First timer - Stanford Gameday

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First timer - Stanford Gameday - tychicus - 08-26-2018

I initially posted my question on Reddit, but they referred me to this forum. So here's what I posted over at Reddit:

hi, big ncaaf fan that moved out here from the east last year.
haven’t been to stanford even though i live relatively close. i’m planning on checking out the game this friday, most likely alone...
any suggestions on where to park? what/where to check out before kickoff... bars? tailgate scene? also do they sell beers inside the stadium?
thanks in advance!

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - SamuelMcF - 08-26-2018

Hello and welcome!

Parking: I have always either taken the train in, taken a Lyft to a nearby non-congested spot for drop-off, or set up a small tailgate in one of the surrounding grove lots, so not too sure what the rest of the parking situation looks like.

Bars: Depends how much time you have before kickoff, but University Ave is pretty close by. Bars around there include Nola, Old Pro, the Patio, Scotty's Bar, the Rose and Crown, and the Tap Room.

Tailgating: Students won't be there yet as the school year starts in late September, but walking around the aforementioned grove lots you're sure to see many many tailgates. People have been nothing but friendly in my experience. Also check out the area between the track and aquatic center (Chuck Taylor Grove) for food trucks and some of the more high-end tailgates.
Map: https://campus-map.stanford.edu/

No beer sold in the stadium, but as a student it was pretty easy to creatively get our drinkables in. Also, the food in the stadium is quite good!

Hope you enjoy the game!

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - Snorlax94 - 08-26-2018

Transportation and parking:
When I recently started returning to the games I used this guide.
https://www.ruleoftree.com/2011/8/25/2362280/your-guide-to-getting-to-stanford-on-football-game-days
The main gist seems to be, don’t come to Stanford going straight up from the 101.

Lots of people recommend taking the train

If you park, it could be easier to come up from the east or the west or the south, 280, and to come up to the lot that way. There’s a general parking lot that takes cash on Arboretum Road, which you can access from campus Drive.

Pregame: there is a fan fest before every game featuring food trucks, some other kiosks, It could be quieter this Friday, because school doesn’t start for another month. A good time to get the lay of the land, before it gets more crowded
https://gostanford.com/sports/2013/4/17/208445471.aspx

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - Redrum - 08-26-2018

A word of caution. As someone new to the Bay Area, inevitably you will run into promotional ads or, worse, a Cal alumnus who will argue that the real fun football is played in Berkeley. He/she will woo you with fantastical tales of football being played in Strawberry Canyon. That is your signal to look for an exit and run. The real fun football is not played in Berkeley. They are working, imperfectly, on achieving competence, a necessary precursor to fun football. And, of course, at the heart of the matter is that even competence or consistent success won't change the fact that it's weenie football: The fans, the team, the weenie band, the stadium formerly known as Kabam! Field. Kabam! was both the promotional naming rights sold to a gaming software company of the same name and the sound of the Bear program staggering into walls. Kabam! finally discovered the toxic nature of association with Kal football and pulled the plug...but not until the Transitive Property of Weenie-ness had started them spiraling down.

Just keep your football focus on the west side of the Bay and you'll be fine. God knows the football, parking and tailgating are better, too.

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - Robbie - 08-26-2018

It's not on your list of questions, nor a typical sports-centered answer, but the Stanford campus is large and beautiful. I highly encourage you to walk around the academic areas for a bit. (And it's the opposite direction from the bars, so it may not align with your goals.)

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - Spiny_Norman - 08-27-2018

Tychicus, long-time CardBoarder Terry has a standard set of recommendations that he offers to visiting fans. I have copied here and updated for recent campus activity.

If you get to Palo Alto early and you're looking for a place to hang out, you might try the Old Pro, a sports bar in downtown Palo Alto. It probably will be crowded. The address is 541 Ramona St., Palo Alto -- http://www.oldpropa.com/

If you haven't been to Stanford before and you are driving, I would suggest entering campus by way of University Avenue. It takes you through downtown Palo Alto and into the campus. The name of the street changes from University Ave. to Palm Drive as you cross over El Camino Real. That gives you the "picture postcard" view of the campus as you enter.

Regarding game-day activities -- If you've never been to the Stanford campus, I would advise that you spend some time walking around the central campus area. It's possible to come to a football game, park, tailgate, and leave without ever seeing the central campus. I think that would be a mistake. Some spots to see on campus:

- The Quad. This is the academic heart of the campus. Spend some time wandering around. You will want to go into Memorial Church. Check out Memorial Court, which is at the main entrance to the Quad. Just outside the main entrance to the Quad is the Oval, a large grassy area that often is the site of frisbee, sunbathing, picnics, or whatever. The Quad is near the middle of this map -- https://campus-map.stanford.edu/

- White Plaza. This the crossroads of the campus and there's usually a lot of activity. The Bookstore has Stanford clothing and souvenirs. You can get something to eat at the Tresidder Union. Look in the bottom center part of the map.

