It’s true that Petco Park doesn’t really have “bad” seats, but depending on what you want (shade, view, price, or atmosphere), some sections are better than others. I’ve sat all around Petco Park, and have figured out the best of the best seats that are worth the money (but also won’t break the budget).

Below, I share the best seats with my personal iPhone photos (no zoom!) plus tips on how to choose the best seats based on your priorities.

best seats at petco park (by budget, view, and shade)

best seats overall

If you want the best seats overall, especially if you are a first-time visitor or only plan on going to one game this year, it’s worth it to splurge on lower level seats. You’re close to the action, have a great view of the field, and are either closer to most of the food (100s) or have in-seat service (200s, aka Terrace level). These seats can be an investment depending on who the Padres are playing, but the view truly is worth it.

One tip: When deciding between seats in the 100s or 200s (or even 300s), prioritize lower rows over lower sections. The stadium is built to have a slight overhang, so I find that my view is better in Section 200 Row 2 than Section 114 Row 45.

I’ve loved:

Section 107 or 108, Row 21, Seats 3-6
Section 112, Row 14, Seats 16-17 - a little farther back so you feel in the crowd, but still a good view
Section 124, Row 16, Seats 15-18 - these are close to left field/ the foul ball zone, but you still get a pretty good view of the infield.
Section 210, Row 4, Seats 3-4 - elevated but you’re only behind one row (rows 1-2 are for the camera crew); also a smaller row so you don’t have to squeeze past a bunch of people when getting going to grab food, etc.

Best for - First-time visitors
Downside - Can be expensive

best budget seats

If you’re trying to save money on seats but still want a good view, my best advice is to go higher, not further back. You will get a better view in the upper level (section 300) closer to the field than the farther back in the 100 sections - lower rows are better than lower sections, as I mentioned.

One of my favorite underrated seats is Section 300, Row 8 - you get a bird’s eye view of home plate, yet aren’t so far up that you can’t see the ball. You’re directly above VIP areas (Press Box and Terrace VIP tables) but don’t have to pay premium pricing (My ticket was around $30 total off Seat Geek, cheaper than Gallagher’s Square).

That said, I will admit that if you are afraid of heights, you might feel pretty high up sitting in the 300s. There was a rainy night game where my mom, boyfriend, and I sat in section 311 (row 22) and I swear I felt like I was white-knuckling the railing and basically crawling up those stairs haha. On the bright side, the steepness gives everyone a basically unobstructed view, but again, if you are afraid of heights, it might be a lot.

Best for - Saving money
Pro tip - Sit behind home plate (or close to it) for the best angle

best seats for shade (day games)

Petco Park is an outdoor stadium with no roof, and the San Diego sun is no joke, so picking a seat based on shade matters more than people expect! Home plate faces north, meaning the sun rises on the 1st base side (east) and sets on the left field, 3rd base side (west).

You may want to look up the shade map as you book your seat, but a little phrase to keep in mind is that “Even is cool, Odd is cruel.”

Overall, the best shaded areas include:

Third base side
Back rows of lower levels (Row 118 is on the third base side, but lower rows will be hit with sun for at least part of the game)
Sections 316-328 experience shade pretty much all day.

Ultimate recommendation for shade - Section 200-212, Rows 7-13. The upper deck gives you shade, but you’re also a few feet away from the air conditioned concourse if you need a quick break.

best seats for the sunset

Section 313 is officially Petco Park’s “Sunset Patio.” With breathtaking views of the stadium and downtown skyline, you won’t be disappointed. That said, most agree that the first base side has the best view of the sunset (and the higher sections are better than lower in this instance).

Sunset lovers - Section 313

best seats for kids

Petco Park is truly a family-friendly stadium and kids LOVE it. There are two different recommendations I tend to give my friends with kids:

Option 1 is Gallagher Square. It’s open-seating, so you can bring picnic blankets and then let kids run around on the grass. There is a small sandbox, playground (featuring the world’s largest climbable bat), and it’s an overall laidback vibe. People walk around all game, so you don’t need to worry about them blocking anyone’s view or getting up 100 times. I’ve seen kids play catch, tag, etc. during games, even during a high-stakes moment in the 9th inning. Gallagher Square is not kid-specific, though, so you will see adults walking around (and drinking), too.

Option 2 is Section 116-124, or between 207-208. You get the true in-park experience, are close to food/ restrooms, and there’s a higher chance of catching a fly ball. When I sat in 124, there were tons of kids and they loved to run right up to the fence to try to get a ball in between innings. There’s also at least one “swag toss” during the game, and that third base side is a sweet spot.

You get the widest variety of concessions in the lower levels, but there’s still a few different options up in the 300s. Sundays are usually Kid’s Fest days, with the option to run the bases, pick up a kid-specific giveaway item, or jump in bounce houses. Everything is subject to chance though, so check the calendar for your specific game day.

Pro tip - Get to Gallagher Square early to set your blanket down and save your spot!

best seats for groups and socializing

If you’re attending a Padre game for the social experience, not just to watch the game, you’ll want to check out Gallagher Square. These aren’t assigned seats; think picnic-style blankets on the lawn, so you will need to bring a thick blanket to sit on (camping/ beach chairs not allowed).

There is a big screen for you to view the game on, but people are constantly walking around and you won’t get the best “live” views of gameplay, so to speak. Gallagher Square is ideal if you have a large group, care more about drinks than food, and are there to hang out instead of follow each play closely.

For sitting in the stadium with assigned seats, see my above recommendations. My main piece of advice is if you have a big group, stack in two rows instead of spreading out (ex: 2 rows of 4 people instead of one row of 8). The people on the end miss most of the conversations when you sit in one row, so you get more of a group vibe when you are stacked. Plus, it’s easier to share food.

Don’t forget - Home game Fridays are Party in the Park days, featuring $5 drink specials and live music.

best seats for the ultimate baseball experience

For the classic baseball experience, aim to sit behind home plate. You get the best view of pitching, the most traditional perspective, and it’s the easiest way to follow every play. For the die-hard fans, sitting behind home plate in the 100s or 200s is worth the price!

Best for - Top baseball fans

pro tips for choosing your seats at petco park

When it comes to picking your seats, there are a few factors to consider:

For shade - 3rd base side
For cheap tickets - 300-level
For the best experience - 100-level near home plate
For a balance of view and budget - 200-level (love 210!)
For socializing or allowing kids to play - Gallagher Square
For access to the most food options - 100-level
For in-seat service - premium seats or the 200 level
For day games - prioritize shade

Don’t forget that the 200s are also known as Terrace Level. And my main advice: when in doubt, go up a level rather than farther back if you want a good view. I tell everyone this and they are skeptical until they get to their seats and then they thank me. I would 100% rather sit in Section 210, Row 4 or Section 300, Row 9 than Section 112 Row 40. Lower section number doesn’t automatically mean better view.

sitting on the visitor side

I’ve gotten questions from Padres fans (and those who want to root for the opposing team) about sitting on the visitor side. Truthfully, Petco is a very welcoming environment!

Even for more intense rivalries (like Dodger games), you won’t feel out of place or targeted sitting on the “wrong” side. Padres fans make up the majority of the attendance, but I’ve seen fans dispersed around the stadium for all games and everyone gets along well.

That said, if you do have a problem with anyone (home or visitor fan), please reach out to security. You can do so via the MLB app, which is discreet and easy to do.

Best Seats at Petco Park (By Budget and View)