Having lived in Los Angeles my entire life, I have grown up visiting Dodger stadium. I now have a child of my own, and he will also grow up visiting Dodger stadium. Dodger blue runs through my veins, and I share my decades of Dodger experience with you.
Getting There and Parking
Parking at Dodger Stadium is just plain expensive. It currently costs $15 for a regular size vehicle or $35 for anything oversized. Many ballparks in urban areas are located in the heart of downtown where you can easily take the bus or train or park in an outside lot. This is NOT the case at Dodger Stadium. Located in the heart of Chavez Ravine, Dodger Stadium is surrounded by the beautiful hills of Elysian Park. It is difficult to access through public transportation, so you will likely have to drive. Although it is a little known fact, there IS parking available outside the park on some of the streets surrounding Elysian Park. The easiest way to access Dodger Stadium is exiting the 5 freeway at Stadium Way, since it drops you right at the entrance; however, if you exit at Fletcher and circle around the stadium through Elysian Park, you can find some street parking if you get there early enough. This can be tricky and it is easy to get lost, so I do not recommend doing this unless you are familiar with the area or have a GPS.
Best Seats
Everyone wants to know where to buy seats. If you have the money, the new baseline box seats will get you as close to the action as possible, but they are very pricey. While you may be tempted to purchase the $50 field level seats, realize that most of field level is season tickets, so if you are purchasing them by regular advance ticket or on game day, you will be at the very end of the stadium, which is almost as far away from the action as the pavilion, but you do not get the advantage of being above the action for the view. The field level seats are definitely more comfortable than the pavilion, but not worth $50.
Really, the best view in the park for the money is from the loge level tickets. Even the $25 seats on this level are pretty good, considering that you are a bit above the action limiting things to get in the way of your view.
Pavilion tickets are cheapest and have a pretty good view, but you will be sitting on bleacher style benches, which gets very uncomfortable after a few hours. The top deck tickets are about the same price as pavilion tickets, but the seats are much more comfortable in the top deck. Reserve tickets seem like the middle of the line, most popular option, but you should know that it is the largest section in the park with about the same amount of concession stands. If you plan on sitting in this level, get there early to get food or bring your own; otherwise, you will miss half the game waiting in line for food.
Food
The cost of food at Dodger Stadium has become really outrageous over the years. If you want to have a full stomach, the average person can pretty much plan on spending about $20 per person. If you really want to eat a lot of food, but are not particular about what, then the all-you-can-eat pavilion tickets are a pretty good deal. It only includes Dodger Dogs, nachos, peanuts, popcorn, and soda, so this is not a good deal if you don’t love junk food.
In the other levels of Dodger stadium, there are lots of options. Almost all concessions offer Dodger Dogs and drinks. The field level now has a Ruby’s Diner and a Canter’s Deli, and you can find Mexican food, pizza, Panda Express, and ice cream on most levels. You can go up to higher levels for food as well, but you CANNOT go to lower levels than your own for food.
While the variety of concessions is great, remember that this food is very expensive and not always worth the money. Most people do not realize that you CAN bring in food from outside the stadium. You can’t bring in drinks except for factory sealed plastic bottles of water. Bring your food in a small bag though, as you cannot bring in large backpacks or coolers. Even if you are really looking forward to enjoying a few Dodger Dogs, I recommend bringing snacks. Bringing a bag of peanuts from the supermarket can save you several dollars and give you something to be snacking on when all those guys walk through the stands with $5 snacks and desserts. Bringing a bottle of water with you will also give you something cheap to drink after beer is cutoff in the seventh inning.
If you want souvenirs or Dodger apparel, don’t shop at those little stands throughout the park. Check out the Team stores on the field and loge levels or head up to the Top of the Park store. If you are looking for a deal, ask about the clearance rack at the Team Stores. I got a great hooded sweatshirt there for only $25 (about 50-75% off the regular price), and I have seen t-shirts for just a few dollars.
What NOT to Bring
Do not bother bringing alcohol. I have known people to try to sneak bottles in by sticking them in their socks, using a plastic water bottle, etc. The key word there is “try,” because I have not known anyone to succeed. The security will catch you and then you will have to make the mile walk back to the car or just throw it away. (Hint: Although tailgating is not technically allowed, if you keep it mellow, you will usually get away with it).
Do not bring a beach ball. If security finds it, they will not let you bring it in. If you do get it in the park, you better be darn careful about how you blow it up. My husband blew up a beach ball very quietly, hidden between a few people, but within just a minute of releasing it into the crowd, security came out of no one to escort him immediately out of the park. It really is not worth missing the game for a beach ball.
Dodger Stadium in First Class Style
If you have money, you can really enjoy Dodger Stadium. The Stadium Club is the first class restaurant at the club level. You must become a member on a full season basis ($300 per seat) and purchase a season ticket plan to gain entry into the stadium club, where you can enjoy truly fine dining and an extensive wine selection.
For a one time, or once-in-a-while type visit, you may want to consider the all-you-can-eat baseline box tickets. The seats are just a few rows from the field, and they also come with exclusive access to the clubs located at each end of the field level, which offers a complimentary buffet, a full service bar, and private restrooms. These tickets will run you between $225 and $285 each.
When visiting Dodger Stadium, remember that Dodger fans are some of the most passionate baseball fans out there. I mean, this is the city that created the Raiders, and we all know the reputation of Raiders fans. Go ahead and wear your visiting team apparel and cheer when appropriate, but do not be obnoxious. Some of the most outgoing Dodger fans will be happy to show you whose turf you are on, and if you are not willing to back down, prepare to be ejected from the game. This is not really a common scene most of the time, but it is pretty common at Dodgers vs. Giants games.
Leaving the Park
When leaving the park, traffic will not always be directed in the way that you think you need to go. There are signs to fairly easily find the 101 freeway, but if you are trying to get back on the 5, you may have some trouble. Follow the signs and get on the 2 highway, and you will be lead right on to the 5 north or south.
Stadium Tours
If you happen to be visiting Los Angeles at a time when there is not a game to go to, consider by tickets to the stadium tour. They are about $15 each and include a full walking tour of the stadium.
What’s Next for Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium management has some pretty big ideas for the next 50 years at Dodger Stadium. There are plans to add a grand plaza leading into the park with shops and restaurants and green areas. There are also plans for green areas within the stadium gates, which is going to be wonderful for people with small children. They also plan to revamp concession areas with modern technology that will allow fans to be served more quickly. The goal is to make Dodger stadium a place to want to come early and stay late, which I think all Dodger fans and visitors will truly appreciate.
