With spring right around the corner, I decided that this year would be my first ever spring training trip. I'm planning on going Mar 19th through the 21st since there are two home games and the road game is really a home game too (Mariners).

So I guess I'm just looking for a general feel of ST. What's there to do before the games? Can you watch practice? Does it make sense to go to another teams facility? Also, I have questions about where to stay and stuff like that? What hotels are good/bad? I would really appreciate and advice/help. Are any of you guys going?

Lastly, just saw on padres.com that Fanfest is Feb 12, should be a good time, didn't get to go last year because I was in Vegas, heard they always sell a bunch of game used stuff, is it cheap? Would love to get some random Padres stuff.