First, a couple of reminders: on Monday, July 4, many Silicon Valley bus & rail services will be running on a Sunday/Holiday schedule. In addition, all Caltrain fares and parking fees increase July 1. Note that this will be the last weekend transit update before our site is converted to the new format you are viewing now.
Here is your Independence Day weekend public transit update. It has tips for Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses, VTA light rail and Caltrain service for events like
- San Jose Earthquakes Soccer @ Stanford (with post-game fireworks!) Saturday night
- San Jose SaberCats Arena Football Friday night
- NKOTBSB (New Kids On the Block & Backstreet Boys) concert @ HP Pavilion in San Jose
- Fireworks shows throughout Silicon Valley, including San Francisco’s BIG fireworks show
Information on public transit access to these events can be found after the jump.
Earthquakes On the Farm
The San Jose Earthquakes host the New York Red Bulls at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Saturday (July 2) at 7:30pm.
Stanford Stadium is four blocks south of the Palo Alto Transit Center, and about 1/3 mile west of Caltrain’s “special event” Stanford Stadium stop. Several Caltrain runs will stop at the Stanford Stadium stop before and after the game. Also, VTA’s 22 bus line has two (2) stops near Stanford Stadium, at El Camino/Sam McDonald (south side of the stadium) and El Camino/Galvez (north side of the stadium). You can also take VTA’s 522 Rapid bus or SamTrans buses like the KX express and 390 buses to the Palo Alto Transit Center/Caltrain Station, then walk about 1/2-mile south to Stanford Stadium.
Before the game, there will be a ceremony to honor former members of the US Men’s national team who played in the 1994 FIFA World Cup knockout game between Brazil and the US at the old Stanford Stadium.
After the Earthquakes/Red Bulls match ends, there will be a fireworks show at the stadium.
When taking Caltrain to the Earthquakes match, make sure to buy your train ticket (and parking ticket) at the ticket vending machines on the platform before boarding. Otherwise, you are subject to a fine of $250, plus court costs.
SaberCats Arena Football On Friday
The San Jose SaberCats will host the Jacksonville Sharks Friday night at 7:30pm at HP Pavilion in San Jose. At the game, the SaberCats will hold “Military Appreciation Night” where donations of goods, nonperishable food and clothing at the two main HP Pavilion entrances will be accepted. Our HP Pavilion Transit Guide provides information Caltrain and several VTA bus routes all serving the game.
NKOTBSB @ HP Saturday Nite
On Saturday at 7:30pm at HP Pavilion in San Jose, the New Kids On the Block & Backstreet Boys (NKOTBSB) concert takes place. The same VTA bus, light rail and Caltrain tips for the HP Pavilion are also good for the NKOTBSB concert.
Fireworks Shows and Independence Day Events In Silicon Valley
Santa Clara
On July 2 and 3 (Saturday & Sunday) at 9:30pm, California’s Great America theme park in Santa Clara will have its fireworks display show. You can get to the fireworks show by taking VTA’s Mountain View-Winchester line to the Great America station.
Palo Alto
As for Independence Day itself: Palo Alto hosts the 30th Annual Chili Cook-Off at Mitchell Park (600 E. Meadow Drive) on Monday from noon-5pm:
From the Palo Alto Transit Center/Caltrain Station, El Camino Real/San Antonio or the Mountain View Caltrain Station, take VTA’s 35 bus line to Middlefield and Meadow. Then, walk one (1) block west to the park entrance.
Morgan Hill
In southern Santa Clara County, Morgan Hill’s Fourth of July parade – billed “the biggest in Santa Clara County” takes place on Monday starting at 9:45am. The parade route runs counterclockwise via Monterey Rd. thru the downtown area, Main Ave., Peak Ave, Dunne Ave., then back north on Monterey Rd.
Expect rerouting and delays on VTA’s 68 bus line in Morgan Hill in both directions from 8am until about 3pm to accommodate the parade setup, route and cleanup. This is because the parade route uses Monterey Rd. and Main Ave. – the same streets the 68 bus line uses.
San Francisco
Finally, there’s the REALLY BIG fireworks show along the Embarcadero and San Francisco Bay:
Caltrain will have the expected Sunday/Holiday service between San Jose, the Peninsula and San Francisco. From the 4th/King station, “follow the crowd” along King St. past AT&T Park, until it becomes the Embarcadero. Find a safe spot near Pier 39 or Pier 41, and enjoy the fireworks show safely.
At 11:15pm, the first of three special trains from San Francisco’s 4th/King station will take fireworks attendees home to the Peninsula and San Jose. The other two trains run as all-stops-locals between San Francisco and San Jose.
Don’t Forget!
Check out our transit agency information page for the latest fare information and how to ride. Know before you go!
Make sure
Whenever you take Caltrain to any of these events, make sure to buy your train ticket (and parking ticket) at the ticket vending machines on the platform before boarding. Otherwise, you are subject to a fine of $250, plus court costs. The same rule goes for VTA light rail as well. Don’t let a citation and court appearance from not paying your fare spoil your holiday weekend!
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Please stay safe and sane this Independence Day weekend!