SBC Park / SF Giants, San Francisco

SBC Park, home of the Giants, from the outfield. This might be the most beautiful stadium in the USA, and it's right on the water too. Baseball season is from April through September, but you can get into the stadium any time of the year. Either pay for a tour, or get into the outfield bleachers for free, as I did. And, bring the kids too-they have a couple of baseball themed playgrounds-including in the big Coke bottle.

Any time of the year, SBC Park is brilliant. Nice job, Giants!!!

This is my fourth favorite ball park I've been to so far. I really enjoy going to see a game here and have on at least a couple occations. Being so easy to get to and with a dock for ferry service connected it is a perfect location. I plan to be out again for the Yankees Giants series June 22-24 next year.

If you are here during baseball season, you must go to a Giants Game at AT&T Park, (formerly SBC Park and before that, PacBell Park. The name changes so often, we just now call it "The "Ballpark"). Doesn't matter if you are not a Giants fan or even a baseball fan. Simply going to The Ballpark is an experience.

Equipment: Rather than buying a ticket, some people prefer to sail their boat McCovey Cove, in the foreground of this picture and watch the game on TV on their boat. Why? Because this is the most likely place Barry Bonds, a lefty, will hit a homerun. This Cove is just beyond right outfield.

SBC Park is an awesome place to watch a ballgame, even if the team is not so awesome these days. Holding only 43,000 people, you're really close to the action. There really aren't any bad seats - even the upper deck in right has a great view of the Bay Bridge (see photo). The bleachers are a great deal, too - only $10 - and you're real close to the field.

To get tickets - call first, to see if any are available through conventional channels. Your concierge can help, rich guy! Also, drop hints to whomever you meet that you want to go; everyone you meet in the city will know someone who knows someone who has tickets! Craig's List has an abundance of tickets. And, lastly, there are always the scalpers, who hang out around the parking lots and on the side streets leading to the park.

Equipment: Cooler restrictions are in place, as usual - I think they have to be softshell and no bigger than 16x12x8. What to bring? MONEY! The food at the park is excellent - especially the garlic fries! Bring a glove - if you remembered to pack it. Souveniers are plentiful and varied.

A few more tips -

Take Public Transportation! Parking is limited and getting to the lots is slow. Take the N Mission Bay train, which goes right to the ballpark from all downtown stations.

The Willie Mays staute is a great landmark in the plaza to meet up at, but EVERYONE meets at the Willie Mays statue. It'll be less crowded if you meet at the promenade on the water behind right field. Speaking of which - you can get a glimpse of the game FOR FREE by looking through the right field fence on the promenade. They don't let you stay long - a couple of innings at the most - but it's a fun thing to do.

Going to a SF Giants game was a great time! I didn't realize that the "Splash Zone" was so close to the park and it was fun watching people hanging out in their kayaks - waiting for a homerun ball. There were a bunch of chickens (rubber that is) hanging from the right field wall and it took a while for us to figure out what the heck they were for. After "the Big Unit" didn't pitch to Barry Bonds and they added another chicken though, we got it. It's a nice park and if you love going to baseball games, you won't be disappointed! I would recommend leaving a tad early unless you're a die hard fan. It can be tricky grabbing a cab when tons of others are doing the same thing!

The local baseball team (San Francisco Giants) have called this home since March 31, 2000. SBC Park (formerly Pac Bell Park) is a beautiful park situated on 13 acres. Baseball season runs from March-October, and tickets are available from $10.00-$75.00 each. Parking is limited, so use public transportation when possible.

Fun Facts:
Capacity: 40,800
Video Replay Screen: 32 x 24 feet
Distance of right center field alley: 420 feet

Come out and enjoy a day of fun!

Equipment: Dress in layers! You can never be sure what the weather will be doing. The park is located right on the bay, and it can get extremely windy.

Well I don't know about you, but I love seeing baseball in person at the stadiums. It's much better than watching it on television I think. And plus, SBC Park is a really nice park with good amenities. If you weren't aware, the thing that puts SBC Park ahead of other stadiums is the fact that the Bay is very close to the right field wall. If someone has a good day, they will knock the ball into the water - which is always a big deal of course.

For those who do not know, the baseball season starts in April and ends in September, with the playoffs going on in October.

4 more images

This is me during the 1st inning of the Giants vs Padres game earlier this evening at SBC Park in San Francisco. This picture is taken next to that gigantic baseball glove to the left of centerfield.

We lost 9-3 today; Lawrence for San Diego pitched a very good game.

This is an excellent park to watch games because there are many shops nearby and restaurants. There are also monuments and statues recognizing famous SF Giants baseball players such as Willie Mays, Willie McCovery, and Juan Marichal.

You can watch the Giants for free by looking through the fence in right field! There's a guard there - regulating how long you can stay (they shoo you out if there's a line, so everyone gets a chance).

4 more images

On 10 August 2007 I saw the San Francisco Giants play the Pittsburgh Pirates at AT&T Park, just a few days after Bonds hit his MLB-record 756th home run. On this night Bonds went 3 for 3 with a home run to right field, and the Giants had a big 6-2 lead heading to the eighth inning. The Pirates made a great comeback, scoring 6 runs in the 8th to win the game 8-7. Hey, I'm from Pittsburgh, I was happy.

We sat in the left field bleachers, section 139. Single game seats here are normally $27, for season ticket holders they are $17 a game. Since bought our tickets just days before Bonds' record breaking home run, prices were inflated, and we ended up paying $33 a seat to watch the two worst teams in the league!

Beers at the park are $8 for the plastic bottles, and the hot dogs were about $8 also.