Bay Area getting high praise for hosting Super Bowl 50

Byby Cornell Barnard KGO logo
Tuesday, February 9, 2016
Crews work to tear down Super Bowl City in San Francisco, on Monday, February 8, 2016.
Crews work to tear down Super Bowl City in San Francisco, on Monday, February 8, 2016.
KGO-TV

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- Life is beginning to return to normal in parts of the Bay Area after the biggest spectacle in American sports came to a close.

Despite a few glitches, it looks like the Bay Area pulled off one of its biggest celebrations ever.

PHOTOS: Players and celebrities at Super Bowl 50

"We went to Detroit for the Super Bowl 10 years ago. The plumbing was not working, they weren't ready for anything. Here, they knew what they were doing," said Ron Schippert, a Broncos fan.

The hard numbers aren't in yet, but experts say many hotels were booked and that the city was packed with visitors.

Joe D'alessandro, President of the San Francisco Travel Association, said, "If you walked around San Francisco, there were people everywhere. It's something we can be proud of."

WATCH VIDEO: Some San Francisco businesses posting losses following Super Bowl 50

Some Super Bowl host officials are already looking to host another one.

"We were clear the beginning, we did not want this to be a one and done. I'd love to have it back in five or six years," said CEO Kevin Bruce of the Super Bowl Host Committee.

It wasn't all perfect. The fireworks were beautiful in the air, but some of the shells washed up in the Bay the next day.

And then there was the heavy traffic and all the detours.

PHOTOS: Super Bowl City takes over downtown San Francisco

Supervisor Jane Kim has issues about the estimated $5 million party tab that the taxpayers are left with.

"It's never been do I welcome the Super Bowl in Bay Area, but who should foot the bill for the parties?" she asked.

Next year, Houston will host Super Bowl 51.

ABC7 News brought you full coverage of Super Bowl 50. Click here for the latest stories, videos, and photos.