A downtown arena across from San Jose Diridon station, with San Pedro Square’s food hall and bars and the Peralta Adobe about half a mile away.
Most Sharks home games start at 7 p.m. Pacific, many of them on weeknights. Some weekend and holiday games start at 1 p.m. or in the late afternoon, and a few at other evening times between 6 and 8 p.m., so check your game’s time. Doors open 60 minutes before puck drop for weekday games and 75 minutes for Friday afternoon, weekend and holiday games. For a weekend trip, spend the day before downtown or in San Francisco.
SAP Center at San Jose
Your San Jose weekend
Pick your game, then your hotel, food and things to do, or let a quick start choose them with you.
Which game are you going to?
San Jose Sharks
Exploring the weekend before choosing a game. Dates stay open.
Find your places.
Find your stay, your local pub, and everything around the game.
Quick start
Each one picks a hotel and food that work together. Change anything below.
A downtown hotel at East Santa Clara and Third Streets. The hotel says VTA light rail is two blocks away, and VTA lists the Green Line as direct service to SAP Center.
The hotel says VTA light rail is two blocks away, and VTA lists the Green Line as direct service to SAP Center, so there’s no parking to plan. Paper Plane serves food until 11 p.m. for after the game.
Keep in mind: No full breakfast, only coffee and light pastries, and the guest parking fee isn’t published. It’s a light rail ride or a rideshare to the arena.
On game day: Downtown stay: ride VTA light rail. VTA lists the Green Line as direct service to SAP Center and the Blue Line as within walking distance.
100 East Santa Clara Street, San Jose, CA 95113
0.78 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.
Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.
Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.
Keep in mind: It’s three miles from the airport and the page publishes no shuttle, so plan the airport and arena trips yourself.
On game day: Airport stay: take a rideshare to a drop-off zone on Montgomery Street, Barack Obama Boulevard or Cahill Street, or drive and reserve parking through the SpotHero links on the arena’s parking page.
1036 North 4th Street, San Jose, CA 95112
1.7 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.
Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.
Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.
Keep in mind: The page lists no restaurant and publishes no shuttle to the airport or the arena.
On game day: Airport stay: take a rideshare to a drop-off zone on Montgomery Street, Barack Obama Boulevard or Cahill Street, or drive and reserve parking through the SpotHero links on the arena’s parking page.
2050 North 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95131
3.1 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.
Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.
Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.
We may earn a commission. Your final total is confirmed with the provider.
Hotel VIASan Francisco by Caltrain
Hotel
San Francisco by Caltrain · 40.9 mi from the arena
A boutique hotel across the street from Oracle Park. The hotel says BART and Caltrain stop within blocks, and Caltrain runs south to San Jose Diridon, 5 minutes on foot from the arena.
Keep in mind: Valet parking is $75 a night, and $95 on Giants home game days. The last northbound Caltrain from Diridon leaves at 11:30 p.m.
On game day: San Francisco stay: ride Caltrain to San Jose Diridon and walk 5 minutes to the arena. Open alcohol is banned on trains from 9 p.m. on special-event days.
138 King Street, San Francisco, CA 94107
40.9 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.
Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.
Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.
Keep in mind: A $41 nightly amenities fee plus taxes applies, and valet is $72 a night plus tax. Unlike Hotel VIA, the FAQ doesn’t mention a nearby Caltrain stop.
On game day: San Francisco stay: ride Caltrain to San Jose Diridon and walk 5 minutes to the arena. Open alcohol is banned on trains from 9 p.m. on special-event days.
165 Steuart Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
41.6 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.
Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.
Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.
Keep in mind: The hotel has no parking of its own, and unlike Hotel VIA its page doesn’t mention a nearby Caltrain stop.
On game day: San Francisco stay: ride Caltrain to San Jose Diridon and walk 5 minutes to the arena. Open alcohol is banned on trains from 9 p.m. on special-event days.
155 Steuart Street, San Francisco, CA 94105
41.6 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.
