The stage is set for Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas for Super Bowl LVIII. Can’t make it to the rematch of the Big Game between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs? There are local parties at bars, clubs, and restaurants throughout Santa Clara County – and beyond. Read on for more details.
Table of Contents
- Background and Disclaimer
- 49ers Official Viewing Party Site
- North County
- Milpitas
- San Jose (Downtown)
- South San Jose
- South County (Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy)
- Conclusion and Warning
Background and Disclaimer
This post will help you with Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) buses/light rail, BART and Caltrain options to and from the parties. They will save you money and help you beat traffic gridlock and parking woes. Most important, they will help take you home if you had a little too much during or after the game.
Not sure how to ride VTA buses or light rail in Santa Clara County? Read our first-time transit rider’s guide to help you out.
Contact VTA, BART, and Caltrain for more specific bus and light rial information before going to your Super Bowl party. For Super Bowl Sunday, all of these transit agencies will run their normal Sunday/Holiday schedule.
Information in this guide is based mainly on an article in Palo Alto Online detailing Super Bowl LVIII viewing parties in San Mateo and northern Santa Clara counties.
Mentions of bars and clubs here are not endorsements. We are not being compensated in any way to mention these establishments. They are simply examples of clubs and bars we know of that are holding viewing parties. There are other bars in the area hosting Super Bowl viewing parties not mentioned here. For those establishments that are mentioned, call or email ahead to learn of any cover charge or reservations you must make beforehand. Make sure to arrive at least 2 hours before the 3:30pm expected kickoff, to ensure you have a seat or spot to watch the game.
We are not responsible for any of the establishments and their info in this guide.
Before Santa Clara County is mentioned, let’s first tell you where the 49ers will have their official viewing party, and how to get there on public transit.
49ers Official Viewing Party Site
The San Francisco 49ers will host their official Super Bowl LVIII watch party at Thrive City, in front of Chase Center. Tickets and seating are on a first-come, first serve basis. Doors open at 2pm for the 3:30pm game kickoff.
From the Peninsula and South Bay (San Jose), ride Caltrain to 4th/King terminus stop. There, cross King street then 4th Street again and get on the T-Third Street San Francisco MUNI platform. There, ride any southbound T-Third street train to UCSF/Chase Center stop.
From Oakland and the East Bay, ride BART to Powell St. station in San Francisco. There, follow signs for the T-Third Street subway station (Stockton/Union Plaza) and ride any southbound T-Third street train to UCSF/Chase Center stop.
For Caltrain, BART and MUNI travel, respectively, make sure you have proper fare before boarding. Especially for Caltrain and MUNI travel, heed this warning:
Now, on to other (unofficial) watch party sites in Santa Clara County.
North County
Palo Alto
The Old Pro at 541 Ramona St. (north of Hamilton Ave.) in downtown Palo Alto a good place to have a Super Bowl party. The Old Pro is a short walk from Hamilton Ave, and VTA’s 21 bus stops at the corner.
Also, Palo Alto’s Transit Center on University Ave. off El Camino Real is served by Caltrain, SamTrans buses like the ECR and 397, and VTA’s 21, 22, and 522 Rapid bus lines.
Mountain View
Other bars and restaurants along Castro Street in Mountain View are also hosting Super Bowl parties. For instance, Stevens Green on Castro Street.
Want to guarantee a seat for the big game? For $50 (which includes a $40 food and drink credit) you can reserve bar or high-top seating at St. Stephens Green from 2 p.m. until a half-hour postgame. To reserve a seat, email info@ststephensgreen.com.
These and other establishments are a 5-10 minute walk from El Camino Real and VTA’s 22 & 522 Rapid bus lines. Also, Mountain View Transit Center (on W. Evelyn and Castro) is served by Caltrain, VTA Orange Line light rail, and VTA’s 21 and 40 bus lines.
Sunnyvale
Several establishments through downtown San Jose will have their own Super Bowl viewing parties. Here are some examples.
Want to play games while you watch the big game? All-you-can-play mini-golf and all-you-can-game 1-2 putt are included in Tipsy Putt’s $49 Super Bowl ticket.
Tipsy Putt is located at 301 W. McKinley Ave., #150, in downtown Sunnyvale.
Find $6 pints, specialty cocktails and giveaways on Sunday at Off the Rails in downtown Sunnyvale. Happy hour from 2 p.m. until close. Off the Rails brews all its beers on-site, with offerings ranging from the Murphy Lite American lager to the Otis imperial stout brewed with molasses and chocolate malt.
Off the Rails Brewing is at 111 S. Murphy Ave. in downtown Sunnyvale.
These and other establishments in downtown Sunnyvale are a short walk to and from the Sunnyvale Caltrain station. You can also ride VTA buses like the 20 and 523 Rapid nearby. Downtown Sunnyvale is also a 10-15 min. walk to El Camino Real and VTA’s 22 and 522 Rapid bus lines.
Milpitas
Dave and Busters at the Great Mall in Milpitas is expected to have screens and food available for the Super Bowl. The venue is located in the northern end of the Great Mall, at 940 Great Mall Drive.
The venue and mall are about a 10-15 minute walk from the Milpitas Transit Center. The Milpitas Transit Center is served by BART, AC Transit’s 217 bus, VTA Orange Line light rail, and several VTA bus lines.
San Jose (Downtown)
In downtown San Jose, bars and restaurants at San Pedro Square (off W. Santa Clara St. and N. San Pedro St) will also have viewing parties. Our transit guide to San Pedro Square and the rest of downtown San Jose has more details on VTA bus and light rail service within walking distance.
South San Jose
Britannia Arms in Almaden (5027 Almaden Expressway) is hosting a Super Bowl party. Details are in this photo below.
Britannia Arms in Almaden a short walk from VTA’s 64A bus line at Almaden Expressway and Cherry bus stop. Call them at (408)266-0550 for more information.
South County (Morgan Hill, San Martin, Gilroy)
VTA’s 68 bus line stops at or near the bars and restaurants along Monterey Road in Morgan Hill and Gilroy.
Conclusion and Warning
Expect California Highway Patrol (CHP) and local peace officers to be out in full force this Sunday, They will be especially be on the lookout for impaired drivers.
On Super Bowl Sunday, if you must drink, don’t drive. If you must drive, don’t drink. Do not enter a private automobile when the driver has been drinking and/or “high” on substances. One purpose of this transit guide is to help you avoid being behind the wheel of a private automobile when distracted, drunk, or “high” on substances. Even if you can’t take a VTA bus or light rail train to and from your Super Bowl party, make sure you can get a taxicab, ride share, or have an unimpaired loved one/friend take you back home safely.
None of us want to read how you were hurt or killed due to an impaired driver Monday morning. Let’s all have fun safely on Sunday at your Super Bowl Party.
Eugene Bradley
Founder, Silicon Valley Transit Users