San Francisco is a Mecca for pro sports fans. The city is home to many winning teams and owns world-class facilities to enjoy their games. The game arenas in San Francisco are easily accessible from Santa Clara and Silicon Valley. Here's a look at the teams:
Pro Football
Those looking for pro football action have their choice of two area teams. The San Francisco 49ers started in 1946, officially joining the National Football League in 1950. The team's name refers to the famous California Gold Rush of 1849. The team has won several league, conference and division titles over the years along with five Super Bowls, including back-to-back wins for 1988 and 1989. The Niners, as fans call them, won 10 or more games for 16 straight seasons throughout the 1980s and into the early 1990s. Some of the team's legendary players include Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds, Joe Montana, Steve DeBerg, Roger Craig, Jerry Rice, Jeff Kemp, Ronnie Lott and Steve Young. Home games take place at Candlestick Park. Regular season takes place from September through January.
The other pro football team in the area is the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders have been a part of the American Football Conference's Western Division since 1960. The team has several league, conference and division championships to its credit along with three Super Bowl wins. The Raiders play at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland. Pre-season games start in August.
Pro Baseball
The San Francisco Giants, originally based in New York, have been a part of the Bay Area since 1958. This Major League Baseball team holds the record for most wins within the league. The team has several league pennants and division titles to its credit along with five World Series titles. As the New York Giants, the team won five World Championships and 14 pennants. Memorable players from this era include Bobby Thompson, Willie Mays and John McGraw. Since arriving in San Francisco the Giants have captured four pennants and a World Series title in 2010. The Giants have a long-standing rivalry with the Los Angeles Dodgers, which started when the two teams played in New York. The Giants currently play at AT&T Park located in San Francisco. Baseball season runs from April through late summer.
