station, about 22 minutes, for frequent evening trains north to San Francisco. The free Marguerite shuttle also loops campus.
One thing to avoid
From a specialist guide
Don't bring cash: concessions and the day-of lots are card or digital only. Leave noisemakers, balloons, banners and open umbrellas at home.
Things to do around Stanford Stadium
Listed in the order they happen on game day. Each one earns points.
Photo65 points
Hoover Tower observation deck
The tower is 285 feet tall with a deck 250 feet up, and on a clear day you can see San Francisco on the skyline.
$. The day before
Landmark40 points
Memorial Church on the Main Quad
Jane Stanford built this mosaic-covered church on the Main Quad in memory of her husband, and it was dedicated in 1903.
Free. The day before
Outing50 points
Rodin Sculpture Garden at the Cantor
This is the largest Rodin collection outside Paris and Mexico City, including The Gates of Hell, and it's free to enter.
Free. The day before
Tailgate75 points
Stanford Fan Fest
This free pregame party next to the stadium has food trucks, a beer garden and games, and it opens 3 hours before kickoff.
Free. 3 hours before kickoff
Outing65 points
Hike the Dish
This 3.5 mile loop in the foothills circles a 150-foot radio dish built in 1961, with views to San Francisco and San Jose. In November the trail is open 6:30 AM to 5 PM.
Free. The day before
Seats and views at Stanford Stadium
Where each part of the stadium sits, and what you see from it.
Lower level105 to 135Upper level201 to 240Tap any part of the stadium to see its view.