Live rates are not quoted here. Confirm the full stay total, fees, and cancellation terms with the provider. Arena directions use a general arena location; follow your assigned lot and gate instructions.
Expedia opens a named-hotel search, not a verified property page. Enter dates there; adults and rooms are prefilled.
We may earn a commission. Your final total is confirmed with the provider.
Henry’s Hi-LifeDowntown San Jose
Steaks, ribs and barbecue chicken
Downtown San Jose · 0.25 mi from the arena
An oak-wood grill open since 1960 that says it’s two short blocks from SAP Center, for dinner before the game.
Menu prices not checked here
Details
Keep in mind: Tue–Thu 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4:30–8:30 p.m.; Fri 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. and 4–9 p.m.; Sat 3–9 p.m.; Sun 4–8 p.m.; closed Monday, so it’s no help before a Monday game.
On game day: Downtown stay: ride VTA light rail. VTA lists the Green Line as direct service to SAP Center and the Blue Line as within walking distance.
301 Sharks Way, San Jose, CA 95110
0.25 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.
Check opening hours for your date and allow time for this stop separately from arena travel.
A downtown food hall with tacos, Korean plates, noodles, pizza, burgers and its own bars, so a group can each eat what they like before the game.
Menu prices not checked here
Details
Keep in mind: The market lists Sun–Thu 11 a.m.–10 p.m. and Fri–Sat 11 a.m.–midnight, and each vendor lists its own hours. Its home page also advertises opening at 10 a.m. for football Sundays.
On game day: Downtown stay: ride VTA light rail. VTA lists the Green Line as direct service to SAP Center and the Blue Line as within walking distance.
87 North San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110
0.43 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.
Check opening hours for your date and allow time for this stop separately from arena travel.
A long-running downtown seafood restaurant for a sit-down dinner the night before the game.
Menu prices not checked here
Reservations
Details
Keep in mind: Dinner Mon–Sat 5–9 p.m.; lunch weekdays 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.; social hour Mon–Sat 3–6 p.m. Open Sundays only for private events and select holidays.
On game day: Downtown stay: ride VTA light rail. VTA lists the Green Line as direct service to SAP Center and the Blue Line as within walking distance.
200 South First Street, Suite 10, San Jose, CA 95113
0.73 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.
Check opening hours for your date and allow time for this stop separately from arena travel.
A downtown cocktail bar with a food menu and an 11 p.m. last call for food, for a drink and a bite after the game.
Menu prices not checked here
Details
Keep in mind: Tue–Thu and Sun 5 p.m.–midnight; Fri–Sat 5 p.m.–2 a.m.; closed Monday. Last call for food is 11 p.m. It’s 21 and over.
On game day: Downtown stay: ride VTA light rail. VTA lists the Green Line as direct service to SAP Center and the Blue Line as within walking distance.
72 South First Street, San Jose, CA 95113
0.66 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.
Check opening hours for your date and allow time for this stop separately from arena travel.
On game day: San Francisco stay: ride Caltrain to San Jose Diridon and walk 5 minutes to the arena. Open alcohol is banned on trains from 9 p.m. on special-event days.
1 Ferry Building, San Francisco, CA 94105
41.8 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.
Check opening hours for your date and allow time for this stop separately from arena travel.
San Francisco by Caltrain · 41.9 mi from the arena
A Financial District seafood restaurant that traces its history to 1849 and says it is California’s oldest continuously run restaurant, with fish grilled over mesquite.
Menu prices not checked here
Reservations
Details
Keep in mind: Mon–Fri 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sat 4–9 p.m.; closed Sunday. Plan it for a night you aren’t at the game, or a lunch before the train.
On game day: San Francisco stay: ride Caltrain to San Jose Diridon and walk 5 minutes to the arena. Open alcohol is banned on trains from 9 p.m. on special-event days.
240 California Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
41.9 mi straight-line from the arena. This is not a walking or driving route.
Check opening hours for your date and allow time for this stop separately from arena travel.
