Baseball Travel Guide - Find all the baseball close to you!

Missing or incorrect information?

Safeco Field itinerary by Wise Guides

Safeco is on the north edge of the Sodo district, so named because it's south of downtown, and Puget Sound is just a few blocks west of the ballpark. Take some time before the game to wander the waterfront lined with interesting shops and restaurants; the Seattle Aquarium and Olympic Sculpture Park are at the north end of the walk. ... Heading back towards the park, make a quick stop in the Pyramid Alehouse across the street to sample one of their beers brewed on site. ... Once inside Safeco, don't stay glued to your seat. Perhaps the best thing about the park is the great array of spots on the concourse from which fans can view the game. So if you don't like your seat, or even if you do, take a walk. ... You can stop by the patio – a spot just above centerfield heavily populated by young drinkers – or the Bullpen Pub and watch the game from behind the hand-operated scoreboard. ... Keep in mind that while Safeco's retractable roof covers the ballpark, protecting it from rain, it does not enclose it, so don't forget your jacket on those cool nights. ... The food at Safeco is excellent and incredibly diverse, with an emphasis on seafood. Ivar's is an Emerald City icon, so try their renowned clam chowder in a bread bowl or the Ivar Dog, lightly battered fried cod and coleslaw served on a bun. Sushi is also popular, especially the Ichiroll, named for the M's All-Star outfielder from Japan. ... The beer offerings are just as impressive, with a bountiful mix of brews available, many locally brewed including Red Hook Ale. Have one. ... Seattle is also a big coffee town, and fans can get espresso and other forms of java at stands throughout the park. ... After the game, hit Elysian Fields, a fantastic brew pub just north of Safeco and across from Qwest Field, home of the Seahawks. After a bite and a beer there, the next stop is Occidental Avenue and the tavern F.X. McRory's, a Seattle institution that'll be full of M's fans.

More info at Wise Guides

Seattle Mariners - User Comments Add your own

-- 2003-07-29

As new ballparks go, Safeco isn't particularily impresive (I've seen them all except Great American). I'd say that 50% or more of the new ballparks limit their bleacher plank sitting to deep CF, whereas the Mariners' have it in LF too, although the price is double $12 versus $6 in CF. All of the seats are dark green, which is nice for the Pacific NW, but I prefer seats are multi-colored by level. There's nothing really impressive about the OF scenery, walls, scoreboard, etc.

I do like the pressbox area and the dugouts are basically standard without being so low, that makes a front bench necessary for the manager, coaches, and players (CoAmerica and Pac Bell are two which come to mind). The stands come reasonably close to the foul lines so the sight lines from the seats are pretty good. The exterior of the park looks slightly strange (vis-a-vis a domeless park) with the infrastruture to hold the retractable dome, but inside you don't even notice that you're in a retractable dome, which I think makes it the nicest retractable dome in the majors. I'm not a big fan of either domes or retractable domes. Safeco is the most fan friendliest in the majors. The ushers hold signs asking fans to not walk back to their seats until a batter is retired or reaches base or between innings. They are 42 rows of field levels seats but the angle is steep enough so that you're not blocked out by the row in front of you. The third deck seems best to avoid as its awful steep as most are. The restrooms are very clean with high quality liquid soap and hot water until about the third inning. The menu had a good selection and I never saw such a variety of drinks (speaking non-alcoholic). The Mariners also play the radio broadcast so it can be heard all around the exterior of the park as you leave. Parking appears to be a problem as it's a downtown stadium, but I noticed quite a bit of free parking on Alaskan Way going north from the park as I walked to the ferry. Traffic is quite heavy in Seattle and around the ballpark, although it could have been the summer or vacationers. Therefore I'd recommend leaving plenty early for the park. I arrived 2.5 hours before the Friday night game and I don't ever recall seeing so many people waiting to get in before a game. The cheapest ticket left was $16. The Mariners played the Rangers, so I don't think that was the draw. Like some people say about fishing, I've never had a bad day at a ballpark.

Fred

Better than Pac Bell -- 2002-06-20

I visited Safeco when it opened, and now having been to several games in PacBell; I could say it's far better than Pac Bell. There is nothing blocking your view on the concourse, wider isle in the concourse, more leg room in the seating area, and you seem much closer to the field. The plus for Pac Bell is the food. I went to four games in Safeco and sit at various areas of the park, plus a walking tour and I love this stadium. Funny for a person living in San Francisco.

