Ballpark Roadtrip: Petco Park

Palm trees and beautiful weather are two of the features of Petco Park. Architecturally magnificent, the stadium celebrates the the natural beauty and cultural diversity and unique spirit of the region. It opened in 2004, replacing Qualcomm Stadium as the home of the San Diego Padres.

Street sign outside Petco Park honoring home town hero Tony Gwynn.

View of Petco from "Park at the Park" on top of Picnic Hill. During non-event hours, it serves as a neighborhood park.

A statue of Mr. Padre, Tony Gwynn, stands on Picnic Hill in the "Park at the Park" section of Petco.

Downtown San Diego is just beyond the "Park in the Park" in the outfield.

The VIP entrance is decorated with Padres' uniforms of the past in display cases. These are some of the ugliest uniforms you'll ever see. The Pacific Coast League (PCL) club is decorated with vintage PCL memorabilia including team uniforms.

A sand sculpture in "The Beach" in right field. Beach Club tickets there cost $25.00.

Bleacher seats in right field with padded seats and grass. Bleacher ticket holders have access to "The Beach" from the conclusion of batting practice until the final out of the ballgame.

A view of Petco Park from

The Petco Park logo adorns the sides of field level seats. The tour of the ballpark was not very good since it did not go on the playing field or press areas. The tour leader seemed anxious to get tour over quickly. I learned more about park speaking to ushers.

One of the display cases in one of the concourses in Petco Park honoring the team's history.

As a courtesy to others, guests are asked to refrain from walking in aisles during player at-bats from the top of the second inning until the conclusion of the game. Guest Services representatives are provided with handheld signs to remind guests to observe this policy.

The New York Mets stretch on the field as the San Diego Padres take batting practice prior to the start of the game.

Concourses are spacious, open and airy. Signature towers and terraces offer panoramic views of the bay, the downtown skyline, Balboa Park and the mountains on the horizon.

The scoreboard in left field and the signature feature of Petco: the Western Metal Supply Co. Building. Built in 1909 at a cost of $60,000, the building hosts the team store and private party suites available for rent on a game-by-game basis. The fourth floor hosts the Padres Hall of Fame Bar & Grill.

Digital displays welcomes visitors and with great views of the field from the concourses.

The San Diego skyline gives the ballpark added depth - unlike the view of junk yards at Citi Field.

Strange thing here: the visitors bullpen is along the home team's side of the field, while the Padres bullpen is in left field.

A hot dog covered in potato chips with beans, spicy tomatoes and onions. This dog and water from Diego Dogs cost $14 and was filling. There are 28 choices of bars or concessions at Petco Park.

Seats in the lower field section, six rows behind the visitors dugout, cost $71.

The honor guard presents colors before the start of the game. The team and fans acknowledge all veterans in attendance before the game after the national anthem.

"The Swinging Friar" is the official mascot of the San Diego Padres. This fun-loving character pre-dates the Major League Padres, first serving as the mascot for the Pacific Coast League Padres.

Ballpark: A - Clean and well kept, concourses were wide on field level. Great views of field all around. Beautiful area in center field where fans can watch games for $5 called "Park at the Park." Located just beyond the right field fence, "The Beach" sand area is a unique part of the Petco Park experience. Sat behind visitors dugout, six rows up for $71.
Fans & Atmosphere: B - The "Park at the Park" opens two and a half hours prior to the first pitch. Gates open an hour and a half before game time. Had areas for the kids like a mini ball park in center field. Several fans stood outside garage to seek autographs from players hours before game. Found more visitors than hard core fans.
Food: B - Food choices include traditional ballpark food as well as several restaurants that include Randy Jones BBQ, Filippi