Jess Linde-Goodfellow

Location

Oracle Park is home to the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, California. Located in the South Beach neighborhood, this park is home to one of the best views in baseball. Even from the cheapest seats, Oracle Park faces the bay for an astonishing view during the day and at night. From certain seats, spectators are able to see the newly renovated San Francisco – Oakland Bay Bridge.

Since Oracle Park is in the city, public transportation makes it very accessible. One of the most popular ways to get to the park for Bay Area inhabitants is via BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). However, unlike the Coliseum where the Oakland Athletics play across the bay, BART does not have a direct stop at Oracle Park. As a result, most people will get off at Embarcadero station then take MUNI (San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency) the rest of the way. According to San Francisco’s Municipal Transportation Agency, there is a special game-day service to bring fans to King & 2nd street (Schofield). Since parking can cost you upwards of $40, BART is the most popular mode of transportation to reach Oracle Park. Some fans who travel from Sacramento to see a game and will take AMTRAK (The National Railroad Passenger Corporation).

Attractions

One cannot go to a Giants game without getting a hot fudge sundae from Ghirardelli. Even during a night game when it’s windy and 40 degrees, a Ghirardelli hot fudge sundae is a must at Oracle Park. Although I have never tried it myself, most people who visit Oracle Park love the Dungeness crab sandwiches from Crazy Crab’z. Eater San Francisco describes this sandwich as a “Dungeness crab sandwich, piled between two slabs of buttery, grilled sourdough for a decadent game-day treat” (Staff). This sandwich is the epitome of San Francisco—fresh crab and local sourdough bread. And no Giants game is complete without garlic fries. With Gilroy just a few hours away, Oracle Park has some of the best garlic fries I have ever had. As soon as you enter the gates of Oracle Park, you are greeted with the smell of fresh garlic fries. 

Baseball is a notoriously long and sometimes boring game. Despite this, countless families go to baseball games for a fun family outing. If the kiddos can’t sit still, there are plenty of things for them to do! One of the most iconic elements of Oracle Park is the Coca-Cola bottle slide. The Coca-Cola bottle “contains viewing platforms and four slides, two 56-foot-long curving slides (the “Guzzler”), and two 20-foot-long twisting slides (the “Twist-Off”)” (“Oracle Park Attractions: Fan Lot”).  Another fun attraction for the kids is the Little Giants Park. This is a miniature-sized baseball field where kids can go play a pick-up game of T-ball.

Why is it so special?

There is a strong sense of community at every Giants game. Even though Oracle Park is in a large city, it still feels like you know everyone you sit next to. The Giants also frequently give back to the community and host multicultural nights. A few years ago they included an LGBTQ+ night which, unfortunately, received a lot of backlash. The Giants didn’t care. They continue to have this night because it is important that they show their support of the LGBTQ+ community. 

A unique aspect of Oracle Park is the ability to listen to the game from the water. Fans will take their boats or kayaks, wade in McCovey Cove, and listen to the game on the radio waiting to catch a splash hit. On a rare, warm, summer day, the cove will be full of fans waiting for the chance to catch a ball.

Downsides

Attending a Giants game is not cheap in the slightest. Even if you save money by getting seats in the nosebleed section, food and parking will cost you an arm and a leg. This makes going to see a game fairly exclusive to those who have money to spend. Billy Witz of The New York Times says “Tickets to see the San Francisco Giants play at AT&T Park, their jewel of a ballpark set on the water’s edge, are not only among the priciest in baseball, but they are also among the hardest to get — especially during the playoffs” (Witz). However, there is a way to see the Giants play for free. Just outside of McCovey cove, there is a standing-room-only area that allows 75 people to watch 3 innings right against the outfield. Although it is a first come first serve, this is a great way to watch the Giants play for free. 

Another downside to Oracle Park is the weather. Mark Twain once said, “‘The coldest winter I ever spent was a summer in San Francisco’” (“San Francisco Weather”). This is no understatement. When attending a Giants game, layers are an absolute necessity. The wind and fog are intense, even in the middle of the summer. I suggest that everyone who goes to a game there bring a sweatshirt, windbreaker, beanie, and at least one blanket. 

Conclusion

In a busy bustling city like San Francisco, it’s nice to be able to sit back, relax, and enjoy a game of ball with friends or family. Oracle Park has everything anyone could possibly need to relax after work: good beer, good food, a great baseball team, and a killer view. Oracle Park holds a special place in my heart and others alike. If you are ever in the area during baseball season, I highly recommend seeing the Giants play. Even from the cheapest seats in the park, you’re in for a treat. 

Works Cited

“Oracle Park Attractions: Fan Lot.” MLB.com, www.mlb.com/giants/ballpark/fan-lot#:~:text=Coca%2DCola%20Superslide%20is%20one,%22Twist%2DOff%22). 

“San Francisco Weather.” San Francisco Travel, www.sftravel.com/article/san-francisco-weather#:~:text=%22The%20coldest%20winter%20I%20ever,knew%20from%20whence%20they%20spoke. 

Schofield, Jesse. “Oracle Park.” SFMTA, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, 19 May 2021, www.sfmta.com/places/oracle-park. 

Staff, Eater. “What to Eat at San Francisco’s Oracle Park, Home of the Giants.” Eater SF, Eater SF, 29 Mar. 2018, sf.eater.com/2018/3/29/17166036/att-park-oracle-park-san-francisco-food

 Witz, Billy. “One-Third of the View, but for None of the Price.” The New York Times, The New York Times, 8 Oct. 2014, www.nytimes.com/2014/10/08/sports/baseball/giants-offer-free-standing-room-area-at-att-park.html.