SportsQuest
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Wed, Mar 24, Time TBA local on MLB.TV

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Arizona Diamondbacksat San Diego Padres

Petco Park, San Diego. Fly into SAN.

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What we know about Petco Park

Where visiting fans stay

Checked at the source
  • East Village and the ballpark blocks. 5 min by walk. The Omni sits across Tony Gwynn Drive from the ballpark, and several newer hotels line J Street and Park Boulevard. You can walk to every gate and to the breweries east of the ballpark.
  • Gaslamp Quarter. 10 min by walk. The most bars and restaurants in San Diego are on and around Fifth Avenue. The Gaslamp Gate on 7th Avenue is a short walk, and the Gaslamp Quarter Trolley station is a block from the ballpark.
  • Marina and Convention Center. 10 min by walk. Big bayfront hotels like the Hilton Bayfront and the Marriott Marquis. The Harbor Drive footbridge drops you at the ballpark, and the Coronado ferry leaves from the Convention Center landing.
  • Little Italy. 15 min by transit. Smaller hotels and the best food streets downtown, plus the Saturday Mercato farmers market. Take the Blue Line or Green Line south to the ballpark stations.
  • Old Town and Mission Valley. 20 min by transit. Hotel rates are often lower than downtown. The Green Line runs from Old Town to the ballpark stations in about 16 minutes, per MTS.

Around the stadium

From a specialist guide
The ballpark sits where the Gaslamp Quarter meets East Village. The Omni hotel is across Tony Gwynn Drive, the Hilton Bayfront is across Harbor Drive by the footbridge, and the Fifth Avenue bars of the Gaslamp start about three blocks west.

Getting in from the airport

Checked at the source
SAN (San Diego International). The airport is about 3 miles from the ballpark, roughly 10 to 15 minutes by car with no traffic. MTS Route 992 stops at Terminals 1 and 2 every 15 minutes from 4:15am to midnight and runs into downtown. The free San Diego Flyer shuttle links both terminals with the Old Town Transit Center, where the Green Line runs straight to the Gaslamp Quarter station next to the ballpark.

Getting to the stadium

Checked at the source
MTS Green Line Trolley, about 16 min. Gaslamp Quarter station at Fifth Avenue and Harbor Drive, about a block from the ballpark. MTS Blue Line or Orange Line Trolley, about 25 min. 12th and Imperial station (one block from the ballpark) or Park and Market station (about 0.2 miles). Free San Diego Flyer, then the Green Line, about 35 min. The Flyer runs from Terminals 1 and 2 to the Old Town Transit Center. Ride the Green Line from there to the Gaslamp Quarter station, about a block from the ballpark. Drive to a Padres Preferred lot, about 15 min. Tailgate Park (enter on 13th Street at K Street or on Imperial Avenue), Padres Parkade (enter on 10th Avenue between Island Avenue and J Street) or the Lexus Premier Lot (enter on 11th Avenue at Imperial Avenue).

Tailgating

Checked at the source
Tailgating is allowed only at Tailgate Park, directly behind your own vehicle. You cannot save extra spaces, and it is not allowed in any other Padres garage or lot. Only gas grills are allowed, no charcoal. No glass, no kegs and no amplified sound systems. No throwing balls or Frisbees in the lot. All drinking in the lot must stop 30 minutes after the scheduled start, and you cannot leave the lot carrying alcohol. The lot is cashless. A free shuttle runs between Tailgate Park, the Padres Parkade, the MTS Garage and the ballpark from 2 hours before first pitch until about 30 minutes after the game. After the game it picks up at Park Boulevard and Imperial Avenue.

Getting in

Checked at the source
  • Bag policy: Only single-compartment clear plastic bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, clutches or purses up to 5 x 7 inches, and infant or medical bags are allowed. Backpacks, drawstring bags and other bags are not. Lock & Go lockers cost a flat $14 at the Lexus Premier Lot across from the Home Plate Gate, Tony Gwynn Drive at L Street, the Balboa Gate and the East Village Gate. They open 1 hour before the gates, and you must pick up within 30 minutes after the game.
  • Cashless: Petco Park is cashless. Pay with a card, Padres Pay, Apple Pay or other digital wallets. Reverse ATMs near sections 108, 135, 208, 303 and the Ticket Office Lobby turn cash into a prepaid card. The Padres lots are cashless too.

Touring the stadium

Checked at the source
Stops include the warning track, the Cutwater Coronado Club, the press box, a suite, the Padres Hall of Fame and the Breitbard Hall of Fame. Buy online or at the Western Metal Building box office on 7th Avenue (Tony Gwynn Drive) between K and L Streets, next to the Team Store, starting 30 minutes before each tour. Kids under 36 inches are free, prices show on the buy screen and change by season, and military get 10% off through GOVX. Tours do not run on some concert and Comic-Con dates. Tour guests may bring only bags 7 x 10 inches or smaller. About 90 minutes, ending with up to 30 minutes of batting practice from an outfield spot. You need a separate game ticket. Standard tours check in at the Gaslamp Gate on 7th Avenue at K Street. The 45 minute VIP version watches from a corral on the warning track near home plate, checks in at the Media/VIP Gate on Park Boulevard at Imperial Avenue, runs only before evening games and does not allow opposing team gear. Behind-the-scenes tours are offered in Spanish and Japanese on select dates. Email [email protected] or call or text 619-795-5011.

