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When I surprised Savannah with tickets to see the Dallas Wings play in San Francisco, she screamed, dropped to the floor of our dining room, and rolled around in tears.
I sat here eating my dinner a little baffled. We were going to a basketball game. Even more baffling was her request for a two-hour get ready time frame in our dodgy hotel room. Couldn’t we spend that afternoon finding a San Francisco bakery and a good flat white instead?
No. This was the dream.
We were visiting San Francisco after five days on the Majestic Mountain Loop, legs still heavy from the Sierra Nevada. As San Francisco was not new to us, this visit was purely about the basketball.
Savannah is s a die-hard WNBA fan, Paige Bueckers is her idol, and the Wings were in town to play the Golden State Valkyries. Everything else on our trip was a bonus wrapped around this night.
So, I gave up the flat white, went back to our tiny hotel room, and waited the better part of 90 minutes while she got herself ready. Jersey on. Nerves buzzing.
Getting to the Chase Center
The Chase Center sits in Mission Bay, and it’s an easy one to reach. Buses and the Metro both run there, and here’s the part that made me happy: if you’ve got a ticket to the game, your transit is free the whole day. Have your ticket ready to show when boarding. We took advantage of that while exploring San Francisco during the day!
We caught the bus in and took the train home. Somewhere on the way back it ran above ground, then dipped below without warning, which had us both looking at each other like, where are we going? We could walk from the station (Union Square) back to our hotel, and walk to the bus on the way out, so we never touched a car all night.
Where to eat before the game
Right on the complex, Thrive City has outdoor space, shops, and somewhere to eat before tip-off. We found a burger joint, Gott’s Roadside, that had me at gluten-free buns. You order at the counter, then grab a spot at the long community tables inside or out.
The burgers were delicious and reasonably priced (get the Texas Avocado), and they had a gluten-free beer on tap, plus Pliny the Elder, which is a rare thing to spot. It’s a Russian River beer that people will line up for hours to get on release day, so I was not going to walk past it. Well since I’m gluten free, I kinda did, but not without first ordering it and drinking it in my mind. (I have tried it before and loved it)
Other places to eat at Thrive City include Fikscue Craft Barbecue, Dumpling time, Che Fico Pizzeria, Burma Love, Senor Sisig, and Cupcakin’ Bake Shop. there’s also Golden State Cider, Pilz Coffee, and Harmonic Brewing to quench your thirst.
A ten-minute walk away is Spark Social, a food truck park and beer garden with a happy hour bar. We went there first, then decided it wasn’t the vibe we wanted before the game and doubled back to be near the arena. Both work. It depends how much time you’ve got.
The moment that made the whole trip
We got there early, on purpose, to watch the Wings warm up.
Down in the bottom corner of our section, you could stand right above the tunnel where the players come off the court to the locker room. Savannah spotted Paige Bueckers signing autographs as we walked in, and by the time we got to the corner she’d moved on. Missed her by a minute. I could see the disappointment settle in.
So I did what any Australian mother would do. I decided we’d use our accent.
Alanna Smith plays for the Wings, and she’s one of ours. Born in Hobart, raised through Melbourne, a reigning Defensive Player of the Year and an Olympian. Savannah was mortified. She could see exactly what I was about to do and wanted the ground to swallow her.
I waited at the corner while Alanna signed her way down the line. As she came past, I leaned over and yelled, “Aussie Oi!”
She looked straight up, beaming, and we had ourselves a little conversation across the barrier. We talked Tasmania and Melbourne and how much she’s loving it over here. I told her we’re Aussies too, living in North Carolina, and we’d come because my girl is a big fan. And there was Savannah, who’d been dying of embarrassment thirty seconds earlier, sidling up beside me with the biggest grin, brave enough now to catch Alanna’s eye and get one back.
That’s the thing I keep coming back to. Your uniqueness is an advantage if you’ll use it. A yelled “Aussie Oi” from a mum who didn’t care about looking silly got her daughter a moment she’ll have forever.
Then another player came past, one who used to run for the NC State Wolfpack, right near where we live. Aziaha James. So, I called out “Wolfpack” and threw up the sign. She caught it just as she reached the tunnel, turned, beamed, and gave it right back.
