Baseball season is back and my first game of the new season was at beautiful Petco Park in downtown San Diego
After what felt like a longer off-season in due part to the MLB lockout, the 2022 baseball season is officially underway and it’s time to take myself out to the ball-game. The matchup that I attended was the home team San Diego Padres versus the Los Angeles Dodgers.
It was the third of a three game series and entering the 1:10 start time, the series was split 1-1, making the Sunday afternoon game an important one. It was the first time that these two division rivals faced off this season and it was quite the match up. San Diego Padres have been making progress and are an exciting fun team to watch, even without their star player Fernando Tatis Jr.
The Dodgers went into the series deciding game 10-4 while the Padres have started with an also impressive 10-6 record. Each team is considered a top 10 team in the league and although it is very early on in the 162 game season, an early in-division match up mixed with a new look Dodgers team, made the early season bragging rights more desirable.
Petco’s Beauty and Dodger Takeover
Having only gone to Petco Park when I was just a kid, there wasn’t much that I had remembered about the ballpark that sits in the heart of the city of San Diego. Skyscrapers and the Coronado Bridge sandwich the stadium and provides quite the scene. Both teams have a very respective fan base, but when the Dodgers come to any visiting stadium, it makes for quite the show.
I was so impressed with everyone’s ability in commuting to the ballpark. Of course, LA has it’s stadium atop the Chavez Rivine and it has a dedicated parking lot. As for the Padres, you are in the city and have to find your way around the city to find parking.
There was so much to look at as you enter the stadium. You see the outfield hill in right-center field where people can picnic and lay out. There is the Barrel Deck in right-field where you are in the home-run zone. Also of course one of the most popular parts about the stadium is down the third base line and on the left-field foul pole, The Western Metal Supply Co. building. It is apart of the stadiums architectural design and the stadium was built around the building.
There was so much to look at, the green in the stadium, mixed with the brown/tan concrete made it visually pleasing. There was so many flowers and a very diverse food concessions.
Parking & Entrance
I paid $20 for parking and would take that any day. However, what I didn’t expect and most definitely did not enjoy, was the hour long wait I had to endure leaving the parking garage. Nonetheless, a somewhat smooth entrance and a fee you don’t need to bargain with. It was just a half mile walk to the stadium and although there was lengthy lines to get in, security swiftly got us inside the stadium in just a handful of minutes.
Concessions
I chose to eat at the ballpark concession stand that had all your go-to’s like popcorn, pretzels, a “friar frank” hot dog and soft-serve ice cream. I got a pretzel, “friar frank” and two tall can beers. It was a hot one but the ice cold beer throughout the game made it even more special.
Like previously mentioned, there are things like bbq, tacos, regular baseball food and even açaí bowls and açaí margaritas. Yes, açaí frozen margaritas. To give fans of baseball and sports a better look, here are the stadium’s prices for some of the concessions. “As of 2022, pricing subject to change, to give you an idea of the current food and drink costs this year:
Hot Dog (Friar Frank) $7.50, Chicken Tenders $13, Lil’ Slugger Kids Meal $8.50, Budweiser / Bud Light $13, Bottled Dasani Water $5, Soft Pretzel $7.50, Bottomless popcorn $10, Ballpark nachos $8, Dunkin’ Coffee $5 and Ice Cream in a Helmet $9.
I paid about $45 for my eating experience and I would give everything about a 8/10. Great beer and alcohol selection, good food options if you’re willing to spend. It favors in price compared to Dodger Stadium.
Overall Experience
Petco Park was a treat. One of the most beautiful stadiums in all of baseball and an ocean breeze that makes even a 1:10 first pitch feel like a vacation. It was great to watch my LA Dodgers swarm Petco Park and it truly did feel like a “Dodger Stadium of the South”. Although I did sit in the Toyota Terrace section, I paid about $220 for my one seat. Prices were steep for the first season of the Dodgers, but it was expected. Tickets usually range from as low as $20 to $400 for prime seats.
A day game in Petco is not a bad experience and although shade was minimal, the breeze, the Dodgers scoring 10 and a victory and a great time with my best friend… it was priceless.
If you’re looking for a nice drive, weekend getaway, catch a game down in Petco as it is well worth it!
The Beat @APU 