After the final whistle

Checked at the source
MTS adds Trolley service as needed after games, so most fans walk to the Gaslamp Quarter, 12th and Imperial or Park and Market stations. Load a fare on the PRONTO app or tap a card before the game so you are not stuck in line at a ticket machine afterward. North County fans can catch an extra COASTER train from Santa Fe Depot about 60 minutes after the game ends (last train at midnight). To beat the crowd, stay in the Gaslamp for an hour, or walk a few blocks before you call a ride. Padres lots and garages stay open until 2am after night games.

One thing to avoid

From a specialist guide
Bringing a backpack or a normal purse. Petco Park allows only single-compartment clear plastic bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches, small clutches up to 5 x 7 inches and infant or medical bags. Lock & Go lockers outside the gates cost $14 if you get caught out.

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source

  • Bub's at the Ballpark

    715 J St, San Diego, CA 92101

    A sports bar across J Street from Gallagher Square with wings, burgers and a big beer list. It is one of the most crowded pregame stops near the ballpark.

    Away fans: a packed home crowd before and after games. Visitors in road colors get ribbing, not trouble.

  • Mission Brewery

    131 14th St, San Diego, CA 92101

    A brewery and tasting room in an old East Village building a few blocks from Tailgate Park. It is dog friendly, kid friendly and lets you bring your own food.

    Away fans: a relaxed taproom where visiting fans fit in easily.

  • Garage Kitchen + Bar

    655 4th Ave, San Diego, CA 92101

    A big Gaslamp sports bar with large TVs and burgers. It bills itself as a pregame spot for Padres home games.

    Away fans: a sports bar used to fans of many teams, so away colors are fine.

  • The Smoking Gun

    555 Market St, San Diego, CA 92101

    A Gaslamp bar with southern-style street food, cocktails and ping pong. It runs Padres game specials and shows games on big screens.

    Away fans: a neighborhood bar crowd that mixes locals and visitors, so road fans blend in.

Sidequests in San Diego

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

  1. Drink50 points

    Pregame pint at Mission Brewery

    This East Village brewery opens 2 hours before first pitch and lets you bring your own food. It is a 10 minute walk from Tailgate Park and the Home Plate Gate.

    $. 1 hour 50 minutes before kickoff

  2. Ritual65 points

    Watch batting practice from the gates

    Gates open 90 minutes before first pitch, and for a 6:40pm game the visiting team hits until 5:50pm. Get in early, grab a spot along the outfield rails and bring a glove.

    Free. 1 hour 30 minutes before kickoff

  3. Photo50 points

    See the Western Metal Supply Co. Building

    A century-old brick warehouse was saved and built into the ballpark, and its corner serves as the left field foul pole. Take a photo from the Palm Court Plaza entrance, then look for the yellow strip that marks fair from foul.

    Free. 1 hour 20 minutes before kickoff

  4. Landmark50 points

    Visit the statue in Tony Gwynn Plaza

    A bronze statue of the Padres' greatest hitter stands on a raised deck in Gallagher Square, ringed by fan bricks. It is the team's most loved landmark and a quick photo before you find your seat.

    Free. 1 hour 15 minutes before kickoff

  5. Eat65 points

    Fish tacos at Deckman's at the Draft

    A Michelin-starred chef serves raw oysters, ceviche, fish tacos and Baja fries above Seaside Market near section 105. It is the best way to taste Baja seafood without leaving the ballpark.

    $$. 45 minutes before kickoff

  6. Tour75 points

    Take the Petco Park tour

    The 80 minute tour walks the warning track, the press box, a suite and the Padres Hall of Fame. Buy at the Western Metal Building box office on 7th Avenue or online, since tours do sell out.

    $$

  7. Eat65 points

    Fish tacos at Oscar's Mexican Seafood

    A Pacific Beach shop known for cheap, overstuffed fish tacos, the food every visitor to San Diego should eat. Go for lunch and walk to the bay afterward.

    $

  8. Eat50 points

    Burger at Hodad's in Ocean Beach

    Hodad's is a San Diego burger institution with stands inside the ballpark. Eat at the Ocean Beach shop on Newport Avenue instead and walk to the pier afterward.

    $

  9. Outing65 points

    Tour the USS Midway Museum

    A retired aircraft carrier docked on the downtown waterfront, with planes to climb into on the flight deck. It is about a mile from the ballpark and open 10am to 5pm daily.

    $$$

  10. Outing50 points

    Ride the ferry to Coronado

    The Flagship ferry crosses the bay from the Convention Center landing to Coronado in about 15 minutes for $9 each way. Walk the Coronado shops and beach, then ride back in time for first pitch.

    $

  11. Outing50 points

    Walk Balboa Park

    San Diego's big central park holds museums, gardens and Spanish-style buildings on El Prado. A free general tour leaves the Visitors Center at 11am on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

    Free

  12. Landmark65 points

    See the bay from Cabrillo National Monument

    The tip of Point Loma looks back over the bay, downtown and the Pacific, with an old lighthouse and tide pools. Entry is $20 per car or $10 per person on foot.

    $

  13. Landmark50 points

    Old Town San Diego State Historic Park

    Original adobe buildings, museums and a working blacksmith shop mark where the city began. It sits on the Green Line, so ride the Trolley from here straight to the Gaslamp Quarter station before the game.

    Free

  14. Eat50 points

    Cardiff Crack tri-tip nachos at Seaside Market

    Seaside Market's marinated Cardiff Crack tri-tip has a devoted following across San Diego, and the ballpark stands pile it on nachos. Save room for the banana pudding sold inside the section 105 stand.

    $$. 30 minutes after kickoff

Seats and views

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

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