About San Diego Profile: Qualcomm Stadium

When the stadium was first conceived back in the mid 1960s, it was originally to be called All-American Stadium. But by the time it was completed in 1967 (designed by architect Gary Allen of Frank L. Hope and Associates at a cost of $27.5 million), the 53,000 seat San Diego Stadium would be its simple and straightforward moniker. Located in Mission Valley, San Diego Stadium was built in an era of the multipurpose stadium facility, where football and baseball would share the field during their respective seasons. San Diego Stadium's architecture projected a simple elegance that has stood the test of time.

As a multipurpose stadium of its era, San Diego Stadium would serve as the home for the San Diego Chargers and the San Diego Padres (who would later vacate the stadium for their own downtown ballpark, Petco Park). In 1984, the Stadium was expanded to nearly 61,000 seats and 50 suites were added.

In 1997, the Stadium was expanded again when 10,500 seats, 34 suites, 4 Club Lounges, upgraded food service and two video boards were added. This last expansion effectively closed off the east end and pretty much ruined the original, elegant design.

The stadium's original name was simple: San Diego Stadium. In 1984, the name was officially changed to Jack Murphy Stadium, honoring the former sportswriter who was instrumental in championing major league sports for the city. In 1997, in the era of naming rights for sports complexes, the name was changed to Qualcomm Stadium, after the locally based telecommunications giant agreed to pay the city $18 million for naming rights through 2017.

So, depending on your generation and fondness, you call it what you want: the stadium, the Murph, Qualcomm, the Q. To me, it'll always be San Diego Stadium.

Football seating capacity: 71,500
Parking spaces: 18,500
Concession stands: 52
Executive suites: 113
Restaurants: 3
Lounges: 4
Men's restrooms: 44
Women's restrooms: 50
Site Area: 166 acres
Stadium Field: 3.4 acres (natural grass)

1967 August: San Diego Stadium opened
1967 August 20: First Charger Football Game
1969 April 8: First Padres Baseball Game
1978 July 11: MLB All-Star Game
1978 December 22: First Holiday Bowl Game
1981 October 7: Rolling Stones in Concert
1984 World Series: Tigers 4 / Padres 1
1988 January 31: Super Bowl XXII
1989 August 22: The Who in Concert
1992 July 14: MLB All-Star Game
1997 April 28: U2 in Concert
1998 January 25: Super Bowl XXXII
1998 World Series: Yankees 4 / Padres 0
2003 January 26: Super Bowl XXXVII

Qualcomm Stadium is located on 9449 Friars Road and is easily accessible from any one of four freeways: 805, 163, 15 and 8. There are less than 19,000 parking spaces. You'll need to arrive at least 3 hours ahead of time to get a parking space.

Your best bet is to take public transportation. The Green Line of the San Diego Trolley drops you off right at the stadium. Although there is a crush immediately before and after games, if you give yourself plenty of time, the trolley can be a breeze. Buy a day-tripper pass for $5.

Express bus service from MTS and NCTD is also available.

None - at least within walking distance. There's a large Costco/Ikea retail center next door, but don't park there - you'll get towed. Nope, if you want pre- or post-game celebating, you have to drive a mile or so to the restaurants and bars frather west near Fashion Valley, Mission Valley Center and Hotel Circle.

For a facility that was built in 1967, Qualcomm Stadium has held up surprisingly well. Its original architecture was praised for its design, especially in comparison to similar multipurpose stadiums built in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and Philadelphia (which no longer exist). But the two expansions have detracted from the original look, and it now resembles a house with some funky room additions.

Of course, if you were to believe the San Diego Chargers, the place is crumbling, given their highly vocal demands about needing a new stadium. Whether it happens in San Diego or in one of the county's suburbs is only a matter of time, and when that happens, Qualcomm Stadium will probably be no more.

Sightlines for football aren't all that bad, but end-zone seats on the east end deprive you of any view of the video scoreboard. Nose-bleed seats aren't horrible unless you're stuck in the very top corners on the northeast and southeast ends. And unless you want to view the backs of players and support personnel, sideline seats within the first 5-10 rows from the field are pretty much obstructed. But you get a close up view of the cheerleaders.

Unless you're going to tailgate early (and pay the hefty fees - anywhere from $20 to $75 PER VEHICLE), then take public transportation. With a little planning and patience, the Green Line Trolley is the best mode. Park at one of the many trolley stops, and take the train in - it drops you off right the the stadium's doorstep. Buy a day-trip pass for $5 and don't worry about parking.

You can also take express buses provided by MTS and NCTD - depending on which one you take, fares are between $10-12 round trip.

Food in a small plastic bag and factory-sealed plastic water bottles ½ liter, 17 oz. or less (limit two per person) are allowed into the stadium. Bottles, cans, coolers and bags larger than 12”x12”x12” are prohibited from entering the stadium. All items are subject to search or may not be admitted.

Smoking is only permitted in certain designated areas, beer is served until the end of the third quarter (2 per person at a time), no weapons or firearms (duh).

And of course, no one likes rude and obnoxious behavior, especially from drunks. Be courteous to your fellow fans. It makes the game more enjoyable.