A very cool tour of Petco Park in San Diego!

Ballpark tours of Petco Park include a behind-the-scenes and on-the-field look at the home of the San Diego Padres.
Tours of Petco Park include a behind-the-scenes and on-the-field look at the home of the San Diego Padres.

Today I went on a very cool guided tour of Petco Park, baseball home of the San Diego Padres. The one and a half hour tour, which is offered to the public seven days a week, provided a behind-the-scenes look at parts of the ballpark that fans usually don’t see.

I was blown away!

A super knowledgeable and friendly tour guide showed our small group why Petco Park is regarded by many as the best ballpark in Major League Baseball. People in our group who were visiting San Diego, and who were fans of other teams, seemed to enjoy themselves just as much as me!

We saw several parts of the unique Western Metal Supply Co. Building, ventured into the Press Box, and got to briefly see the exclusive Lexus Home Plate Club. We walked out onto the field, and everyone took photos while sitting in the visiting team’s dugout. Then we entered a tunnel that led to the visiting team’s locker room. After passing through a service corridor used for Petco Park deliveries and maintenance, we emerged into daylight, entered the Padres Team Store, and finally ended up at the Padres Hall of Fame.

The following photos provide just a small taste of this awesome experience. If you find yourself in San Diego, take the tour! If you love baseball, it’s a must!

People wait by a ticket window for a fascinating ballpark tour at Petco Park in San Diego.
People wait by a ticket window for a fascinating ballpark tour at Petco Park in San Diego.
Paty, our knowledgeable and super friendly tour guide, familiarizes everyone with the history of Petco Park.
Paty, our knowledgeable and super friendly tour guide, familiarizes everyone with the history of Petco Park.
Personalized bricks in the Palm Court Plaza were purchased by more than 10,000 fans when the ballpark was built. The bricks sold out in 5 minutes!
Personalized bricks in the Palm Court Plaza were purchased by more than 10,000 fans when the ballpark was built. The bricks sold out in 5 minutes!
The Breitbard Hall of Fame was recently relocated from Balboa Park's Hall of Champions to the main concourse level of Petco Park. San Diego sports legends and champions are honored with plaques.
The Breitbard Hall of Fame was recently relocated from Balboa Park’s old Hall of Champions to the main concourse level of Petco Park. San Diego sports legends are honored with plaques.
A view of the ball field in January from inside the Western Metal Supply Co. Building. Trucks are getting the field ready for an upcoming Monster Jam event.
A view of the ball field in January from inside the Western Metal Supply Co. Building. Trucks are getting the field ready for an upcoming Monster Jam event.
A Padres fan on the tour checks out the left field foul pole painted on a corner of the Western Metal Supply Co. Building. The tolling of the nearby mission bell connects every game to San Diego history.
A Padres fan on the tour checks out the left field foul pole, which is attached to a corner of the Western Metal Supply Co. Building. The tolling of the nearby mission bell during every game reminds fans of San Diego’s history.
An amazing view of the ballpark can be enjoyed from The Rail, an exclusive seating area high up in the Western Metal Supply Co. Building.
An amazing view of the ballpark can be enjoyed from The Rail, an exclusive seating area high up in the Western Metal Supply Co. Building.
The Loft at Petco Park contains pool tables, a fun vibe and cool elements of the Western Metal Supply Co. Building's history that have been preserved.
The Loft at Petco Park contains pool tables, a fun vibe and cool elements of the Western Metal Supply Co. Building’s history that have been preserved.
As we continue counterclockwise around the upper level of Petco Park, we learn more Padres facts. We hear stories about the players and relive special moments.
As we continue counterclockwise around the upper level of Petco Park, we learn more Padres facts. We hear stories about the players and relive special moments.
A series of photo murals along the upper level depict Padres history. This one from March 24, 1951 shows Whitey Wietelmann out at first base.
A series of photo murals along the upper level depict Padres history. This one from March 24, 1951 shows Whitey Wietelmann out at first base.
As we walk along, San Diego's South Bay comes into view.
As we walk along, San Diego’s South Bay comes into view.
We are about to go behind-the-scenes and check out the Press Box!
We are about to go behind-the-scenes and check out the Press Box!
Inside a lounge area for the press is a glass display case full of memories from Jerry Coleman's life as baseball player, Marine aviator, and Padres broadcaster. The flag was presented to him upon his retirement by the military.
Inside a lounge area for the press is a glass display case full of memories from Jerry Coleman’s life as baseball player, Marine aviator, and Padres broadcaster. The folded flag was presented to him by the military upon his retirement.
We get to sit inside writer's row, where the press watches each game and composes their stories! The official scorer has a special seat in one corner.
We get to sit inside writer’s row, where the press watches each game and composes their stories! The official scorer has a special seat in one corner.
Way to the left we can see the control room for the music, lights and video board, and the spot occupied by the public address announcer.
Way to the left we can glimpse the control room for the music, lights and video boards, and the spot occupied by the public address announcer.
Before the 2018 season begins, some workers are doing a bit of gardening at the ballpark!
A couple months before the 2018 season begins, some workers are doing a bit of gardening at the ballpark!
Here's another fun part of the Petco Park tour. Walking out onto the field!
Here’s another fun part of the Petco Park tour. Walking out onto the field!
We head to the area behind home plate. In addition to other features, we are shown how Petco Park was built to provide close in, direct views of the action from every seat.
We head to the area behind home plate. In addition to other features, we are shown how Petco Park was built to provide intimate, direct views of the action from every seat.
Sitting in the visiting team's dugout! How cool is this?
Hanging out in the visiting team’s dugout! How cool is this?
If you find yourself in San Diego, you should take a cool tour of Petco Park!
If you find yourself in San Diego, you should take a cool tour of Petco Park!

…

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

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Published by

Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

6 thoughts on “A very cool tour of Petco Park in San Diego!”

  3. Pingback: Fascinating photos behind the scenes in San Diego. – Cool San Diego Sights!
  4. Pingback: Memories of summers, the Padres, Petco Park. – Cool San Diego Sights!
  5. Pingback: Cool photo memories from January 2018. – Cool San Diego Sights!

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