Padres Game Guide for Casual Baseball Fans at Petco Park
Despite never being a big baseball fan, I enjoy watching Padres games at Petco Park.
In this guide we talk about how to keep costs low at the ballpark, buy tickets, enjoy ballpark food, and other handy tips for baseball fans and families.
Buying Discounted Padres Game Tickets
A baseball ticket is typically cheaper than a ticket for an NFL or NBA game. Even casual gamers (or families with young children) may find this to be enticing.
In this day and age, third-party resellers, such as StubHub, sell almost everyone's tickets online. These sites have been my sole source of Padres tickets for years.
It is time-tested to buy tickets at the last minute to get the best discounts. Although everyone's tolerance for last-minute planning can differ, there are some things that everyone must consider.
In addition, many of these sites allow sellers to gradually discount tickets until they are sold, and have photos of every seat that can be very helpful for those who don't frequent the ballpark often.
PETCO Park Seating Advice
In part due to the wide variation in price tolerances and view preferences within Petco Park, I do not recommend specific seating areas. I will offer two insights as a result.
There is the option of sitting in the shade or in the sun. A typical Padres game starts at 7:10 p.m. at night. In the summer, the sun doesn't actually set until nearly p.m., but by 7:10 p.m., it has already gone below the height of the downtown San Diego highrises. Night games shouldn't be affected by the sun's position.
The few day games each season (I have always enjoyed day games), choosing a seat directly in the sun can be a real shock for some people, especially the non-fans and children.
Second, if you really don't know where to sit, I have repeatedly enjoyed seats behind the right field outfield. I have sat in this area many times and highly recommend it for casual baseball fans for the following reasons:
I've bought tickets in the past for as little as $13 each.
As a non-connoisseur of baseball, the views and lines of sight are enjoyable while still being close to the action, eliminating the feeling of being exiled to the upper deck nosebleeds where the game action is primarily viewed on a jumbo screen.
Young kids who brought their baseball gloves can experience a real thrill when balls are hit into this area, causing a momentary adrenaline rush for adults.
In this area, most balls are looping home runs (or foul balls) rather than line drives, so you are less likely to get hit by one unexpectedly.
In this section, many casual fans sit, including children, and as a result, the tolerance for casual conversation and getting up and down (and the like) is exceptionally high.
Petco Park Food and Drinks
Having food and drink in and around a ballpark is a crucial part of enjoying a Padres game in person. Special ballpark food and a few drinks go well with Padres games.
You can quickly spend a lot of money if you buy whatever strikes your fancy when shopping for food and drinks at any ballpark, arena, or stadium during any sporting event. Having worked at Petco Park for several years, I've learned some methods for managing these costs.
TACO TUESDAYS
On a Tuesday, consider attending a Padres game at Petco Park. Every Tuesday is Taco Tuesday. In the stadium, you can buy tacos at a discounted price from several vendors (most of them are branches of local restaurants).
Typically, these tacos are $250 each (with a maximum purchase of four tacos). A beer costs about $11 (or more) while a hotdog from a vendor walking the aisles costs $7.
On Taco Tuesdays, this means longer lines for tacos. Line waiting is not something I enjoy. Usually, I go get tacos at least a half-hour before the game. As everyone waits in line, tacos are prepared in front of them.
Luche Libre at PETCO Park
Downtown San Diego's Petco Park is adjacent to the historic Gaslamp Quarter, which has many bars and restaurants. Families and nonfamily members will find a variety of options for eating and drinking within a few blocks of the stadium.
Prior to the game, if you're looking for cocktails or wine, or some more varied, healthier food, arrive at Petco Park at least one hour before the game starts and grab a casual bite outside the stadium.
Water and snacks should be brought with you
My personal preference isn't to bring my own food to stadiums and movie theaters. Ballpark food is part of what makes the experience fun for me.
However, I think taking advantage of the allowed items can be beneficial.