Petco park?

Question

From what I saw on google earth it looks like there is a spectator area outside of the park? Is that free or does that outside area require a ticket too?

Answer

Yes, Petco Park in downtown San Diego has a unique feature called the “Park at the Park,” which is a grassy area beyond the outfield fence. This area is visible from inside the stadium and also accessible from the outside along the Western Metal Supply Co. building and surrounding areas.

Here’s how it works:

Park at the Park (inside the stadium): This area is part of the stadium’s seating and lawn area, located in left field. Access to this area requires a valid game ticket, like all other seating areas inside Petco Park.
Spectator areas outside the stadium: There are public spaces around the exterior of the ballpark, such as the concourse along the Western Metal Supply Co. building and streets like Park Boulevard and J Street. You can walk around and see parts of the stadium, but there is no view of the game comparable to the Park at the Park unless you have a ticket.

In short, while you can walk around the outside areas and enjoy the architecture and atmosphere of Petco Park for free, watching the game from the “outfield lawn” area or similar elevated views inside the stadium requires purchasing a ticket. There are no official public viewing areas that provide live game views without a ticket.

Tips for visiting:

If you want a full experience of the Park at the Park, plan ahead and buy tickets early, especially for weekends or popular games.
For free activities, enjoy walking around the Gaslamp Quarter nearby, take photos outside the stadium, and soak in the downtown vibe before or after the game.
Some restaurants and bars near Petco Park have rooftop or window views, which can provide partial game views without tickets, though this is unofficial and often crowded.

Overall, the outside spectator areas are free to visit, but any proper viewing of the game from the Park at the Park or similar inside locations requires a ticket.