Dodger Stadium is one of the oldest ballparks, and this year it's celebrating the LA Dodgers' fiftieth anniversary. It's a special place, an old-fashioned ballpark where you're welcomed by the voice of Vin Scully, radio announcer who's been calling the games since the Brooklyn days. He's still calling them -- for now -- so don't be surprised to see people with transistor radios. A few quirks of Dodger Stadium: no banners, a parking plan modelled on Disneyland for getting traffic in and out quickly (wishful thinking), slow concession lines -- which the owners have made it a priority to fix this year -- and an old-timey pipe organ played by the ever-gracious Nancy Bea for most day games and the 7th inning stretch.
"Our Lady of Chavez Ravine," the locals call it.
It's a great place for visitors, too. HOWEVER, visitors often make one BIG mistake: they get the cheap tickets in the outfield pavillions.
Ever seen the Bleacher Bums at Wrigley? Same problem. It's a lively, rambunctious crowd -- sometimes loudmouthed and rude, sometimes throwing popcorn -- that's altogether different from the rest of the stadium. If you don't mind a rowdy crowd, go for it.
Right Field All-You-Can-Eat Pavillion seats are $35 in advance, $40 on game day. (2007 prices)
Left Field Pavillion seats are $11 in advance, $13 on game day. (2007 Prices)
But my advice is that you get seats up in what I call Dodger Heaven: the Top Deck, up behind home plate, right over Vin Scully's press box.
Top Deck Seats are $9 in advance, $11 on game day.
Sure, you're up high. But it's a great view of the field, and a gorgeous view of the mountains and the sunset behind the outfield. The crowd is well-behaved (well, unless the Giants are in town -- we'll see if things are calmer now that Bond's not there to boo), and you'll see a lot of folks keeping score on old-fashioned scorecards.
I'm a small, arthritic middle-aged woman, and I go up there alone. I've always felt safe, night and day.
It's also right next to the Top of the Park store where you can get souvenirs, and when you leave the park with "I Love LA" playing from the speakers, you'll be treated with a hilltop view of the skyline of LA spread out before you. I don't actually love LA -- don't tell anyone! -- I just love the Dodgers, but I have to admit that's a great view.
Note: Last year General Parking cost $15 -- ouch! -- but it's quite a hike up the hill from the nearest bus stop. I haven't found the price of parking this year on the Dodger site, but you can bet it's gone up a buck or two.
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Contributor's Note
Check out my Jackie Robinson tribute page below: bio, timeline, photos, video footage, and rare documents. A Hall-of-Famer quality athlete playing phenomenally while being jeered by fans, physically attacked by other players, and sent anonymous death threats -- learn the true story of this brave man.
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