Two moments, before the game had even started, and Savannah was already floating.
The Wings vs Vakyries game itself
I did not expect to be entertained the way I was.
The women on the court were brilliant, and so was everything happening around them. Dance routines and giveaways through every timeout, glitter and color across the crowd, the energy climbing all night. The locals were loud behind their Valkyries, and there was a healthy scattering of Wings jerseys in the mix too. Savannah wore her Bueckers jersey. I wore a shirt that said “I’m in my Dallas Wings era.” We were all in.
She got to watch Paige Bueckers and Azzi Fudd play, her two favorite players, on the same floor. That alone had her buzzing.
The Wings didn’t get the win. They hung in for a while, then the Valkyries pulled away for a 91-80 final. Savannah didn’t care one bit. She was high the entire night, and when it was over she told me it was the best night of her life.
What one game did
She hasn’t come back down.
A month later, Craig took her to see the Wings play the Liberty in Brooklyn, and you can read about their game night here. Between the two of us, we’ve now taken her to WNBA games on both coasts, and she’s already plotting the next one.
She’s talking about a career in the league now. Working in it somehow, off the court. She’s researching what those jobs look like and eyeing the North Carolina Courage, the women’s pro soccer team ten minutes from our house, for somewhere to start young. The Courage play soccer, and it’s women’s pro sport right on her doorstep. I told her what I believe. It all starts small.
I’d said yes to that game as a favor to my teen. It turned out to be the best thing we did, and I’m so glad I didn’t talk her out of a single second of it.
How to see a WNBA game at the Chase Center
Here’s what I’d tell you if you’re planning to take your own teen.
Getting tickets
Buy through Ticketmaster as that’s the official ticket seller. OR resale through a reputable resale site like SeatGeek or Gametime. The Valkyries have sold out most of their games since they launched in 2025, so the marquee opponents and weekend games get pricey and go early. Buy ahead for those. Midweek games against lower-profile teams are your cheaper window, sometimes from around $30 to $60 in the upper bowl, though prices move with demand, so check the day you book.
One thing that saved us money: we’d bought the few remaining non-resale seats that were in the nosebleeds. We then upgraded once we were inside the arena, which came in cheaper than buying those closer seats through resale would have. Worth asking about upgrades when you arrive.
Our upgraded tickets landed us in the Ultra Club section, which I had no idea about until we arrived in it. This was more of a private area with its own bar and eatery. The bar tender was telling me how it’s the only two-story bar at the Chase Centre. So, if you want more of a private experience like this the following sections offer them:
- Sections 126-129: Cache Creek Club
- Sections 101 – 106: United Globe Club
- Sections 113 – 118: Ult4ra Club
Note: I’m taking an educated guess, that since Paige Beuckers and Azzi Fudd are two of the WNBA’s highest profile players, seeing the Dalas Wings play in San Francisco meant higher priced tickets.
Getting there and parking
Take transit. The arena sits in Mission Bay, and the Muni Metro T Third line stops at the UCSF/Chase Center station right at the south entrance. Your game ticket doubles as a free Muni ride for the whole day, so there’s no reason to pay for anything extra. You can also come by BART with a transfer to Muni, or by ferry.
If you must drive, know that on-site parking is limited and expensive, usually $30 to $60 or more, and it sells out. Prepay through Ticketmaster or the Chase Center parking page rather than rolling up and hoping. Street parking around Mission Bay is permit-only with aggressive towing on game nights. Leave the car.
The T metro line serves Chase Center, and additional S trains run on event days. The 78X bus also runs between Chase Center and 16th St Mission BART Station 2.5 hours before and 1 hour after events.
What to bring
Chase Center doesn’t allow backpacks of any kind, even small or clear ones, so bring a small purse or clutch instead. Bags get searched, and a clear one moves you through faster. There’s a bag valet on site if you turn up with something that won’t pass. Bag sizes and prohibited items change, so check the official Chase Center site before you go. Reusable water bottles are not permitted. This was a boo hoo for me. So bad for the environment. Water fountains are in the arena, which will also save you money! If you have to buy one water bottle then refill it.
