Something that surprises me whenever I talk to people about going to Padres game is that they don’t know you can bring your own food into the stadium. While it makes sense you can bring a sealed water bottle into the park, food seems a little ambiguous, but it’s totally worth it. Not only is this convenient, but it’s also one of the best ways to save money at a San Diego Padres game, especially since stadium food can get expensive.

That said, there are a few guidelines to follow and keep in mind.

PS: I’m not a Petco Park spokesperson or official. Refer to their website for the most up-to-date information. I am simply sharing what has worked for me and what I’ve learned over the years.

can you bring food into petco park?

Yes, you can bring outside food into Petco Park. It must be for personal consumption (no party platters or buffet trays), so keep portions reasonable. While you can bring food, you cannot bring in large coolers.

what kind of food can you bring?

Most simple foods are fine, including:

Sandwiches
Snacks (chips, granola bars, etc.)
Fruit
Pizza (individual size, not an XL)

The key is keeping it casual and easy to carry. And keep in mind that bringing your own food doesn’t mean it has to be from home; I love to get takeout from a local nearby restaurant. Skip the drinks if you order takeout; you cannot bring them into the stadium (sealed water bottles or empty containers only).

what you should avoid bringing

While Petco is pretty reasonable in my experience, try to avoid bringing:

Large quantities of food
Full meal prep containers
Hard coolers
Anything that requires utensils or setup

Keep it simple. If it looks excessive, it may not be allowed, and anything fussy is going to be difficult to carry around and eat inside the stadium.

best foods to bring to petco park

While I love the food at Petco Park, I try to eat fairly healthy and save money where I can. I go to a lot of games, so I do bring my own food to at least half of them. Some of my go-to snacks and food that I bring in include:

Sandwiches (cold cuts or an old school PB&J/ Uncrustable)
Protein bars
Soley fruit jerky
Peanuts, trail mix, chips
Cookies
Fruit, veggies
Cotton candy

I’ll also get takeout from nearby restaurants:

Tacos from Tacos el Gordo or Taco Centro
- And if you go to Taco Centro, add the churros to your order! 1000x better than the in-stadium churros
Waterfront Sliders and Werewolf Nugs from Werewolf
Anything from Barleymash
TNT Pizza
Izola croissants for day games

why bringing food is worth it

Petco Park is known for good food, but it’s definitely not cheap.

Bringing your own food cuts down spending, lets you avoid long lines, and gives you more flexibility during games. I recommend eating a full meal before the game (just like how you don’t grocery shop while hungry), and bring snacks with you. Then, you can get one or two “experience” items inside the stadium to still feel like you’re getting the full experience without breaking the budget.

tips for bringing food into the stadium

For an easy, mess-free experience bringing food into the stadium:

If you’re bringing food (not just snacks (pack everything in a small bag; think paper sack or gallon bag (old school field trip style).
To avoid spills, I’ll also bag items individually (ex: Ranch container for veggies, to-go salsas for tacos).
For an easier go through security, I will typically place my food bag inside my clear stadium bag. This keeps you hands-free and I tend to go through security quicker/ not get stopped.
Pair with a sealed water bottle.
- If you want to bring electrolytes or flavored pouches, keep it separate until you get through security.

Ultimately, bringing food into Petco Park is allowed and one of the best ways to save money (especially if you are a snacker or have kids with you).

Keep it simple, don’t overdo it, and enjoy the game!