I have been to Wrigley and Fenway and consider both of those to belong in a different category.

The only parks i can compare PETCO to are, Jacobs field, Chase field, AT&T, Dodger stadium, Angel Stadium, The Ballpark at Arlington and Safeco (which I toured but didn’t see a game at).

I feel like PETCO is superior to all of those.

(For the record I’ve also been to Dolphin Stadium, the Astrodome, Shea and the old Rangers stadium and those aren’t even worth comparing.)

Like the other commentators I am sad that you weren’t directed to RJ’s BBQ or Rubios fish tacos or even the the food up in the Western Metal supply company bar. They have terrific make your own nachos, and carving board sandwiches. The sushi is pretty good too. There are literally tons of premium dining options and while few have the stand out uniqueness of say chicago deep dish or SF’s garlic fries they are still of very high quality.

I go to as many games as possible at PETCO (maybe 20 a years) and I keep score each and every game. If you go to the guest services desk they will give you a scorecard with the lineups already printed in and lot’s of terrific game notes. It’s like a mini media guide and it’s totally free you just need to ask.

Also this year they started giving away free programs called the Padres Blue Print. They too have a free scorecard in them.

I had never thought about the awkwardness of entering at left and right field but you are correct those entrances are rather quirky. The main home plate entrance though is absolutely beautiful with the grand staircase adjacent to a waterfall.

I hope you come back and if and when you do please let me know so that I can join you and give you a fans tour of PETCO.

JJP, we still do need that Swinging Friar so I will be dropping you a line!

Thanks to Ducksnorts, Gaslamp Ball for the linkage and to the rest of you for your comments!

Go Padres!

I have really enjoyed the few reviews I’ve read so far. I’m quite curious to get your feeling as to how Petco park and AT&T park match up overall.

I’m from San Diego and I am a die hard Padre fan and I’m very curious how an unbiased individual would compare the two.

Also what you said about Giant fans is true, not only at home but also down in San Diego. They are far and away my least favorite people to interact with. There seems to be a sort of ignorant arrogance about them that just rubs everyone the wrong way.

I look forward to reading up on the rest of your blog.

I just want to add a few comments:
1) I apologize for your guide not recommending Randy Jones BBQ – signature food, that has been a part of the Padre fare since the days at the Murph. The hot dogs beat out a Dodger Dog, any day, both in size and flavor. My favorite recommendation is Rubio’s fish or shrimp taco, SD home grown fare, which were actually located just below where you were seated.
2) It should be noted, that the Padres allow you to bring your own food into the park. Whether it is ordering take out from any of the local downtown restaurants, or packing your own meal from home, you can bring it in. [The only drinks you may bring in are sealed bottled water.]
3) If your visit happens to fall on a Sunday, then the Breakfast at the Park should not be missed. Shaded tables are set up on the outfield warning track. You not only get that up close and personal experience with the field, but with each team’s players performing their warm ups on the field and the pitchers in the bull pen it is a can’t miss experience. Each Sunday brings another surprise of who may stop by to eat with you – from CEO Moorad, COO Garfinkle, Padre players, and of course the mascots, The Swinging Friar and Petco’s dog, Ruff and cat, Muew. Heath Bell is our regular favorite. It opens at 1030 on a first come, first served basis.
4) Also on Sundays from 1130-Noon, two Padre players sign one item for children 14 and under.
5) The Park in the Park can’t be beat for either playing in nor taking in all the away games which the Padres broadcast for free on the big screen.
6) One correction: the tiles are not made from local sandstone but are actually from India chosen to match the sand color of our local La Jolla cliff colors [no harvesting sand from this coast] The result is a tile that changes color with the sun’s position and is especially beautiful lite up at night with the home plate waterfall running over them and into the pools.

And last but not least, there are stuffed Swinging Friars in the many Padre stores around the park. I have only seen the bobble head as a giveaway a few years ago along with the SD Chicken :) If you are really interested in one and want to send me an address, I will mail you one as a thank you for the great article.

-jjp

The walls outside AT&T Park celebrate their various championships, but the majority of them came as the New York Giants (five titles in New York). In fact, the San Francisco Giants have only played in three World Series (losing them all) in their half-century in the Bay Area.

Giants fans should welcome fans from New York to their ballpark. After all, if not for the Giants’ history in New York, they’d have no history at all.