When to arrive
Get there early. Doors usually open about 90 minutes before tip-off, and that pre-game window, when the players are loose and close to the stands, is where our whole night turned. Give yourself time to eat, and to catch the warm-ups. Thrive City is worth a wander too. If you’ve got a younger fan with you, ask guest services about a first-game certificate.
Where to eat
Thrive City on the complex has plenty of choices, including the burger spot we loved, and Spark Social is a short walk away for food trucks and a beer garden. Eat before you head in, since arena concessions run steep.
We did not experience eating inside the Chase Center, but they have a wide variety of eateries that serve fresh, from-scratch local favorites and dishes representing the diverse culinary experience of the Bay Area. Expect your usual venue food – burgers, hot dogs, BBQ, Mexican, and pizza but since it’s California focused, they’ll all probably be good. They’ve also got you covered with bars pouring expensive drinks! You know it!
Why it’s a great teen night
A WNBA game is warm and family-friendly, often more affordable than the men’s Golden State basketball game, with an atmosphere that pulls everyone in. Women’s sport is having its moment, and your teen will want to be in the building for it.
FAQs about seeing a WNBA game at the Chase Center
Is a WNBA game good for teens?
Yes. It was the highlight of our whole San Francisco trip. The crowd is warm and family-friendly, and there’s entertainment through every timeout to keep everyone in it. Women’s sport is having a moment, and your teen will want to be there for it. Tickets often cost less than the men’s game too.
How much are Golden State Valkyries tickets?
Prices vary a lot by opponent and day. The Valkyries sell out often, so weekend and marquee games climb fast, while midweek games can start around $30 to $60 in the upper bowl on resale. Premium and courtside seats run into the hundreds or more. Check current prices when you book.
How do you get to the Chase Center?
Take the Muni Metro T Third line to the UCSF/Chase Center stop at the arena’s south entrance. Your game ticket covers your Muni fare for the whole day. Get ready to show it BART and the ferry connect in too
Where do you park at the Chase Center?
On-site parking is limited and usually $30 to $60 or more, and it sells out, so prepay through Ticketmaster or the Chase Center parking page if you drive. Transit is the easier and cheaper option.
What can you bring into the Chase Center?
A small purse or clutch, not a backpack of any kind, plus one factory-sealed water bottle. Bags are searched, and a clear one speeds things up. Check the official site for the current size limit and prohibited items before you go.
Is the Chase Center accessible?
Yes. The arena was built with accessibility in mind, and every entrance is wheelchair accessible. Accessible seating with companion seats is spread throughout the bowl. Accessible parking is at the 150 Warriors Way Garage on a first-come basis for guests with a valid placard. There’s an accessible drop-off on 16th Street near Terry A. Francois Boulevard, and a ramp connects the garage through to Thrive City and the West Entrance.
Complimentary wheelchair escort service runs from Thrive City Plaza starting about an hour before doors.Policies and contact details shift, so it’s worth a look at the Chase Center visitor info page before your game.
What else we did with our 3 days in San Francisco
The game was the anchor, and we built a full trip of teen-friendly days around it:
- Walked from Fisherman’s Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge
- Rode in a driverless Waymo
- Photographed the Painted Ladies
- Lost a few hours in the California Academy of Sciences
- Wandered Haight-Ashbury and Golden Gate Park
- Found a secret hill with an epic view.
- Also found a coffee shop with the best view of the bridge.
For the full run-down, prices, and where we ate, see our complete guide to things to do in San Francisco with teens. Included are additional ideas we did not do on this trip, but have on previous trips so can personally vouch they are worth your time.
Final thoughts
I’ll be watching more WNBA with Savannah, whether I planned to or not. That’s what these trips do at this age. You say yes to their thing, the thing you didn’t quite get, and you end up standing in a corner above a tunnel yelling “Aussie Oi” and watching your kid light up.
Take them to the game. Say the embarrassing thing. It might be the night they remember most. If you’re planning a WNBA trip with your teen and have a question, comment below, I’d love to help.
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