Beautiful Petco Park is home to the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball. Anyone attending an upcoming Padres game will want to sort out their parking plan ahead to avoid hassles and enjoy the experience.
This detailed Petco Park parking tips guide offers detailed parking information, including:
- The best official Petco Park parking lots
- Third-party parking lots near Petco Park you can book in advance
- Areas to look for free parking in San Diego
- Handicap parking solutions
- Public transit options for San Diego Padres events
- Other valuable Petco Park parking tips to save time and money
San Diego is a popular destination, so there is always plenty of competition for available parking. Create a plan with the help of this guide so you can get to and from the Padres game without trouble.
Petco Park Parking Summary
Petco Park, home to the San Diego Padres, includes over 27,000 parking spaces, making it quite accommodating for visitors. It is also easily accessible via public transportation, with the San Diego Trolley stopping right at the stadium.
The parking facilities are a mix of parking garages and surface lots. Special accommodations are available, with reserved parking spaces for people with disabilities.
Traffic can get congested during peak game times. However, the San Diego downtown core is smaller than other cities that have more problems.
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Official Petco Park Parking Lots
Several lots are available through the San Diego Padres and Petco Park. While these lots and garages are scattered around the city, they all offer an easy walk to one of the stadium’s gates.
Also, since you can prepay for parking in these locations, you’ll be able to secure a spot and not have to worry about finding something on the day of the game.
Main Parking Lots
While seven total lots are included in the collection offered by Petco Park, three are considered to be Padres Preferred Lots. Preferred means that they open earlier and offer convenient access to the park.
The Petco Park premium lots are:
- Tailgate Park
- Padres Parkade
- Premier Lot
When you go to purchase your parking through the Padres official site, you will notice that not all of the parking options will be available for all games. You’ll need to check for the specific date you are going to attend and see what your options are at that time.
You can expect to pay between $25 – $40 for official Petco Park parking, depending on the game day you’ll attend and which lot or garage you select. If you still need to buy tickets to the game, buying tickets and parking simultaneously is advisable so you are all set and don’t have to figure out parking later.
EV Parking at Petco Park
If you choose to use the Padres Parkade garage, you will find five charging stations on the first floor of that facility. While these chargers are available during games, there might be high demand for their services, so it’s best not to depend on being able to connect your vehicle while you are in the park.
Accessible Parking Spaces
You should be able to find accessible parking spaces available in any of the official parking lots that are offered by Petco Park. Also, a garage near the 6th and K Parkade stadium offers convenient access and ADA spaces available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Third-Party Parking Options at Petco Park
Many great third-party parking options are within walking distance of Petco Park in San Diego. Use the SpotHero widget below to explore the options that are available on the day you plan to attend a game or event.
Plenty of other parking options exist, all providing similar pricing. Those options include the Campus at Horton Garage, the 625 Broadway Garage, and the Chadwick Lot at 646 A Street.
One of the best parking options near the stadium is the garage at 958 Seventh Avenue. While it’s just a ten-minute walk down to the park, the rates here are reasonable, and it’s easy to get in and out of the lot.
Free Parking at Petco Park
As is usually the case in large cities like San Diego, free parking is virtually impossible to locate around Petco Park. The best way to attend a baseball game or another event here without paying for parking is to use an alternative form of transportation and leave your car at home.
Public Transportation to Petco Park
Getting to Petco Park in San Diego to catch a Padres game is easy by the various public transportation options available. You can enjoy the game without worrying about driving or parking.
MTS Trolley Service
The MTS Trolley service provides convenient access to Petco Park. There are three trolley stations situated near the park:
- 12th and Imperial
- Park and Market
- Gaslamp Quarter Station
All three MTS Trolley lines—Blue, Orange, and Green—provide service to and from the park, making this a highly accessible option from different parts of San Diego.
COASTER Train Service
The COASTER train is an excellent alternative for those coming from farther locations, such as the North County. This service offers reasonable fares, with children eligible for free rides. Additionally, free parking is available at various rail stations in North County. This allows you to park your vehicle at a convenient location and ride the train to San Diego.
