Shaking Off and Knocking Out Traffic This Weekend3 min. read

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Taylor Swift concert from 2015 @ Levi’s Stadium. Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7J8VrwICyLA

Lots of events are happening this Mother’s Day weekend in Silicon Valley.  From a big concert at Levi’s Stadium, to a major mixed martial arts fight card, to two street festivals, to San Jose Giants baseball.  This guide will give you the public transit options you need to help you beat the expected parking and traffic gridlock hassles.

Taylor Swift at Levi’s Stadium (Saturday)

Are you a “Swiftie” in Silicon Valley? Taylor Swift’s “Reputation” tour returns to Levi’s Stadium Friday night and Saturday night at 7pm.  Ride Caltrain with connecting VTA bus and light rail service to and from the concert.

While Caltrain will have special train service from Mountain View after the concert, VTA will run its normal weekend light rail service.  Going to the concert?  Plan on arriving to Levi’s Stadium at least two hours before show time.  This will allow you to beat traffic and parking gridlock, and to handle passing thru strict stadium security.

Bellator 199 at SAP Center (Saturday)

Mixed martial arts (MMA) returns to San Jose Saturday night.  Bellator 199 will feature Ryan Bader vs. King Mo in the first round of the “Heavyweight World Grand Prix” Saturday starting at 6pm at SAP Center in San Jose.  The undercard featuring several preliminary fights starts at 4pm.

Want to knock out frustration from traffic and parking hassles?  Caltrain, VTA buses like the 22, 522 Rapid, and 68, and light rail stop within a short walk of SAP Center.  Plan to arrive at least one hour early in order for you to pass the arena security check point.  Be advised: Caltrain and VTA will run regular weekend schedules.

Silicon Valley Irish Fleadh (Saturday and Sunday)

In Mountain View, the Fifth Annual Silicon Valley Irish Fleadh (pronounced “Fla”) takes place on Hope Street – one block east of Castro Street – in downtown Mountain View.  At the Mountain View Caltrain Station and Transit Center, Caltrain, VTA light rail, and buses like the 35 and 81, stop nearby.  Also, VTA’s 22 and 522 Rapid stop within a 10-minute walk to the Fleadh, and El Camino Real and Castro.

San Jose Taiko (Saturday)

Starting at 4:30pm this Saturday, is the annual San Jose Taiko Festival at Fifth and Jackson, in the city’s Japantown area.

Ride VTA light rail, the 66, or 181 express bus lines to the Japantown/Ayer light rail stop at Jackson and N. First streets in San Jose.  After getting off at the stop, walk four (4) blocks east on Jackson to the Taiko festival area.

San Jose Giants Baseball (Saturday, Sunday and Monday)

This weekend, the San Jose Giants host the Lancaster JetHawks in a four-game series at Municipal Stadium.  Game start times are Saturday night at 5pm (Star Wars night!), Sunday at 1pm, and Monday at 6:30pm.

Municipal Stadium is located at Alma and Senter in San Jose.  From downtown San Jose, take VTA’s 73 bus line to Alma and Senter.  The bus stop is only steps from Municipal Stadium’s front entrance.

Prologue

Follow @svtransitupdts on Twitter for transit updates to and from these and other events this Memorial Day Weekend. Transit reports from BART, VTA, and other transit agencies from transit riders like YOU are reported daily. Here’s how YOU can help report public transit delays.

Stay safe this weekend, and rock on!

Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users