Petco Park Pregame Guide
San Diego Padres · San Diego, CA
Tailgating at Petco Park happens at one named place — Tailgate Park, the Padres Preferred Lot, entered and exited on 13th Street at K Street, or on Imperial Avenue between 12th Avenue and 14th Street. It runs on a limited basis: ACE Parking directs you into a space on arrival, you may not reserve additional spaces, and the tailgate goes directly behind your own vehicle. The fuel rule is absolute — only gas cooking grills are allowed on the premises and no charcoal is permitted at all. Tailgate Park, the Padres Parkade and the Lexus Premier Lot open within four hours of the event, and the Gaslamp Gate at K Street and 7th Avenue is the way in from the Gaslamp Quarter.
Tips & Fan Reports
Gas only. Charcoal is not permitted anywhere on the premises, which rules out the usual kit.
Tailgate Park is the only lot where any of this is allowed; the Parkade and Premier Lot are parking.
You do not choose your space — ACE Parking directs you — and you cannot buy a second one for the tailgate.
Arriving by trolley, the Park 12 entrance on 12th Avenue sits right by the MTS line, and the Gaslamp Gate at K and 7th is the walk-up from the Quarter.
Where to Go Before the Game
Tailgate Park, the Padres Preferred Lot
Entrance and exit on 13th Street at K Street, or on Imperial Avenue between 12th Avenue and 14th Street. The only place tailgating is permitted, on a limited basis and directly behind your own vehicle.
Known for The only tailgate lot · 13th St at K St · Gas grills only
The Gaslamp Gate, K Street and 7th Avenue
The ballpark entrance from the Gaslamp Quarter, which is the pregame district for anyone not tailgating — bars and restaurants a short walk north of the park.
Known for From the Gaslamp Quarter · K Street and 7th Avenue
Padres Parkade and the Lexus Premier Lot
Club parking that opens within four hours of the event, alongside Tailgate Park. Parking rather than tailgating ground.
Known for Opens within 4 hours · Club-operated
Park 12 Valet, 12th Avenue
Opens 2.5 hours before a regular game, with its entrance on 12th Avenue adjacent to the MTS Trolley line — the option if you are arriving by trolley or want valet.
Known for Opens 2.5 hours before · Beside the MTS Trolley · Valet
Rules to Know
What Petco Park allows, and what it does not.
- Guests may tailgate at Tailgate Park, the Padres Preferred Lot, on a limited basis.
- Tailgate Park's entrance and exit are on 13th Street at K Street, or on Imperial Avenue between 12th Avenue and 14th Street.
- Guests must park in spaces as directed by ACE Parking on arrival, may not reserve additional spaces, and must tailgate directly behind their vehicle.
- Only gas cooking grills are allowed on the premises. No charcoal is permitted.
- Padres Parkade, Tailgate Park and the Lexus Premier Lot open within four hours of the event.
- For regular games, Park 12 Valet opens 2.5 hours before the game, with entrance on 12th Avenue adjacent to the MTS Trolley line.
- The Gaslamp Gate is at the intersection of K Street and 7th Avenue.
What to Bring
- A bag the gate will accept
Petco Park permits single-compartment clear plastic bags up to 12 x 6 x 12 inches and clutches or purses up to 5 x 7 inches.
- Only the outside food and drink the rule allows
Guests may bring food for individual consumption when it is individually wrapped or in a single-serving, soft-sided container that follows the bag policy.
- A card or a phone wallet
Petco Park is cashless; concessions and retail accept credit cards, Padres Pay, Apple Pay, and other digital payments.
- Your tickets on a charged phone
All Petco Park tickets are digital and are accessed in the MLB Ballpark app for scanning at entry.
- A light layer for after sunset
April, the coolest month of the season here, still averages 57°F at night.
Tailgate Gear
Lots open within four hours of the event, at Tailgate Park.
- A gas cooking grill — charcoal is prohibited on the premises entirely
- A setup that goes directly behind your own vehicle, in the space ACE Parking puts you in
- No expectation of a second space: reserving additional bays is not allowed
- A Tailgate Park pass specifically, since no other lot permits it
San Diego Padres Tailgate Gear
Canopies, grills, coolers, and official San Diego Padres gear for the ultimate tailgate.
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How We Checked This Page
Every section below names the source it was read from and the day it was read. Where we could not reach a published figure, the page says so rather than presenting an estimate as a checked fact.
- Pregame
San Diego Padres official site: Petco Park Tailgating, parking information, and Policies and Procedures
- Venue policies
Current Padres information, accessibility, food, and digital-ticket guidance reviewed for entry, family, payment, food, parking, and accessibility rules.
- Weather
NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals