Petco Park
San Diego’s baseball scene is popping off at the moment. The Padres are one of the better teams in the National League, and have a real shot at contending for a World Series title in 2024. Of course, possessing arguably the world’s most perfect weather is a major plus for visiting the city. Petco Park is another reason based on its accessibility and beauty. The stadium is right downtown central to everything. Parts of left field are connected to businesses where you can peer out and have a drink from a next-door bar while watching the action.
Between right and centerfield (beyond the fence) exists a massive area where fans can walk up, plop down with blankets and chairs, and take in a clear view of the action for practically nothing. You can have dinner at one of the many restaurants surrounding the stadium a mere 100 yards from the right field fence.
Wrigley Field
Going to a Cubs game in Chicago is a real experience. It’s one of the oldest ballparks in the country. Smaller and more intimate, the crowd is awesome. By design, the stadium doesn’t play a ton of manufactured music or loud sounds. You can actually hear the crack of the bat, and the pop of the ball in the glove. People talk politely with one another and are engaged with the game being played. For a bit of a rowdier experience, head out to the outfield bleachers.
You’ll have plenty of fun, and the odds are you’ll be helping to build a ‘beer snake’ in the process (which is stacking as many cups as possible to form a snake). After the game, enjoy Wrigleyville — the stadium’s neighborhood which is chock-full of bars and restaurants.
Fenway Park
Fenway is another example of pure Americana. It holds the distinction as the oldest park in the country. Similarly to Wrigley and Chicago, the city of Boston is a baseball town. The stadium is right in the heart of everything. You can enjoy bar hopping before and after the game without having to travel anywhere. The stadium itself is fantastic, and in many ways is a relic from a past generation preserved in real time. The Green Monster in left field is a sight to behold as well.
Oracle Park
Our last stadium takes us to San Francisco. Aesthetically, this might be the prettiest park in the MLB. It sits right on the water, to the point where players launch homers literally into the ocean beyond the right field wall. In left field, you see the iconic combo of a massive brown glove and a classically crafted Coca-Cola bottle. Being in a progressive field, the stadium offers some very unique (and delicious) food options. Chief among them, an ice cream sundae with chocolate from the nearby Ghirardelli factory. In a word, YUM.
