Chasin 30 on the Pacific Coast Highway
My trip down the Pacific Coast Highway turned into a baseball adventure once I reached Los Angeles. Seattle and San Francisco did not have home games during my visit. So these stadiums are saved for another time. However, the real action started once I reached Southern California. In four days, I checked off Dodger Stadium, Angel Stadium, and Petco Park. After visiting Citizens Bank Park earlier this spring, I reached four stadiums in one year. That is a personal record and a sign that my quest of Chasin 30 is moving along. These stops brought me to ballparks 19, 20, and 21. Which means, only nine remain. The Orioles visited both the Dodgers and Angels. However, the Padres hosted the Braves. The Dodgers and Angels lost, but the Padres saved the trip with a win.
Dodger Stadium: History, Hills, and a Father’s Day Freebie
Dodger Stadium carries a special kind of history. It opened in 1962 and is the third oldest stadium in baseball. Fenway Park and Wrigley Field are the only two older parks. The Dodgers also have the largest seating capacity in MLB. They are back-to-back World Series champions in 2024 and 2025. They beat the Yankees and Blue Jays for those titles. And the roster includes Shohei Ohtani, who once played across town for the Angels. But tickets were pricey even in the nosebleeds. However, the views made up for it. The San Gabriel Hills stretched across the outfield. While palm trees lined the park. The open view into the park created a perfect backdrop. We took free photo booth pictures. And the Father’s Day promotion handed out free Dodger shirts. It was a great start to the trip.
Angel Stadium: Low Prices, High Entertainment
A Stadium with Personality
Angel Stadium offered a very different vibe. The giant Angels caps and bats at the entrance stood out. And the waterfall in the outfield added a nice touch. However, the rest of the stadium was simple. The outfield view was plain. But the game day experience made up for it.
Pre-Game Fun and Cheap Tickets
We arrived early and walked to Brewery X in right field. The tables overlook batting practice. Watching players warm up from the outfield was a fun bonus. Compared to the Dodgers, ticket prices were a shock. The nosebleeds started at four dollars. However, we upgraded to seats along the third base line for seventeen dollars. The angle was not perfect for home plate action. The kids tried to get a foul ball. They did not succeed, but they enjoyed the chase. And we found the Chomp Stop concession stand with Pac-Man themed treats. So, we tried the candy apples and cotton candy.
The Chant That Took Over the Stadium
However, the highlight came later. A group of fans climbed to the top sections in right field. They took off their shirts and waved them while chanting “sell the team.” Our son joined them. But security eventually sent everyone back to their seats. The Angels may not win often, but they know how to create a memorable night.
Petco Park: Skyline Views and a Flashlight Finale
A Perfect Ending to the Trip
San Diego was the final stop. After two straight days of baseball, we took a break before heading to Petco Park. I researched parking and discovered that public transit was the best option. The metro dropped us a few blocks from the stadium.
A Ballpark with Character
We entered through the home plate plaza and walked past the water wall. The San Diego skyline framed the field. While the Western Metal Supply Co. Building anchored the left field corner. It reminded me of PNC Park in Pittsburgh. The atmosphere was lively as dusk approached. And the Padres held a lead. Jason Adams entered in relief with a dramatic entrance. The lights dimmed and flickered. Fans turned on their phone flashlights.
A Padres Win
The Padres won 5–2. My partner announced that the Padres were now her favorite team. As a Tigers fan, I’m not happy. But there are worse choices…like the Guardians. The colors and energy won her over. I only wished we had arrived early for batting practice. Our seats were six rows from the outfield wall. It would have been a perfect spot to catch a baseball. Of the three parks, Petco Park offered the best stadium and game day experience. In the end, it was a phenomenal three days of baseball.
Game Day Stories Series
- Post #1: Stadium #18 at Last: A Birthday Trip, Extra Innings, and a Legendary Delay
- Post #2: My 2019 NFL Draft Experience in Nashville
- Post #3: The Day I Almost Met Taylor Swift in Nashville
- Post #4: The Peyton Manning Almost‑Autograph Adventure
- Post #5: The Royals Claim the Championship in a 4–0 Showdown
- Post #6: Superstar Surprise on the Walk of Fame: A Game Day Story with a Hollywood Twist
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