A cocktail, craft beer and California wine bar inside San Pedro Square Market. The bar pitches itself as a stop before Sharks games and puts the arena about half a mile away, roughly a 10-minute walk.
0.45 mi straight-line from the arenaSee menu for pricesLate food nearby: Late bites at Paper Plane, 0.29 mi straight-line
PregameFood hallGroups
San Pedro Market Bar, San Pedro Square Market, 87 North San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110
A downtown science and technology museum that Visit San Jose lists among the landmarks framing Plaza Park, with an educational IMAX film included in admission.
0.62 mi straight-line from the arenaAdults $38; children 3–17, students and seniors 65+ $28. Each ticket includes one educational IMAX film.
FamiliesRainy dayScience
The Tech Interactive, 201 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Seasonal; the museum says dates and hours vary and publishes a daily schedule.
Before you go
FamiliesRainy dayScience
The Tech Interactive, 201 South Market Street, San Jose, CA 95113
Seasonal; the museum says dates and hours vary and publishes a daily schedule.
A daytime visit on the day before the game. Hours change by season, so check the daily schedule for your date.
Hours vary by date, so check the schedule before you go.
Start at San Pedro Square Market, see the 1797 Gonzales/Peralta Adobe next door, the last structure left from the Spanish pueblo, and finish at Plaza Park, San Jose’s old central plaza.
San Pedro Square MarketFree walk
Free outingHistoryDowntown San Jose
Start at San Pedro Square Market, 87 North San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Public streets and a city park; no park hours are published. History San José lists the historic buildings as open Saturday noon–1:45 p.m. and Sunday noon–3:45 p.m., closed weekdays.
San Pedro Square Market
Gonzales/Peralta Adobe
Plaza Park
Before you go
Free outingHistoryDowntown San Jose
Start at San Pedro Square Market, 87 North San Pedro Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Public streets and a city park; no park hours are published. History San José lists the historic buildings as open Saturday noon–1:45 p.m. and Sunday noon–3:45 p.m., closed weekdays.
San Pedro Square Market
Gonzales/Peralta Adobe
Plaza Park
A free daytime walk the day before. History San Jose runs docent tours of the adobe and the Fallon House on most Saturdays and Sundays at noon and 2 p.m.
Free to walk. Tour prices aren’t shown on the page read.
The adobe plaza sits beside the market. Head south through downtown to Plaza Park. Use it to get your bearings; it isn’t turn-by-turn navigation.
No distance or walking time is published. Book adobe tours at least 72 hours ahead. No page read describes the route for step-free use.
A downtown river park with 2.6 miles of trails, which its conservancy describes as close to SAP Center and Diridon Station.
Guadalupe River ParkFree walk
Free outingNatureNear the arena
Guadalupe River Park, downtown San Jose; the conservancy office is at 438 Coleman Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110
The park is open from sunrise until one hour after sunset; the Guadalupe River Trail opens one hour before sunrise and closes one hour after sunset. The Visitor & Education Center is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Guadalupe River Park Conservancy
Guadalupe River Park trail
SAP Center at San Jose
Before you go
Free outingNatureNear the arena
Guadalupe River Park, downtown San Jose; the conservancy office is at 438 Coleman Avenue, San Jose, CA 95110
The park is open from sunrise until one hour after sunset; the Guadalupe River Trail opens one hour before sunrise and closes one hour after sunset. The Visitor & Education Center is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
Guadalupe River Park Conservancy
Guadalupe River Park trail
SAP Center at San Jose
A free daytime walk the day before, or a stretch before an afternoon game.
Free.
Follow the riverside trail toward Arena Green, which the conservancy says you reach from Santa Clara and Autumn Streets, across from SAP Center. Use it to get your bearings; it isn’t turn-by-turn navigation.
The visitor center, where you can pick up a map, is closed on weekends; the conservancy also posts a walking map. No step-free details are published on the pages read.
Step off the train at San Jose Diridon, walk north on Cahill Street and turn right on West Santa Clara Street. The arena is on your left.
