A look at Petco Park in San Diego

On the road, I try to visit the local baseball stadiums when I can, with Petco Park in San Diego being the latest. Here are some thoughts and photos.

Outside the stadium

So many of the new parks have gone for the old-school, red-brick-and-steel look. Petco Park takes a different route, using sandstone and white steel to create a unique look. The photo below was taken across the street on East Harbor Drive, where it towers over the traffic below. But if you approach the park from the north, coming down 7th Avenue, you barely notice the stadium at all until you are on top of it, as it blends well with the surrounding buildings.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Southern California stadium without the proper use of palm trees.

The player who made the most errors in the game I watched was Leon "Bull" Durham. That's unique because Leon played first base for the Cubs in the 1980s, and I attended a Padres-Reds game in 2009.

You see, the Padres are celebrating their 40th anniversary and showed a lot of historical highlights on the big screen. Unfortunately, the Padre library of great highlights is a bit thin, so we were treated to four separate viewings of the ball going between Leon's legs in the Padres' decisive victory in game five of the 1984 National League Championship Series.

The concourse

Petco's concourse carries the southwestern vibe forward. Much of the concourse is open and allows views of the field as you make your way along.

The Mercado, near section 108, offers a variety of food options. The picture below would not be the Mercado, as I forgot to take a picture of it.

The Field

As you come out of the concourse and head you to your seat, Petco won't blow you away. It lacks the intimate feel of Fenway or the amazing views provided by AT&T Park. The park's most interesting feature is the old Western Metal Supply Building, which is nestled in between the left field foul pole and the center field scoreboard.

The building is a result of an audible called as the park was being built. It was scheduled for demolition, but was later declared a local landmark. Eventually, it was ruled that only the facade had to be preserved, and the building was renovated and incorporated into the design.

The foul area is narrow and gets fans close to the field.

Another unique feature of the stadium is the Park at the Park, an open area behind center field which features a hill where families can put down a blanket and watch the game, a statue of Tony Gwynn and an area of bleacher-style seats, with grass underneath, that sits at field-level in right-center. Here's a view from those seats.

The Park at the Park needs some work. It seems like it wants to deliver a carnival midway-type feel, but instead feels more like a walkway. The area needs some unique food options, games for kids, an interesting place to drink a beer -- something to give it a feeling of excitement and an experience people will be drawn toward.

Post-game, the team offered a fireworks show.

The food

No trip to the ballpark is complete without that classic ballpark culinary staple: the fish taco.

Fried fish topped off with salsa, cabbage and sour cream, wrapped in a soft corn tortilla. I thought the first one was good, but grabbed a second just to be sure. Tastiness confirmed.

Petco also offers garlic fries that rival those at AT&T Park. Six dollars gets you a disgustingly big pile, and you'll need a Listerine shower afterwards should you plan any social interaction in the ensuing 24 hours.

Visitors can choose from a wide and impressive selection of overpriced beers. I became a fan of the Escondido-brewed Stone IPA, though we didn't get too familiar with each other at $8.50 a pop.

Summing it all up

Petco Park is an enjoyable place to watch a game, but just felt like it was missing something. The sandstone and white decor, coupled with a very large and open feel, just doesn't deliver the classic and intimate experience that many newer parks provide. That said, the Western Metal Supply building, fish tacos and the Park at the Park combine to deliver a unique San Diego baseball experience that makes a visit worthwhile.