Ridesharing to Petco Park
There is a ridesharing zone for pick-ups and drop-offs on both sides of the stadium. Look to use the zone at 6th and K Street if you are on the west side of this venue, while 10th and Park Blvd. is the dedicated spot on the east side.
Using rideshare is a great way to save on parking while having easy access to and from the game.
Petco Park Events
The schedule stays busy throughout the year at Petco Park, both with baseball games and various other events. Check out the table below to see what those events include, and pick up your tickets immediately.
Bars & Restaurants near Petco Park
You are in luck if you’d like to find a cold beverage or a tasty meal before attending a Padres game in San Diego. The area around Petco Park has many great options for dining and drinking, including plenty of picks within easy walking distance of the stadium.
Some of my favorite options include:
- Lolita’s Mexican Food
- Basic Bar & Pizza
- Half Door Brewing Co.
Petco Park Parking Tips for a Great Outing
Everyone who attends big events has a horror story about a parking nightmare that caused them to miss the start of the game or concert. Or, if you got in on time, it might have taken you hours to leave after it was over.
Let’s review some basic parking tips to ensure that doesn’t happen to you at Petco Park.
Arrive Early and Beat Traffic
Traffic is notoriously difficult around Southern California, and San Diego is no different. Plan your day to get to the stadium early and secure parking before it gets crazy.
Simply check to see when the gates will open, and you can arrive early to enjoy as much time inside the facility as possible.
Know What You Can Bring
Petco Park has specific policies regarding what can and can’t come into the building like all other stadiums. Check these rules in advance so you don’t have to leave things in the car.
Remember Where You Parked!
There are tons of parking spaces available in the area around Petco Park. With such a massive parking area to cover, you don’t want to be searching for your vehicle at the end of the day. Consider snapping a quick picture or your car’s location on your phone so you can get back to it without any trouble.
Don’t Leave Things in Your Vehicle
With so many vehicles left unattended for hours, there is always the threat of criminal activity while an event is going on. To reduce the chances of theft, leave any valuable items at home, or at least tuck them away out of sight in your car or truck. And, of course, remember to lock up!
Pick a Gate
Entering the park through a gate close to your seats makes a lot of sense. With that in mind, consider trying to park on the same side of the stadium as the gate you’d like to use, so the whole experience can be simple and streamlined. Look at a map of the venue in advance to chart out your path from parking to taking your seat.
Conclusion
In conclusion, planning your parking ahead of time is crucial for a hassle-free and enjoyable experience at Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres. This comprehensive guide provides valuable tips and information to help you navigate the parking options available.
Whether you choose the official Petco Park parking lots, third-party lots, public transit, ridesharing, or alternative transportation, there are solutions to fit your needs. Remember to arrive early, familiarize yourself with the parking policies, and secure your parking spot in advance to avoid any last-minute inconveniences.
By following these tips, you can ensure a smooth parking experience and fully immerse yourself in the excitement of a Padres game or other events at Petco Park.
Frequently Asked Questions for Parking at Petco Park (FAQs)
You’ll find varied parking prices depending on the event you will attend. It’s typically about $20 – $40 to park for an MLB game, but preferred lots will be more and you might find even higher prices for concerts. It’s best to secure your parking as early as possible to give yourself plenty of choices.
Using the official parking offered by Petco Park or selecting from third-party lots can be a viable option for this venue. The prices will be generally the same for both, and while the official lots tend to be rather close to the stadium, there are also good third-party choices within easy walking distance. The best approach is to look specifically at what is available on the day you plan to attend to pick the best available location.
No, there is no overnight parking available at Petco Park. You must return to your vehicle and depart reasonably after the event ends.
Along with some other notable parks around Major League Baseball – like Fenway Park and Wrigley Field – Petco Park offers a free bike valet to store your bike securely while watching a game. Drop the bike off with the valet service near the Balboa Park Gate and retrieve it within 30 minutes after the game ends. If you don’t want to use the valet service, there are also a few bike racks around the stadium’s perimeter.
Public transportation and rideshare services are good options if you’d like to attend Petco Park without needing to drive.
The timing of parking lots opening up for vehicles to enter will depend on the event you are attending. You can expect the garages and lots to be open at least two hours before game time, with Padres Preferred locations becoming available 3.5 hours before first pitch.