FanPost

Advice for an out of towner?

Hey there Pad fans!

I'm an Orioles fan, and as much as I'd love to discuss Odrasimer Despaigne and his apparently unreal, yet still uneffective, changeup , I'm actually looking to crowdsource. The fam and I have just booked six days in Pacific Beach to coincide with at least one of the O's/Padres matchups in June, and wanted to know the ins and outs of Petco Park, and San Diego in general.

Said ins and outs include:

  • Should I buy the tickets for the game beforehand, or can I count on bargains on stubhub the day of the game? I'm thinking a Tuesday night game against a non-Yankee or Red Sock AL east team is probably not a huge draw
  • Where's a good place to park near the stadium? Perusing the area, it doesn't look like public transportation is really an easy option, and we'll have a rental car.
  • Is taco tuesday worth it, or should I splurge and get non-cheap-taco type food at the park?
  • Is there any sort "OMG, you GOTTA try this!" food I should get at Petco?
  • Good places to get beer at the park?
  • any cool little quirks or traditions? At Camden Yards, everyone screams "O" during the National Anthem, and the seventh inning stretch always has the belovedly dorky (and kinda perplexing, since it's Baltimore) "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" singalong
  • Anything I should be mindful about, being a visiting team's fan? I plan on sporting the black and orange, but will not be obnoxious
  • Why don't your guys wear those awesome brown and yellow uniforms anymore?
  • We'll definitely hit the zoo, but what's a better place to visit with young (5 yo and 3 yo) kids, Seaworld or Legoland?
  • Any real hidden gems I should check out?
  • Is there any reason to head down to Tijuana now that I'm (way) over 21?
  • How's the Turf Club? Is it as cool as I've been told? Would I need to make crazy reservations in advance? Is it appropriate to bring the kids?
  • Is it worth it getting a one-day surfing lesson? I haven't had the chance to surf since a Maui trip back in 2009
It's been over a decade since I've visited your fine city, and back then we were childless dynamos, able to go anywhere we please and stay out like semi-alcoholic grownups. Now, we've got a five year old and a three year old, which means the more adult-type activities at the gaslamp district are out, unfortunately.

Thanks!

Mike

This FanPost was written by a member of the Gaslamp Ball community and does not necessarily reflect the views of the Gaslamp Ball staff or SB Nation.