Los Angeles Dodgers

Los Angeles Dodgers Travel Guide: Dodger Stadium

Getting to Los Angeles & The Ballpark

• Flying In: You have two main options. John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County is smaller and much easier to navigate, but it is about 40 miles away. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) offers more flight options and is closer to downtown LA, but the notorious LA traffic can make the drive brutal. If you are flying out of a major hub, you can easily find direct flights to both.

• The Dodger Stadium Express: Because the stadium is perched on a massive hill in Elysian Park, walking from downtown is difficult. The absolute best way to get to the game is the free Dodger Stadium Express shuttle. It leaves from Union Station every 10 minutes starting 90 minutes before first pitch. Union Station is a major transit hub, meaning you can take almost any Metro line in the city to connect to the shuttle.

• Public Transit (Metro): If you prefer to walk and avoid the shuttle lines, take the Metro A Line to the Chinatown Station. From there, it is a steep, 3/4-mile uphill walk to the stadium gates.

• Parking & Traffic Hacks: Driving is the most common way to get to the game, but the main stadium lots are expensive (around $40) and exiting down the hill creates extreme postgame traffic jams. Local Tip: Look for street parking or cheaper satellite lots on the back side of the stadium off Sunset Blvd and Vin Scully Ave. Get there early, secure your parking, and grab a bite to eat before walking up the hill.

Where to Stay

Because the stadium is surrounded by parkland and residential neighborhoods, there are no hotels directly next to the ballpark. Staying in Chinatown, Downtown LA (DTLA), or Hollywood gives you the best access to transit and entertainment.

Budget Options

• Best Western Plus Dragon Gate Inn: Located in Chinatown, this is the closest hotel to Dodger Stadium (just a 1-mile uphill walk). It features unique Chinese-inspired architecture and is a short walk to the Chinatown Metro station. It offers a free daily continental breakfast, making it a great, simple launchpad for a baseball-focused trip.

• Residence Inn Los Angeles L.A. LIVE: Located in the heart of the L.A. LIVE entertainment district, this extended-stay hotel is perfect for saving cash in an expensive city. Every room features a full kitchen, and they offer a free daily hot breakfast. It is a 2.5-mile rideshare to the stadium. For travelers looking to maximize their credit card points, this is an excellent redemption value at around 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night.

Higher-End Options

• JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE: This is one of the premier hotels in downtown LA. Located right next to Crypto.com Arena, it boasts a massive rooftop pool and bar, six on-site restaurants, and access to the Ritz-Carlton spa next door. Also a fantastic points redemption (often bookable for 50,000 Marriott Bonvoy points), it is the perfect luxury stay if you are trying to catch a concert or a Lakers game on the same trip.

• The Hollywood Roosevelt: If you want classic Hollywood glamour, this historic 1927 hotel sits right on the Walk of Fame. It features a stunning 60s-style pool, an Italian steakhouse, and a prohibition-style cocktail lounge. It is about 9 miles from Dodger Stadium, but the tradeoff for being in the center of Hollywood's tourist district is well worth the drive.

Nearby Activities

• Explore L.A. LIVE & Crypto.com Arena: If you are staying in DTLA, you are steps away from Los Angeles' premier entertainment district. Book your trip to align with the NBA or NHL schedule so you can catch a Lakers, Clippers, or Kings game at Crypto.com Arena to round out your sports weekend.

• Hollywood & Griffith Observatory: If you are staying further west, spend your morning hiking up to the Griffith Observatory for iconic views of the Hollywood Sign and the sprawling LA basin before heading to the ballpark.

Pregame Food and Drink

While there aren't massive sports bars directly across the street from the stadium, the surrounding neighborhoods of Chinatown and Echo Park have incredible pregame spots.

• The French Dip Legend: You must visit Philippe the Original before a game. Located just north of Union Station, this historic deli claims to have invented the French dip sandwich and is absolutely packed with Dodger fans on game days.

• Tacos & Margaritas: Head west of the stadium to El Compadre for authentic Mexican food, live mariachi music, and their signature flaming margaritas. For a quicker, more casual bite, hit up Guisados for some of the best braised tacos in the city.

• Breweries & Sake: Stop by Highland Park Brewery in Chinatown for a massive tap list of locally brewed beer, great pub bites, and a spacious outdoor patio. If you prefer Japanese craft beer and sake, check out the cozy, critically acclaimed Ototo.

Where to Sit at Dodger Stadium

• The Best Views: The back half of Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4 put you directly behind home plate with scout-style sightlines. Alternatively, the Loge Level (100s) is considered by many locals to be the best value in the park—it elevates you just enough to see the whole field perfectly, and the concourses are easier to navigate.

• Away Fans: If you are cheering for the visiting team, look for Sections 14-20 along the first-base line. These keep you in the lower bowl near the away dugout but are more affordable than the sections directly behind home plate. Section 52 in the right-field corner is also great, sitting right next to the visiting bullpen.

• The Premium Experience: If you are willing to splurge, Rows 1-6 in Sections 27-35 feature the widest seats in the ballpark, personal ledges for your food, and access to all-inclusive lounges.

• The Budget Seats: The Top Deck (Sections 3-9) is four levels up, but it offers some of the absolute best views of the San Gabriel Mountains behind center field—especially during LA's famous pastel sunsets.