Traffic could become a problem in Santa Clara this weekend because there are some major events around town. The Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival, the move-in weekend at Santa Clara University (SCU), a parade hosted by the SES Portuguese Hall and the 49ers v. Seahawks game at Levi’s Stadium headline this weekend’s happenings in Mission City.
Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival
Expect heavier than normal traffic on Kiely Boulevard, Benton Street and Homestead Road on Sept. 17-18.
The annual Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival attracts the talents of regional artists, live entertainers, and vintners. For locals, this event is a homecoming of sorts. Residents come together and volunteer to benefit local community organizations, all the while running into friends, neighbors and former classmates. It’s the ultimate feel good event!
Ensure a fun and safe time, don’t drink and drive and plan accordingly – get dropped off and picked up at Central Park, designate a driver among the people you come with, use a ride service for your transportation needs or bicycle to the park. A free Bike Watch will be available by a local service organization. Free and paid parking is also available in and around Central Park.
Stay hydrated! Santa Clara Art & Wine Festival goers are also encouraged to drink water, even if they don’t feel thirsty.
If You See Something, Say Something! We ask our community members to remain aware of their surroundings. Reporting suspicious activity, circumstances or individuals can prevent a crime, minimize victimization, save a life and improve the overall quality of life. Dial 9-1-1 in an emergency, or call (408)615-5580 for non-emergency situations.
Complete event information is available from the Parks and Recreation Department online or download the festival app.
Santa Clara University (SCU) Move-In Weekend
Santa Clara University students will be moving into the nine residential learning communities on campus between Thursday, Sept. 15 and Sunday, Sept. 18 from approximately 8 a.m. – 1 p.m. each day. The affected areas will be primarily The Alameda, Bellomy, Market and Lafayette Streets.
The Class of 2026 is the largest in the university’s history. As a result, heavier than normal traffic is expected around the Santa Clara University campus. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, watch for pedestrians, and carefully follow the move in instructions online.
Portuguese Hall Parade
The SES Portuguese Hall is hosting a parade on Sunday, September 18. The parade route will result in temporary and partial closure of Lafayette Street between Lexington and Lewis Streets from approximately 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
During the roving road closure, which should last 10 to 15 minutes at any given intersection, residents are encouraged to take an alternate route to their destination.
49ers v. Seahawks Game
The San Francisco 49ers will take on the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s® Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 1:05 p.m. This event has an anticipated audience of 68,500 attendees. Event information can be found on the Levi’s® Stadium website.
- Heavy traffic and delays are anticipated on major thoroughfares leading to and from the stadium, including Highways 101, 237, 880, Lawrence Expressway, Great America Parkway and San Tomas Expressway, as a result of the event. Expect increased traffic to begin around 9:35 a.m. and continue through the conclusion of the event and its egress (estimated end time is 4:30 p.m.);
- Tasman Drive will be closed from Convention Center Circle to Centennial / Marie P DeBartolo Way on Sunday, September 18 beginning at 1:30 a.m. and will remain closed through the conclusion of the event;
- The offramp slipway from eastbound Tasman Drive to Stars and Stripes Drive will be closed except for train station, Youth Soccer park and Gold Lot 1-5 users, and will remained closed through the conclusion of the event;
- Stadium-goers are encouraged to take public transportation. For public transportation information contact Valley Transportation Authority, ACE/Capitol Corridor heavy rail or CalTrain;
- If you are driving a personal vehicle, input your address for step-by-step directions to each lot. Note, other map programs and/or apps may not take road closures into consideration;
- Do not park in residential neighborhoods.
Parking lots will open at 9:35 a.m. Pre-paid parking passes for the 49ers game can be purchased at www.levisstadium.com. Please note, ADA parking is available in Red Lot 1 and Green Lot 1. Additional information regarding accessible parking is available parking is available by calling 408-579-4610 or on the Levi’s Stadium website.
Stadium gates open at 11:05 a.m.
No parking will be allowed on Tasman Drive on Sunday, Sept. 18. No parking will be allowed on the clearly marked posted section of Lick Mill Boulevard on Sunday, September 18. Residents should allow additional time for travel and may consider taking alternate routes to and from their homes. The City of Santa Clara Traffic Engineering Department has made traffic cameras available to help individuals make travel decisions based on road conditions. To reduce traffic in residential neighborhoods, the Santa Clara Police Department will have personnel at the following intersections:
- Lafayette Street and Calle de Primavera
- Lafayette Street and Hogan Drive
- Agnew Road and Lakeshore Drive
- Agnew Road and Cheeney Street
- Wilcox Avenue and Gianera Street (egress only)
At approximately 9:35 a.m. Fairway Glen Drive and Eisenhower Drive will be restricted to 49ers game related parking on the east side of Lafayette Street. Residents will be encouraged to use Hogan Drive or Calle de Primavera for access to their street(s).
During this same timeframe, Bassett Street, Davis Street, Fillmore Street and Lake Santa Clara Drive will be restricted to event-related parking to the west of Lafayette Street. Residents will be encouraged to use Cheeney Street and Lakeshore Drive for access to their street(s);
Everyone is encouraged to read the message boards and follow the instructions of police personnel and private security;
Be observant and monitor your environment. If you notice suspicious objects or observe suspicious behavior, report this information to local law enforcement immediately;
Due to the day and time of the 49ers game, as well as the need to use slow-moving equipment or other barriers to perform event set-up, for safety reasons the San Tomas Aquino / Saratoga Creek Trail will close at Agnew Road at approximately 8:35 a.m. on Sunday, September 18. Ticketed pedestrians and bicyclists will be able to use the Creek Trail to access the stadium for this event beginning at approximately 9:35 a.m.
Non-ticketed bicyclists exit the Stadium parking lot at the intersection of Convention Circle/Tasman Drive and would reconnect with the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail immediately north of Tasman Drive. Alternatively, northbound non-ticketed bicyclists will be rerouted via Agnew Road, Lakeshore Drive, Gianera Street, the VTA Great America Train Station Parking lot, Stars and Stripes Drive, Temporary Road/Stars and Stripes Extension, Great America Parkway, and then back to the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail.
Non-ticketed pedestrians will be rerouted via Agnew Road, Mission College Boulevard, Great America Parkway past the Santa Clara Convention Center, and then back to the San Tomas Aquino Creek Trail.
It remains a priority of the City to return the creek trail to normal operations as soon as possible following the event for use by trail enthusiasts.
