Last visit: April 13, 2025
If you look at most ballpark ratings, you’ll usually find the same parks near the top, and the same parks near the bottom. One park that has a lot of variance is the Los Angeles Dodgers’ home. Some have it squarely pegged as a Top 5 park. I have it in the middle of the pack.
Despite having the largest capacity in baseball, Dodger Stadium is often full and rollicking. The weather is almost always perfect. The setting in Chavez Ravine is lovely. But it’s very expensive, it’s an absolute nightmare to get to, and if you decide to beat the traffic and arrive early, you can’t tailgate due to problems with unruly fan behavior in the past.
I’ve spotted many celebrities here; once I even sat next to top poker player Gabe Kaplan, best-known as the titular character in the 70’s TV comedy Welcome Back Kotter. I have seen some memorable games here. But at the risk of angering some of the place’s die-hard supporters, I think it’s overrated.
STADIUM 40/50
Exterior aesthetics 6/10; Interior & Concourse Aesthetics 8/10; Sightlines 5/5; Seating 4/5; Traffic flow 2/5; Scoreboard 8/10; Amenities & entertainment 4/5; Bars & Restaurants 3/5; Celebrating history 5/5; Grand entrance 3/5; Sense of place 22/25; WOW Factor 10/10. Total 80 points divided by 2 for 40
The Major League’s third oldest park, Dodger Stadium has 5,000+ more seats than any other park in baseball but doesn’t feel cavernous. Tucked into the ravine with a nice view of the San Gabriel mountains, once you’re here it feels almost serene.
THE GOOD:
- The color scheme of the seating bowl is phenomenal and conjures up a mid-century California aesthetic. The team reverted to its original color scheme of pastel yellows, oranges, greens, teals and blues, and it fits nearly perfectly with the surrounding natural landscape under the blue SoCal sky. Set amongst some palm trees, the interior conjures up the California dream.
- The view from behind the plate in an elevated section is one of the most visually pleasing views in all of baseball. There’s a “Wow factor” here.
- There are enough seats under overhangs that will allow you to find shade if that’s a priority
- The hexagonal shaped scoreboards are unique and iconic (albeit smaller by modern standards)
- The waved pavilion roofs are telegraphic and aesthetically pleasing
- The stadium is built right into the hill, accentuating the park’s minimalist appeal; it feels like it belongs in the space
- Infield Field Level and Loge sections are small with aisles every 8 seats in many areas allowing for easier concession runs
- The playing surface looks immaculate and as green as there is
- While a little tricky to find, there is a nice memorabilia collection for this storied franchise on the suite concourse level
THE BAD:
- Traffic flow in the terraced parking lots is highly controlled out of necessity. Alas, you’re forced into a lot which could mean a long walk to your gate entrance or the need to navigate inside the stadium to get your seat. As the lots are terraced, the closest gate may let you in the reserved seating deck (4th deck), which could suck if you’re trying to get to field level.
- Until recently, the Dodgers would not allow you in another level other than your ticketed one. As such, there are relatively few escalators that allow you access to a new level. When they changed the parking rules, there was a greater need to navigate between levels. Plus many fans just want to check out the whole place. As such, you were forced to use stairs or wait awhile for one of only a few elevators. Admittedly, the renovations added some needed elevators and made between-level traffic easier, but it’s still trickier than with other places.
- Social areas were never this park’s strengths given it was built in another era. The lack of gathering spots is an issue because you really want to arrive early to beat traffic…alas, the great view can only capture your attention for so long. The new centerfield entrance area has some cool stuff including a speed pitch, some bars, and some memorabilia displays. There’s a cool bobblehead collection in left and some augmented reality exhibits. And you can try to eat pre-game to prevent the long mid-game lines. But it’s still a stretch to constantly fill 90-minutes of pre-game more than once or twice a season.
- Because the park is built into a hill, there isn’t really a grand main entrance like with other parks. The new centerfield gate is about as close as it comes. But most gates look like you’re entering a minor league facility.
- Concourses are narrow (as many tended to be back in the day), which when coupled with long mid-inning lines can make getting around the park difficult
In the end, it’s a park with clean lines and wonderful visual appeal. It’s been kept up spectacularly; Dodger Stadium feels fresh despite its age.
