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Tue, Apr 6, Time TBA local on MLB.TV

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Chicago Cubsat Athletics

Sutter Health Park, West Sacramento. Fly into SMF.

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What we know about Sutter Health Park

Where visiting fans stay

From a specialist guide
  • Old Sacramento Waterfront. 10 min by walk. The Embassy Suites Sacramento Riverfront and the Delta King Hotel are among the closest hotels to the ballpark. Walk across Tower Bridge to the gates, and eat and drink in Old Sacramento before and after.
  • Downtown Sacramento and DOCO. 15 min by walk. The Kimpton Sawyer at 500 J Street is about 0.7 miles (15 minutes) on foot, and on A's game days it runs a golf cart shuttle toward the ballpark if you reserve. The Holiday Inn Downtown and other hotels near Golden 1 Center are close by.
  • West Sacramento Bridge District. 8 min by walk. Home2 Suites by Hilton West Sacramento is about 0.4 miles from the ballpark. You can walk to the gates, Drake's: The Barn and Birdies Social Club without crossing the river.
  • Midtown Sacramento. 15 min by rideshare. A livelier bar and restaurant scene with smaller hotels and rentals. It is a short ride across Tower Bridge, and late bars like Barwest work for after the game.
  • Sacramento Airport area. 20 min by drive. A fallback when downtown is full. Yolobus Route 42A runs from the airport to the ballpark, but it comes only every 30 to 60 minutes, so most fans drive.

Around the stadium

From a specialist guide
The ballpark sits in West Sacramento's Bridge District, at 400 Ballpark Drive, just across Tower Bridge from Old Sacramento. Birdies Social Club and Drake's: The Barn are a few minutes' walk from the gates, and most hotels and bars are across the river in Old Sacramento and downtown Sacramento.

Getting in from the airport

From a specialist guide
SMF (Sacramento International), about 10 miles northwest of downtown Sacramento. Driving to the ballpark takes about 15 to 20 minutes without traffic. Yolobus Route 42A runs from both terminals to the Cabaldon Pkwy at Sutter Health Park stop for $2.25, every 30 to 60 minutes.

Getting to the stadium

Checked at the source
Walk across Tower Bridge, about 15 min. Cross Tower Bridge from Capitol Mall. The ballpark is on your left once you reach West Sacramento, with the Right Field Gate at Ballpark Drive and Riverfront Street. Yolobus Route 42A from the airport, about 30 min. The Cabaldon Pkwy at Sutter Health Park stop, a short walk to the gates. SacRT light rail, then Yolobus 42A, about 15 min. Get off the Blue Line at St. Rose of Lima Park (9th and K) or the Gold Line at 8th and K, then take the 42A from 9th Street between K and L across Tower Bridge to Cabaldon Pkwy at Sutter Health Park. Capitol Corridor train, about 120 min. Sacramento Valley Station downtown. Walk about 1.2 miles through Old Sacramento and across Tower Bridge, or take a short ride.

Tailgating

Checked at the source
You can tailgate in the Sutter Health Park preferred lots as long as you stay in your own parking space and do not block traffic. Tailgating is not allowed in other lots. A West Sacramento city ordinance bans drinking alcohol or holding an open container in the parking lots or in your car. Bring food and soft drinks only, or pregame at a bar nearby. A free, secured bike valet runs on Ballpark Drive, subject to space.

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: Clear bag policy. Clear plastic backpacks and totes smaller than 12 x 6 x 12 inches, clear fanny packs, one-gallon freezer bags, clutches no larger than 5 x 8 inches and diaper bags are allowed. Regular backpacks, purses, camera bags, mesh bags and tinted bags are not. Walk-through metal detectors are used at every gate.
  • Cashless: Sutter Health Park is cashless and has no ATMs. Pay with a credit or debit card.

Touring the stadium

From a specialist guide
The A's ballpark pages list no public tours. On game days, walk the concourse instead: near the left field foul pole, ask an usher for Stairwell Four, which holds A's, River Cats and Sacramento baseball memorabilia.

After the final whistle

From a specialist guide
Most fans walk out the Main Gate or the Right Field Gate and either cross Tower Bridge on foot to Old Sacramento and downtown or head to the parking lots. ACE lots stay open 90 minutes after the game (the Ziggurat Garage 60 minutes), so there is no rush to leave. The last Yolobus 42B from the ballpark toward downtown and the airport leaves at 11:17pm. To beat the crowd, walk across the bridge and get a ride from Old Sacramento.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Buying sunny seats for a hot game. The first base side, the 200-level club sections down the right field line and Toyota Home Run Hill sit in the sun until sunset, and summer highs pass 90 degrees often. Pick sections 109 to 122 for evening games and bring a clear bag, since regular purses and backpacks are not allowed.

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source

  • Drake's: The Barn

    985 Riverfront St, West Sacramento, CA 95691

    A brewery beer garden by the river with house beers, wood-fired pizza, fire pits and lawn games. It is one of the most popular pregame stops, so come early.

