College Football

Hi

I am coming to San Francisco in November and wanted to watch a football game. The 49%26#39;s are on the road but Cal are playing Sanford the weekend I am in town. (22nd Nov). I will be staying in Union Square, and will not have a car. How easy is it to get to the Cal Statium from Union Square ? Where is the best place to sit in the statium ? and what time do these game usely start ? (no time listed as yet). Also should I book a seat or wait till I arrive.

Thanks

Peter

College Football

It is easy to get to on Bart. There is really nothing better in sports in the US than a college football rivalry game, much better than a pro game that tend to be a little boring. I would imagine tickets will be hard to get so if you can get one buy it.

College Football

This is the BIG Game and thus even in a losing year, the game sells out. When one or other of the teams is contending, its virtually impossible close to the date. This is in particular true of Stanford Stadium, where its even hard for Cal season ticket holders to get tickets due to the small size of the stadium.

In terms of the game start - this is one of the wonder of wonders even for die hard Cal fans like myself. When Cal was losing for a few years, the start time was totally predictable and published in advance. The reason why it is not published now is due to television. With the teams contending for bowl games (and actually being in some lesser bowl games on a frequent basis), the games are now often televised. The key thing: Will the National TV networkk be interested? (i.e. meaning someone is bound to go to a bowl game) or just of local interest between Stanford and Cal Fans.

In terms of buying tickets, many season ticket holders (or others who bought in advance) will offer their tickets on Stub Hub.

http://www.stubhub.com/cal-football-tickets/

Its best to buy earlier on to get better prices. For instance, I have travelled to Cal-USC games and bought my tickets also in August. When it became a very important sold out game, the prices rose accordingly closer to the date. I can%26#39;t promise that you will get the best price now, but its worked for me in the past. As such, start looking now.

In terms of traveling to Berkeley, BART works very well. There is a free CAL BUS that runs regularly. Here is some more early on information on that:

www2.actransit.org/news/articledetail.wu…

In terms of getting to the game from BART, allow at least an hour to get the bus. (Sometimes we have to wait for a bit for a bus...it takes at least 30 minutes to walk from BART if you don%26#39;t want to take the shuttle, and its all uphill.).

Entering the stadium can be a bit difficult...i.e. the security lines are longer these days, so its of your advantage to also come early.

This is the college game of the year for the San Francisco area. Its always fun to go...and amazing to watch both the antics on and off the field.

About the only seats that aren%26#39;t good are the ones that are in the first few rows closest to the field. (i.e. row 1-10) as it will be difficult to see beyond the people walking by you.

We have row 65 40 yard line and have enjoyed it a lot from that perspective.

Just mentioning in case you wonder what seats are fine.

The end zone seats are good bargains and are the least expensive. You may see these offered on Stub Hub.

In any case, don%26#39;t wait until November. Buy in advance. And in terms of the game time, its been given as little as a week before the game occurs.

Have a great trip.

Games traditionally begin at 1 pm, (pregame festivities) but the last few years they have been messing with the times because of TV coverage, so you will need to find out.

This is the ';BIG GAME';, a traditional rivalry between Cal and Stanford. Since it is in Berkeley, tickets should be bought as soon as you can. The best seats are generally in the middle of the stadium near the 50 yard line, although these are apt to be taken up by reserved sections for students and alumni. If you need to get in the end zone, aim for a fairly high seat.

Take BART to the Downtown Station in Berkeley. It is on Shattuck Avenue. From there you can walk uphill about a mile to the stadium, although DH says that there is a shuttle on game days which will take you up there.

Spirits run high on Big Game day and bands and cheerleaders outdo themselves. (Of course, there are some guys out there playing around with a ball, as well %26lt;grin%26gt;.)

You should really have a good time. I hope you can get tickets.

A Cal Alum.

Hope the comment regarding Stanford stadium does not confuse you. Yes, the game is in Cal Stadium, which is much larger at this time.

Just wanted to mention as I realized it might be confusing when I reread my post. have a good day. See you in Berkeley! and at the game!

By the way - if you are rooting for one team or the other...

Red is for Stanford (i.e. but don%26#39;t wear it if you sitting in a Cal fan section.). The yell there is ';Take off that red shirt'; will be yelled at you (even if you don%26#39;t know anyone else).

For Cal, colors are blue and gold (with a reaction also) if sitting in the Stanford fan section.

If concerned, wear some other color.

Hi Puter:

Glad to hear you too are a Cal Alum.

Hopefully you enjoyed your university years as much as I did.

You might want to check the Oakland Raiders schedule. Usually, when the 49ers are out of town, the Raiders are in town. You can easily take BART from SF to the Oakland Coliseum, where the Raiders play.

Hi

Thanks for you advise, I have purchased a ticket vai the Cal website block pp was the best avaliable. When you say starts at 1.00pm is that the pre-game or the actual Game? Also is the area safe to be in on your own and is there any places worth visiting before or after the game out that way. Good place to eat etc

Thanks

Peter

The time of the game is still to be decided.

Here is the link to the Cal Bear schedule:

…cstv.com/sports/…cal-m-footbl-sched.html

If you take the bus to the Berkeley Marina Area, Skates on the Bay has a nice view of San Francisco and good food.

http://www.skatesonthebay.com/

If you prefer to just eat nearby BART area, there is Pasands for Indian Food, Cafe Giovanni which has reasonable Italian and atmosphere.

For good food in North Berkeley (reservations required), Chez Panisse.

http://www.chezpanisse.com/pgcontact.html

In terms of things to see in the area, the campus is nice to see (especially Sather Gate and Student Union area). Also walking down Telegraph Avenue for a block or two. There are usually street vendors, etc., however much more conservative than in years past.

There is also a botanical garden about a mile further up the hill from the stadium.

Hi Again

I see that the game now has a start time 12.30pm.

I would like to go to the Fan Zone at Maxwells field for the pre -game. What time would I need to catch the Bart. Also coming back after the game what time would I expect to get back to Union Square?

Thanks for your help, Cann%26#39;t wait to be there.!!!

Hmmmm....what is Maxwell Field? And what is going on there, pregame?

The game is in Memorial Stadium and there are pregame festivities there.....something new?