- The Rodin Sculpture Garden at the Museum. (The Museum is formally known as the Cantor Center.) I think admission to the Museum is free if you want to go inside, but you don't have to enter the Museum to see the Rodin Garden. Part of the Cantor Arts Center.

- Hoover Tower. You won't have a problem finding it. Just look up. If the tower is open, you may want to ride up and see the campus from above.

- The Stanford Athletics Home of Champions in the Arrillaga Family Sports Center, 641 E. Campus Drive. This is the new hall of fame space which opened a year ago. Free admission. Lots of interactive displays. Lots of trophies too.

Two hours before kickoff, the Stanford team will walk from its locker room at Arrillaga Family Sports Center to the stadium. The Walk is a long-standing tradition. Fans will stand along the route and applaud the team as it walks past. The best place to see the Walk is in Chuck Taylor Grove, along Sam McDonald Mall. The Band plays in Chuck Taylor Grove immediately before the Walk.

While you're in Chuck Taylor Grove, take a look for the plaques honoring college football Hall of Famers Chuck Taylor (a Stanford player, coach, and athletic director) and Pop Warner (Stanford's winningest coach ever).

The Stanford "Fan Fest" is in the hammer throw area of Angell Field, on the opposite side of Sam McDonald Mall from Chuck Taylor Grove. You can get something to eat at the Fan Fest. I think they sell beer too. https://gostanford.com/sports/2013/4/17/208445471.aspx

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - CornFed - 08-27-2018

Just a note:
Understandable oversight by Spiny, but in the penultimate paragraph of his post an update is needed. If you will be attending the game Friday, you will be able to watch the winningest coach in Stanford football history. Pop Warner is now #2. Hopefully, Coach Shaw will be starting his fourth PAC12 Coach of the Year season since took over in 2011.

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - Spiny_Norman - 08-27-2018

(08-27-2018, 08:33 AM)CornFed Wrote: Just a note:
Understandable oversight by Spiny, but in the penultimate paragraph of his post an update is needed. If you will be attending the game Friday, you will be able to watch the winningest coach in Stanford football history. Pop Warner is now #2. Hopefully, Coach Shaw will be starting his fourth PAC12 Coach of the Year season since took over in 2011.

Excellent catch, CornFed, thank you for the correction. Yes, David Shaw tied Pop Warner for the most victories as a Stanford head coach with the upset win over Washington last year, then passed him a week later with a win over Cal. I don't remember that we made a big deal about that at the time. But we should have.

The SDSU game will be David Shaw's 96th as a Stanford head coach which will tie him with Pop Warner for most games as a Stanford HC. Yes, in 122 years of Stanford football, no one has ever coached 100 games or more. But DShaw looks like to become the first when Stanford plays Notre Dame.

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - winflop - 08-27-2018

It will be Friday evening, so if you're driving, plan on there being traffic - A LOT OF TRAFFIC.

I recommend parking in Lot 13 which is off Arboretum and on the other side of Palm Drive/University Ave from the stadium. A bit farther to walk but very easy to get to off of 280 (exit Sand Hill Rd) and back out after the game.

If you're going to check out the scene, I'll echo others about either downtown Palo Alto and the Old Pro or walking around the unbelievably beautiful campus. I wouldn't try to do both on one day though!

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - tychicus - 08-27-2018

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

appreciate all the informative stuff... I'm getting more excited to attend even if it's solo (miss my tailgate crew back in NJ)

so pumped for this football season

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - stupac2 - 08-28-2018

(08-27-2018, 09:24 PM)tychicus Wrote: THANK YOU EVERYONE!

appreciate all the informative stuff... I'm getting more excited to attend even if it's solo (miss my tailgate crew back in NJ)

so pumped for this football season

Are you planning on doing multiple games? If you want to follow Stanford, we actually have 7 local games this year, since @Cal is very doable (it's actually significantly closer for me). Although, wait, I don't think I've bought tickets for that game yet! I should do that.

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - indiancardinal - 08-28-2018

(08-28-2018, 08:31 AM)stupac2 Wrote:
(08-27-2018, 09:24 PM)tychicus Wrote: THANK YOU EVERYONE!

appreciate all the informative stuff... I'm getting more excited to attend even if it's solo (miss my tailgate crew back in NJ)

so pumped for this football season

Are you planning on doing multiple games? If you want to follow Stanford, we actually have 7 local games this year, since @Cal is very doable (it's actually significantly closer for me). Although, wait, I don't think I've bought tickets for that game yet! I should do that.

Actually hoping we can make it 8 local games... Pac 12 Championship game is scheduled to be in Santa Clara?

GO STANFORD!

