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Petco Park, San Diego
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Petco Park

What a visiting fan needs to know: where to stay, getting in from SAN, parking and tailgating, what to eat and where to sit.

  • San Diego, CA
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Games at Petco Park

Where to stay near Petco Park

Where visiting fans stay

Checked at the source
  • East Village and the ballpark blocks
    Reuben Wilson, Google Maps

    East Village and the ballpark blocksVisiting fans pick this

    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
    Philip Clovis, Google Maps

    Gaslamp QuarterVisiting fans pick this

    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
    John Deegan, Google Maps

    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
    Lina Rodriguez, Google Maps

    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.

Map of the area

Tap a pin to see the place.

Getting to Petco Park

From San Diego International

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, where you can connect to the Trolley or walk to the ballpark.

On game day

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). MTS Route 992 bus from the airport, about 30 min. Downtown stops including Broadway and Kettner, where you can switch to the Blue Line or Green Line or walk about 20 minutes to the ballpark. Flagship ferry from Coronado, about 15 min. The Convention Center landing behind the Convention Center, about a 15 minute walk to the ballpark.

Parking and tailgating at Petco Park

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.

Game day at Petco Park

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 by the Home Plate Gate, Balboa Gate, East Village Gate and Tony Gwynn Drive at L Street cost $14.
  • 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 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) next to the Team Store, starting 30 minutes before each tour. Kids under 36 inches are free and prices vary by season. Tours do not run on some concert and Comic-Con dates. About 90 minutes. It ends with a view of batting practice from an outfield spot, and you need a separate game ticket. Standard tours start at the Gaslamp Gate on 7th Avenue at K Street. The Down the Line and VIP versions start 30 minutes later or at the Media/VIP Gate and do not run for 1:10pm or 3:40pm games. 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 round-trip fare before the game so you are not stuck in line at a ticket machine afterward. 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.

Food and drink at Petco Park

Bars near the stadium

Checked at the source
  • Bub's at the Ballpark
    Bub's at the Ballpark, Google Maps

    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
    Mission Brewing - Kensington, Google Maps

    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
    GARAGE Kitchen + Bar, Google Maps

    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
    Gerald Barksdale, Google Maps

    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.

Things to do around Petco Park

Listed in the order they happen on game day. 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 first pitch

  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 first pitch

  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 first pitch

  4. Landmark50 points

    Visit the Tony Gwynn statue

    A bronze statue of Mr. Padre stands on a raised viewing deck in Gallagher Square, ringed by fan bricks that mark milestones from his career. It is the Padres' most loved landmark and a quick photo before you find your seat.

    Free. 1 hour 15 minutes before first pitch

  5. Eat65 points

    Fish tacos at Deckman's at the Draft

    Michelin-starred chef Drew Deckman 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 your section.

    $$. 45 minutes before first pitch

  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 first pitch

Seats and shade at Petco Park

Where the sun lands on a day game, and which seats stay dry when it rains.

Shade and cover

Checked at the source
  • Premier Club seats behind home plate and the back rows of Field Level infield sections, roughly 103 to 117 and 104 to 118. The Padres shade map shows these seats in full shade under the deck above. Front rows near the field are in sun.
  • Toyota Terrace sections 204 to 222 on the third base side. The shade map shows these in full shade or partial shade. On the first base side, sections 205 to 217 have shaded back rows.
  • Upper Level sections 302 to 328 on the third base side. Marked partial sun and partial shade on the Padres map. The matching first base sections 301 to 327 are full sun, so pick the even-numbered side.
  • Outfield seats, the Park at the Park lawn, the Sun Diego Beach and sections 227 to 235. Full sun on the Padres map. Wear sunscreen and a hat for a 1:10pm game.
  • Field Level third base side, back rows from row 27 up. The third base side gets shade first as the sun drops, and the overhang covers the middle and back rows. Section 327 faces the sun for most of a sunny game.