A Guide To Petco Park
Nestled in the heart of downtown San Diego, Petco Park offers more than just a baseball game, it provides a quintessential Southern California experience. With its notable architecture, local cuisine, and a vibrant surrounding neighborhood, a trip to Petco Park is a must for any sports fan or visitor to America's Finest City.
Getting to the Ballpark
Located in the bustling East Village, Petco Park is easily accessible by car or public transportation.
For those driving, numerous parking lots and garages surround the ballpark. It is highly recommended to purchase parking in advance. Expect prices to be high on game days, especially for lots closer to the stadium. Cheaper parking is available if you’re willing to walk further to the stadium. Consider parking in Gaslamp or Little Italy neighborhoods and enjoy the 15-20 minute walk.
The San Diego Trolley has three stations within a short walking distance of Petco Park and all three trolley lines serve these stations. A number of trolley and rapid transit stations offer free parking creating an easy park and ride option. For those coming from North County, the COASTER train provides a scenic journey to the Santa Fe Depot, where you can transfer to the trolley.
A designated rideshare zone is located on Park Boulevard & Harbor Drive but this isn’t strictly enforced. You can walk a block or two from the stadium and still be picked up but post game traffic can lead to long wait times.
Pregame Festivities
Petco Park is the anchor of the vibrant and revitalized East Village neighborhood that buzzes with energy game days. The streets surrounding the ballpark are lined with a diverse array of bars and restaurants, offering the perfect setting for pregame celebrations.
Bars & Restaurants
- A classic sports bar with a lively atmosphere, offering a wide selection of beers and pub fare.
- A historic saloon and a local favorite since 1928, known for its strong drinks, classic dive bar ambiance, and jukebox. It's one of the oldest bars in San Diego and claims that Wyatt Earp was once a regular.
- Located atop the San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter, this swanky rooftop bar offers breathtaking panoramic views of the ballpark and the city skyline.
- Local Breweries
- Brewery taproom with a casual rooftop bar and great happy hour deal
- Housed in a charming historic building mere feet from the centerfield entrance, this brewery offers a rotating selection of craft beers and a gastropub menu.
- Housed in a former church, this unique tasting room is known for its Belgian-style and sour ales.
- A laid-back brewery and tasting room with gameday specials and food truck
- A local distillery and restaurant with a stylish, modern aesthetic, offering a unique selection of craft cocktails and a globally inspired food menu.
- A popular gastropub with a focus on craft beer and gourmet burgers. It has a hip, rustic atmosphere and is known for its secret bar, Noble Experiment, located in the back.
- A vibrant and nostalgic arcade bar that combines classic video games and pinball with craft cocktails and beer.
Inside the Ballpark
Petco Park is renowned for its beautiful design that incorporates the natural beauty of San Diego with modern amenities. Although it is over 20 years old Petco shows no signs of its age.
Statues and Hall of Fame:
- Tony Gwynn StatueLocated just inside the centerfield entrance is a bronze statue of the legendary "Mr. Padre," Tony Gwynn, mid swing.
- Trevor Hoffman StatueAlso in the centerfield plaza is a statue of Hall of Fame closer Trevor Hoffman capturing his iconic high leg kick. The Hoffman statue is lined up with the Gwynn statue so that it appears Hoffman is pitching to Gwynn
- Jerry Coleman StatueHonoring the beloved Padres broadcaster and former major leaguer, this statue is located on the concourse near the Western Metal Supply Co. building.
- Padres Hall of FameLocated behind the leftfield stands near the Western Metal Supply Company building. The Hall of Fame Plaza features an exterior courtyard with plaques for players, coaches, and executives who have been inducted into the team's hall of fame and an interior hall featuring an 80-foot-long timeline of baseball in San Diego, including historical artifacts, photos, and videos.
- Breitbard Hall Of FameLocated on the wall of the Western Metal Supply building inside the main concourse the Breitbard Hall of Fame It is comprised of plaques honoring athletes from San Diego or have excelled athletically in San Diego in other sports.
Seating and Special Sections
- Western Metal Supply Co. BuildingThis historic warehouse was built in 1909 and incorporated into the building of the stadium. The leftfield foul pole is attached to the corner of the brick warehouse, which now houses the Padres Team Store, private suites, a restaurant, and rooftop seating for private groups.
- Gallagher Square (The Park at the Park)Beyond the centerfield wall lies a 2.7-acre park that is open to the public on non-game days. On game days, it's a fantastic place for families, with a mini baseball field for kids and a large video board to watch the game.
- The BeachLocated in right centerfield, this private group section is inspired by the local beach lifestyle and is designed for mingling and social interaction. The deck above field level is often first come first serve standing room only.
- The San Diego Zoo Safari Park tramsA unique feature is the retired trams from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park that have been repurposed as food and beverage stands.
Concessions
Petco Park has no shortage of diverse and high quality culinary offerings that go far beyond traditional ballpark fare. The stadium showcases many of San Diego's beloved local eateries and breweries. Fresh seafood and sushi, coffee and boba tea, Tijuana style bacon-wrapped hot dogs, acai bowls and of course, tacos, are all available inside the stadium. While there are stands spread throughout the stadium The Mercado food court near section 104 has the highest concentration of distinctive options. Other notable sections and bars include The Draft by Ballast Point behind section 105 (which also features Deckman’s, a seafood spot from a Michelin-starred chef), the Alpine Beer Company bar in the upper deck near section 309 offering unparalleled views of the Coronado Bridge, and .394 by Alesmith bar on the terrace level near section 217. These bars offer great pregame food and drinks options but be aware that you cannot see the field from many of them.
Specialty Food
- Cardiff Tri-Tip NachosFrom Seaside Market, these nachos are a fan favorite, featuring their famous "Cardiff Crack" tri-tip.
- Hodad's BurgersA San Diego institution, Hodad's serves up massive, delicious burgers and onion rings.
- Blue Water Seafood Market & GrillEnjoy fresh, locally sourced fish tacos and other seafood delights.
- Pizza PortSavor a slice of their classic pizza and a pint of their award-winning craft beer.
San Diego is known for craft beer and draft and cans are available throughout the stadium from local breweries including AleSmith and Pizza Port. Not into those crafty IPAs? Try a michelada from the elote cart in section 100 or one of the several Estrella Jalisco stands. If beer isn’t your thing stands for Topo Chico margaritas and Cutwater canned cocktails and 2 brands of hard kombucha line the concourses. There’s even a wine bar and market near section 101
Field Dimensions
Stadium Information
Distinguishing Features
- Western Metal Supply Co. building
- Downtown location
- Gallagher Square
Notable Events
- 2016 MLB All-Star Game
- Tim Lincecum No Hitter 2013
- Barry Bonds career home run 755
- Barolo Colon's only career home run
- Trevor Hoffman set career saves record 2006
- World Baseball Classic 2006 Finals
- Adam Jones home run robbery in 2017 WBC
Suggested Places
Recommended places to visit near this stadium
Fan Scorecards
See how fans rated their experience at this stadium