San Diego Day 5
And then there were THREE
Friday, April 15, 2022
It all started in 1985 when my dad had a dream to see all the MLB stadiums before he died... He has checked off each and every one. But I only have THREE more to go! It feels so close!
Morning
As I woke up this morning, it's hard to believe that I am down to only needing to experience just FOUR more Major League Baseball parks before I have seen them all but here we are. This day was all about BUCKET LISTS and I was so excited to experience a ballpark so many people (family included) call "One of the best in MLB" and get to see it "behind the scenes" with our ballpark tour! This was the day I was waiting for!
We had a laid back morning with no time crunches to meet so we decided to try a local favorite Southern California coffee shop called Better Buzz Coffee. I had never heard of this coffee shop but in the "It's Always Sunny in San Diego" Facebook group, it was often brought up as a must try coffee place. It was VERY expensive and busy but I enjoy trying out a local place. TIP- As I mentioned before in other posts, it is a GREAT idea to find and join social media "groups" about the destination you are visiting. I got SO MANY tips, tricks and suggestions for San Diego and surrounding areas. I was able to ask questions and get answers from past visitors as well as locals who REALLY know the in and out of the town. This is such a HUGE asset when planning a trip. Just search Facebook for the city and visitor info (or the cruise ship you are sailing).
The kids got an extended session of Ping-Pong on this day.
This was a great cup of coffee... Not sure it was worth the $7.95 but it was GOOD!
Originally we had planned to do the La Jolla Cove on this morning but since we re-arranged our activities, we were able to visit Seaport Village near the USS Midway. We had a pre-arranged tour of Petco Park at 12PM so we had about 2 to 3 hours to spend before our tour. We first decided to look for parking near Petco Park to help save time later. We were able to find a great parking garage less than a block from Petco Park that offered all day parking for $35.
My first view of Petco Park! I am already in LOVE!
We then went to Seaport Village near the USS Midway to walkaround and do some souvenir shopping. TIP- This area offers 2 hour metered parking for only $3 is a great option if you do not plan on spending a lot of time here. We got parked and then walked along the bay area. This was such a beautiful area lined with plaques and information about this area and the port of San Diego. We did some shopping and then went down to the south side of the USS Midway as we were not able to see the full ship from where we parked the day before.
These kids were being so silly!
At Seaport Village overlooking Downtown San Diego and the San Diego Hyatt and Marriot!
Seaport Village
The Coronado Bridge in the background and beyond that... MEXICO!
We were also able to see the famous "Unconditional Surrender" (kissing) statue at the Port of San Diego. This statue is a famous recreation of an embrace between a soldier and a nurse celebrating the end of World War II in New York City's Time Square. This was a HUGE 25' statue right in front of the USS Midway. I had seen pictures of this before but loved getting to read all about this special "kiss". Chris and I tried to enact, but we're too old! Haha!
The kids in front of the USS Midway
The "Unconditional Surrender" statue near the USS Midway.
I love you Chris Davis!
Luke... being Luke and exploring ALL THE TIME!
Afternoon
Once we completed our souvenir shopping, we made our way back towards Petco Park for our ballpark tour. We found a parking garage at 350 Tenth Avenue in Downtown San Diego that offered $35 parking for all day (no in and out privileges but that was ok with us). We got parked and settled and then went to the Will Call booth at Petco Park to get our reserved tickets to the Tour of Petco Park. We were a little early so we went to the Team Store to look for our Padres Souvenirs. The 10AM tour had just finished so it was really busy in the store. We opted to go to the Downtown Marriot and chill in their lounge until the start of our tour.
Around 11:45AM there were about 60-80 people waiting for the 12PM tour so we knew it was going to be crowded. We tried to stay clear of the kids as best we could but we were not successful. They ended up splitting our group into 2 small groups but we were with many families with small children. It did not make the tour any worse but it reminded me how nice we had it the day before with our private tour of the USS Midway with Chappie.
Petco Park Tour
Our tour began in the lower left outfield area of the famous Western Metal Supply Building. The Padres organization used to the play at QUALCOMM Stadium and shared the stadium with the San Diego Chargers. This meant the switching of football and baseball fields constantly. This also meant not a true baseball stadium experience. The Padres petitioned to build a stadium downtown and acquired the Western Metal Supply Building and built Petco Park around this foundation. The rest is history.
The Western Metal Supply Building where our tour began.
Information about the neighborhood Petco Park was built near (on).
A view from the Western Metal Supply Building Suite.
Another view from the lower level near the Western Metal Supply Building.
The Outfield area of Petco Park.
I thought this was funny that it was day TWO of the season and the Big Screen was already needing work. Our Tour Guide said there is a guy paid SALARY to fix all the screens FULL TIME!
