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Dodger Stadium itinerary by Wise Guides

When they built Dodger Stadium, they got it right. While other ballparks were considered outdated after a couple of decades, Dodger Stadium is going strong at 50, making it the third oldest park in the Majors behind Wrigley and Fenway. ... Los Angeles does have a subway now and there's a free shuttle bus to the park from downtown, but the car is still king in southern California and a vast majority of fans will be driving to the game. If you do so, don't plan on tailgating because it's prohibited at Dodger Stadium. And there's no Murphy's across the street or Cask 'N Flagon outside the left-field fence. ... Still, there are a few spots close by where Dodgers fans gather before and after games. Hit the Short Stop bar for a pre-game pop less than a mile away on Sunset Boulevard; it used to be a hangout for LAPD officers but now gets more patrons wearing Dodger blue. ... Once inside the ballpark appreciate the uniqueness of the setting: Set down in Chavez Ravine smack in the middle of the second largest city in the United States, there are swaying palm trees and the hills of Elysian Park in the background, and beyond that the San Gabriel Mountains. It's a place like no other. ... Dodger fans are fanatical about the signature dish at the park, the Dodger Dog. Ask for it grilled or risk looking like a rookie. ... If you're still unimpressed, a tasty alternative are the Saag's sausages. ... When it comes to another ballpark staple, keep an eye out for famous peanut vendor Roger Owens. He's been working the stadium since it opened, using his patented behind-the-back and under-the-leg tosses to hit fans a section away. ... After the game, it's time to head out and explore the City of Angels, and luckily the stadium is centrally located in the megalopolis of greater Los Angeles. For a true California experience, head to Gladstone's on the beach in Malibu, where after a dip in the Pacific you can sample some excellent seafood and a brew or two on their patio. ... Then hop on the street that probably best represents L.A.: Sunset Boulevard. It's a great street to conquer one end to the other. Start at the ocean and head the only direction you can, east, and follow its windy path through Pacific Palisades, Brentwood, Westwood, Beverly Hills and into the heart of Hollywood.

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Los Angeles Dodgers - User Comments Add your own

-- 2006-06-05

I hate dodger stadium. I am a life long cubs fan and perhaps that is why. Wrigley field has a beautiful marquee at the enterance surronded by a great neighborhood, there is nothing special about the outside of dodger stadium and it is surronded by huge parking lots. Wrigley field has ivy covered walls and a human operated scoreboard. Dodger stadium has padded walls and straught away in center field is a big netted area with no astetic appeal. Also i sat on the first level for a game and some mexican teenage jerk threw a mini bat down from the upper deck that was two rows away from nailing my family. My guess is that could have been a few days in the hospital. Dodger stadium has had so many face lifts it looks just ugly. The seats have little leg room and there are too many people making the lines as long as space mountain at disneyland. When i was exiting the game they made everyone go up an elevator to the upper deck to go down a ramp. Whats up with that can't they build additional exits. Dodger staium is a cookie cutter stadium with nothing to do. Want to see baseball in southern cal, my first choice would be pnc park in san diego, if thats too far of a drive go to angel stadium in aneheim. Both stadiums also are home to better teams that made the playoffs last year.

basbeall roadtripper

no place better than that -- 2004-12-29

Dodger Stadium is one of a kind. if you see southeast u see the skyline of downtown los angeles. you see east you see east los angeles.you see north you will see the mountains. you see west you could see the hollywood sign. you see south you may see the STAPLES Center. An it will be one of the greatest experiences in your life believe me i been to it like 40 something times. you need to go your self so you could experience it first hand really.

victor

Security WAY too jumpy... -- 2004-12-11

Come on, I'm with my dad, we have seats in the Reserved level, we decide to go up to the team store to look around, then we go down the stairs, Dad shows his ticket, we start our decent, then the security guy yells and demands to see my ticket. Come on. Can't you see we're together? grr...

Nick

The Great Dodger Stadium -- 2004-08-06

I first went to Dodger Stadium when I was 11. The paint was very nice . Everyone probably knows it is not as fancy like other stadiums.It looks really better the way the stadium is. There aint no monter wall or brick walls either. The food there is very expenive though. The parking is not too good. I suggest that you park near the gate. I have no idea what time the park opens. I have heard that hit opens at 5:30 at 7:00 games.It really sucks that you cannot see the Dodgers have their Batting practice and only the visitors.

