Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, Chase Field is home to the Arizona Diamondbacks. Built in 1998, the venue boasts a retractable roof and hosts events year round including concerts, the PBR circuit, BMX and monster truck events.
Chase Field parking
Visitors to Chase Field have a variety of parking options. The Chase Field Parking Garage is on 4th Street between Jefferson and Lincoln, and the US Airways Center parking garage and a City of Phoenix parking garage are both nearby on Washington street. Don't like parking garages? There are a number of privately owned lots in the vicinity of Chase Field, although these vary in price.
Hotels near Chase Field
There are a number of hotels right down the street from Chase Field. They include Palomar Phoenix CityScape, Hyatt Regency Phoenix, Renaissance Phoenix and the Sheraton Phoenix downtown. History buffs might be interested in staying at the Hotel San Carlos a few blocks north, a legendary spot that once hosted Hollywood's elite.
Seating at Chase Field
Chase Field is a viewer friendly ball park. Visitors are able to see the action from almost any angle, but prices vary depending on how close (or far) from the action you want to sit. "Lettered" sections (ie: A, R, S) are some of the more popular seats, but vary in location and perspective. The outfield bleacher section is great for families, and hosts countless little league teams and scouting groups throughout the MLB season.
Food at Chase Field
Chase Field has your typical baseball fare, as well as a variety of restaurants and dessert options. Hot dogs, peanuts, pop corn and cotton candy are easy to find, but visitors interested in sitting down to eat can opt for a meal at Friday's Front Row Sports Grill. Chain options like Peter Piper Pizza, Cold Stone Creamery and Fat Burger are also available. Hot dog fanatics will want to make sure and sample the D-Bat Corn Dog.
Beer at Chase Field
A beer at Chase Field will cost you between $6 and $10 depending on what size and brand you select. Vendor's all over the ball park sell Bud and Bud Light, Coors and Coors Light and Michelob Ultra. Imports like Corona, Amstel and Heineken are also available. Guests looking for a cocktail or martini should swing by Friday's Front Row Sports Grill.
Parking alternatives at Chase Field
The Valley Metro light rail runs to and from Chase Field, dropping fans off directly across the street from the stadium. Traveling westbound on the light rail? Get off at the 3rd Street and Washington stop and walk south. Traveling eastbound on the light rail? Get off at 3rd Street and Jefferson. The light rail stops right in front of Chase Field.
What to bring to Chase Field
Thanks to the stadium's retractable roof, visitors don't need to worry about bringing gear for bad weather. If you attend a game early in the season, do bring sunscreen. Chances are good the roof will stay open, exposing you to the sun. Visitors sitting in the bleacher section should bring a cushion or folding bleacher seat, as the metal slabs can get uncomfortable. Are you especially sensitive to temperature? Make sure to bring a sweatshirt, the air conditioning at Chase Field is quite cool.
Insider tip for Chase Field
Ball park food fans won't want to miss out on The Churro Dog, a desert delicacy consisting of a cinnamon churro "hot dog" on top of a Long John donut bun, topped with frozen yogurt, chocolate and caramel.
Author's bio: Chad Birt has lived in Phoenix for 9 years. He's a bike rider, bookworm and freelance writer.
Babbitts Backcountry Outfitters offers :
• Camping equipment
• Climbing gear
• Rugged clothing
• Equipment rentals
• Ski equipment
• Hiking equipment
Our goal is to meet your service needs with the highest quality service.
Come in and speak with a professional about goods for local hiking, climbing and skiing.
Call Babbitts Backcountry Outfitters today for more information!
Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona, is the spring training home of the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers. The facility opened in 2009, and is one of the jewels of the spring training experience in the Phoenix area. California Dodger fans are especially pleased as it's the first time the team has ever regularly held spring training on the west coast, having trained in Vero Beach, Florida for almost 60 years. Both teams full training facilities are also at the complex so fans can view nearly every minute of practice even when no games are being played.
Camelback Ranch parking
The Camelback Ranch parking lots are expansive and easy to get to from Loop 101 (Agua Fria Freeway). The complex is not far from University of Phoenix Stadium, home of the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, and Gila River Arena where the NHL's Arizona Coyotes call home, although I wouldn't recommend parking there and walking to Camelback just because of the distance and the heat.
Hotels near Camelback Ranch
Because it's close to University of Phoenix Stadium and Gila River Arena there are many hotels in the area that cater to sports fans. There are several places at the Westgate City Center, near the NFL and NHL stadiums, as well as in other parts of Glendale. Of course many fantastic hotels, resorts and places to stay are all around Phoenix, but be warned: Glendale is on the far west side of the Phoenix area and area traffic gets worse the further one has to travel.
Seating at Camelback Ranch
There's not a bad seat in the house because max capacity is right around 13,000, but because it's Phoenix it can get quite warm, with temperatures close to 90 even in March during spring training. Most games are also played during the day so shade can be hard to find. Bring a hat, coverings for arms and legs if need be, and put on plenty of sunscreen. I've seen many a White Sox fan just a few days into a vacation after a long winter in Chicago already red like a lobster because they forgot the sunscreen. Outfield lawn general admission seating is a good value, and for a special treat try the "all you can eat" section in left field. Box seats and suites are also available but generally need to be reserved ahead.
Food at Camelback Ranch
True baseball fans don't need much more than hot dogs, peanuts, and maybe nachos, all of which are readily available at Camelback Ranch. The famous "Dodger Dog" has been imported from Los Angeles, as well as the equally well-known Chicago Dogs. For those who aren't fans of specialty hot dogs there are plenty of other options, including bacon on a stick (yes, really) and an 18-inch pizza slice. Though if you don't get a hot dog at a ball game I don't think we can be friends.
Beer at Camelback Ranch
A fine selection in every part of the park. The first new addition to the park since it opened is the Montejo Patio down the right field line. It's a full bar with plenty of hard-to-find shade. Because it's a great atmosphere with plenty of shaded seating it's tempting to just spend the whole game here. But that's not why baseball fans go to the ballpark, so tear yourself away for at least a few innings.
Parking alternatives at Camelback Ranch
Public transportation in Phoenix is tough. If you're on the far east side, trying to take a bus or other transit to Glendale is not an easy thing to do. There's only one bus that goes close to the stadium and it runs the entire length of Camelback Road, from Paradise Valley in the east to the very edge of the stadium complex in the west. It could take several transfers and a long time to get out and back depending on where you're staying.
What to bring to Camelback Ranch
Have I mentioned sunscreen yet? That's a must for sure. The usual stadium restrictions for cans and bottles apply here, of course. The kids will want baseball gloves for autograph chances- players are usually a bit friendlier during spring training to fans, but some stick to their in-season ritual of not signing. Blankets are allowed and recommended if you're going to sit on the outfield grass, but sun umbrellas are frowned upon, especially in the stands.
Insider tip for Camelback Ranch
While Dodger games are usually pretty full, White Sox games can seem like intimate affairs. If you're just going for the spring training experience, choose a White Sox game for easy parking- my group feels like VIPs because we get to park so close- and not many concession lines. Not to mention the better ticket selection. This is not a knock on White Sox fans at all, it's just the truth- it's easier to get to Phoenix from LA than it is from Chicago. No matter who you see, get the whole experience by walking around the entire park during the game. The field is never out of view and the whole place is very well designed, making it great place to watch baseball after a long winter and celebrate spring.
Author's bio: Alex Drude was at the very first game at Camelback Ranch in 2009 and goes back every spring training he gets a chance. Follow his sports and travel musings on Twitter @Alex_Drude and on Facebook.
