San Diego Padres Baseball at Petco Park
by TourGuideTimLocation: Downtown San Diego (East Village)
Game Times: Generally, Evening Games Start at 7:05PM and Sunday Games Start at 1:05PM (More Details Below)
Cost: Game Tickets Start at $5.
Features: One of the Top Pitching Teams in Baseball; Best Seats in Baseball; Central Location for Restaurants and Nightlife; Behind the Scenes Tours.
San Diego Padres Highlights: The San Diego Padres are often a contender for the division title. They play in a pitcher-friendly park with an extended outfield that keeps home runs to a minimum. This attracts some of the best pitchers in baseball to play for the Padres. San Diego is also home to one of the highest concentrations of Major League Baseball players. Many of them decide to come back to play for their home team even if they have to take a pay cut. This allows our small market team to play competitively with the teams who have much larger bank accounts. If you ever wanted to cheer for the perennial underdog who always seems to overachieve, head over to Petco Park and watch the San Diego Padres.
Petco Park is arguably one of the most fan friendly Major League Baseball Parks in the country. The ballpark is beautiful. The setting is magnificent. Hundreds of restaurants, bars, hotels, shops, and condo towers surround the baseball stadium offering a wide array of pre and post-game activities. BaseballParks.com named Petco Park the New Park of the Year when it opened in 2004. Their glowing review recommends visitors bring their cameras and make time to wander the stadium to enjoy the setting and architecture.
Game Schedule – Starting April 1st, 2012 with the Texas Rangers and ending October 4th, 2012 with the San Francisco Giants, the San Diego Padres will play 81 home games. Most games from Monday through Saturday start at 7:05PM while Sunday games usually start at 1:05PM. View the Game Schedule for the most up-to-date details.
Padres Depth Chart – Learn the names, numbers, and positions of the starters and their backups.
What to Expect
- Be sure to bring a windbreaker or light jacket for evening games. Even during the summer time, the occasional breezes blowing in from San Diego Bay can make some guests chilly.
- Only small bags are allowed into the stadium and will be inspected.
- Padres Power Alley, located on the Mezzanine Level near Right Field, offers an Interactive Batting Cage, Fast Pitch Game, and Sony PlayStations with the lastest Major League Baseball video games.
- The Mercado on the Main Concourse near section 108 offers the widest selection of food choices in the stadium as well as great views looking out to San Diego Bay.
- Small sealed water bottles or empty water bottles may be brought into the stadium. Food may also be brought into the stadium but there are several restrictions. Read the Fan Guide for details.
- Smoking is not allowed at Petco Park. Visitors may get a re-entry stamp and smoke outside.
San Diego Padres Fan Guide – The fan guide provides a very detailed look on what to expect on game day. It includes information on Petco Park, such as locations for gift shops, restaurants, and special seating sections as well as the stadium’s policies regarding guest conduct; and information on following your favorite players, such as where to send fan mail, when to get player autographs, and how to become a Junior Padre.
Petco Park Tours – Visit the Press Box, the Padres Dugout and more throughout Petco Park. Tours are offered Tuesdays through Sundays during the off-season. Advanced tickets are recommended and available online. There are some black-out dates. The cost is $9 for Adults and $5 for Kids, with additional discounts for Seniors and Military members. Wear comfortable shoes since you will walk nearly 1.5 miles during the tour that will last more than an hour. Tours are offered on a different schedule during the Baseball Season and are posted in April.
Information on Attending a San Diego Padres Baseball Game at Petco Park
Seating Map & Ticket Prices: (Costs are Approximate)
- The Cheapest Seats run about $5. They are referred to as a Park Pass because there is not a designated seat number on your ticket. You can use them to:
- Sit at the Beach, which was selected by USA Today as one of the Top 10 Seating Areas in Major League Baseball. The beach is a 3-acre park outside the center field fence that includes a huge sandbox. This is a great spot for families with young kids. Parents can sit on the grassy knoll next to the sand box while watching the kids play.
- Visit the Padres Hall of Fame Bar & Grill. It is on the 5th Floor of the Western Metal Building, which is built into the stadium in left field. This option is only available when a group has not reserved the restaurant. The Grill offers a very small outdoor seating deck that overlooks left field. Line up early to get a spot in one of two ‘shifts’. Those who sit on the deck at the start of the game are required to leave at the end of the 3rd inning to give an opportunity for another group of fans, who will get to sit there until the end of the game.
- Toyota Terrace is a premium seating level holding 4,900 fans. This restricted area provides a calmer experience with exclusive dining areas.
- The upper-deck seats are among the best in baseball according to BaseballParks.com. The engineers and architects found a way to bring the upper level close in on the action.
- Seniors 60 years old and over and Military Members can receive up to $6 off certain advance tickets. Read the Fan Guide provided above for details.
- If a game is sold out or if you want to see if a season ticket holder is trying to sell their good seats for a particular game, visit the resale page for San Diego Padres tickets.
- For 2009, the Padres are offering stimulus packages that generally include food and seats for one low price. For example, you can sit in Right Field and get all-you-can-eat for $28. Check out all of the Padres Deals.
Directions from Google Maps to 100 Park Boulevard in San Diego, CA 92101.
Traffic – Traffic is remarkably good considering tens of thousands of fans attend the games. Many baseball fans take the San Diego Trolley or arrive downtown early and eat at one of over one hundred restaurants and bars within walking distance of Petco Park. Traffic slows down for those reaching the end of SR-163 and continues to be slow as you continue straight on 10th street towards one of the designated Petco Park Garages. Traffic getting out of the garages is heavy but once you are out, traffic moves fairly quickly along the surface streets taking you back out to the highways. Ideally, park at least 6 to 7 blocks away from Petco Park and walk.
Parking – Designated Garage Parking ranges from $8 – $20. Use the San Diego Padres Interactive Parking Guide to make your plans. Street Parking is Free after 6PM Monday through Saturday and all day on Sundays. Do not park in white Passenger Loading Zones. Pay attention to all street parking signs for any additional restrictions. Many fans park several blocks away in the Gaslamp Quarter and walk to the Stadium past upscale restaurants, bars, and shops.
Transit – The Blue, Orange, and Special Event Trolley lines all stop within two blocks of Petco Park. Look for the Gaslamp Quarter or the 12th and Imperial Avenue trolley stations. Visitors also use the AMTRAK and Coaster Trains, which stop at the Santa Fe Depot Station Downtown. From here, they take the Trolley to Petco Park. (See San Diego Transit Information for details on using AMTRAK, Coaster train, and the Trolley in San Diego as well as information about using the online Transit Planner.)
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