The San Francisco Giants season starts very soon and if you plan to visit AT&T Park in South Beach, arguably one of the country’s most scenic ballparks, you’ll be able to root for the home team while taking in gorgeous Bay and city views. Other stadium highlights include enjoying a local beer — or a California wine — and some iconic San Francisco food like clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. If you’ve never been to a game before, here’s a beginner’s guide with everything you’ll need to know.

How to Get Tickets

You can purchase game day tickets directly from the San Francisco Giants or from a third-party site like StubHub. You can also find last-minute tickets from scalpers on the street across the street from the stadium, but you didn’t hear that from us. 

Getting There

Your best bet is to take public transportation to AT&T Park. If you’re coming from Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, Caltrain is just a five-minute walk from the stadium. If you’re coming from Oakland, Alameda County, or Contra Costa County, take BART to Embarcadero or Montgomery Stations and walk or transfer to Muni Metro. IF you’re coming from North Bay, take Golden Gate Transit's Larkspur Ferry, which offers direct service for each game. 

Want to bike it to the stadium? That’s easy enough because there’s a secure bike parking facility at AT&T Park. You’ll find it on the PortWalk between the foul pole and the CHW Health Center. Parking here is available two hours before every game but closes just 30 minutes after, so don’t dilly-dally. 

Need a ride to the game? Download the Uber app and enter promo code SFGIANTS2016 and you’ll get your first Uber ride free (up to $20). 

Where to Pregame

Courtesy of Public House

If you’re going to a game and arrive early, there are plenty of bars and restaurants surrounding the stadium and around SOMA. Just next to the ballpark you’ll find Public House, which actually has its own entrance into the stadium. The massive menu has more draft beer and snacks than you can possibly get through before the game, so you might need to come back after a win.

Looking for a more substantial dinner before you head into the stadium? Try Tres an upscale Mexican restaurant just down the street from AT&T Park. Fill up on margaritas, tableside guacamole, and tacos in a fun, colorful setting. Another close option is MoMo’s where there’s a full bar of any drink you desire. Menu staples include burgers and wood-fired pizzas. There’s also 21st Amendment Brewery right there in South Beach where they’re serious about their beer and their Giants.

What to Eat Stadium-Side

Courtesy of Christine R. / Yelp

If you get hungry before the first pitch or at any point during the game, you have plenty of delicious options available to you in the ballpark. Some of San Francisco’s most iconic eats are available at the stadium. For example, Visit Pier 44 Chowder House in Center Field for clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl, fried calamari, and fish and chips. Next door, Crazy Crabz serves up fresh Dungeness crab sandwiches. If it’s a hot day, cool off with a giant ice cream sandwich from CREAM located in Section 130. Or if you catch a game when the weather is more typical for San Francisco, cool and foggy, you can head to Ghirardelli with four locations in AT&T Park for a gourmet hot chocolate. 

Best Drink Bets

Courtesy of Beervana Buzz

Baseball and beer go hand-in-hand. Your best bets for an elevated brew at AT&T Park are at the Great House of Brews on the View Level, with tons of microbrew options and even gluten-free beer. Or try Anchor Taproom in Center Field for a local option plus gin and tonics. Finally, you’re in San Francisco, so don’t miss all the great wine available without having to leave the stadium. Try Vintage 58 Wine Bar in sections 119 and 323, where you can sip on Champagne and glasses of wine along with a cheese plate.