Michael Gonzalez

vin Scully -- 2004-04-06

I am a long time baseball nut, love the Dodgers but am so tired of Vin Scully's lone voice. PLEASE can't they get a partner for him like all the other teams to break up the monotony ov his lone voice? Someone talk to the new owners. Thanks, Louise Webb

Louise Webb

Good, but not excellent -- 2003-01-22

If you like free stuff, DS is for you. The ushers all have temporary tattoos of Dodger players and logos. They're geared for kids but you should ask an usher--most are happy to get rid of these potential collectibles. Player postcards are available at the Think Blue Fan Club table.

Parking sucks though. Since cars are a way of life out they ought to make a concentrated effort to improve it. I spent ten minutes looking for my car and I only found it when I hit the button on the keychain that beeps and flashes your lights. The parking posts are like one for every hundred cars.

Andrew

A few things about Dodger Stadium -- 2002-09-20

First of all, Dodger Stadium is a great place to watch baseball. They keep it really nicely maintained; if you think the paint's fading, then maybe you just think they should have painted it a darker shade, because they repaint it every year. Getting out of the parking lot can be a pain, so I've started parking just outside the gate. I get a good, healthy walk out of it, but I save 7 bucks and don't have to fight traffic. There are ways around the traffic, but it requires a pretty good knowledge of the surface streets.

One thing people don't say enough about with Dodger Stadium is that the physical environment is beautiful. Hilly Elysian Park is just outside the parking lot and can be seen beyond the outfield fences, and it looks gorgeous around sunset. And the view of downtown from the parking lot can't be beat, either. Since it's built into a hill, Dodger Stadium is the only stadium that really looks like it was meant to be where it is--- a lot of modern ones look like giant buildings plopped down in the middle of parking lots.

Adam Villani

Dodger stadium from a Red Sox fan's perspective -- 2001-09-26

While Dodger stadium has a somewhat cookie cutter feel to it, I can't complain when tix were only $17 for a FIELD level seat. Fenway Park this year was $55 for a good seat.

Dodger stadium is HUGE for a ballpark. It was relatively empty when I went, and there were 38,000 people there.

I've never seen so many people get up and leave their seats in the middle of an inning before. While there are no obstructed views, I was constantly moving my head to see around people either standing in the aisle or walking up or down it.

I highly recommend going alone and buying a field level seat. There are always open seats down around the dugouts and home plate and you can easily snatch an empty seat.

I think the biggest drawback is that parking's $7. And there doesn't seem to be any other way to get there. The view of downtown is gorgeous.

While I don't think the park itself is that interesting, it is a great place to see a game cheap, even if the Dodgers do stink. I did see Bond's 67th home run, and from what I can tell, Dodger's fans do not think highly of the Giants. I wouldn't quite characterize this rivalry as a Red Sox-Yankees rivalry, but it's got to be the second best in baseball.

If you've got kids, I recommend paying more, getting better seats and getting them early. As in all ballparks, the closer you get to the outfield, the more rowdy and drunk they get.

Matt Dubord

Dodger Stadium -- 2001-08-27

I think some other posters are laboring under misconceptions.

Food - Someone said one is not allowed to bring outside food into the stadium.. That is incorrect. They don't allow glass bottles or cans, but people may bring in their own food. No hard-sided coolers are allowed, but you may use soft-sided bags.

Access to other levels -- If you have tickets on the field level, you can go anywhere in the stadium except the pavilions. (If you have tickets in the pavilions you can't go into the main part of the stadium.) If your seats are on the loge (orange) or reserved (blue) levels, you can go up but not down.

Autographs -- Some players and coaches will sign before the game, if you can get down to the field level. A lot of times the guys will come up to Aisle 31 to sign. I haven't tried to get autographs after games, so I don't know if people sign where their cars are parked.

