USA Today ranked all MLB stadiums and Petco Park came out on top!
About a year ago, USA Today ranked all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums and Petco Park took the number 1 spot. Of course, this piece was completely based on the opinions of the author, Ted Berg, but I do find a lot of truth in his article. There are so many great things about San Diego’s stadium, whether it be the food, weather, views, or the local craft beer, but I think the combination of everything makes it an extremely enjoyable experience.
The stadium opened up in 2004 and really shaped Downtown San Diego’s future. When the project broke ground in May of 2000, it sparked a revitalization in the city. Developers started focusing on creating luxury housing in the area and it brought restaurants and retail to the neighborhood. Downtown San Diego would not be what it is today without the vital role Petco Park played! The stadium itself took just under 4 years to complete and seats 42,445 people.
Last weekend I was reminded of this article when I decided to go to a game with my wife and some friends. It was a spur of the moment, “let’s do something different”, idea and we ended up having an amazing time. Everyone we went with lives downtown, which brings me to the first reason I love the stadium. As a downtown resident, I like that you can just stroll over to the ballpark and don’t need to deal with parking, lot fees, and traffic. The location is awesome because there is so much to do around the stadium before and after games, which can turn a baseball game into a full day event.
Food
Who doesn’t love amazing food? There is so much to enjoy here, you might want to attend several games. You definitely have to try a burger Hodad’s, as it is a San Diego classic. Hodad’s has a few locations in San Diego, but it is a far better experience when you are watching America’s favorite past-time. Another one of my personal favorites is Pizza Port. Truth be told, I have never been to their ballpark location, but I have been to their Ocean Beach location and is great. Really good pizza, reasonable prices, and a great beer selection. I can imagine their Petco Park location is similar. The last place I highly recommend is Lucha Libre. This local taco shop is a San Diego favorite. It is famous for it’s Surf N Turf California Burrito. I don’t even want to offend anyone by even trying to describe this delicious tortilla wrapped present.
Did someone mention desert? Baked Bear is a must. They make ice cream sandwiches with cookies. This is one of my wife’s personal favorites, although we very rarely make it out to the main location because it is in Pacific Beach.
Craft Beer
Petco Park features some of San Diego’s best craft beers. From the not so micro breweries like Ballast Point and Stone Brewing, to some of my local favorites like Alpine Beer Company, Belching Beaver Brewery, and Mike Hess Brewery, there is something for everyone! Enjoying a great cold beer with some of the local food favorites completes the entire Petco Park experience.
Give me a call today at (619) 228-6790 or email me at Ryan@www.livingthesandiegolife.com for more information or to schedule a tour of the neighborhood!