FOOD 8/10
I’ll give credit where credit is due. While the quality of the Dodger Dog went down after Farmer John lost the contract (and is no longer recommended), the options here have improved.
Pro Tip: eat while waiting for the game to start because waiting for food during the game may cost you 1-2 innings to get it. But at least now, it may be worth waiting for.
The Shake Shack in centerfield ensures you can get a good burger. The Chicken Katsu Club sandwich is really good (crispy fried chicken katsu over Texas toast, kewpie mayo, creamy avocado, arugula and applewood bacon), as is the Kurobuta terimayo dog (essentially, a Japanese hot dog served with kewpie mayo, teriyaki sauce, and green onions). Several Mexican and Mexican-inspired dishes are pretty good including the Al Pastor fries (or barbacoa), the Cheeto-lote (corn on the cob topped with chipotle mayo, cojita cheese and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos), the Carne Asada Torta, and the taco dog. A Japanese food stand sells takoyaki (fried octopus balls), sushi and tempura. The Think Blue BBQ stand in the left field pavillon sold a meaty platter that looked really good. The King’s Hawaiian Grill offers several good dishes including a tasty mac and cheese hot link burrito. And you can get a Dole Whip at the stadium for a price higher than what Disney charges.
But my personal fave: the Korean Fried Chicken bucket. It’s overpriced at $35 and may take a while if you try to order one in the early innings, but it was soooo good. I didn’t even finish the waffle fries.
BEER 6/10
The LA beer scene is good. So why do I have to wait so long and pay so much for a good beer? I wonder if the Dodgers are leaving money on the table by not having more portable beer carts? At $20 for a craft brew, I shouldn’t have to wait!
Plenty of Mexican beers are available, if that’s your bag. And AB’s Golden Road is the most ubiquitous of the “locals” with many concessions having it on tap. Craft brews are also available from Firestone, Common Space, Monkish, Santa Monica Brew Works, Smog City, and Modern Times, among others. If you’re looking for a specific brand, you may have to hunt and then get in a long line. And after waiting for as long as you do, you’re tempted to order two, until you realize the price.
NEIGHBORHOOD 3/10
Dodger Stadium is only 1.5 miles from the Walt Disney Concert Hall downtown. But it might as well be 15 miles. Separated by the parking lots and elevation, Dodger Stadium is its own neighborhood. Frustratingly close, yet still far.
They say nobody walks in LA. That’s certainly true when it comes to Dodger Stadium. There are some “walkable” bars on Sunset Boulevard that you can go pre-game, but the walk back to the stadium involves “dodging” traffic while hauling uphill.
Within 3 miles you have some great craft breweries and several fun bars in DTLA, but you’re likely then back in a car/cab/Lyft fighting traffic into the stadium parking lot.
COST 1/5
Dodger Stadium is one of the pricier visits in the Bigs if you’re looking for a good seat. Parking isn’t cheap ($35 prepaid, $40 at the gate for general) and concessions will run you a pretty penny as well. I guess the league’s biggest payroll needs to be funded somehow.
ACCESSIBILITY 1/5
While Los Angeles traffic is legendary, Dodger Stadium traffic is a whole new level. Getting here on a weeknight game is absolutely brutal. Once when I was coming back from San Diego, I was 2 miles from the ballpark at 5:50pm for a 7pm start. By the time I finally got into the parking lot, parked and navigated to my seat, it was the bottom of the 3rd. Granted, I parked using Gate A (rookie mistake), but still! If any team needs to consider free flow parking (i.e. your license plate is photographed and you pay by app after you park), it’s this one.
And there’s really no other choice but a vehicle of some sort: yours, an Uber, or even the Union Station Dodger Stadium Express bus all rely on street access (albeit the latter has some dedicated lanes). I hope the Elon Musk tunnel or the Union Station gondola become a reality because no other ballpark does the trip to the park create such grief as this one. I dread it, and “dread” should never be a word used when it comes to going to a ballgame.
Now I hesitate to announce this for fear than my “hack” is ruined, but if you arrive early enough, consider parking through the Academy Gate D. The lots are smaller, so getting out is a little easier even if it means spending a little time on some neighborhood streets. And best of all, it puts you at the Centerfield gate without the need to traverse any steps or hills. Because of Gate D, this score is no longer a zero. But even with this tip, your patience will likely be tested.
