Our Review Of Angel Stadium Of Anaheim

Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Home of the Anaheim Angels

Angel Stadium of Anaheim, home of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, never receives a ton of publicity by Major League Baseball and it's fans. It's the fourth oldest ballpark in the MLB and has been renovated many times in an attempt to keep up with the rest of the league's updates. After visiting Dodger Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres, during the same week, it's safe to say Angel Stadium is the third best Major League ballpark in Southern California. However, that doesn't mean that it's not an excellent place to see a ball game. To us, Angel Stadium of Anaheim was the perfect suburban ballpark and offers an excellent bargain in the price of tickets.

Perhaps the most recognizable feature at Angel Stadium of Anaheim is the rock display in left center field, also called the "California Spectacular". Angels fans confirmed that the display is tribute to Disneyland when the company used to own the Anaheim Angels. Both Disneyland and the Honda Center, home of the NHL's Anaheim Ducks, are located in close proximity to the ballpark. The other recognizable feature of Angel Stadium of Anaheim is the giant "A" which sits in the parking lot and used to serve as the scoreboard inside Angel Stadium. After Angels home games, the organization lights up the halo on the giant A if the Angels won the game. This let's drivers on the adjacent highways know if the team won and is a similar tradition to the raising of the "W" flag at Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs.

The Big A Scoreboard at Angel Stadium of Anaheim

The seats at Angel Stadium of Anaheim are obstruction free. Our seats were located in section 125, row L which are directly behind the visiting team's dugout. The Angels were hosting the Cleveland Indians that night and the Indians absolutely owned the Angels from the beginning. I was the most excited to finally see Mike Trout for the first time in person. I was also excited to see the Anaheim Angels down in the 7th inning because that meant the appearance of the "Rally Monkey". You won't find a bad seat in section 125 or any of the adjacent sections and all seats offer the standard amount of comfort. What's confusing is that if you want to walk behind the rock display and the area called "Outfield Extravaganza", you'll have to go to the far ends of the lower level and then take the ramp up to the second level. An usher or security guard will be able to direct you.

Rock Display at Angel Stadium of Anaheim

Both of the ballpark's bullpens are located in left field and underneath the scoreboard. The Angels use the bullpen the furthest from the field. You'll be able to take excellent action photos of both bullpens from the center field area. Center field offers a much higher perspective of the field than you think it offers. Most of the seats on the second level offer shade from the sun and rain thanks to the overhang so many baseball fans may prefer to sit up there. Center field also has a bar, the Budweiser Patio and Bar, where fans will be able to watch the game as well as other games that are broadcast on television.

The Helmet at Angel Stadium of Anaheim

The home plate gate at Angel Stadium of Anaheim is one of the best entrances in Major League Baseball. The two giant baseball hats as well as the massive baseball bats that serve as support for the stadium's sign above the main entrance are polarizing. You won't find anything like it at any of the other 29 Major League ballparks. Once you get inside the home plate gate, you'll find the official Angels team store, the 2002 World Series Trophy and decorated walls celebrating the history of the Anaheim Angels. A beautiful statue of former Anaheim Angels owner Gene Autry also stands in between Gates 1 and 2 in the food court area.

Helmet Nachos at Angel Stadium of Anaheim

There isn't much in terms of bars and restaurants near Angel Stadium of Anaheim, much like Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles. Parking is $10 and fans are able to tailgate in the general parking areas (Big A, Orangewood, Douglass and State College). The Angels organization prohibits alcohol while tailgating, according to their website. However, I witnessed plenty of fans drinking in the parking lots on the way into the stadium. Tailgating is limited to only an 150 minute window before the game.

The most popular game day restaurant near the stadium is "The Catch", which is an upscale sports bar in front of the stadium. Also in the area are JT Schmid's, Danny K's and Fresca's Mexican Grill. Restaurants such as California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. are a short drive away from Angel Stadium. Inside the stadium, fan's will also find some recognizable names including Wetzel's Pretzel's, Jersey Mike's and Panda Express. The "helmet nachos" that so many Major League ballparks are offering now can be found at Angel Stadium but only at select locations.

The best bargain in the stadium, in my opinion, is the $4.50 domestic beers. Budweiser and Bud Light seemed to be the beers offered at most of the stands. A concession stand worker broke down the math for me but confessed that the $4.50 beers give you the most bang for your buck compared to the large $14 "premium beers". Most of the concession stands are dubbed "Grandstand". Smoke Ring BBQ, Chronic Tacos and Oggi's Pizza are also popular offerings and can be found throughout the stadium.

Outfield view at Angel Stadium of Anaheim

As I stated earlier, Angel Stadium of Anaheim is what it is. It may not be the newest, most expensive or shiniest ballpark in Major League Baseball, but it offers a clean, fun and affordable night out for friends and families. Anaheim Angels fans are more laid back than Los Angeles Dodgers fans but more up beat than the fans of the San Diego Padres. Southern California is a beautiful area and a visit to Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a perfect way to see suburban Los Angeles.

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Our Review Of Angel Stadium Of Anaheim, Home Of The Anaheim Angels