The shopping center is on the other side of the freeway from the hotel/motel/whatever it is that Holiday Inn Express falls under. In the shopping center are plenty of eateries, a few shopping markets (Ralphs and Albertsons), and a couple of banks. Upon arriving on Friday afternoon, we ate at Buca (which is an Italian restaurant), and although pricey, it was real good. You can either order a single serve entree off their lunch menu, or order a la carte that you share, and those portions are enough to either feed 2 (small portion), or more (large). The concept is similar to the Panda Inn, or P.F. Changs.
After eating, we then went across the street and actually checked in to the Holiday Inn Express, and did nothing for two hours except for watching some tv. After the downtime, we then headed down to Petco Park (which is in Downtown San Diego), and got there two hours before the game started (exactly two hours actually). On games Friday through Sunday, they let you in the stadium two hours before game time. There are several parking lots near the stadium, and we parked in the parking lot literally across the street from the park, and pricing to park was $20. If you don't want to park in a parking lot, you can take a trolley to the game, but I'm not sure where you would go to take one, but I'm sure it's a lot cheaper than the price to park at one of the parking lots.
The first thing I noticed about the employees at the game, was they were happy to see us Angel fans, and a few actually said go Angels, even though they are Padre employees. The ushers hand you free programs upon entering the stadium (similar to the programs you get at a minor league game, only it's all in color, and a little thicker). In my opinion, they are kind of cheesy, and I really don't see why they wouldn't sell normal programs, considering it is a big league park.
The price for food in the stadium, is the same as all stadiums go. Pricey. On Friday, I had the fish and chips (which was $10.50), and a souvenir soda ($5.50). There are a slew of the standard ballpark food eateries, and a few that you don't normally find at other stadiums (i.e. fish and chips). There are a few restaurants inside the stadium that I'd like to try the next time I ever go, most specifically the PCL (Pacific Coast League bar and grill - or whatever the full name is).
The game itself? It was the only game the Angels really showed signs of life. Jered Weaver started for the Angels, and went on to pick up the win. One of the highlights was Jared Weaver running the bases on Mike Trout's triple. The Angels went on to win the game 7-2, and the crowd for the game seemed like it was 30-35% Angel fans, and the rest Padre fans.
Following the game on Friday, we stopped at the movie theaters across from our room, and saw Battleship. I won't give my full thoughts on it, as I'll save it for a review, but it was a nice way to waste another two hours.
The next day (Saturday), we left for Seaport Village, which is actually a few minutes from Petco Park as well, and did some browsing for a few hours prior to the game. We didn't buy anything (other than lunch, of which I had chicken Parmesan with spaghetti). After Seaport Village, we left for the game, and got there at 4:30. They were letting fans in early on the first base side (they said season ticket holders only from that side), but directed us to the center field entrance, which is actually a park out in center field. There is a big black box thing, that has retired Padre numbers on top (of which if the Padres win, or if a Padre homers, there are flames that go off on top, in addition to pyros that you would normally see at Angel Stadium.
We didn't do much out there in center field, other than take pictures of Tony Gwynn's statue, which is actually on top of the hill in the park, and visited the team store, which is out in the Metal Supply CO Wherehouse in left field. I got a Padres cap to go along with the rally towel that was passed out prior to Saturday's game (was one of those occasions where it made sense to get a souvenir).
The game itself? It was a pitcher's duel for the most part, and the Angels not surprisingly fell asleep (offensively), and the Angels went on to lose 3-2.
Sunday (our last day in San Diego) we checked out of our room at 10, and arrived at the ballpark at 10:30. We went in the park the same way we did on Saturday, and it was more lively in the outfield, as they had what is called Breakfast in the Park going on. There was also pet adoptions going on, as the park is named Petco Park after all. I didn't take part in the Breakfast in the Park (my dad did, and said it was worth the price $14).
Instead, I went to my seat, then went off and got myself the fish and chips again, souvenir soda, and Carne Asada fries that I noticed on Friday and wanted to make sure I had before I left. They were $9.25, or $9, I forget which, but they were really good. The fries are smothered in cheese, there's diced tomatoes, think onions, Parmesan cheese, and chopped Carne Asada on top.
As for the game itself, the game started at 1, and like the last game, the Angels offense (outside of Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo) slept again. The Angels had chances to win, but blew it (story of the season so far), and they went on to lose 3-2 in the 13th inning. Mike Trout at the very least homered in the game, and there were only two home runs in the series (one by the Padres on Friday, and one by the Angels on Sunday).
One thing that stood out at the game on Saturday and Sunday was Padres fans were outnumbered. Both games more so than Friday felt like Angels home games. The Angel fans were more vocal than Padre fans in all three games to be honest, and surprisingly there were no beach balls at the game. There's always beach balls at Angel stadium, and to be honest, that was a nice surprise (to say the least).
One aspect about my time going to the games that I didn't like was what was outside and extremely noticeable as you left the games. Literally outside the stadium, along the buildings, there are a lot of homeless people. I felt guilty leaving on Sunday, because the homeless people were out in droves on the route we were directed to leave. When you go into downtown LA, the homeless situation is masked by the Staples Center, but you notice it there too, after a few blocks (if you go in the wrong direction). You don't even go in the wrong direction near Petco Park, and you notice it. There were even a few outside the gates of the stadium asking people for money. I even witnessed fans stopping in front of a few homeless people and taking pictures of the city. Was quite the contrast seeing tourists/fans smiling taking pictures when just behind them on the ground are people struggling. In order to get to some of the parking lots near the stadium, you have to pass by homeless people, and this like I said is just near the stadium. It left me wishing there was something that could be done for the people. It really is mind boggling how there could be a professional team, and then outside the stadium there's people struggling like that. It's like two worlds colliding in one setting.
Now for some pictures:
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