Anyone going to San Fran for the opener? (Merged: Information on AT&T Park)

[JB]

Just curious. Does anyone have any advice/experience with that area as far as dealing with Giants tickets, hotels near the ballpark, etc.? I'm entertaining the idea of going!

[1992casey]

The first thing you'll want to do is make sure you have tickets. The opening day ticket link offers information on season tickets and a link to StubHub. It seems that tickets are available via normal means for the other two games, though. (Giants ticket link.)

 

I can't recommend hotels, but I can tell you that you can plan on them being expensive and having small rooms. Budget accordingly.

 

You'll find that public transportation is readily available, and if you ask for recommendations, you should be able to find plenty of good, relatively inexpensive restaurants.

 

And bring clothing that's warm enough. Short sleeves and a jacket won't cut it.

[SeriesFinale]

SF is hard to do on the cheap, but you can get much better hotel rates down by SFO or Oakland/Berkeley and take BART into town for the game. Then again, given the economy, there are probably a lot of really good deals right now, especially last-minute and in the middle of the week. There are a lot of hotels down by Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf and then along the Embarcadero, all of which you'll be able to jump on an N or T train to AT&T Park from (if you stay by the wharf, you'll need to transfer from the F at the Embarcadero stop). San Francisco is actually a really small town and you can walk most anywhere.

 

Yeah, make sure you have tickets--it's a lot harder for this particular series given it's the opener, although you'll likely be able to snag a pair of something day of, especially now that Manny's in LA. There are a lot of touts walking up and down King and 3rd Street, selling, on most game days, and I wouldn't expect the opener to be too different.

 

And yeah, bring a heavier coat--the park is right on the water, and San Francisco Bay will never be mistaken for the Caribbean.

 

Any other specifics, just ask me...I know John Brew will also be here for the Thursday game this series; I'm not sure who else will be here for Opening Day.

[Brian the Automator]

I'll echo what the Rev said about hotels along the embarcadero. I stayed there for work a few years ago, and rooms were surprisingly cheap (I think I paid $80 a night for a double bed). The rooms are small, but it was total easy access to the BART and not too far of a walk from the wharf.

 

Don't forget to go to In-N-Out Burger.

[SeriesFinale]

Yeah, I'm still partial to Culver's as far as burgers go, but you've gotta have an In-N-Out double-double with some animal-style fries while you're here.

 

As far as ballpark food goes, Garlic fries are like the Giants' version of a brat with special sauce at MP...something you gotta have while you're here. (I'm partial to some beef with broccoli from Edsel Ford Fong's myself!) The Ghiradelli sundaes are great, too.

 

AT&T is a great park, maybe my favorite...one of the bests part about it is the cheaper your seats, the better your overall view. So if the Brew Crew is losing 9-0 in the 8th, at least you've got some decent vistas of the Oakland Hills and Mt. Diablo across the bay...

[NYChez]

If you stay anywhere close to downtown, you can walk just about anywhere in the city. AT&T Park is south of downtown and is about a 1/2 mile walk through a decent neighborhood. Note that north of downtown, it might say something is 1 mile away on a website, but the roads are so hilly and steep that it might feel like 5 miles. If you're coming from or going to any place north of downtown then take one of the many different types of public transportation - the cable cars are pretty cool and the street cars aren't bad. By the ballpark, there are a few nice indoor/outdoor places to get food and beer. The most important thing is that if you're staying in the city of SF, take the BART from the airport and don't attempt to drive and park in SF.

[John Brew]

I'll be there for Thursday's game. I was lucky to be able to tack on a few vacation days at the end of a work trip. I ordered my tickets from ebay (just arrived today), I haven't checked lately but opening day is of course ebay/stubhub/craigslist only.

 

Avoid sitting in the corner sections down the left field side. The visiting /Brewers dugout is on the 1st base side, btw. It's a great stadium to walk around, no matter where you sit make sure you get up to the top level to check out the view.

 

And it bears repeating, layer up and bring a jacket.

[ekutchery]

I'll be there as well - there will be about 15-20 (most live out there) of us for the Wednesday and Thursday game in the Bleachers. We may tailgate a bit - the parking really doesn't offer that, but my buddies said they do it every year.

[Teatoe993]

I'll be there for the Weds & Thurs games. Gonna meet up with my brother who got us a good hotel deal in the Wharf. I'll be in the outfield bleachers for Weds. I fly in that afternoon, so I got cheap seats just in case my flight gets tied up and I miss the game. But I'll be 8 rows up from the Brewer dugout on Thursday. I really recommend sitting in the club level if you can afford it. the perks are really nice. Not only are you close to the action on the field, but the ushers really do a great job of keeping the fans from interfering the game by getting up in the middle of play. Exiting the club section through the tunnel will take right next to the clubhouse entrance where players will stop and sign autographs. If you continue walking down the hallway, you'll be able to watch the players take some BP in the indoor batting cage. Food is brought to you by servers. It's really quite nice.

