The Bottom Line
Pros
- It's for baseball only
- It's downtown
- Fabulous views
Cons
- Some puzzling features (what's with the sandbox? )
- Lacking that "Wow" factor - but it's still too new
- Parking takes getting used to
- Food needs improvement
Description
- Petco Park is a real ballpark and how baseball games should be experienced.
- Make sure you take in all the different city views, from the ramps, the upper decks and terraces.
- Don't stay in your seat - check out all the different standing room areas from all levels.
- You can actually watch the game from the outfield warning track - enter through the Padres merchandise store.
- What's with the sandbox in centerfield? It's a contrived reference to our beaches...and kids love it.
- Check out the Western Metal Supply building. It's going to the be the gathering point for fans.
- The Park at the Park in the outfield is a cool feature. Grab the kids and a blanket and get festive.
- Unless you fork over $$, forget about access to food and watering holes on the Toyota Terrace level. Bad.
- The right field home run porch is contrived but kinda cool.
- Parking isn't that bad...and you can use the walk in fresh air.
Guide Review - Guide Review: Petco Park
Because Petco Park - at least architecturally - has its own unique personality. From the striking Italian sandstone, to the white girders, to the fantastic downtown location, Petco Park is decidedly a reflection of San Diego. Maybe it's that reason why the ballpark sometimes doesn't feel like a ballpark - maybe it needs more bricks.
But for those old-schoolers harkening for some good old red brick, don't fret: the 90-year-old Western Metals Supply building is the striking centerpiece of the park. In fact, the park is built around the old landmark, and one corner of the building acts as the left field foul pole. Really.
On the other hand, some ballpark features are a bit puzzling. The third base side of the concourse offers plentiful views of the field, but the first base side is broken up with obstructions. One bullpen (Padres) is in the outfield, but the other (visitors) is on the playing field. And unlike, say, Safeco Field in Seattle, you can't get up close to the outfield pen because it's sectioned off for special groups.
Padres players aren't exactly enamored with Petco's field dimensions - in fact some have griped vocally about how right-center and damp night air just swallows their fly balls. The club shortened this alley by a few feet recently, but it still is a pitcher's park. Petco is a ballpark, but cozy it ain't.