San Jose Diridon stationFree walk
Arena approachNo carCaltrain riders
Start at San Jose Diridon station, 65 Cahill Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Public streets; follow arena signs on game nights.
San Jose Diridon station
Cahill Street and West Santa Clara Street
SAP Center at San Jose
Before you go
Arena approachNo carCaltrain riders
Start at San Jose Diridon station, 65 Cahill Street, San Jose, CA 95110
Public streets; follow arena signs on game nights.
San Jose Diridon station
Cahill Street and West Santa Clara Street
SAP Center at San Jose
Caltrain puts it at 5 minutes on foot. Doors open 60 minutes before puck drop for weekday games and 75 minutes for Friday afternoon, weekend and holiday games.
Free walk; game admission and train fares are separate.
Walk north on Cahill Street, turn right on West Santa Clara Street, and the arena is on your left. Use it to get your bearings; it isn’t turn-by-turn navigation.
Santa Clara Street beside the arena closes to traffic for 20–30 minutes after the event while guests leave the arena.
Downtown San JoseBars, food and a short light rail ride to the game
Stay downtown near San Pedro Square’s food hall and bars and ride VTA light rail to the arena.
San Pedro Square’s food hall and bars, Plaza de César Chávez and The Tech Interactive
To the arena
Walk to VTA light rail, which the hotel puts two blocks away, and ride toward SAP Center. VTA lists the Green Line as its light rail service to the arena, so check the trip planner for your stop.
After the game
Ride light rail back. VTA publishes no event-night last-train time on its SAP Center page, so check the trip planner or call VTA before the game.
The tradeoff
The hotel puts Diridon station, which is across the street from the arena, a mile away, so plan on light rail or a rideshare to the arena. The arena has no bag check or lockers, so leave bags at the hotel.
We may earn a commission. Rates and availability are confirmed with the provider.
San Francisco by CaltrainA San Francisco weekend with the game as an evening trip
Stay in San Francisco and ride Caltrain down to San Jose Diridon, a 5-minute walk from the arena.
The Embarcadero waterfront, the Ferry Building and the ballpark neighborhood
To the arena
Ride Caltrain south to San Jose Diridon, walk north on Cahill Street and turn right on West Santa Clara Street. The arena is on your left.
After the game
Walk back to Diridon for a northbound train. The timetable read for this guide lists the last one at 11:30 p.m. on weekdays and weekends.
The tradeoff
It’s a train ride each way, and the last northbound Caltrain leaves Diridon at 11:30 p.m. on the timetable read for this guide. Parking at these hotels is valet or a public garage.
We may earn a commission. Rates and availability are confirmed with the provider.
SJC airport and North San JoseEarly flights and free parking
Stay near San José Mineta International Airport at a hotel with free parking and breakfast, and ride or drive in for the game.
Hotels near SJC off North First Street and I-880
To the arena
Take a rideshare to one of the arena’s drop-off zones, or drive and park in a lot you reserved; lots typically open two hours before the event.
After the game
Walk to a pickup zone on Stockton Avenue, Cahill Street or Almaden Boulevard. Nearby streets close to traffic for 20–30 minutes after the event.
The tradeoff
Neither hotel publishes a shuttle to the arena, so you arrange a rideshare or drive each way. Neither hotel page lists a restaurant, so plan dinner downtown.
From downtown on VTA light railDowntown San Josetransit
Getting there
Walk to VTA light rail, which Hotel Clariana puts two blocks away, and ride toward SAP Center. VTA lists the Green Line as its light rail service to the arena and the Blue Line as within walking distance; check the trip planner for your stop. An adult single ride is $2.50 with cash or Clipper, with two hours of free transfers on Clipper; an adult day pass is $7.50 on Clipper only.
Getting back
Ride light rail back from the arena. If you pay with Clipper, each rider needs their own card.
VTA’s frequency chart shows Green Line service until about midnight every day, but its SAP Center page publishes no event-night schedule or exact last-train time; it asks riders to email customer.service@vta.org or call (408) 321-2300 for a trip plan.