Even Natalie was loving this tour already!
From there we got to see a closer look of the inside of the Western Metal Supply Building and the concourse area of the 1st level of Petco Park. I really enjoyed the "San Diego Section" of the lower level that included pictures, stats and hats from various High Schools in and around San Diego that had baseball players set records and go to the next level. Being a baseball mom myself, this was SO COOL!
This is such a cool tribute to San Diego locals! Well Done Petco Park!
We then made our way to the Main Gate of Petco Park where many statues and numbers were featured, including Jackie Robinson. Then we got to go inside the Press Box on the 2nd level of Petco Park via the players road and other neat areas of the ballpark. We were able to see the media room and a large suite as well. This was one of my favorite areas of the park and it truly did give us a birds eye view of the ballpark.
Wow... She really is a BEAUTY!
The bullpens for visitors near the Press Box restaurant.
Our first view from the Press Box.
It doesn't get much better than this!
This is the 3rd largest "jumbotron" in the MLB. Behind only Atlanta and Detroit (?)
Gallagher Square as seen from the Press Box
This made my heart SO HAPPY! Dreams really do come true!
After the press box we walked out the back of the suite level and then looked south towards Mexico and the Dole Pineapple plant. From here we got to see the Presidential Suite, the largest suite at Petco Park. This is reserved for companies for larger groups. Maybe one of these days, we can watch a ball game in a suite.
A tribute to Jack Murphy near the Presidential Suite
The Dole Pineapple Plant in San Diego.
Beyond that is MEXICO!
Luke and I enjoying the Presidential Suite life!
Natalie kept asking when we will be able to be in a suite... Maybe one day!
We were also able to see both of the bullpens at Petco Park as well as a really neat area in left field that allows dogs. You can buy a ticket package which includes 2 tickets and a dog ticket. We saw a TON of dog owners and their dogs throughout our trip so this made a lot of sense to us.
The Padre's Bullpen near Left Field in Petco Park.
Another view of the bullpens.
The Edge area- where dog owners can bring their dogs to watch a game.
Somehow, I am not sure if Oxford would like that.
As we made our way to the end of the tour, we were able to see a statue of Trevor Hoffman as well as a whole wall dedicated Padres who have been inducted into the MLB Cooperstown Hall of Fame. We really enjoyed this area of the ballpark!
Outside of the Padres in Cooperstown area of Petco Park.
Again, Well done Petco Park!
I am so glad we took time for a ballpark tour! This was a highlight of my day!
"America's #1"??? I don't know but it was PRETTY EPIC!
After our tour we went hunting for a place to eat lunch in the Gaslamp Quarter near Petco Park. We located a hidden gem of "Old Spaghetti Factory" that Chris and I LOVED in Seattle in 2016. In our few trips to the west coast, this has been a must stop eatery for us and we LOVE it so much! The kids LOVE spaghetti and were in HEAVEN!
The Spaghetti Tour with 4 different featured spaghettis and priced at only $17.95.
This just proves... Once you FEED MY KIDS, THEY ARE HAPPY!
We love this WEST COAST HIT!
Be sure to check it out if in San Diego or most other West Coast major cities!
After lunch we walked around the Gaslamp Quarter a bit before getting on our Trolley Tour. This tour was an "added bonus" for our time in San Diego and we were so lucky to be able to have this tour. TIP- This tour made 26 stops in San Diego and offers a 2 day Hop-On, Hop-Off option. We did the full route without getting off but if we had more time in town, this would have been a great option for seeing a LOT in a little bit of time. This tour also took us across the Coronado Bridge to Coronado Island as well. This tour costs $42 for the 1 day pass and $73 for the 2 day option and again, is a GREAT way to see a lot of San Diego. This is also included in the Go City Explorer Pass and is a GREAT value when purchased as the 3-5 activity options.
A view of Petco and downtown from our Trolley Tour.
Evening
As soon as our 2-hour loop tour was complete we made our way back to Petco Park from Gaslamp Quarter and scanned our tickets to get into the game, shortly after the gates opened at 5PM.
We are here... I am bursting with excitement.
When we arrived around 5:20PM it was already crowded with people at Gallagher Square. TIP- Gallagher Square is a "park" within in the ballpark. It features a grassy area and "general admission" tickets. These tickets are much cheaper but it will NOT ensure a true ballpark experience, especially since the Jumbotron will block 70-80% of your field view. While trying to save money in planning this trip, I almost purchased tickets in Gallagher Square not knowing all the details. I am so glad I went with my gut and got reserved seats. I would have kicked myself.
Another view of Gallagher Square from the Press Box. During the game ALL of that lawn seating was packed to the brim and spectators cannot see Homeplate but rather have to watch from multiple TVs in Gallagher Square.
