San Diego Padres

#21 - Long wanted to see this park, did so on 4/15/15 (Tax Day!!!) with Trudii on the SoCal pt 2 trip. Fathers played the Diamond backs, Brandon Morrow v Chase Anderson. Kind of a slow game that ended with Justin Upton breaking a 2-2 tie in 8th with a solo HR to left center. Got to see Craig Kimbrell's 'act' again, he didn't disappoint and shut the D'backs down in the 9th. It was also Jackie Robinson day, which is extremely annoying for a visiting fan that doesn't know the team that well...Pulled up to this stadium featuring $20 parking.... NO tailgate scene, but tons of bars and restaurants surrounding. We didn't check anything out pre-game as we were hurting for time. Stadium is tightly built into downtown, surrounding buildings were very close by (one hotel connected by outdoor skyway). First thing we encountered when entering the gates was the 'park at the park', which featured a statue of Tony Gwynn. Probably one of the coolest features of a park I've experienced. A grassy hill in  left center that was place for folks to catch the game for $5. Later found out that the 'park' was open to the public during non-game times. Park led down to a GA bleacher section that ended in a sand box/beach right at center field fences. Stadium had 'mostly' open concourse (closed in certain spots). Had a craft beer corridor, taco bar, very cool ivy hanging throughout the concourse; tons of character throughout the stadium. Concourse also had a salute to the Navy which featured a smaller scale version of the USS Midway (I think). Inside, we sat row 1, 3B side right at the cusp of left field (fantastic seats). Stadium was tight, which was surprising given its stats as a pitchers park. 360ish in left, 400ish in center, 320ish in right. Padres just put in a new jumbotron in left which is enormous. Can't leave out Western Metal Supply in left. Awesome! We got to go up, sometimes it's reserved for private parties, but this night was open. Super good views of the stadium as well as the skyline. Only negatives I could think of are beer cost ($11.75 coors, $13 premiums) and no common areas outside of WMS, If I had the choice for my home ballpark to be any that I've been to to date, it'd be Petco. A+