I once considered it a goal to visit all the Major League ball parks before I hit the dirt, but since they are tearing them down and throwing up new ones right and left, I fear it is a goal I’ll never accomplish. The San Francisco Giants SBC Ball Park was my 9th ball park to visit. As things progress through the ages the ball parks become more like playgrounds and less like ball parks, what with swimming pools and hot tubs, miniature golf courses and those areas that people hang out just to meet other people, not to watch a game.

Since I walked to the park I can’t comment on the parking arrangements. I did see several parking lots that ranged in the $20.00 slot. I will comment about their small parking lots scattered about. They utilize quite a unique lift system where one car parks on a ramp and is elevated, then another car can park under it. Double decker parking for a car lot that only offers single slots.

Most recommendations I read on their web page was for people to utilize the public transportation system which takes you directly to the park. Under the circumstances, I would think, other than walking, this would be the most stress free access to the stadium.

Like a lot of parks today, it is located on the water. The water basin is a favorite for fans and is noted as McCovey Cove. In fact, signs are hung in the ball park indicating how many times balls have been hit into the Cove, including the stats on the last one hit. All during the game boats filled the water basin area, hoping for that wayward ball. None made it during our trip but the people seemed happy to hang out there anyway.

There were two things of interest on our visit. We had forgotten this would be the last game before the All-Star break, so some of the bigger name players weren’t on the field. That didn’t make the game any less, but you kind of hope to see a power player when you visit a strange park.

The second thing was, the Giants dedicate one game each year to AIDS and AIDS research. This was that game. An incredible pre-game show was presented, 600 volunteers assembled on the field all dressed in red shirts holding red balloons and formed a large red ribbon to honor AIDS, AIDS victims, survivors, and research. At the conclusion one of the members performed a stirring rendition of America The Beautiful while the balloons were sent aloft.

Performances such as this are missed when watching a game on television and are worth a live visit to a ball park anytime. Afterwards a check was presented from the Giants and SBC. I forget the exact amount but I believe there were 9 zeroes after the number.

Trying to get the most out of real estate today, ball parks are being built higher and higher. Thankfully they are installing elevators and escalators as well. Since our seats were in what is termed the View Level, the elevator was a welcome relief. Even after reaching our floor, there was still quite a steep climb up the stairs. We decided right then and there that we would make only one food/drink run during this game. We took padded cushions with us but the seats were comfortable without them. However, since we brought ’em, we used ’em.

Looking around the park from our elevated area we noticed that most of the seating was in the sun and would remain that way during most of the game. It was at least 5th inning before we found some relief from the beating sun, the first we had encountered during our sunny California visit. We weren’t expecting it and received a good dose of sunburn. Keep in mind to pack your sunscreen when attending a game at this park.

SBC Park is the first privately financed park since the Dodgers in 1962. Designed, built and paid for by Giants owner Peter Magowan, SBC Park rivals other parks in the league. In addition to the wonderful view of the area and the Bay, there is a large children’s area and playground, directly behind left field, punctuated by an 80’ Coca-ColaŽ bottle. Seating over 41,000, the park was full on the day we visited.

One thing they offer but we neglected to take advantage of are ball park tours. For a nominal fee (I believe around $10 for adults) you receive a 2-hour tour which includes the dugouts, field, exec quarters and locker rooms. It is an extensive walking tour and we felt we wouldn’t have been able to handle the length of it but after marching up and down the streets of San Francisco, I believe we could have handled it easily. Sorry we didn’t take it.

There is a artsy-fartsy dinning area, the Acme Clubhouse, offering extensive sit down dinners with table cloths, china, crystal and silver. More in the true form of baseball, we stuck with the myriad of fast food eateries around the stadium. The hot dog of choice for the area is Nathan’s Hot Dogs. A couple of those dogs, a couple of drinks, and you’ve kissed a $20 goodbye in a heartbeat. But hot dogs and peanuts are a necessity when watching a ball game, you learn to deal.

The one thing I could not deal with was the sacrilege that the ball park, has dealt French fries. For some reason, didn’t ask cause I didn’t care, they find it necessary to slather them with garlic. Not only does it crucify a perfectly good potato but the smell is worse than the oldest pair of gym socks that have been left in a locker long past their prime. I found people were devouring them in huge quantities, so I must have been alone in my preference for the perfect french fry.

At the conclusion of the game we decided to take a break on a low wall at the entrance to the park and do a little people watching while we garnered up the strength to take that 1/2 mile trek back to the hotel. Much to our surprise a convoy of three - using the term very loosely - ladies bedecked in pink satin dresses, high heels, furs, hats, gloves, jewelry, full make-up and beards minced their way past us.

Apparently they were leaving the game and making their way across the street to the local pub, I believe it is called Mo-Mo’s. It’s about the size of a closet but their outdoor area is plentiful. The ladies worked that crowd like it was Queen For A Day and I’m thinking they probably got their fill of free beverages for their efforts.

San Francisco, gotta love it.


Thanks for the addition openroad


Recommended: Yes