Music legend Billy Joel hits Petco Park Saturday for his big concert and the sell-out crowd will make for one busy night in downtown San Diego.
Petco Park concert organizers say ticketholders should arrive downtown early. Parking lots around the ballpark will open at 2 p.m. Parking is limited and is expected to sell out.
Outside of parking lot adjacent to the ballpark are a few other lots offering a combined total of about 2,500 spaces. This includes the 707 Broadway Garage and the Horton Plaza mall garage, as well as the San Diego Convention Center and Hilton Bayfront garages on Harbor Drive. To access the Harbor Drive lots, use the Front Street exit from Interstate 5 south or the Cesar Chavez Parkway exit from I-5 north.
To avoid parking downtown altogether, concert guests can also take public transit to Petco Park, including the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) trolley, which will add service for the special event across all three trolley lines. The last trolley departs about an hour after the concert ends. MTS park and ride locations along trolley lines offer free parking to riders.
Additionally, North County Transit District Coaster trains will also provide service directly into downtown from Oceanside throughout the afternoon. Return northbound Coaster trains will leave from the Santa Fe Depot downtown after the concert at 11:15 p.m. and 12 a.m.
The gates to Petco Park will open at 6 p.m. Guests are advised to be in their seats for The Piano Man’s show no later than 7:30 p.m., organizers said.
Petco Park security measures will be in effect for the high-profile concert, which means all guests will be screened through metal detectors prior to entering the ballpark. Guests will have to remove cell phones, cameras, sunglasses and other large metal objects before passing through the detectors. All bags, including purses, are subject to screening. Bag no larger than 16-inches by 16-inches by 8-inches will be allowed into the venue.
The screening process will take extra time, so concertgoers should plan accordingly.
Per Petco Park’s security regulations, professional cameras, GoPro cameras and “selfie sticks” are prohibited.
Petco Park says guests with field seats to the show should enter the ballpark through the Western Metal Breezeway on Tony Gwynn Drive or through the gate on Park Boulevard. Guests with tickets in all other seating areas should enter Petco Park via the Gaslamp, East Village or Home Plate gates.
