Tips to watching a Padres game

Although attending a San Diego Padres baseball game at Qualcomm Stadium is generally a pleasant experience, there are some tips and secrets worth knowing to make your gameday outing even more enjoyable. Here are a few tips I've accumulated over the years and have decided to share with you, since these will only apply to this final year at the Q. I can't guarantee any of these tips will work at the new downtown ballpark next year.

Best way to bypass incoming traffic to the stadium: Take the Mission Gorge exit from I-8, but don't turn onto Camino del Rio North with everyone else. Go straight to Twain Avenue, turn left and stay on the road all the way to the stadium. You'll save 10-15 minutes.

Quickest way into the parking lot: See directions above, and then use the northside gate on Rancho Mission Road (some days this gate is not open).

Quickest exit from parking lot: See above.

Best public transportation to the stadium: What else? The Trolley - it drops you off right at Stadium Gate K.

Best lot to park and catch the trolley: Fashion Valley Shopping Center. But shhhhh, you really aren't supposed to. Just park in the parking structure on the south side and pretend you're going into the mall.

Best seats without paying a premium: Field level section 37-38 (Padres side).

Best seats if you want seat service: Club Level

Best seats if you want seat service and know someone important: Coaches Box or Home Plate Box seats on the field. (Believe me, it is very cool and you can eat all you want)

Best seats to work on your tan: Grandstand seats ringing the outfield.

Best day for games: Sunday day games. Thursday day games if you have a lot of sick days.

Best day to avoid crowds: Monday and Tuesday games.

Best day to be a part of the crowd: Saturday giveaway nights. Or the KGB Sky Show night.

Best bargain for the family: Coca Cola Family Nights on Fridays.

Best traditional ballgame food: The Hebrew National hot dogs.

Best non-traditional ballgame food: Rubios fish tacos.

Best finger food: The garlic fries from Murphy's Food Court (or seat service on Club Level). You'll smell it wafting through the air, and then you'll need to have some yourself.

Best beer: Not for what they charge.

Best thing not to do at the game: Start the wave.

Second-best thing not to do at the game: Hit the flying beach balls into the field.

Best way to get on the Jumbotron: Hold a cute baby...or be a cute babe.

Best advice for Dodger fans: You never go to your own ballgames, so quit coming to ours!

Enjoy your game!