WEATHER 5/5
Once you’ve finally made it, if your blood is boiling, you can calm back down and enjoy another pristine day or night in LA. Great weather is as sure a bet as the traffic jam getting here.
VIBE 21/25
Dodger fans get a rap for arriving late and leaving early. I blame that on access issues rather than indifference to the game.
The place draws incredibly well. It’s not uncommon to have 50,000+ fans there for a weekday early season divisional game. LA’s large Hispanic community make up an increasing percentage of the fans, which has elevated the buzz and enthusiasm level significantly. And while LA is still somewhat of a transplant city, fans wearing opposing gear should expect a few heckles (usually good natured, but sometimes profane). Dodger fans are way more intense than the fans at the other two SoCal parks.
It’s a relatively knowledgeable fan base that doesn’t always need prompting by the Diamondvision to get loud; even when the beach balls come out in the middle innings, the focus is still on the game. The South California weather helps create a really comfortable atmosphere. If you head up to the Top Deck, you can watch the game like God would. And while ushers are somewhat strict with checking tickets, they are incredibly professional, so you feel like you’re in good hands at Dodger Stadium.
Bottom line, you get an East Coast vibe in a California setting which isn’t a bad combination. Plus, you’ll likely do some celebrity spotting if you have decent seats.
GALLERY
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Three fun area restaurants (who says you have to eat “light” in LA?):
The best place to grab a bite within walking distance of the stadium is Guisados, which looks like a taqueria out of central casting, but is actually really good albeit a tad pricy. If you’re willing to go a little further, within a 20-minute drive of the park I suggest:
- Phillippe the Original (Downtown. Home of the original French dip sandwich.)
- Wexler’s Deli (Grand Central Market. Good pastrami sandwiches – try the Macarthur Park)
- Louders (Koreatown. Unassuming place in a strip mall serving up great Korean BBQ and maybe the best chicken wings in Southern California.)
Three places to imbibe before the game:
The closest the Dodgers have to an official pre-game bar is the Short Stop, a dive bar filled with fellow baseball fans within “walking” distance (though those hills are killers). Here are three others that are “close”.
- Highland Park Brewery. (Chinatown. Great brewpub making acclaimed beers only 1.5 miles away. While there, you can also hit the fantastic Chinatown outpost of Homage Brewing for a great one-two punch)
- Wurstkuche (Arts District. Great sausages, great beer and close to three other breweries. About 2.5 miles from the park)
- Thunderbolt (Echo Park. Inspired by the American South, they offer great cocktails, a strong wine list, good beer, and killer biscuits. About 1 mile west of the stadium.)
One bar in the area worth hitting:
Barney’s Beanery (West Hollywood. 100+ year-old roadhouse with good chili and pizza, best known for its celebrity clientele including Clark Gable, Judy Garland and Rita Hayworth. Plaques in the bar commemorate rock icons and regulars Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin.)
Three craft breweries in the area worthy of your time:
- The breweries in the Arts District. There are three good ones within half a mile of each other: Arts District Brewery (brewpub with games and 20+ offerings); Angel City Brewing (impressive space and good brews); and Arrow Lodge Brewing (the LA outpost of the Covina-based brewer known for their IPAs).
- Brouwerij West (San Pedro. Huge space offering a mix of classic SoCal IPAs and Belgian-inspired funky ales. While out here, you can head up to Torrence and hit a bunch of breweries including Monkish and Smog City.)
- Benny Boy Brewing (Lincoln Heights). A brewery, a cidery and a backyard beer garden just 3 miles east of the stadium. Good for weekend games given their hours.
Three fun tourist attractions in the area:
- Universal Studios Hollywood (Best one-day theme park in America.)
- Hollywood Walk of Fame (Do it once to say you did.)
- Venice Beach (The ultimate people-watching beach, though got a little gritty for a few years.)
SUMMARY
It really is too bad that the trip in and out of the park is so brutal, because it mars an otherwise timeless, classic baseball experience. You really are thrown back in time here, not like Wrigley or Fenway, but to 1960’s California. Marcia Brady should take your ticket. Add a large, fairly intense, multicultural crowd, and there’s a sense of importance to a mid-season game.
If you just add the Stadium and Vibe scores, Dodger Stadium rates highly. But until they build a teleporter, getting in and out will still be FUBAR. And that really detracts from the experience.
