San Diego: Petco Park Behind-the-Scenes Ballpark Tour

Summary

Step inside Petco Park’s dugouts press box & club suites with Padres stories

You’ll walk where players walk at Petco Park—sit in a real MLB dugout, look out from luxury suites, laugh with your local guide over oddball trivia, and wander through Padres history halls. This is more than just facts; it’s small moments—the feel of old benches or a mural you never noticed—that make this ballpark tour linger after you’ve left.

What’s the experience like?

We almost missed the start because I got distracted by a street musician outside the entrance—he was playing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” on a saxophone, which felt weirdly perfect. Our group finally shuffled in, and our guide, Mark (Padres cap, easy smile), waved us over. He started with a joke about Padres fans’ eternal optimism—everyone laughed, even the Dodgers fan in our group. I liked that it wasn’t all scripted; he pointed out a mural near the Western Metal Supply Co. building that I’d never noticed before, something about San Diego’s baseball roots going way deeper than just the team.

I didn’t expect to actually sit in the major league dugout. The bench was cool and smooth under my hands, and you could smell grass even though we weren’t on the field itself. Mark told us how players have their own tiny rituals before games—tapping bats, lining up gloves—and I tried to imagine what it’d feel like waiting for your turn at bat with 40,000 people above you. We peeked into the Visitors’ Clubhouse (it smelled faintly of leather and Gatorade) and someone asked if any famous players had left graffiti inside. Mark grinned but wouldn’t say.

The press box was higher up than I thought—San Diego looked hazy through the windows that day, and you could hear gulls from outside even with all the glass. There was this moment when Li from our group tried to pronounce one of the player names in Spanish and totally butchered it; everyone cracked up, including Mark. We wandered through a private suite (so much quieter than I imagined) and then into the Padres Hall of Fame where there were jerseys behind glass and old ticket stubs pinned up like little time machines.

I still think about standing in the Gallagher Chairman’s Club for a second too long while everyone else moved on—I just liked how quiet it was compared to everywhere else. On our way out, Mark reminded us about the 10% off at the team store (I caved and bought socks). It wasn’t flashy or dramatic but honestly? If you’re into baseball or just want to see San Diego from another angle, this behind-the-scenes tour sticks with you longer than you’d expect.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Behind-the-scenes tour of Petco Park

• Visit Field Warning Track
• Explore Major League Dugout
• Enter Visitors' Clubhouse
• See Press Box writer's row
• Tour Private Luxury Suite
• Walk through Western Metal Supply Building
• Visit Park at the Park
• Explore Breitbard Hall of Fame
• See Padres Hall of Fame

Top questions

How long does the Petco Park behind-the-scenes tour take?

The daily guided tour usually lasts around 80 minutes depending on group size and ballpark schedule.

Is Petco Park wheelchair accessible for tours?

Yes, all areas visited during the tour are wheelchair accessible including entrances and surfaces.

Do I get to visit both clubhouses on this Petco Park tour?

You’ll visit the Visitors’ Clubhouse; access to other areas depends on availability during your tour time.

Are children allowed on the Petco Park guided tour?

Yes, children can join—infants and small kids can ride in prams or strollers throughout the tour route.

Does this ballpark tour include entry to Padres Hall of Fame?

Yes, admission includes time inside both Breitbard Hall of Fame and Padres Hall of Fame exhibits.

Is public transportation available near Petco Park?

Yes, there are public transportation options nearby making it easy to reach downtown San Diego’s ballpark.

Can service animals join me on this San Diego ballpark tour?

Service animals are allowed throughout all accessible areas during your visit at Petco Park.

What’s included

Your day includes guided entry to all scheduled stops inside Petco Park—from dugouts to luxury suites—with WiFi available throughout. Gratuities are covered too, so you can focus on exploring each corner without worry; accessibility is smooth for wheelchairs or strollers if needed.