matthewweaver.com | mlb ballparks

Ballpark:
Opened in 2004, Petco Park is one of the best ballparks in the Majors. While I can't say that it is the best, it is definitely in my Top Five favorites.

The intimate, but open, park is situated Southeast of downtown San Diego, right near the famous Gaslamp Quarter. You can tell that the neighborhood is a little rundown, but much the same as Coors Field in Denver, the park has stimulated new building and a well-to-do feel in the area. There are new condos springing up all over the place and I am sure that the one's with a view of the park will go for a ton of money...even in California's "Monopoly Money" housing market. :)

A vast improvement over the multi-purpose bowl of Qualcomm Stadium, Petco Park has a few unique qualities versus other retro-style stadiums in the rest of the league. First, the exterior is made of a red-orange stone that gives the park a natural feel...the team offices look like some sort of space age adobe (you have to see it to know what I mean). Second, the park was literally built around the Western Metal Supply building, a structure still standing since it was built in 1909. The building has been completely remodeled as the team's museum and party suites, but the old rafters and beams are still there today. Lastly, the park has lawn seating outside of the ballpark (past right center field) that allows fans to purchase tickets for $5 and see the game in a laid-back atmosphere much like an outdoor amphitheatre.

All this, plus the incredible "70 and sunny every day" weather and Petco Park is a great place to catch a game. I give this park a strong "A" rating.

How to get there:
Parking a really tough near the park, so I suggest finding your way to downtown San Diego and taking the Trolley system to the park. Take the Orange Line to either the Gaslamp Quarter or Imperial Avenue, depending on the direction you're traveling, and that should get you within a comfortable walk of the ballpark.

City:
San Diego is a beautiful city with sunshine and comfortable temperatures year 'round. Sitting on San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean, San Diego is a Navy town with strong maritime roots. The town is not as fast paced as Los Angeles or San Francisco, but it has a big city feel while still seeming to retain some of its small town friendliness.

Stuff to do while there:
During the day, check out the tourist destinations of Seaport Village, the aircraft carriers or the clipper ships. Although I didn't get there, Coronado Island is supposed to be pretty interesting. For shopping, there's Horton Plaza, and the don't forget the nightlife of the Gaslamp Quarter.

Story:
I flew down to San Diego specifically to take in two weekend games at the new ballpark. In the morning, I walked around the harbor and much of downtown before wandering past the Gaslamp Quarter to Petco Park. Around 1:30, I took an organized tour of the ballpark and really enjoyed the experience. We even got to step on the track around the field and hang out in the dugout.

The evening, I sat in the right field seats and came back the next day to sit about 8 rows behind home plate. As you might imagine, the weather was beautiful both days...not too hot and not too cold, plus brilliant sunshine. I had to cut out early from the day game to catch my flight home, but not before having a great time at one of the best ballparks in the Majors.

Back in the Qualcomm Stadium era, my friend Jim and I enjoyed a game in luxury accommodations at the park's Coaches Box seats. Right on the field (we had to step on the dirt just to get there) and just 10 feet from the dugouts, the seats provided the closest view of a professional baseball game that I have ever had. We were served all kinds of food and drinks during the game and had an incredible time.

Fun facts:
Petco Park is the only ballpark in the Majors named after a pet supply retail chain...thankfully.

Predictably, the Padres like to run weekend day game promotions where fans can bring their pets to the ballpark. This is similar to Petco's policy where patrons can shop with their pets.

Their former ballpark, Qualcomm Stadium, used to be named Jack Murphy Stadium and was called "The Murph" by Chris Berman of ESPN for many years after the name change.

Only Petco and Wrigley Field in Chicago have a significant amount of paying customers watching the game from outside of the stadium. Wrigley, of course, has the famous rooftop apartments on Waveland and Sheffield Avenues.

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A four photo mosaic of Petco
Park from behind home plate
August 8, 2004

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The Padres Brian Lawrence fires the first pitch to Tike Redman
August 8, 2004

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Matt at his right field seats
August 7, 2004

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The view from the Press Box
August 7, 2004

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The view from the upper deck in right field just prior to the game
August 8, 2004

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The old Western Metal Supply building is part the structure. In fact, the entire park was built around the 1900's era building.
August 7, 2004

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The On Deck Circle. The tour takes visitors to the field!
August 7, 2004

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Appropriately, Petco Park sits at the corner of Park and Gwynn.
August 7, 2004