I'm hitting up the In-N-Out Burger while I'm there. I was in Hollywood last weekend and ate there 4 times. Even had my buddy have In-N-Out waiting for me when he picked me up at LAX.

[pretendastronaut]

I went to a Giants game during their opening series 2 years ago, and was able to get good tickets (second level I think, on the third base side, looking right out into the bay) for the second game right through their site.

 

I guess I got lucky on the weather, I remember we took jackets but took them off and I got a mile sunburn in early April!

[3jack]

Giants partial season ticket holder here with some recomendations for your stay in the City.

If possible stay at or around Union Square to get a good feel for the City. It has all types of shoping and some really cool hang outs. If you are going for the first series it will be mid week and Union Square it really jumping mid week. Close to some pretty good restauraunts and some really cool pubs. When we stay in the City we ususlly use expedia or priceline to get a good rate.....it won' t be cheap but mid week should be doabe.

 

If you stay in Union Square (or not) a must visit is Lefty O'Douls.....classis pub with tons of Bay Area baseball history.....this is a must visit. Back in it' heyday it was a hangout for Giants, visiting players as well as media folk. I was there last summer and saw a few Padres as well as their TV crew late night....Just OK food, but great spirits and memorabilia....

 

From Union Square you can walk to the Yard, but a cab ride is only about $5.....if you go early, I would suggest walking to the game and cabbing back to the hotel....Pretty easy walk with many good bars along the way.....

 

I would highly recommend stopping at the 21st Amendment Restauraunt and Bar.....it is a great hang out, they brew their own beer which is really good and have really good eats on the cheap (relatively speaking) This is the place I visit about 15 times a season and have never, ever been disapointed! It is about 3 blocks up from the 2nd street (left field) enterence......

 

Gordon Biersch on the embarcadero is pretty good as well, a bit of a further walk to the park but pretty accessable....it's right under the Bay Bridge and looks out onto the bay.....good brew and good eats, but a bit more upscale than the 21A. If you go to GB make sure to stop at Red's Java House on your walk to the park and pick up a dog and a beer for $5! Can't beat it!

 

MOMO's is right across from the Yard and is pretty good, but really trendy......and spendy. I stay away from MOMO's, but if you need a quick pop befor the game it's ok.....pretty young and hip if your into that......It's always jumpin' though.

 

If your looking for a cool little sports bar with no frills, there is Zeeks Sports Bar (voted best sports bar in the City a few years ago) It's on 3rd and Brannan just 2 blocks up from the park.....not very big, but pretty cool, working class joint.....lots of TV's and beers on tap.

 

Another cool little and I mean little dive bar is a place called Daves Bar on 3rd right after Mission (this is a good one to stop off at on the way to the park if you walk) They offer buy one get one free (beer) with that day's ticket stubb......always stop in the way to the park and on the way home for the 2-1 Sierra Nevada.....

 

If you are looking for pizza, there is Amichicis (sp) right across the street from the park.....they make a great pie and also sell it by the slice on the sidewalk (2 slices $4) and you can take it into the park.....I do this sometimes to avoid the lines and prices inside.....Really good pizza and pretty affroadable....

 

As for tickets.....any seat is a good one and believe me I have had seats all over the yard (my tickets are by the Giants pen, but have not had a bad seat since they opened.....if your going for more than one game may I suggest a game in the bleachers (giants fans are pretty mellow out there as long your not wearing a dodger hat on a friday night) and one game in the View Reserve.....great senic views on either side. 1st base side offers great view of the city and Bay Bridge, 3rd base side offers great views of the bay and the Oakland Hills...

 

Little tip for great viewing spot.....walk from left field to behind home plate on the field level concourse and stop by the Gilroy Garlic Fries concession area (get some fries......a must at AT&T) then find the rail located between the press box and the lower reserve and hang out. It's like having seats right behind the dish....if you don't mind standing. You have a great view, can see the in game broadcast as well as listen on the radio.....and they won't ask you to leave.....it's really a great place if you don't mind standing for a while.....

 

If you can't get tickets (which never happens) wander out to the portwalk and view from under the #1 and #2 archways.....it is free and It's just like being on the field.....they have the radio brodcast going on so you can follow the action that way as well.....it is really cool.

 

In review:

Stay at Union Square

Go to Lefty O'douls

Go to the 21A

Get to the yard early and enjoy the scenery......

