Tailgating Parking Tips at O.co Coliseum
Forget tackles and touchdowns—finding parking at O.co Coliseum can make what the Raiders do on the field look easy. Take your mind off of the steering wheel with these game-day parking tips.
Coliseum Parking Lots and Passes
Parking on game day is $35 per car paid with a credit card or cash (no bills over $20). Pre-paid parking passes are available in advance for season ticket holders; pass holders must park in their assigned lots but can switch lots by contacting Raiders representatives in advance. Fans without season tickets can often find passes for sale on auction websites. An unofficial list of those auctions is available at www.raidersparking.com.
Tailgating
Parking gates open five hours before kickoff and early arrivals can begin lining up at 6 a.m. for early games and 11 a.m. for evening games. The Raiders sold out their home season in 2011 and competition for parking spaces can be fierce. Arrive early to secure the best spot for your tailgating party.
O.co Coliseum has strict rules that prohibit tailgaters from taking up more than one space or extending out of their designated parking space, even if a space is empty. Make sure to park your car in just one space and keep the party within that designated area. Along those lines, the Coliseum doesn't permit trailers, so keep your mobile grill setup compact.
The Raiders encourage all fans to be respectful and safe tailgaters, meaning that fans should clean up after themselves, handle barbecues responsibly and always use a designated driver. Because of City of Oakland regulations, there are no amplified music or band performances in the parking lot.
Another Way to Park
Want to drive to the game but don't like the expense and hassle of finding parking at O.co? Check out GottaPark. This five-year-old San Francisco company allows Bay Area homeowners, businesses and anyone with a parking space to open that area to reservations weeks in advance. Spaces near the Coliseum on Raiders game days go for $20 and are available at www.gottapark.com/oakland-coliseum-parking.
Public Transit
Since Oakland Coliseum BART Station is so close to the stadium, taking public transit is a good way to take the stress out of game day. Plus, depending on where you're coming from, a round-trip BART ticket should cost around $10 per person—much cheaper than parking at O.co.
The Waiting Game
Don't forget that the line to get through security and enter the stadium can be long and tiresome. Fans report waiting up to 25 minutes in line, so make sure to plan waiting time into your game-day schedule.
Handicapped and Disabled Parking
O.co Coliseum's parking lots A, B, C and D are wheelchair accessible and staff members will make spaces in club parking lots available to ADA placard or plate holders if those lots are full. A courtesy shuttle is available to assist disabled fans between the parking lot and the Coliseum entrance.
Check out Tailgate Fan to keep the party going at tailgatefan.cbslocal.com.
Post Author: Cara Slusarski is a freelance writer covering all things San Francisco. Her work can be found on Examiner.com.
