Baseball is a staple in both of our families. From Spring Training to the All-Star festivities, Post-Season play with World Series hopes, something special occurs when you watch a game with your family.
Our Families: [l to r] Joshua on Ricks shoulders, with wife Mei Ling holding baby Sophia. Kelli with {baby on the way} her husband Paul, and their son Kyle on his shoulders.
And, did you know USA Today ranked Petco Park the #1 ballpark in America? Not only is it nestled in Downtown San Diego with sweeping ocean views, but it also boasts the biggest video board in the national league. The park was designed to be reflection of the community.
Our families were invited to the park to take in a game and also to experience firsthand the programs for families. We met up with Wayne Partello, SVP, Chief Marketing Officer, to learn more about the Petco Park itself as well as the activities like KidsFest, Compadres Kids, and their Friar Family Days which have expanded to every Sunday and Thursday for the rest of the year.
Padres KidsFest
Access is free with a ticket to the game and there is so much for kids to do — from bounce houses and other inflatable games, to face painters and balloon artists. The family friendly area is located on, and around the lawn area and and starts two-and-a-half hours before the game. Our boys enjoyed it all especially jumping around and practicing their throwing skills while trying to get the baseball through designated holes in one of the games.
Photo: Kiana Huey
Compadres Kids
This is the official loyalty program for kids 14 and younger. It’s free to join and kids can earn and redeem points for rewards and experiences. Plus Compadres Kids get access to events every Sunday like Compadres Kids Sunday Signings, Kids Run the Bases, Pre-game Photo Day and Catch on the field. Our boys are both part of the program. It’s easy to sign up, you just go to padres.com/compadres. Being part of this is a definite perk, the kids — and us adults — were so excited to take the field before the game and meet more than a handful of Padres players! They were so kind and our boys loved pound-fisting the major leaguers and running around the warning track with the athletes.
Our boys, Joshua and Kyle, meeting the team: [left to right] First baseman Eric Hosmer, pitchers Kirby Yates, Kazuhisa Makita, Robbie Erlin, Clayton Richard, and Brad Hand.
The Padres also try their best to craft deals to keep it affordable for families to come to a game. Petco Park offers complimentary admission to children under 36″ and on Friar Family Days, an adult ticket is $20 and a kid ticket is $15 and it includes a hot dog, soda, and family-friendly activities. And, like we mentioned above, this is offered every Sunday and Thursday.
There is also family-friendly food and drink prices through the park and a free ice cream on your birthday! There is a MLB Home Run Derby Virtual Reality Experience, and every Saturday home game is Baseball Night in San Diego with all fan giveaways in sizes range from youth to adult.
To find out more about these programs and activities go to Padres.com/Family.
**The Padres invited our families to a game and to take part in the family-friendly activities, but the thoughts and opinions are our own.
