Baseball has been called “America’s National Pastime.” At Petco Park, this patriotic concept is on display in the truest sense, a vibrant mosaic of the best talent, flavor and spirit from all over the world.

Petco Park is located in the heart of San Diego, a city with a rich history of Mexican culture. San Diego is located just a 15-mile drive from the United States-Mexico border, and the region has a long history of cultural exchange and interaction between Mexican and American cultures. The vibrant, local Mexican-American community shapes the city’s culture and cuisine.

It should come as no surprise how much Mexican culture influenced the design and atmosphere radiating throughout Petco Park. An influence radiated by a Hispanic population of more than 1 million in San Diego County.

Mexican Food

The concessions at Petco Park are simmering with Mexican heritage. Hot Dogs? Sure but also Tijuana-style bacon-wrapped hot dogs. Also fish tacos, burritos, carnitas, carne asada fries, and churros.

Petco Park signature venues like Puesto, Barrio Dogg, and Holy Paleta are all local but heavily Mexican-influenced, from blue corn tortillas to Marias con Leche paletas. New in 2023 is a Mexican street corn stand.

Drink

At the beer stands of old, it was a coin toss between Bud or Bud Lite. At Petco Park the choices include La Fresca Michelada and Cadillac Margaritas with Casa Noble tequila. At SAMABAZON, dragonfruit and acai margaritas are available. And Mexican Beer is prominently represented. Not so much imports but Mexican-style beer. Modelo, Pacifico, Puesto, SouthNorte, Estrella Jalisco.

Hispanic Events

The events calendar is adorned with many Mexican gems as well. Most literally, Mexican Heritage Celebration in June and Hispanic Heritage Weekend in September, which includes Fiesta In The Park. The Padres also go big for Cinco de Mayo.

Petco Park has been the host venue for the annual Tequila & Tacos Festival and performances by some of the biggest names in the Hispanic music community, including Tijuana’s Grupo Firme, Bad Bunny (Puerto Rico), and bands like Los Tucanes de Tijuana.

Back to sports, Petco Park has hosted two of Mexico’s best international soccer clubs, Dorados de Sinaloa and Club Tijuana Xolos for a futbol match, as well as Mexican League Baseball between the Tijuana Toros and the Diablos Rojos del México from Mexico City.

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The Name: Padres

Perhaps we should’ve started here. But the Padres are the only MLB team with a Spanish name, a nod to the Spanish priests (Father Junípero Serra and Don Caspar de Portolá) who founded San Diego in 1769. Though the Padres joined the pro league in 1969, the name was coined back in 1936 in the Pacific Coast League when then-owner Bill Lane moved the team south from Hollywood.

Geography

Speaking of location, Petco Park’s physical proximity is another obvious one. An easy trolley ride away. Close enough to pick up the popular Spanish radio broadcasts on XEMO, based in Tijuana, Mexico.

In another handshake across the border, the Padres are the first MLB team to play a baseball game in Mexico City. In August 1996, the Padres played the first MLB game ever in Mexico, a series against the Mets approximately 100 miles south of Texas in Monterrey.

Petco Park Design

The City Connect uniforms are literally an attempt and visually depicting the interplay between California and Baja cultures. Something you might hear about during regularly scheduled spanish-speaking tours.

Celebrated Hispanic Players: Past, Present & Future

Some Mexican players on the Padres roster include Hall of Famer Vicente Romo, Vinny Castilla, Fernando Valenzuela, Christian Villanueva and Adrian Gonzalez.

Fun Fact: Legend Ted Williams’ grandparents were born in Mexico, although he hid his Mexican heritage as a player. How far we’ve come, how far we still have to go…

Today, stars like Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. , representing the Dominican Republic but definitely celebrated in the Mexican community, are lifting the Padres organization to new heights, and turning a new generation into Padres fans. They proudly interweave their Hispanic heritage into these new pages of Padres history.