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Padres Day - Know Before You Go - April 20

By Tracy Walton, 04/13/24, 10:45PM PDT

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The excitement is building for our day at Petco Park and you need details! We've got the inside scoop on getting to the stadium, the pregame parade, and rooftop viewing from the Western Metal Building. It's a lot to take in, but trust us, it's all part of making our night at the ballpark safe and sensational. 

The Quick Rundown

  • Padre's Day is Saturday, April 20
  • Enter Petco Park at the Home Plate entrance at 3:30 pm
  • Line up for the parade no later than 4:15 pm
  • Players and coaches only for the parade, spectators in the stands for photo ops.
  • Watch the game from the Western Metal Building Rooftop - food and drinks included!
  • Game Start Time is 5:40 pm, Padres  vs the Toronto Blue Jays
  • There's still time to invite more friends to join us. Get your tickets here!
  • Those having the most fun, win!

Padres Day Parade Details

Alright, let's dive into the details:

Who Can Participate:  Only uniformed players and coaches will be strutting their stuff in the parade. Each team gets two coaches to lead the way. Sorry, folks, this one's just for the players and coaches – parents, you'll get your time to shine from the stands!

Parade Starting Location: Home Plate Gate entrance is your first stop, starting at 3:30 pm. Keep your tickets handy in the MLB Ballpark App. Padres reps will be there to guide you to the starting line on 7th Avenue (aka Tony Gwynn Dr.)

Parade Start Time: Our parade steps off at 4:30 pm sharp! Be inside the stadium and in line for the parade by 4:15 pm to make sure you don't miss the fun.

Watching the Parade: Spectators, you've got prime seating starting at 3:30 pm. If you're snapping pics, Left or Right Field Lower Box is where it's at.

What to Wear: Keep it uniform, folks! Jerseys and tennis shoes are the name of the game (no cleats allowed).

League/Team Banners: Bring your team pride! Banners are welcome but keep them logo-free and foldable (no supporting poles allowed).

Parade Route: Through the Western Metal Building Breezeway, onto the playing field at Left Field Foul Pole, around the warning track, and out at Right Field Foul Pole. Keep it on the track, no grassy detours!

One Last Thing: Coaches, keep that line moving! We're on a tight schedule, with lots of folks and we want everyone to have their moment in the sun. Oh, and no pictures from the field, please – we're all about keeping the parade rolling.

Rooftop of Western Metal Building

SDYS Party on the Western Metal Building Rooftop

Get ready for an unforgettable evening at the ballpark as we watch the game from our exclusively reserved rooftop of the Western Metal Building! Enjoy stunning views of the ballpark and downtown skyline while cheering on the Padres with the SDYS family. With complimentary food and drinks and an electric atmosphere, it's bound to be a night filled with fun and unforgetable memories!

We have plenty of room with access to additional seating (not shown in picture above). Food and drinks are included with your tickets, see menu below. 

What's on the menu for Padres Day?

Getting to Petco Park

Driving:

  • Cruise into Town: Whether you're coming from the North or South, hop on I-5 and follow the signs to downtown San Diego. Take the 10th Avenue exit (if you're coming from the North) or the J Street/Marina Parkway exit (if you're coming from the South).
  • Park & Play: Plenty of parking lots and garages surround Petco Park, but they fill up fast! Consider buying your parking spot in advance or arriving early to snag one. 

Coaster & Trolley 

  • All Aboard: Take the Coaster train from Encinitas to the Santa Fe Depot station in downtown San Diego. The 1:55pm train gets you there by 2:37pm,  with plenty of time to make the parade! Be mindful, the next train arrives at 4:17pm, so plan accordingly. View the full schedule. View the full schedule here.
  • Trolley Transfer: A 5-10 minute ride from the Santa Fe Depot, hop on the San Diego Trolley's Green Line towards Santee. Get off at the Gaslamp Quarter Station, just a short stroll from Petco Park.

Plan Ahead:

  • Beat the Rush: Game days mean extra traffic, so plan to arrive early to avoid any delays.
  • Score Your Seats: Make sure you've grabbed your Padres Day tickets in advance via our google reservation form to secure your spot at the ballpark. 

More helpful tips and maps for getting to Petco on the Padre's website.