Nicknamed “America’s Finest City” for its idyllic weather and stunning white-sand beaches, San Diego is home to the Padres and Petco Park, one of Major League Baseball’s most iconic ballparks. From their inception in 1969 until the 2003 season, the Padres played at Jack Murphy Stadium, a multipurpose venue shared with the NFL’s Chargers in Mission Valley. In 1995, Larry Lucchino, instrumental in the development of Camden Yards for the Baltimore Orioles, became President of the Padres with a vision to secure a modern ballpark for the team.

The club officially announced plans in 1996 to construct a new stadium in downtown San Diego. Following their National League Championship win in 1998, San Diego voters approved funding for the project. Originally slated to open in 2002, the 42,000-seat ballpark faced delays due to financial challenges, with construction halting for over a year in 2000. In November 2001, the City of San Diego authorized a $166 million bond to restart construction. In January 2003, Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. acquired naming rights for $60 million over 22 years, officially christening the venue as Petco Park.

The Padres debuted at Petco Park on April 8, 2004, in a game against the San Francisco Giants, ushering in a new era for the franchise. The $411 million ballpark revitalized downtown San Diego, showcasing a distinctive Southern California aesthetic with a white steel and sandstone facade, complemented by palm and jacaranda trees around its perimeter. Fans are greeted by a palm-lined courtyard and water features at the entrance, setting the tone for a unique experience.

Inside, Petco Park offers excellent sightlines of the playing field and panoramic views of the San Diego skyline. The seating, configured to bring fans closer to the action, includes 42,500 blue seats angled toward the pitcher’s mound. The three-tiered grandstand stretches from the right-field foul pole around home plate to the left-field foul pole, where the historic Western Metal Supply Building serves as a signature feature. Rather than demolishing the 1909 structure, the Padres integrated it into the ballpark design. It houses a team store on the first floor, party and luxury suites on the second and third floors, and a restaurant on the fourth floor. The rooftop bleachers, which offer outstanding views, can be retracted to create a party space.

Petco Park’s design includes several unique elements: a main scoreboard above the left-field seats, additional seating above the right-field wall, and a two-level social space in right-center field, inspired by Southern California’s beach lifestyle. This area features recycled composite wood decking and drink rails, providing a relaxed atmosphere for fans. Outside the ballpark, the “Park at the Park” offers a family-friendly, elevated grass area for lawn seating, providing an affordable way to enjoy games while taking in views of the ballpark and downtown skyline.

The ballpark’s design also incorporates 200-foot towers that house luxury suites, lounges, and field lighting. Additional amenities include a Padres Hall of Fame, a 250-seat auditorium, a kids’ entertainment zone, and a theater. Over the years, several enhancements have been made to improve the fan experience. In 2013, field dimensions were adjusted to make the park less pitcher-friendly, with changes to the left and right-field power alleys. In 2015, a state-of-the-art HD videoboard measuring 61.5 feet by 124 feet was installed, accompanied by standing-room-only spaces and bar stool seating.

In 2016, the Padres opened their first Hall of Fame at Petco Park, located beyond the left-field wall, commemorating the franchise’s rich history. That same year, San Diego hosted its third MLB All-Star Game—and its first at Petco Park—on July 12, 2016.

Petco Park Pictures