Sue Kamm

keep it simple stupid -- 2001-08-06

o.k. so dodger stadium has no brick,no walk of fame ,no neon lights, no wacky mascot.that's what makes it so great.if you were trying to explain to someone what a baseball stadium looked like,you'd use dodger stadium as your example.cut a line down the middle and it's the same on both ends.it is the "perfect" baseball stadium.no dome,no big neon lighted scoreboard,no wacky mascot sliding down a slide,no 450 in right and 295 in left- weird dementions,no pool in the outfeild.no,none of that just a great place to watch a game.and the ticket prices are the best arround.

i guess everyone's bias to the stadium they grew up with,well for 21 of my 26 years i've been going to chavez ravine-and i would'nt have it any-other way.

picture this-sunday day game,85 degrees,sunny-blue skies,dodgers in bright white,dodger dog in hand,vinny on the radio!!!MY BLUE HEAVEN

vick in arcadia

Class Operation -- 2001-08-01

Just last night we saw the Dodgers and Reds play an 11 inning game. Almost no one had left before the end of the ninth. So much for one myth about Dodger fans. We were in the park an hour and a half before the game to watch batting practice, and there were already quite a few cars in the lot. So much for another myth about the lot not opening until a half hour before the game. We also got out of the park and on the freeway in about a third the time it takes at Angel, I mean Anaheim, I mean Edison Field. Yes, it's more commercial since Murdoch took over, but you are still close to the players, the surroundings are classic California, and the stadium is a Baseball Park, not a sports multiplex. Best of all is how clean, neat, and well kept the place is. It reminds me of Disneyland in that it may be getting elderly, but it is always spotless, the employees are first rate, and it is generally a class operation. (And my kids actually got autographs from the great Steve Garvey! No kidding.)

Jim Geissinger

-- 2001-07-20

I have been to LA now for the past 3 years straight, and each year, I have made certain to stop for a game at Dodger Stadium. I can't complain very much about the park itself - to me, because I am a Midwesterner, I think it is a palace of all ballparks! I've been to other ballparks like Comiskey, Wrigley, Shea, Qual- comm, Yankee Stadium, etc., etc., but I've never felt quite so cozy than when I go to Dodger Stadium. Now, of course, all the ballpark concessions and tickets are going to be expensive, but what major league team wouldn't overcharge? I guess it is the aura, and the atmosphere that Dodger Stadium brings, that makes me want to go back there - again and again.

Jonas

General Comments About Dodger Stadium -- 2001-07-05

Although I'm a Red Sox fan, I live in LA, love baseball and have Dodger season tickets. I definitely have mixed feelings about Dodger Stadium. On the plus side, ticket prices are more than reasonable, there are no obstructed and few bad views anywhere in the park, and the view is beautiful--golden CA hills. There seems to be an abundance of ushers and security at the park and security is quick to clamp down on obnoxious people who seem intent on annoying others.

The biggest downside is the food. It is entirely overpriced,stale franchise food. Several years ago, there was a cafeteria serving hot meals, sliced deli sandwhichs, etc. Unfortunately, that was closed. Also, there do not seem to be enough concession stands. Even on an ordinary evening, lines are long and slow moving However, in spite of what one of your correspondents said, fans are permitted to bring in their own food. Supposedly, cans and bottles are not permitted, although I get the sense that security isn't all that rigorous.

Parking is expensive, but the lot is well-maintained and easy to enter or depart, except when there is an exceptionally large crowd. The secret is to park near the parking lot exits and not close to the stadium. Of course, that does result in a healthy walk, which may not be a bad thing considering the non-existence of healthy food from stadium vendors. Also, in spite of what someone else said, the parking lots open at least two hours before game time. The stadium gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m game. That generally allows one to watch the visitors BP, but not the Dodgers.

While it is attractive, the stadium is beginning to show wear. The seats are small, hard, and uncomfortable. The restrooms are old and not especially clean toward the end of a game. My wife tells me that there are not enough women's restrooms and too few stall in the ones the stadium has.

And, as one of your correspondents said, be prepared to see low scoring games, especially at night. I'm not quite sure why that is. It's not a particularly spacious ball park. And that may be part of the problem. While homerun distances are not especially long, there isn't much room in the power alleys and, as a result, doubles and triples are relatively rare in Dodger Stadium. In addition, the night air seems heavy there and there is very little wind in any direction.

Finally, Dodger fans, as a whole, are not especially intense or knowledgeable baseball fans. It really is true that much of the crowd arrives around the third inning and leaves around the seventh. People also often seem more interested in starting waves than in watching the game.

Mike Hais

Bring on the wrecking ball -- 2001-06-27

I have been to 20 different Major League parks and in spite of its reputation, Dodger Stadium is the worst one I've been to. The gates to the parking lot don't open until 30 minutes before the game, which means you can't go early to see batting practice. No tailgating allowed and unlike most parks I've been to, no outside food or drinks allowed either. I don't know if they still have the same scoreboard they had in the early sixties when it was first built, but it looks like it. Even the really old parks I've been to have better scoreboards with more information on them than this one. One thing the wrecking ball won't help is the so-called Dodger fans. In any other park, I could strike up a conversation with a stranger about baseball, but at Dodger stadium it doesn't seem like anyone is talking about baseball, or even paying much attention to the game. By the way, don't stand near the exits at the end of the seventh inning or you will get run over. I know that's an old joke about Dodger fans, but it really is true.

