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I was wondering if there are set times the teams start their batting practice? I missed the Dodgers when they played at home, but im going to see them again the 12th when they play the Padres at Petco (starts at 12:35). I dont want to miss them again!
Oh and if anyone's been to Petco where's the best place to park?
Most teams start batting practice maybe 2.5-3 hours before the game for a normal start(7ish). Home team gets first dibs of course.Quote:
Originally Posted by silentbutdeadly
For a game that starts at 12 it usually starts a little later. Maybe 2 hours before.
Can't help you as far as parking, when I went, the SD native who took us parked far away and we took a trolley to the game. I think that's what most locals do as parking around the stadium is pretty outrageous.
(this is long)Quote:
Originally Posted by silentbutdeadly
It all depends on whether you want to pay to park. If it's a weekday game then you can get a street meter parking spot easily when you're in the area before 4:30. But there are many "No Parking during Petco Events" signs so you have to read carefully because they ticket and tow.
There are many pay-parking lots in the immediate area that'll run you between $15 and up. I don't recommend these unless your pockets are full of cash.
Personally, what I would do is this: When you get off the 10th street exit make a right at "B" street; I think it'll be the second light. Then go down "B" until you get to 8th Stree and make a left. (There are only a few ways to get onto that street because of all the 'no right turn' or 'no left turn' signs, so not many people park on it at first). The other streets will be taken faster.
Now be forewarned you will have to walk a little, but it'll cost you far, far less. While on 8th, once you pass "C" Street and then get to Broadway, start looking for meter parking in between the streets "C" and "F". Once you get past "F" unless you're there before 4pm you won't find squat. I always park (when I get there around five) on 8th & Broadway. You'll see a few parking lots that are charging $15 but you'll want the street metered spots. It's a quarter for every twelve minutes. So bring ample change.
If you do this, you'll just walk up 8th another 6 or 7 small blocks and you'll be there (you can't miss the stadium). You can see the stadium from where you street park.
It's really not a bad walk, take you about fifteen minutes. And the cool thing is then you're right in the heart of downtown and after the game if you want to hit a bar then you can skip over to 5th street and choose from 30 or 40 bars (no joke). All the cool stuff is on 5th Street, and then 6th Street.
Here's an alternate area: When you get off on 10th take the street all the way down to "J" Street that's really close to the Stadium, and then make a left turn. Drive along and look for street parking though there won't be a lot. What I often do is go past Park Blvd (trolley tracks), and turn left or right on 13th. It's a seedy area with homeless people here and there but I haven't had any problems. And since you'll be there early I'm thinking you actually might be able to find street parking without the "No Parking during Petco Events." That's the thing. Once you go past Park Blvd. you won't see those signs. I generally can find spots on 13th or 12th or 11th, sometimes even 10th depending on how early I get there. Then I walk down "J" Street straight to the stadium; the streets count down so it's only like five blocks.
The reason I didn't suggest this area first is because you might be sketchy about bums and dirty looking areas which this is. But I park there all the time too and it's really close.
PM me if you're confused and need more navigating. Otherwise, have a great time. The park is beautiful. And the fans aren't obnoxious toward Dodgers fans like in "other" parks.
Again, let me note: Read all street signs before parking. The farther you go from downtown (10th, 11h, Park, 13th, etc.) the cheaper the meter parking is. I think you get a half hour for a quarter out there whereas it's a quarter for twelve minutes around 5th and 6th and 7th Streets.