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - stupac2 - 08-28-2018

(08-28-2018, 11:12 AM)indiancardinal Wrote:
(08-28-2018, 08:31 AM)stupac2 Wrote:
(08-27-2018, 09:24 PM)tychicus Wrote: THANK YOU EVERYONE!

appreciate all the informative stuff... I'm getting more excited to attend even if it's solo (miss my tailgate crew back in NJ)

so pumped for this football season

Are you planning on doing multiple games? If you want to follow Stanford, we actually have 7 local games this year, since @Cal is very doable (it's actually significantly closer for me). Although, wait, I don't think I've bought tickets for that game yet! I should do that.

Actually hoping we can make it 8 local games... Pac 12 Championship game is scheduled to be in Santa Clara?

GO STANFORD!

Well, if you want to go there, the National Championship is also at Levi's!

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - indiancardinal - 08-28-2018

Right on! Couple more days of pre season remaining for all of us die hards. Let us keep dreaming the 15-0! This year is as good as any... if it ever happens!

May all the stars align so we reach the promised land and we can rename the stadium after Shaw!

Go Stanford!!!

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - newguy - 08-29-2018

(08-26-2018, 10:53 PM)Redrum Wrote: A word of caution. As someone new to the Bay Area, inevitably you will run into promotional ads or, worse, a Cal alumnus who will argue that the real fun football is played in Berkeley. He/she will woo you with fantastical tales of football being played in Strawberry Canyon. That is your signal to look for an exit and run. The real fun football is not played in Berkeley. They are working, imperfectly, on achieving competence, a necessary precursor to fun football. And, of course, at the heart of the matter is that even competence or consistent success won't change the fact that it's weenie football: The fans, the team, the weenie band, the stadium formerly known as Kabam! Field. Kabam! was both the promotional naming rights sold to a gaming software company of the same name and the sound of the Bear program staggering into walls. Kabam! finally discovered the toxic nature of association with Kal football and pulled the plug...but not until the Transitive Property of Weenie-ness had started them spiraling down.

Just keep your football focus on the west side of the Bay and you'll be fine. God knows the football, parking and tailgating are better, too.

i can't emphasize strongly enough just how important it is to heed this advice.

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - French Rage - 08-29-2018

(08-29-2018, 03:15 AM)newguy Wrote:
(08-26-2018, 10:53 PM)Redrum Wrote: A word of caution. As someone new to the Bay Area, inevitably you will run into promotional ads or, worse, a Cal alumnus who will argue that the real fun football is played in Berkeley. He/she will woo you with fantastical tales of football being played in Strawberry Canyon. That is your signal to look for an exit and run. The real fun football is not played in Berkeley. They are working, imperfectly, on achieving competence, a necessary precursor to fun football. And, of course, at the heart of the matter is that even competence or consistent success won't change the fact that it's weenie football: The fans, the team, the weenie band, the stadium formerly known as Kabam! Field. Kabam! was both the promotional naming rights sold to a gaming software company of the same name and the sound of the Bear program staggering into walls. Kabam! finally discovered the toxic nature of association with Kal football and pulled the plug...but not until the Transitive Property of Weenie-ness had started them spiraling down.

Just keep your football focus on the west side of the Bay and you'll be fine. God knows the football, parking and tailgating are better, too.

i can't emphasize strongly enough just how important it is to heed this advice.

The best way to tell if you're at the right stadium: ask the home fans about their favorite Rose Bowl experience. If they are under 80 and have one, you're at the right stadium.

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - tychicus - 08-29-2018

(08-28-2018, 08:31 AM)stupac2 Wrote:
(08-27-2018, 09:24 PM)tychicus Wrote: THANK YOU EVERYONE!

appreciate all the informative stuff... I'm getting more excited to attend even if it's solo (miss my tailgate crew back in NJ)

so pumped for this football season

Are you planning on doing multiple games? If you want to follow Stanford, we actually have 7 local games this year, since @Cal is very doable (it's actually significantly closer for me). Although, wait, I don't think I've bought tickets for that game yet! I should do that.

Not sure if I can make all the home games, still need to watch my school try to turn it around finally in his 3rd year as head coach, "his" recruits...

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - jonnyss - 08-29-2018

if you like ice cream on a warm summer afternoon, the best i have ever had is at tin pot creamery across el camino from the stadium in town and country shopping center. try the rich chocolate and the coffee with cocoa nibs.

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - stupac2 - 08-29-2018

(08-29-2018, 06:47 AM)tychicus Wrote: Not sure if I can make all the home games, still need to watch my school try to turn it around finally in his 3rd year as head coach, "his" recruits...

Rutgers? There should be very little overlap in kickoff times for our games (Pac-12 after dark, baby!), so it ought to be pretty doable to make as many as you want!

RE: First timer - Stanford Gameday - ChicagoCard - 08-29-2018

(08-29-2018, 07:50 AM)jonnyss Wrote: if you like ice cream on a warm summer afternoon, the best i have ever had is at tin pot creamery across el camino from the stadium in town and country shopping center. try the rich chocolate and the coffee with cocoa nibs.

Whatever happened to Edy's?