While many Atlanta United fans made the trip to watch the season opener against FC Cincinnati (most, like me, flew, while a couple of friends of SnS made the drive up I-75), there won’t be nearly as many heading across the country to see them play the San Jose Earthquakes.
If you are going — and I’ve spoken to at least one person who is — PayPal Park doesn’t have quite the bar scene around it as Cincinnati does. The good news: if you’re flying to the San Jose airport, the stadium is literally right next to it. By the way, Atlanta’s first time playing at PayPal Park since 2018 when…this happened.
To get a handle on what there is to do before and after the game, I reached out to the folks at r/SJEarthquakes to gather their suggestions.
Here’s the San Pedro Square Market website, if you’re interested. The LuxBus shuttle might be your best bet to get to the stadium from there: it leaves from Market and St. John Streets starting at 5:30 and runs at 15-minute intervals. Buses run from the stadium back to downtown every 15 minutes until about 10:45.
La Victoria Taqueria has several locations in the San Jose area, but the one closest to downtown is at 131 W. Santa Clara St. They’re known for their Orange Sauce, made with “a secret and spicy family recipe that is perfect for meat lovers, vegetarians and vegans as well.”
La Vic’s sells tacos as well, as well as breakfast burritos from 7-11 a.m. (and it’s open until 3 a.m. if you need a late snack). Metros Balderas 1 (688 S Almaden Ave) received a shout as well. It’s…not quite close to the San Pedro Square area, but a 25-minute walk will get you there.
If you’re in the mood for something else:
Technically it’s not right next to it, but it’s there.
One quick note for the hockey fans that are reading (perhaps those who fondly remember the Atlanta Thrashers): the San Jose Sharks are playing the Edmonton Oilers at 1 p.m. PT, about 3.5 hours before the match, at the SAP Center, about a 15-minute walk from San Pedro Square. Maybe it’s an opportunity for a double feature? (At the very least, you may want to allow a little extra time while you’re in the area.)
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Have you been to San Jose? Are you a current or former resident who has another place to recommend? Let me know down in the comments.