Michael Getman

View -- 2001-09-04

I went to 2 baseball games in June, one in Seattle against the Padres, and interestingly, five days later (same pitching matchups) in San Diego vs. the Mariners. I spent $20 at Qualcomm (SD) and $15 at Safeco (SEA). However, I got a better view at Safeco. There is just no bad seat at Safeco!! You have to see it next year sometime (sorry, most tickets are already sold out for this season)!.

John

John Slyfield

Take the Tour! -- 2001-08-22

If you're in town when the M's aren't playing at home, I strongly suggest taking the Safeco Field Tour. It's about $8 a person, and well worth the money. Any baseball fan will appreciate seeing the inner workings of a world-class ballpark (locker rooms, Diamond Club, press room, dugouts). The tour guides are friendly, entertaining, and knowledgeable about everything Mariners. And for a long-time M’s fan like me, it’s also a chance to relive great memories in a beautiful setting. Don’t miss it!

Div Bhansali

What a ballpark -- 2001-08-12

I have recently moved away from Seattle and I miss Safeco alot. Safeco Field is probably amoung the best ballparks in America today. The food at the Caliente Corner is out of sight I recommend that if you like Mexican you try it.

Jim Daleske

Great Ballpark! -- 2001-07-27

I am a Seattle native who grew up watching the Mariners in the mauseleum formerly known as the Kingdome. I have lived in Orlando for 4 years and made my first trip back recently to attend a game at Safeco Field. What a difference! You can walk around the stadium experiencing the game from many angles without being accosted by ushers. You can watch the pitchers warming up from the Bullpen Pub. The food is wonderful and the restrooms are plentiful. All in all, a most enjoyable experience!

George Wabey

MUST Visit!!! -- 2001-07-12

For those of you looking to check out one of the newer stadiums, go to Seattle! I just returned from my first All-Star week and had to comment on just how impressed I was with Safeco Field... I've been to alot of the newer Baseball stadiums and the only one I have enjoyed as much is Camden Yards. The harbor and downtown views are spectacular, the train whistles echoing through the stadium is cool, and there are a ton of food places & restrooms inside the stadium... It seemed like every ballplayer being interviewed made a comment on how much they enjoyed playing there.

If you have a chance to go, I highly recommend it! If it happens to be sunny, you'll enjoy sitting in the sun in right field... If you aren't too impressed with your seat, try leaning on the UpperDeck railing overlooking Right-Center!

Enjoy!!!

Jason

-- 2001-06-20

Safeco is a great ballpark. You can walk there from downtown Seattle very easily. There is a balcony food court where you can view the mountains before the game. I went to a game last year when the M's beat Toronto in a great game. It is a clean, great ballpark. One of the best in MLB.

Chase Hannon

Red Sox fan thinks Safeco Field is unbeliveabale -- 2001-06-18

Wow, Safeco Field is beautiful. Its a great park to see a game. From the kingdome to Safeco. What an improvement. Going from an awful barn, to one of the top ballparks in the league. When teams like the A's, Twins, and the Devil Rays come to Safeco they must really love it. What an experience it was going to Safeco Field.

Nate Kahn

Anything's better than the Kingdome! -- 2001-06-04

Finally a ballpark for the M's with grass and character. One of the nicer looking retractable domes. But the fact that the roof doesn't seal the stadium shut like a lid of a mayo jar is going to cut down on the home runs ever more. And ain't the M's better without Griffey or A-Rod?

David Bryant

Courtesy Viewing -- 2001-06-04

I lived in AZ for a couple years, and the way they handle Fan Viewing Courtesy should be duplicated everywhere. The ushers at the "top" of all the stairways have signs that advise fans going back to their seats to wait between batters or innings to go get back to their seats. This allows everyone to enjoy the game and not miss anything. They need this at Safeco as well as at Pac Bell. Other than that Safeco is a great place to watch a game. Nothing beats a sunny day game and a cold brewski...

By the way I love the site, keep up the good work!

-andy

Andy Kutansky

Safeco vs. PacBell -- 2001-06-02

I live in central California and have been to a few games at PacBell over the last few years. On a family trip, we went to Safeco and I was impressed. I enjoyed it much more than PacBell. It was more open and easy to find our way around. It's a nice park to walk through or just sit and watch an M's game.

