How to Save Money at Petco Park
A game at Petco Park can get expensive quickly. Between tickets, food, drinks, and parking, the experience is not cheap, but that doesn’t mean it has to break your budget.
Going to a baseball game is a true pastime, and one of my favorite summertime activities, so I always aim to go to at least a few games every baseball season. As such, I’ve really figured out how to save money at Petco Park, including what is worth the cost, tips for finding deals, and more.
how to save money at petco park
For a quick summary of how to save money at Petco Park:
For cheap seats that still have a great view, go up a level instead of back a row (ex: Section 212, Row 2 vs Section 120, Row 40).
Check SeatGeek for discounted tickets.
Eat before the game.
Bring your own sealed water bottle.
Bring your own food and/ or snacks.
Park further away, or take the trolley (no valet).
I’m not saying Petco Park is the cheapest summer activity, but small decisions (and planning ahead) can make a big difference.
buy cheaper tickets
You can absolutely get cheap tickets without ruining the experience or sacrificing good views. As far as picking your seat, you will find the cheapest tickets in the 300s; surprisingly, these seats are sometimes cheaper than Gallagher Square, and you get an in-stadium view and easier access to food/ drink vendors.
As far as the best value goes, look in the 200s (also known as Terrace Level). The views are great, the seats are padded, and you have access to in-seat food/ drink ordering and delivery.
I am someone who is typically sketched out by resale sites and very skeptical of scammers, but SeatGeek is legit and what I use for 99% of my ticket purchases. The “view from the seat” photos are pretty accurate, and you can find most (if not all) tickets discounted.
Compare a few different seat options; you may find that you save $20 sitting one row back, and that’s always worth it to me when I’m trying to save money.
Every single seat in Petco Park is designed to face home plate and the stadium is designed with the perfect amount of steepness to give everyone a good view! You do not need an expensive seat to enjoy Petco Park.
skip peak pricing
Keep in mind that Petco Park has flex pricing, meaning the ticket prices change based on demand. The cheapest dates are weekday games as well as midday (not night) games. Prices go up for weekend games, night games, and popular match-ups (think rival games, like the Dodgers).
If you’re going to Petco Park for a Padres game, not to see a specific team play, be flexible with your schedule and you could save anywhere from $40-200 on ticket prices.
get cheaper parking
Parking can easily cost more than your ticket. The city encourages you to use the San Diego Trolley, but that isn’t always an option.
To save money on parking:
Avoid valet.
Park farther away. The Horton Pacific Garage is one of the cheapest I’ve found, and is only a 15-minute walk from the stadium.
Buy your parking ahead of time with Ace Parking.
Also: Try to be conservative in your time estimates and over-guess if anything. In the past, garages weren’t really strict with this, but as of June 2026, if you stay past your exit time, they will add money to your ticket.
I always buy parking at the same time I buy my ticket (or before, sometimes). Fairly priced parking seems a lot more scarce than seat tickets, so I want to make sure I have the option for a $15 lot before I buy tickets; there is nothing that bums me out more than spending $50 on parking (especially when it’s a basic garage).
eat before you go
This is the biggest money-saving move. I know that Petco Park is known for their food scene, but remember that it is also America’s #1 Ballpark, and part of that is due to its proximity to downtown. Other MLB stadiums are anywhere from 20-30 minutes away from other restaurants and activities, but Petco Park is in the heart of downtown San Diego.
You don’t have to miss out on the fun by eating before. Many restaurants in Gaslamp Quarter have better food, lower prices, and bigger portions. Going into the game full (or at least satiated) will help you avoid overspending within the stadium.
bring your own food
At the risk of sounding like your mother, I also recommend bringing in your own food! Not enough people know that you can bring your own food into Petco Park, and it doesn’t have to be a homemade PB&J (though I love to do that sometimes).
Grab takeout from a Gaslamp restaurant (tacos are a general favorite), or pick up a sandwich or individual pizza. You still get that “not at home” fun experience, but can get way more food for less.
Other snacks worth bringing are things like fruit jerky (or regular fruit), protein bars, chips, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and cookies. If you are going to the game with kids, I highly recommend bringing your own cotton candy, too. Kids will want the souvenir ice cream helmet, so bringing in what you can cuts down expenses.
bring water
You can bring in a sealed water bottle to Petco Park, and everyone should take advantage of this! They also allow for empty reusable bottles, and there are refill stations throughout the park. Water is one of the biggest markups and it kills me to spend $6 on something that costs less than $1 outside the gates.
Even if you plan on drinking alcohol or don’t like plain water, bring the water bottle, especially if you are attending a day game. You can also bring in electrolyte pouches or flavor packets to “dress up” your water once you get inside.
limit what you buy inside
Petco Park is known for having amazing food, but I recommend seeing it as part of the experience, not your main meal. To maximize your money and get the most out of it, get 1-2 smaller items that you actually want to try, instead of a full meal or something that’s randomly going viral.
For example, if I want a burger, I’d rather have In-N-Out before the game; the Hodad’s burger just isn’t worth it to me. If you’re a San Diego resident, you might find it better to try the Puesto nachos and save the tri-tip for the next time you’re at the flagship Seaside Market in Encinitas.
split food
Whenever possible, I recommend splitting food. My boyfriend and I went on a double date at the game not too long ago, and the four of us shared the Puesto nachos, Grand Ole BBQ fries, and mini donuts. That sounds excessive, but we ended up spending around $60 (aka $20 a person).
If you can, try to split food. The nachos/ fries are easier to share, and typically more flavorful than the sandwiches, tacos, and plates. You get to try more for less, and everyone wins.
avoid impulse spending
As is with most everything else (from vacations to concerts to Target runs), the secret to saving money is to avoid impulse spending. Don’t get caught up in the excitement; take a lap around the concourse before buying food, and compare prices.
Everyone raves about the tri-tip nachos, for example, but there are way more food options than you think. I also recommend looking at what other people have gotten. An’s gelato may be cheaper, but the ice cream helmet is often the better deal when you factor in portion size.
Lastly, as tempting as it is to want to grab new merch, check the prices first! Things are definitely more expensive than they seem.
plan your game day strategy
At the end of the day, I find that the biggest savings come from food and parking.
The best way to save money at Petco Park is to plan ahead. Take the time to explore different seat options; I always end up saving $5-15 per seat when I spend the extra 5 minutes looking at different options. Remember that you get the best value in the 200s sections, though every seat is a good seat. And be sure to buy your parking ahead of time, too!
Whether you are going in a group or with the family, bring your own snacks and water and eat before (or bring your takeout inside to enjoy). By planning ahead, I always end up with $20-40 to spend on “fun” treats within the stadium.
This gives you the full experience without overspending or feeling guilty (or deprived). A San Diego Padres game doesn’t have to be expensive; you just need to be intentional about it.
