Levi’s® Stadium in Santa Clara is a regional day-trip option from Oakland, and you can reach it by connecting BART with VTA Light Rail or by driving. A room in Oakland puts you in the city where this day trip begins; confirm event-day routes and journey times before you travel.
- Location: Santa Clara.
- Transit connection: BART to Milpitas Station, then VTA Light Rail’s Orange Line to Lick Mill Station.
- Stadium parking: Prepaid passes are recommended; lot opening times are tied to the event.
- Entry: Bag and item rules apply, and stadium policies can change.
Is Levi’s Stadium a workable day trip from Oakland?
Yes, Levi’s Stadium can work as a day trip from Oakland, but the event schedule and your chosen route shape the day. The Oakland Airport Executive Hotel is in Oakland, the starting point for this day trip.
For the transit option, plan on a transfer at Milpitas rather than a direct ride to the stadium. If you drive, parking is governed by event-specific rules and lots can have different opening times. Build your plan around the event’s start and finish, and check the stadium’s current guidance before leaving.
If you are arranging airport connections as part of the trip, see the Oak Airport transportation guide for getting around the Oakland area.
Driving and event-day parking
For driving, a prepaid parking pass for a specified lot is the clearest way to plan ahead. Levi’s Stadium recommends buying passes online, and each pass covers one space in its named lot.
Stadium-operated lots are scheduled to open 3.5 hours before an event or kickoff and close two hours after the event ends, although lot hours may change at the stadium’s discretion. Parking-pass prices can vary by event. Limited credit-card parking may be available on event day at a higher price than prepaid parking, and transactions at stadium-operated lots are cashless.
Keep the vehicle limits in mind: a pass is for vehicles less than 17 feet long and 8 feet wide. Buses and RVs seeking advance parking must contact the stadium parking office.
Parking is directed in every lot, including general, VIP and accessible parking. You need a valid event ticket, pass or credential to park in a designated lot. Spaces are not preassigned unless posted, and reserving spaces is not permitted.
Other event-day lots near Levi’s Stadium that are not operated by the stadium have prices ranging from $35 to $80 per vehicle. Most of these lots open four hours before kickoff; Lot GI 250 and Lot D at 2901 Patrick Henry Drive open three hours before kickoff. Tailgating is not allowed in these non-stadium lots.
If you are comparing local event logistics, the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum parking guide covers that separate venue.
How do you get from Oakland to Levi’s Stadium by transit?
The East Bay transit route combines BART and VTA Light Rail: ride BART to Milpitas Station, cross the pedestrian bridge to VTA’s Orange Line, then continue to Lick Mill Station.
For an NFL game, courtesy shuttle buses serve Green Lot 4 and Blue Lot 1. They begin running two hours before faceoff and end 1.5 hours after the game.
This shuttle schedule is specific to NFL games, so don’t assume it applies to other events. For other local transport context, read about Oakland airport transportation as you plan your Oakland connections.
Entry rules and planning around an event
Check bag and item requirements before heading to the entrance, since the stadium says its policies may change. Approved clear bags must be no larger than 12 by 6 by 12 inches; a one-gallon clear plastic zip-top bag, a small clutch no larger than 4.5 by 6.5 inches, and seat cushions are also permitted. Bags that do not comply must be returned to your vehicle.
You can bring a factory-sealed plastic water bottle or a reusable transparent bottle under 24 ounces, provided it contains no alcohol. Cameras are allowed if their lenses are 3 inches or shorter; camera lights, tripods, selfie sticks and monopods are prohibited.
Guests needing accessible parking can use a prepaid pass for any stadium-operated lot along with a valid DMV-issued disabled-person placard or license plate. Red Lot 1 is the stadium’s accessible-parking location, and accessible parking is available only through its entrance.
Accessible stalls there are first-come, first-served and subject to availability. Courtesy shuttle service and wheelchair assistance are available for guests with disabilities; request wheelchair assistance in advance when applicable.
Before you go: Event schedules, parking details and entry rules can change, so check the official site for updates.
FAQs
Can you take BART from Oakland to Levi’s Stadium?
Yes. Ride BART to Milpitas Station, cross the pedestrian bridge to VTA Light Rail’s Orange Line, and continue to Lick Mill Station.
Can you pay for parking with cash?
No. Parking transactions at Levi’s Stadium-operated lots are cashless. Event-day credit-card parking may be available in limited quantities.
Are parking spaces assigned in advance?
Spaces are not preassigned unless posted, and reserving spaces is not permitted. Parking is directed in all lots.
What bags can you bring into the stadium?
Permitted options include approved clear bags within the stated size limit, one-gallon clear zip-top bags, small clutches within the limit, and seat cushions. Check the stadium’s current rules before your event because its bag policy may change.