Supercross (A1/Oakland) advice!

There are all kinds of food choices at the stadium.

Parking in Oakland at the stadium is fine, 

Driving there should be no problem.

oh this brings back memories, let me tell you how naively stupid we were, but could be useful for others:
couple years back we made it to Oakland from Europe to have among others the in-person supercross experience. We were on a tight budget and when we arrived at the stadium we were shocked by the 50 bucks for parking, but found a decent spot just a corner or two away from the stadium, quite a few people parked there so it seemed safe. We walked to the stadium then with our backpacks and waited the line just to find out we can't bring 'em in, so we rushed back to the car to put down the packs and then run back to the stadium as we already missed the intro show with this hustle. Anyway, after the race as we arrived back at our parking spot, and EVERY car's window was smashed, including ours. We were in-between accommodations, so all of our stuff was in the car, and they took literally everything. We were not warned before how sketchy this area is, and naively assumed it would be fine to leave the car a few corners away. Lesson learned, arrive early, just pay the high parking fee to have peace of mind, and be careful in the area.

This doesn't reflect my experiences in three trips to Oakland. I have parked across the highway and walked there and back with my five-year-old daughter in the dark and had no problems. I have taken her three times and never seen a smashed windshield.

Get there early enough to park in the stadium lot (don't show up at 7 pm or it will be full). The pit party beforehand is good anyhow- my kid met her hero, Cooper Webb, last year. It's a good time. Food is simple and expensive like any stadium.

Most stadiums in the US will not allow backpacks, they will allow a smaller sized clear bag to carry stuff in, but not traditional backpacks, or even large purses for women.

Food is plentiful in the stadiums, make sure you have plenty of $$ on your credit or ATM card, hot dogs are $10, sodas are $6-8, beers are $15+, etc...expensive.  And most places are cashless these days, COVID changed that forever, you'll need to swipe a card

Oakland is a very dangerous place, I nearly got mugged outside the court house when dping jury duty, lol.

For A1 there have been food trucks in the pits for Fan Fest and when inside to watch practice thing open up more and more as the day goes on. When you walk in the stadium for the first time, hear and see the bikes, you’ll forget about food for a while by the time you think about food again, they’ll be plenty available. Lol!
 

Enjoy your trip!

Parking in Oakland is not safe. Over the years my friends have encountered many vehicle break ins, Motorhomes with purses, TV's, alcohol etc. Nothing like enjoying the SX to come out to a hundred smashed windows. I'm not exaggerating. You can take the BART train over from SF, its a quick ride, no parking headaches, and cheap$$

We just got to our hotel in Anaheim now. I’ve only missed 3 rounds here in 27 years. Were you guys going to be? I’ve been to Oakland a lot too and can point you guys in the right direction. I lived in SoCal for 25 years and NorCal another 25 years. Hit me up and let’s meet up. 

bart/subway will take you directly to the stadium. This is your best bet. 

This!  

Agreed 

In regards to Oakland, be careful.

2022, ML512 wrote: 

"Still the only round of Supercross I've been robbed at and had a knife held up to my face...good times!"

I asked what the story was and he said:

"Walked onto the BART (train/tram) after I finished up at the stadium on Saturday. Sit down and a dude comes up to me, pulls a knife, puts right up to my face/throat and asks for my bags. Luckily all he saw was my backpack on the seat next to me, so he took that. Missed my roller bag with camera gear I had just slid under my seat.

Great times.

Also got some stuff stolen out of the press box there another year.

Again, great times.

Few teams got their rental cars broken into this year...laptops, wallets, bags gone...

Including Dirt Shark's crew. They stole a shit ton of their camera gear.

Once again, great times.

We need to go back across the bay to the baseball stadium."

I was gonna say buy a gun for Oakland that you can slip into your prison pocket but looks like that's been covered.

But seriously that area has gone downhill, just be careful.

If some shady looking person talks trash to you, don’t try to be a tough guy, just keep walking because you might get stabbed. 

When travelling from downtown SF on BART, it's amazing how tragic the homeless refugee camps are.

On the bright side, Oakland homicide rate is about half that of the south side of Chicago. 

For the first time in several years, I am doing watching from the couch.... ive traveled that BART late at night too many times.

I’ve been to tons of Raider games there. Tailgated with the most hardcore gang thugs ever. Sharing food and drinks with these guys and high fives. Had a great time. But there is no doubt these guys would rob me at the liquor store after the game was over. 

Oakland: IMO, be afraid. Be very afraid. 

If you’re on BART after the race, do you really think someone is going to rob you with 50 other people crammed on the train? 

I lived in a not great part of Oakland for 2 years, I’m 6’1, 160 pound white kid. I was fine. I could tell when someone was a risk and I’d look them dead in the eyes and walk by. People who rob people can sense fear. Don’t be afraid and don’t be dumb and you will be fine. 

I always thought the Oakland sx was better than Anaheim overall.  The parking lot tailgating is next level fun.  Super relaxed atmosphere and people from all walks chilling together. 

The upper lower deck are the prime seats because they are covered if it rains.  Lower second deck is best viewing.  But if it rains you get wet.  Track always produces good racing.  

Yes!