 

If you have any questions please ask and I'll respond! Hope that helps!!!!

 

Coach Winton

[SeriesFinale]

Coach Winton gave some very good advice there, and I definitely second his 21st Amendment recommendation. We go over there pretty often throughout the year and never miss it during the annual Brewers' series at AT&T:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/SeriesFinale75/IMG_5076.jpg

 

Last year I got so tanked up there after the Saturday day game that I ended up wanting to get a photo with this waiter there who told us he'd graduated from Bay View High School (my Mom's alma mater) in Milwaukee:

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v492/SeriesFinale75/IMG_5078.jpg

 

Uff da. (I don't normally go for fruit beer, but their Watermelon Wheat was really hitting the spot that day. Apparently.)

[3jack]

Watermellon Wheat is really good. Just ditch the watermellon slice as soon as you get it and your cool.....

[SeriesFinale]

I also second Teatoe93's recommendation regarding those Field Club seats...you're right there by the team, from dugout to clubhouse, and generally around a pretty good concentration of Brewers' fans. And yeah, having the servers and relaxed atmosphere in the food court area down there is nice. Costs a few more bones, certainly, but worth it for those three games a year.

 

I'll be there for Wednesday and Thursday games, but the FC seats were too rich for my blood on Opening Day, so I'm just in the lower boxes behind home plate for Tuesday--I'll survive I suppose!

[madrx]

I'm going to the 2nd game of the season at AT&T Park against the Giants and wondered if anyone has any experience with this park. The Giants official site sounds as if parking is difficult and visitors should take a ferry to and from the park. Any info anyone has would be great. I'm a Madison resident who just happened to be going to northern California next week and was able to talk my wife into going to the game.

[SeriesFinale]

Parking isn't as easy as it is at MP, but there is a sizable lot south of the park. Where are you coming from? If you're up in Marin, the ferry probably would be easier for you...I've got a friend from Sonoma who's coming down and using it.

 

We have a thread going somewhere here about AT&T...glad to see we'll have a lot of fans here next week.

 

Edit: Here's the thread: http://forum.brewerfan.net/search.php?keywords=505329#reply-505329

[MillerParkSouth]

we were staying at the Sir Francis Drake and took the BART in. it was incredibly easy. that park is absolutely amazing, so i'd definitely recommend getting their early and checking it out. try the garlic fries and be sure to bring a jacket!

[SeriesFinale]

The other thing about the ferry is, if you're visiting Northern California as a tourist, it's a pleasant experience in and of itself...whether you're coming from Sausalito or Oakland, you'll get great views on the bay as you head in, and the Ferry Building where you'll land is a nice collection of higher-end food shops and restaurants (plus, they have a pretty good farmer's market there on Saturdays, a smaller version of which they have on Wednesdays, when you'll be there). From there it's a pleasant fifteen-minute walk (or so) south/east along the Embarcadero under the Bay Bridge and past some of the piers to AT&T.

 

Edit: my bad, that weekday Farmer's Market is on Tuesdays. Regardless, there's plenty to eat right by there.

[I Heart Brewers]

Can't wait! My buddy got us tickets for Wednesday nights game. No way I can get out of work early to go to the other 2 but I'll be there with my Brewer cap and Hart jersey on.

 

Garlic fries, I come to dominate you...

[BCZF]

Such good advice.. I stayed along the Embarcadero as well.. And yes the rooms are small, but in that city you won't be there too much anyway and the BART is the way to go..

 

Sigh.. I wish I could afford to travel again..

[madrx]

Thanks for the info, sorry I missed the other thread. I actually am coming down from Sonoma, so maybe the ferry will be a decent way to get there. The seats do look good from all over, I'll be down the first base near shallow right field.

[SeriesFinale]

It'll likely take you longer to get back to Sonoma if you ferry...but if you decide to drive, I'd make sure you have a parking pass before you come down

 

Have fun

[ronjermey]

I'll be driving down from Vancouver, Washington with some friends. We'll be at the games on Tues. and Wed. We should be tailgating in one of the lots...Stop by for a beer and Say "Hi", I'll have a big silver Toyota truck. I also have 2 extra tickets if interested.

 

Go Brewers!

[GormanHarvey]

I'll be driving down from Vancouver, Washington with some friends. We'll be at the games on Tues. and Wed. We should be tailgating in one of the lots...Stop by for a beer and Say "Hi", I'll have a big silver Toyota truck. I also have 2 extra tickets if interested.

 

Go Brewers!

Will you be grilling up some footlongs?

[ronjermey]

I've yet to see footlong brats...That's something I've been dreaming of for a long time!!