Travis Loux

Great place, but......... -- 2001-05-31

......the seats are for midgets. I'm an average size guy - 6 ft, 175 - and I was virtually bursting out of my (box) seat. No leg room either. Unless you have an aisle seat with your (hopefully small) spouse beside you, you're in for a decidedly uncomfortable outing. I guess I've just been spoiled by Dodger Stadium.

Robert Isaacs

general comments -- 2001-05-25

I live in California. Just visited my 26th different ballpark (Safeco) on Sunday, May 20 - Mariners defeated Yankees 6-2. The ballpark is beautiful and the city of Seattle when the sun is out is a great town to visit. What a difference (all for the better) compared to the Kingdome. It is a great town to walk around before or after the game (good seafood restaurants on the wharf for post game meals).Seattle reminds me of San Francisco with their ballparks in that the new ballparks are nice but the upgrade from their previous stadiums make a visit to new ballparks that more enjoyable. I didn't sit in the 2nd level bleachers in left field but I like that feature at Safeco Field.

john kriletich

Best seats (for six bucks or less) in baseball -- 2001-05-21

On a sunny day, there is nothing like the centerfield bleachers in Safeco Field, and at a price of only six bucks a piece, they certainly provide affordable entertainment. The view of the field is still great, and with a pair of binoculars, the only man with a clearer view of the strike zone is the home-plate umpire (and even his view, of course, is sometimes doubtful). The atmosphere is great up there, as a lot of regulars, in order to be frugal, call centerfield home.

Of course, for a little extra cash, the box seats are also phenomenal. A word of advice, however. Always bring a sweatshirt, regardless of the weather report. Rain sneaks up on Seattle, and with the roof closed, Safeco can get mighty chilly.

Tyler Roush

Where to sit, what to bring, how to enjoy Safeco Field -- 2001-05-17

Safeco Field, in the north end of Seattle's SoDO neighborhood, is a wonderful new ballpark. From the red brick facade that welcomes you, to the clear views of the field from everywhere, Safeco Field is a warm, user friendly park. If you enter from the north end, the Left Field enterance, take the stairs up one level. From the top of the stairs turn and look at the field. Isn't this what baseball is all about? Entering on the south side, the Home Plate enterance, allows you to pass under the giant Dale Chihouly chandelier. It is worth the extra five minutes of walking.

When buying tickets for Safeco Field day games, remember that if you are sitting on the first base line, you will be in the shade for most of the game. Bring a sweatshirt that you can put on, even on warm summer days.

Another one of the wonderful amenities that Safeco Field offers is PLENTY of restrooms! This is especially helpful when you have little ones with you.

The M's are playing great baseball in '01. I highly suggest Going to a game at Safeco. On a clear day, there is no prettier city in the world than Seattle. Safeco Field is one of the best new ballparks. It ranks up there with Camden Yards and Jacobs Field. Check it out!

Aaron Snyderman

Safeco Field/Mariner suggestions -- 2001-01-21

I think the day games at Safeco are the best. When my wife and I go to a game, we usually arrive about 1 1/2 to 2 hours ahead of time. That way, we can find good parking close by, and we can enjoy a walk through the adjacent streets on the north side (where Kingdome used to be)in search of a hot grilled Keilbasa dog and a bag of fresh Kettle Corn (which they let you bring into the game). We even have time for a few beers in one of the many bars. Then, we go into the park about an hour before game time, and we walk right down to the field level to watch the players warm up and take batting practice. I enjoy seeing the visiting team up close and pointing out all of the superstars. My wife just likes the way they look in baseball pants. Either way, we both have a good time.

Jim Bruce

All-around good ballpark -- 2000-10-17

Safeco is great. All seats have a great view. There are also plenty of places in the stadium where you can stand and watch the game, for free. It doesn't matter what kind of money you spend, you can still go all over the stadium, with great views.

Bobby Heard

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

Site last updated Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 07:09:43 AM

A Sports Reference Site: About Baseball Reference | Found a bug or have a suggestion?
Privacy Statement | Conditions & Terms of Service | Use of Data

Partner With: FantasyPlayers.com. Contact Fantasy Sports Ventures for advertising information.