From San Francisco on CaltrainSan Francisco by Caltraintransit
Getting there
Ride Caltrain south to San Jose Diridon: about an hour on an express, and up to about an hour and a half on a local, so check your train. Walk north on Cahill Street and turn right on West Santa Clara Street; the arena is on your left, 5 minutes on foot.
Getting back
Walk back to Diridon. On the timetable read for this guide, the last northbound train leaves Diridon at 11:30 p.m. on weekdays and weekends. Caltrain tickets are valid through the last train of the night.
Caltrain’s SAP Center page lists no extra trains after games, so a late finish leaves little margin. Open alcohol is banned on trains from 9 p.m. on special-event days and nights.
From the airport hotels by rideshareSJC airport and North San Joserideshare
Getting there
Set your drop-off at one of the arena’s zones on Montgomery Street, Barack Obama Boulevard, Cahill Street or Montgomery and St. John Streets.
Getting back
Walk to a pickup zone on Stockton Avenue, Cahill Street or Almaden Boulevard. For 20–30 minutes after the event, Santa Clara Street between Barack Obama Boulevard and Cahill Street and Barack Obama Boulevard between Santa Clara Street and Sharks Way close to traffic.
Prices and wait times after the game are set by the app. The arena publishes the zones but no pickup times.
From the airport hotels by carSJC airport and North San Josedrive
Getting there
Reserve parking through the SpotHero links on the arena’s parking page. Lots typically open two hours before the event, and the on-site lot is reached from Santa Clara Street or Julian Street.
Getting back
Walk back to your lot. Allow for the 20–30 minutes of street closures around the arena after the event.
The arena guarantees an on-site space only to prepaid pass holders, and it sells those passes to season-ticket holders. If general parking fills and you have no pass, you’re redirected to an off-site lot. The arena publishes no single-game price; SpotHero shows the price for your game when you book.
Bags of 5 × 9 × 2 inches or smaller get through fastest; the largest bag allowed is 20 × 14 × 11 inches. Larger permitted bags go through an X-ray lane. There’s no bag check and no lockers.
For Sharks games, doors open 60 minutes before puck drop for weekday games and 75 minutes for Friday afternoon, weekend and holiday games; Sharks 365 members get in 15 minutes earlier. The arena has a general no-re-entry policy.
The arena is near-cashless, with credit cards the main way to pay. Reverse ATMs near the entrances turn cash into a prepaid card, and there are no regular ATMs inside.
More than 3,000 spaces are within a third of a mile, about 1,500 of them on site, and lots typically open two hours before the event. The arena’s parking page links to SpotHero for reservations; on-site spaces are guaranteed only to holders of prepaid passes, which the arena sells to season-ticket holders. The arena publishes no single-game price; SpotHero, which calls itself the official parking partner of the Sharks and SAP Center, lists an average of $20–$50 for event parking and shows your game’s price when you book.
Caltrain, ACE and Capitol Corridor trains stop at San Jose Diridon, a 5-minute walk from the arena. Free BiKeep bike parking is on Barack Obama Boulevard near the ticket office.
Up to 20 × 14 × 11 inches; bags of 5 × 9 × 2 inches or smaller get in fastest. There’s no bag check or lockers, so leave anything larger at your hotel.
When do doors open for a Sharks game?
60 minutes before puck drop for weekday games and 75 minutes for Friday afternoon, weekend and holiday games, 15 minutes earlier for Sharks 365 members.
Can I take Caltrain back to San Francisco after the game?
Yes, if you make the last train. Diridon is a 5-minute walk from the arena, and the timetable read for this guide lists the last northbound train at 11:30 p.m. Caltrain publishes no extra trains after games.
Where do rideshares pick up after the game?
On Stockton Avenue, Cahill Street and Almaden Boulevard. Streets right by the arena close to traffic for 20–30 minutes after the event.
Can I bring a stroller or pay cash?
Strollers can’t go into the seating areas, but you can check one for free. The arena is near-cashless; reverse ATMs near the entrances turn cash into a prepaid card.
