The Padres play their first games of the 2017 at Petco Park this weekend against the Giants and they have a whole lot of fun stuff planned for the weekend.
On Friday, the second Opening Day of the week, the Padres are giving away an Opening Day t-shirt for their 3:40 start against San Francisco. That goes along with the year’s first Party in the Park, which is like a giant Happy Hour featuring $5 drink specials, live music and entertainment at the Park at the Park. Entry is included with a paid ticket to Opening Day, which is already sold out.
Before we get to the rest of the weekend, the sellout crowd should know there are a few new ways to go about parking for Padres games this year. You can pre-purchase parking for off-site locations, including the San Diego Convention Center and Bayfront Hilton, by visiting www.padres.com/transportation.
Guests without pre-purchased parking passes are advised to utilize public transportation or Uber, which has a new designated ridesharing pickup and drop off zone located on Park Blvd. near the Convention Center. As the preferred ride share partner of the Padres, Uber is providing fans a free first ride (up to $15) by using code: PETCOPARK.
Also, the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) will offer additional "Special Event" trolley service from Qualcomm Stadium (with 5,000 free parking spots) and Mission Valley stations to the ballpark area. You can read about those by visiting www.padres.com/transportation.
Now that you’re all parked, game two of the opening series on Saturday will feature the first Baseball Night in San Diego of the year with a 5:40 p.m. start. That one will have a Celebrate San Diego theme playing off the the February community rally at Petco Park. Once again the San Diego Gulls, San Diego Sockers, Albion SC Pros, San Diego State Aztecs, and the University of San Diego Toreros will be involved in a ceremony. That game is followed by a Celebrate SD-themed postgame laser show.
Sunday will be Military Opening Day for the series finale, a 1:40 p.m. start that will feature more than 100 service members representing all branches of the Armed Services lining the base paths, as well as an aerial demonstration by the U.S. Navy Parachute team, also known as the Leap Frogs, and the 50 State Flag Team from Marine Corps Recruit Depot.
Also keep in mind standard Petco Park security procedures, including walk-through metal detectors, will be in place for every game. All fans must be screened and have their bags checked as they enter the ballpark. Express Entry lines will be available at all main gates for Season Ticket Members and fans without bags.
