One-Minute Guide: The San Diego Padres Opening Day

Arrive early

The East Village Opening Day Block Party kicks off at 10:30 a.m. on J Street next to Petco Park’s Gallagher Square (formerly Park at the Park). Admission to this event is free, and there’s plenty of food and drinks for purchase inside, plus live music and games like cornhole.

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Take public transit

Downtown parking is limited. Instead, park for free at SDCCU Stadium and take the MTS trolley to Petco Park. Or if you’re coming from North County, park for free at a Coaster station and take the train to Santa Fe Depot, then transfer to the Silver Line.

Eat at the park

The second best thing to enjoy at Petco Park is its concessions. Local favorites like Phil’s BBQ, Lucha Libre, and Buona Forchetta are all accounted for. The most popular dishes last season were Seaside Market’s tri-tip nachos, Board & Brew’s Turkado sandwich, and Ballast Point’s Swingin’ Friar Ale. There are more than 85 kinds of beer at the ballpark, so bottoms up!

Leave your hat at home

Everyone who attends will receive a free Padres Opening Day hat. Take your seat no later than 12:30 p.m. to catch the pregame ceremony.

Wear brown

The Padres are reviving their most iconic vintage uniforms in the 2020 season, which means it’s time to swap your blue for brown and your white for gold. At the game, take a selfie and use the hashtag #BrownIsBack for a chance to see your photo on the big screen.

Stay in the shade

If you don’t want to bake all day, look for seats in the shade or in partial shade. Your best bet is to sit in the stadium’s middle tiers along the third baseline. If you’re set on sitting closer, or in the top tier along the first baseline, bring lots of sunscreen! (For a helpful visual, there’s a shade map at mlb.com/padres.)

March 2020 – Padres Opening Day