Oracle Park in San Francisco: Tips, Deals, and To Do’s
Oracle Park (formerly AT&T Park) in San Francisco is home of the San Francisco Giants and host to big arena shows and conferences throughout the year. It also makes the list of popular tourist attractions for people visiting the SF Bay Area. Here’s why.
Oracle Park is known for its iconic view of the Bay and its classic design. It’s the only American ballpark where home runs can really make a splash. The venue has the distinction of being the first privately financed ballpark in Major League Baseball since 1962.
Want to know how to go there smarter? That could mean SF Giants discount tickets, or how to get a look at the areas that are usually off limits (dugouts, batting cages, luxury suite), where to find the best ballpark food, best seats, how to get there, easiest way to enter, and where to park if you’re driving there.
And what’s the deal with McCovey Cove? Read on for stadium news you can use.
Oracle Park Deals & Discounts
Events at the park sometimes come with discounts, coupons, and other promotions, if you know where to look. Here are the two most popular choices available now (with my referral links).
Oracle Park Tour Discounts
1. {details} Book this tour and you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the home of the San Francisco Giants and go places only the players and staff go including: The Field Warning Track, The Dugouts, Indoor Batting Cages, The Visitors’ Clubhouse, The Press Box, The Luxury Suite, Ballpark Features and Views.
2. {details} Last checked, an Oracle Park Tour makes the list of city sights on the Go City San Francisco discount pass. They now have a “build your own” option the lets you choose as few as two SF attractions or as many as you want and save 20- to 55 percent on all. (Print at home or show on your phone).
San Francisco Giant Games Discounts
You can often (but not always) find discount tickets available throughout the year for some events at Oracle Park, including San Francisco Giants games and other events. Follow the link to see what’s currently available.
Water Taxi to SF Giants Games at Oracle Park
{details} What’s the worst part about going to SF Giants games? The traffic and parking. Bypass all that by hopping on the Tideline Water Taxi. They run an easy loop service that drops you off a block from the ballpark, at Oracle Park/Pier 40 for the game.
Grab the taxi from the East Bay (Jack London Square), or North Bay (Sausalito or Tiburon). They’ll get you to the Park 30-minutes before the first pitch and you’ll leave 30-minutes after the last out from Pier 40.
Savvy Tips for Visiting Oracle Park
To make your visit to Oracle Park a little savvier, here are some tips from savvy SF locals.
Oracle Park Ballpark Food
Sure, it’ll cost you. But if you love dining ballpark style, you have more than enough to choose from. The most popular snack food at this San Francisco ballpark has to be the Gilroy garlic fries, which you’ll find easily (just follow your nose). Also representing the Bay Area, here are my top picks (plus my favorite good tip of all: you can bring your own food to the ballpark):
- The Crazy Crab’z: (center field) best food stand for Dungeness crab sandwich, and clam chowder bread bowls.
- Public House: (Willie Mays Plaza) Anchor Steam battered fish & chips, crab louie, pork belly potato skins.
- Tony Gemignani’s Slice House: (Promenade Level Section 103, and View Level Section 314) — Try a slice of Tony’s cheese and pepperoni pizza, or if you must, the Sicilian deep dish topped with bacon, meatballs, scallions and ricotta cheese.
Easy Oracle Park Entrance
There’s a gate beyond center field next to Seals Plaza that few people seem to use. If your seats are in the bleachers or outer lower sections, check it out and avoid the crowds.
McCovey Cove
Want to watch SF Giants games for free? Head over to McCovey Cove, past right field over on the boardwalk. Fans gather their to stand and watch free. Every three innings, those with the prime view will be asked to move along to let waiting spectators take their spots, but you can stick around and watch a whole game if nobody else is waiting.
People also rent kayaks (citykayak.com) and float around back there for a unique view of the game. For outdoorsy types it’s better than a tailgate party.
Oracle Park: Know Before You Go
If you’re going to Oracle Park for the first time, here’s what you need to know about getting there without too much trouble.
Oracle Park Address
Oracle Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza San Francisco, CA 94107.
Oracle Park Tour Info
Other than the usual sports ticket sources, here’s where you can find Oracle Park guided tour info.
Where to Park at Oracle Park
No matter how much you save on game tickets, you’ll still have to bleed cash if you drive there and need to park your car. Best parking lot is the Giants lot just across the Lefty O’Doul Bridge (around $30), but you’ll also find other city and private lots at a sliding scale, depending on whether it’s a weekend or popular team rivalry. Big games can cost you $50 or more.
Public Transportation to Oracle Park
Highly recommended. If you’re already in San Francisco on game day, you can take Muni Metro Streetcar service to the Ballpark on the T-Third (or other Muni lines). You can transfer from any Metro line to streetcars serving the ballpark at Embarcadero Station — look for trains headed to Mission Bay, Caltrain or Sunnydale and get off at the Second Street/Ballpark Station. Muni buses 10, 30, 45 and 47 also stop within a block of Oracle Park.
- BART: Take BART to Embarcadero or Montgomery Stations and walk or transfer to Muni Metro.
- MUNI: Trains run along King Street in front of the ballpark. The 30-Stockton, 47-Van Ness and the 45-Union all stop outside the ballpark.
- Caltrain: From the South Bay and peninsula, take Caltrain to the Fourth and King stop, a block from the ballpark. Or take BART from Millbrae, SFO, South San Francisco, San Bruno, Colma or Daly City to downtown San Francisco. Then walk or transfer to Muni Metro to the ballpark (transfer from BART to MUNI Metro at Civic Center, Powell, Montgomery or Embarcadero).
- Water Taxi: Book here for Water Taxi to SF Giants Games from Oakland, Tiburon or Sausalito.
- Ferry: If you’re coming from the North Bay’s Marin or Sonoma counties, take Golden Gate Transit’s Larkspur Ferry to the ballpark (direct service is available for all games). If you’re coming from the North Bay’s Napa or Solano counties, you can take the dedicated ferry directly to and from the ballpark on any Saturday or Sunday game. On certain weeknights, you can take the return ferry from the ballpark. On other weekday games, you can take the regularly scheduled Vallejo ferry to the Ferry Building and walk (about a mile) or take Muni Metro to the ballpark.
Oracle Park Official Info
Big index of info for SF Giants games at Oracle Park on this MLB page.