We ventured up to our seats and got settled in shortly before 6PM. The crowds were already staring to form and we knew from our tour that this game would be sold out. This was the 2nd game in the first homestand of the season due to the MLB Lockout. In fact, we originally planned on going to two games but since opening day was April 14th, we were not able to get tickets, which might have been a good thing as the tour guide said that Petco Park OVERSOLD tickets by about 15%. What a nightmare that could have been.
My heart is SO HAPPY that I get to share this moment with not just Chris but my kids too!
Frame Worthy! This was so special to me!
After we got settled, the kids and I walked around the upper deck as our tour did not take us to this part of the stadium. We were able to walk all the way around the upper deck and we loved seeing part of downtown San Diego from this area. Chris was able to get a refillable soda from right in front of our section as well. Once we got back in our seats, our section had become nearly full. Directly in front of us was a large group of adult singles. They were ROWDY and cursing quite a bit, even before the game started.
The kids and I ventured over towards the Suite level for a few more pictures.
Near section 327 and the far right field Foul Pole.
I am already IN LOVE with this ballpark!
Not gonna lie... some of the best beer I have ever had! I loved this ale!
As the game started and more and more fans began to arrive, after the first pitch, we realized that the seats I chose lower in the section were not the best option. People were constantly getting up and going to concessions and Luke and Chris, who were sitting on the aisle, had to duck and move around a lot just to see the plate. Petco Park has ALL of their seats face home plate at an angle, but this was still a struggle.
A view from our seats during the National Anthem.
The Star Spangled Banner at Petco Park!
PLAY BALL!
Hello from Section 305 of Petco Park!
Around the 3rd inning, we went looking for food but the lines were 50-75 people deep at every single venue. I am not sure if it was the sold out crowd, lack of workers, or a combo of both but it was a HOT mess. Within just a few minutes of walking around the concessions, we knew we made a BIG mistake in not getting food until the game started. With a sold-out crowd... what were we thinking.
This was a place I had read about prior to coming to Petco.
Supposedly the best Cheesesteak in the MLB.
NO THANK YOU!
This was a concession that our Tour Guide recommended.
Pizza Port right outside of our section (305). The line was about 50 people deep if you wanted food but only about 5 people deep for drinks. This is also the concession that had the refillable soda for $10, which is a STEAL!
We went back to our seats but the cursing, kissing and just straight up obnoxious behavior from the large group in front of us was getting out of control. Combine that with the constant interference with the field and play since we were so low in the section... It was just unbearable. I kept looking at an area way over near the Right Field Foul Pole and it was fairly empty. We ventured way over there and even found a gourmet hotdog stand with a short line. We grabbed our dinner and made our way to the top of that section (327). We ended our night from these seats and everyone, for the most part, was happy. Luke did not like his "All-Beef Hot Dog" and said he prefers the "cheap stuff" we buy, but the rest of us had a great dinner and experience.
This section never looked packed so the more and more fussy Luke got... the more we knew it was time to move!
The Bacon Wrapped Gourmet Jumbo Dog.
This was $15 well spent... It was delicious.
Natalie collects Foam Fingers at all of her MLB Stadiums!
She was happy with this purchase.
As the game came to a close, the Padres were still losing, so we made our way down to the ground level during the bottom of the 9th inning with the rest of the 44K fans in attendance. (I found out later that this game was sold out and had over 44,000 fans in attendance. The Opening Night game on April 14th had nearly 46,000.)
As we exited the stadium, we were right on the street we parked on so we made our way to our car within 5 minutes of leaving the stadium. We thought this would be VERY busy since this street was one of only a few exits from the stadium but we were out of the parking garage within 10 minutes of leaving the park. In fact, the security workers had the gate open and told us to exit prior to paying. We never even paid the $35 to park. Chris told the workers "We have not paid" and she said "I do not care, just leave". It was a little weird but we just kept driving.
By then it was well after 10PM and we were all so tired. We made our way back to our hotel and got ready for our flight home the next day. Poor Luke was so tired that he fell asleep on the couch helping me pack his suitcase! It was a GREAT day for sure!
This was such a memorable day and we all LOVED Petco Park. It is has made it's way towards the top of the list... However, it will be hard to beat Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Oracle Park which are my Top Three. I still cannot believe I only need THREE MORE stadiums! I may not get to them by my 40th birthday (September 2022) like I wanted to, but I will get to them, eventually!
Up Next... Our last day in San Diego and our flight back to God's Country!
Did you miss Day 1, 2, 3 or 4? Check them out:
Day 4- This is What I Call a Target Rich Environment
Day 1- Yep... I Still Hate Flying
Thanks for following along! We appreciate your support!
God is good... ALL THE TIME!
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