    Away fans: a big, relaxed beer garden full of fans from both sides. Northern California splits between the A's and the Giants, so away colors fit in.

  • Birdies Social Club

    805 Riverfront St, Suite 100, West Sacramento, CA 95691

    The closest bar to the gates, with two outdoor patios, a full bar and indoor golf bays. It makes an easy first or last drink.

    Away fans: a mixed crowd of fans and golfers, so visitors are welcome.

  • The Midway

    330 3rd St, West Sacramento, CA 95605

    A low-key dive bar on the West Sacramento side of the river, with a patio and a kitchen that turns out Asian fusion dishes like bulgogi fries and garlic noodles. It is a short walk north of the ballpark.

    Away fans: a neighborhood dive bar, so away colors draw little notice.

  • FranquetteBefore or after

    965 Bridge St, Suite 100, West Sacramento, CA 95691

    A French-style wine bar and cafe from the team behind the Michelin-rated Canon. Food stays under $20, and it works for an early meal before the game.

    Away fans: a cafe and wine bar crowd rather than a sports crowd, so anyone fits in.

Sidequests in West Sacramento

Listed in the order they happen. Each one earns points.

  1. Landmark40 points

    Stroll Old Sacramento

    The Gold Rush era waterfront district has museums, shops, saloons and river views of Tower Bridge. Start at the visitor center for maps, then walk to the ballpark from here.

    Free. 3 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  2. Outing40 points

    Bowl a game at Capitol Bowl

    This West Sacramento bowling alley dates to the early 1950s and sits a short walk from the ballpark, with glow bowling on Friday and Saturday nights. Bowl before an evening game, or come back after a day game.

    $$. 3 hours before kickoff

  3. Drink40 points

    Pregame at Drake's: The Barn

    A riverside brewery beer garden a few minutes' walk from the gates, with house beers, wood-fired pizza and fire pits. It is one of the most popular pregame stops, so arrive early.

    $$. 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  4. Drink40 points

    Game-day deal at Fanny Ann's

    This Old Sacramento burger saloon has pinball, a big beer list and game-day drink specials from $5. Show a ticket for that day's game for 20% off draft beer and burgers, then walk over the bridge.

    $. 2 hours 30 minutes before kickoff

  5. Photo75 points

    Walk across Tower Bridge

    The gold 1935 lift bridge links downtown Sacramento to the ballpark, and you can see it over the right field fence. Walk its sidewalk to the game and stop mid-span for a photo of the skyline and the river.

    Free. 1 hour 40 minutes before kickoff

  6. Landmark50 points

    Find Stairwell Four

    Near the left field foul pole, ask an usher for Stairwell Four. It holds old uniforms, scorecards, championship rings and signed balls from the A's, the River Cats and earlier Sacramento clubs.

    Free. 1 hour 15 minutes before kickoff

  7. Ritual65 points

    Sunset on Toyota Home Run Hill

    The general admission lawn beyond the right field fence looks out at the gold Tower Bridge and the Sacramento skyline. Spread a blanket and watch the sun go down behind the third base side.

    $. 1 hour before kickoff

  8. Eat65 points

    Tri Tip Sandwich

    Tri tip is the Central California barbecue cut, and the A's call the ballpark tri tip sandwich famous. Find it at the portable carts on the concourse, with garlic fries from Bridges Grille on the side.

    $$. 30 minutes before kickoff

  9. Outing50 points

    California State Railroad Museum

    More than 20 restored locomotives and cars fill this big museum in Old Sacramento, a short walk from the ballpark. It is open daily from 10am to 5pm, and adult tickets cost $12.

    $$

  10. Landmark40 points

    California State Capitol

    The domed Capitol and its museum are free to visit, and Capitol Park around it covers 40 acres of gardens and memorials. The building is open 9am to 5pm on weekdays only, so go on a weekday before a night game.

    Free

  11. Outing40 points

    Crocker Art Museum

    The region's main art museum has a large collection of California art going back to the Gold Rush. It sits on the downtown side of Tower Bridge and is closed Monday and Tuesday.

    $$

  12. Eat50 points

    Ice cream at Gunther's

    A Sacramento landmark since 1940, Gunther's makes ice cream from its original recipe plus real fruit freezes. It is open daily from 11am to 9pm, so stop by on a hot afternoon.

    $

  13. Eat40 points

    Breakfast at Franquette

    A French-style cafe and wine bar from the team behind the Michelin-rated Canon, a few blocks from the ballpark. Order quiche or a tartine, and come back for a glass of wine before first pitch.

    $$

  14. Ritual50 points

    Kids run the bases on Sunday

    After every Sunday home game, kids 12 and under can run the bases. The line starts at the edge of the Pacifico Porch and closes 15 minutes after the last out.

    Free. 3 hours after kickoff

Seats and views

Where each part of Sutter Health Park sits, and what you see from it.

Fans post the view from their seats, section by section. See the views at Sutter Health Park