Steve Hayes

Starting to become a grand dame -- 2001-06-27

Just a year shy of turning 40, Dodger Stadium is still a good place to watch a game, but it is showing its age in places. Unlike many parks, there is no central place for fans to congregate at Dodger Stadium. You have to enter in the section where your seat is. You can move up, but you have to do some fast talking to get the ushers to let you go down a level.

If you sit in the second deck (Loge, orange level), beware of getting hit by normally harmless flying objects being tossed from the 4th deck (reserved). [The third deck is very small and reserved for luxury boxes].

Ticket prices are reasonable and when you go to a game, it is likely to be a low-scoring affair, especially if you go at night. In the daytime, the ball carries much better.

Bob Timmermann

Best in the West -- 2001-06-06

Dodger Stadium is one of the great parks in the Majors. It combines mid-century ballpark architecture with a Southern Califonia setting. It gets a fresh coat of paint before every season and has remained virtually unchanged for 40 years. The basball atmosphere is thick, especially when they play the organ in favor of loud prerecorded music. The views from the Loge are great and the Reserved and Top deck/pavilion seating at $10 and $6 respectively are bargains at any ballpark. The outfield is framed by the mountains when you sit in the top deck and it's clear. Try the Dodger Dogs and garlic fries, but be prepared to pay. King Taco on the Reserved level offers a great deal; 3 tacos for $5. The ballpark is on a hill, so unless you have parking passes, you'll walk a bit. Exiting the parking lot is always bad, so I park outside the gate. I may have to walk a bit more, but I save $7 and can just pull away when I get back to my car. Buy a scorecard for a buck, keep score and bring your portable radio to listen to Vin Scully for the first two innings in the So Cal twilight and you'll realize that life's pretty good.

Robert Kolcon

Best 1960's ballpark -- 2001-06-04

Like Shea, it was built so it can be converted to 80,000 seats. But the Dodgers didn't change the seating by one seat until Murdoch bought the team from the O'Malleys. The 395 foot sign in centerfield is a misnomer...it's actually 400. Murdoch did do a great job of painting a mural of Dodger greats on the outfield wall, which the Blue Jays stole the idea at SkyDome. And the backstop will always be remembered for the guy behind the fence wearing sunglasses and a Panama hat holding up the radar gun.

David Bryant

Overrated... -- 2001-06-04

Dodger Stadium has been romanticized for years. While it's a decent place to see a game, it's not nearly the baseball mecca that it's supporters maintain. First off, give *plenty* of time to get there. LA traffic is as bad as you've heard. Also, park smart. If you park in the wrong place you will have a 'walk and a half' to area where your seats are. Ask one of the attendants where you should park in relation to your seats.

The food has gotten very commercial. Carl's Jr. and other fast food franchises dot the concessions. The _grilled_ Dodger Dogs are still worth their reputation. Otherwise, try to eat beforehand...especially if you have kids and want to save a few $.

The sightlines aren't great from the field level, but on the 2nd level they're better. If you venture any higher, be warned, the slope is very steep and not for the uncoordinated.

Overall, the stadium is beginning to show its age. The paint has faded, the walkways aren't very clean and the restrooms are cramped. It has its positives, though. The view from just beyond the outfield is still one of the best around. The attendants are always pleasant and the fans are more knowledgeable than they get credit for. They know that if they don't leave early, it'll be a good hour to get out of the parking lot.

Aaron Cameron

Stadium Experience -- 2001-05-24

Dodger Stadium is a great place to see a game, but don't expect to get autographs unless you shell out the big bucks. You can only enter the stadium on the level of your seat. That means unless you're in the bottom deck (there are four decks at Dodger Stadium), you can't get down to the field level to try and get autographs. It also means that if you've bought tickets in the upper decks, prepare to climb A LOT of stairs. The highest deck does, though, provide a nice view of LA. Make sure to try the garlic fries, a Dodger Stadium favorite. And, like anywhere in LA, keep your eye out for celebrities at the game.

Add your own comments, recommendations, criticisms, or suggestions.

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