Home of the San Diego Padres

A huge goal of mine is to visit all 30 MLB stadiums and catch a game and enjoy what each stadium and fan base has to offer. Petco Park and the San Diego Padres have such a soft part of my heart room time living in America’s Finest City. I am a Red Sox fan through and through, but the Padres hold a special place for me.

From our place in downtown San Diego we could see right into the stadium. If you are a baseball lover, sports lover, or just want to experience a great atmosphere, I highly recommend you check out Petco Park. I promise you will not be disappointed.

Location

100 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101

Located right in the heart of the Gaslamp District of Downtown San Diego, Petco Park is an easy walk or drive into the city for all the Friar Faithful flocking to the game.

Downtown San Diego is easily navigated by Interstates 5 and 163, leading right into the beating heart of beautiful San Diego. San Diego’s downtown itself is not all that big, so making the trek to the stadium is pretty easy. The stadium is connected to the San Diego Trolley line for easy access to the game.

Petco Park-ing

The stadium does have paid parking structures next to and connected to the stadium. However, just around every corner and turn are parking lots and parking garages for you to park for the game. So if parking at the stadium is not your thing, don’t worry there’s plenty of parking available nearby.

For us, we lived right there so we would walk to the games. Not very helpful to everyone looking for parking, but trust me, parking is very easy around the stadium. Plus if it’s a night game, street parking is free and easy to find.

What To Do Around the Ballpark

Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, Petco Park is surrounded by a great game day atmosphere. San Diego’s Gaslamp district is filled with bars, restaurants, activities, and views. There are endless amounts of activities you could do pre game.

Bub’s at the Ballpark is a locals favorite and has an amazing game day atmosphere. Grab a bite and a local beer to get ready to see the Friars in action. Another favorite of mine is to grab a drink and some food at Barleymash. Another locals favorite, Barleymash has a great happy hour and food so you won’t go wrong.

If you are not looking for some food and drink don’t worry, surrounding the stadium are parks, harbors and waterfront activity. Take a stroll to Seaport Village just across the road from the stadium or walk a little ways to the San Diego Harbor Park so catch some great sights, war ships, a lively scene. Also check out the San Diego Convention Center, home of Comic-Con.

What To Eat in Petco Park

Seaside Market Tri Trip Nachos: Try Tip is a San Diego staple and these nachos are no different. Loaded with cheese, try tip, and veggies, be sure to check them out.

Grab a Ho Dad’s Burgers because, well…They are amazing.

Phils BBQ: This Barbecue staple is known for their savory meats and delicious sides. Head up to the left field upper deck and check them out.

History of Petco Park

Petco Park was constructed and came into play in 2004, replacing Qualcomm as the Padres home park. The construction process took a few years to complete but once completed, Petco Park was one of the most advanced and beautiful stadiums in all of Major League Baseball.

The first game played in the stadium occurred in March of 2004, and oddly enough, were not the Padres. The San Diego State Aztecs hosted a regional series game against Houston in the newly renovated stadium. In front of the largest College Baseball crowd in NCAA history, Padres legend Tony Gwynn (SDSU Head Coach) and the Aztec’s defeated the Cougars, and with that Petco Park was alive.

Memorable Moments at Petco Park

Petco Park hosted it’s first playoff game in 2005 with the Padres losing to the St Louis Cardinals in the NL Divisional round. The park has hosted numerous World Baseball Classic games and MLB playoff games. Barry Bonds tied Hank Aarons home run record at 755 in August of 2007.

Tim Lincecum (SF Giants) threw the first no hitter in Petco Park history on July 13, 2013 when the Giants blanked the Padres 9-0. The coolest moment was by the park hosting the MLB All Star Game in 2016. The city was absolutely wild, even more so than the Home Run Derby.

What to see inside the Stadium

Petco Park might be my favorite MLB Stadium, outside of one that is to be written about. So check back later for my favorite. Petco Park is almost a little city in itself. Entering the park from downtown, you’ll find the famous Tony Gwynn States sitting atop a little hill facing the stadium. Gallagher Square features a little league sized whiffle ball field, open grass areas, a Jumbotron screen to watch the game from the grass, although from the grass you look right into the field from left center. Craft beer stands ( a San Diego Specialty) fill the stadium and walkways.

Palm Court Plaza is accessed form the main entrance from the Gaslamp and sits next tot he iconic Western Supply Company. An abundance of palm trees and baseball phrases make up a large majority of the plaza.

San Diego favorite’s fill the food scene inside the park. Hodad’s, Pizza Port, Try Tip Nachos, Phils BBQ, Board and Brew, and many other restaurants make the food scene as good as the game itself. A full size pool hall is accessible from the second deck.

Truthfully you can’t go wrong wherever you go in the stadium.

Where To Sit

Petco Park for the large majority really doesn’t have bad seating. From what I’ve experienced form sitting in multiple locations throughout the park, is that the upper deck in right field is the least popular among the fans to sit. From that location, you cannot see the Right Fielder and miss most of the majority of action int hat part of the ball park.

Behind home plate from bottom to top are great spots, left field outfield seats offer great views and even better fan atmosphere. My personal favorite is the 3rd base line about 20 rows up. For some reason I just like that spot in the stadium and fee close to the action.

Petco also has many suites throughout the stadium, from private events, group rentals, and luxury boxes, Petco Park has many cool spots to relax and enjoy the game.

Where to Stay Around Petco Park

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San Diego is filled with amazing hotels especially surrounding or nearby to Petco Park. San Diego is a premier destinations formally anybody, so hotels, AirBnB’s and housing options are plenty.

Hotels near Petco Park:

• Staypineapple, Hotel Z– 0.3 miles away
• SpringHill Suites by Marriott San Diego Downtown/Bayfront– 0.3 miles away
•  Hotel Indigo San Diego- Gaslamp Quarter – 0.3 miles away
• Search for more hotels at Booking.com

Make a Trip and Enjoy all Petco Park has to Offer

Check out our latest post if you plan to catch a Diamondbacks game at Chase Field in Phoenix.