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San Diego Padres Travel Information

Born in 1968, the San Diego Padres debuted on April 8, 1969 with a 2-1 win over Houston at San Diego Stadium in front of 23,370 fans. 15 seasons later the Padres won their first NL Western Division title. On October 7, 1984, San Diego beat out Chicago 6-3 to enter their first World Series. The same season saw Tony Gwynn win his first of eight National League batting titles with a .351 mark.

The San Diego Padres have been mired in a slump for five straight seasons. Since the 98-64 mark set by the 1998 National League Champions, the Padres have finished below .500. The 1996 campaign also resulted in a division crown at 91-71. The Friars however were ousted in the League Division Series by the Saint Louis Cardinals that season by 3 games to none.

The 2004 San Diego Padres season entailed excitement as the franchise played in a new ballpark, Petco Field. The $458-million facility replaces Qualcomm Stadium as the Padres home. The baseball-only facility is part of a downtown revitalization project for the city of San Diego.

Petco Park - Home of the San Diego Padres

Complete in time for the 2004 season, Petco Park is the new home for the San Diego Padres. The $458-million facility features a state-of-the-art design with a flair for fan amenities. Situated in the central business district of the city, Petco Field replaces Qualcomm Stadium as the home for the Friars. Spectacular views of the bay, downtown skyline, Balboa Park, and the nearby mountains are offered from Petco Field in America's Finest City. Seats feature outstanding sight lines and are unobstructed, giving the ball park the feel of the old stadiums during baseball's glory days. The historic Western Metal Supply Company Building was built into the stadiums design with the left-field foul pole attached to its southeastern corner. The 95-year old building houses the Padres Team Store, party suites, a restaurant on the top floor, and bleacher seats on the roof, 80 feet above the field below.

Views of PETCO Park from the San Diego Padres vs. Florida Marlins contest on August 22, 2004. Unfortunately for Padres fans, the Marlins routed the Friars 8 to 3 on a homerun by winning pitcher Carl Pavano. Photos taken 08/22/04.

Petco Park includes a grassy park area for fans to watch the games on lawn chairs and blankets. Several amenities are situated around the park for kids including a wiffle ball field and batting cages. The downtown location allows for fans to take in several bars and other eateries situated within the central business district after the game. Petco Park resides at 101 Park Boulevard and holds up to 42,000 fans.

Directions to Petco Park:

	Travelers taking Interstate 5 northbound should utilize the Pershing Drive (Exit 15B) off-ramp for B Street. Use B Street west to enter downtown, with connections to San Diego City College, the downtown financial district, Gaslamp Quarter, and the Padres' PETCO Ballpark. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Northbound Interstate 5 at Exit 15B, Pershing Street and B Street. Pershing Street leads northwest to serve most locations in Balboa Park, including the Zoo and Museums via Florida Street and Balboa Park Golf Course. B Street is an east-west city street that leads one-way into the financial district of downtown San Diego. It is regularly busy, and it carries commuter traffic from the freeway toward the Civic Center, Petco Park, and other downtown locations. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	For Interstate 5 southbound motorists, use Exit 16/Tenth Avenue south to reach PETCO Park, the home of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres. Interstate 5 enters Downtown San Diego's S-Curve, where Interstate 5 falls below grade to pass under the city's street grid system. Photo taken 05/22/04.
	Southbound Interstate 5 at Exit 16, Junction California 163/Cabrillo Freeway north and Tenth Avenue south to PETCO Park. Photo taken 05/22/04.

San Diego Padres Tickets

Petco Park Seating Chart

San Diego Area Road Links

• San Diego @ WestCoastRoads.com

Page Updated August 29, 2004.