Athletics

How to Get There

The main airport in Oakland is the Oakland International Airport (OAK) which is heavily serviced by Southwest with other budget flights by Spirit and west-cost flights from Alaskan. The airport is incredibly convenient to the ballpark at just a short 3.5-mile drive or an 8-minute ride on a BART train to the Coliseum Station across the street from the ballpark. SFO is another option as it is a larger airport with more flights and a wider variety of airlines. It is about 30 miles from the Coliseum which can take a while with Bay Area traffic but with BART trains it takes a little over an hour for just $11 and can be a good option if staying on the San Francisco side.

With the robust public transportation system in the area, fans coming from nearby in California can travel by train to San Francisco Station near Oracle Park. From there, the many local train lines can get travelers across the Bay Area to where they are staying, and it is reasonably close to Oakland. The two ballparks are only 15 miles apart with a direct train between them, so many fans who prefer the larger city of San Francisco can reasonably stay in the city and visit both ballparks on their trip.

Where to Stay

Budget Options

Best Western Plus Bayside Hotel – The Best Western is a casual hotel located right on a promenade near San Francisco Bay between the bay and downtown Oakland. The location is convenient at 5 miles north of the ballpark which still makes it when of the closer hotels while being only a few miles south of downtown Oakland for more sightseeing, as well as a short drive to Redwood Regional Park. The hotel is great for guests who want to relax with a warm lobby and entrance, a simple pool and hot tub overlooking the water, and a grass lawn with chairs set up to sit and look out at the bay. Guests can enjoy a free hot breakfast and coffee served daily and there is a lounge serving dinner and drinks for evening relaxation. The spacious and comfortable rooms are on the higher end for the Best Western brand with soaking tubs with separate showers, views of the city or the water, balconies for water view rooms, and nice bedding with options for a pull-out bed for families. The Best Western is an excellent choice for families and budget travelers looking for a cheaper stay who still want a comfortable and spacious room while taking in water views in a convent location to get to the ballpark and other parts of Oakland and surrounding areas.

Springhill Suites by Marriott Oakland Airport – The Springhill Suites is an airport hotel that is also conveniently just two miles from the Coliseum making it one of the closest hotels to the stadium. The all-suite hotel is a great option for baseball fans, families, and budget travelers alike. The hotel offers several ways to save money namely a free shuttle to and from the Oakland Airport and a free hot breakfast served daily. There is also a bar and grill serving lunch, dinner, and drinks located in the lobby which is unique for a Springhill Suites. There is one type of suite with either one or two beds, with a large work and living area, a sleek bathroom, and a couch with a trundle bed, making it a great choice for families or larger groups. Those guests wanting to either relax or be active can take advantage of the indoor pool and fitness center which are both small but well kept. The hotel can be booked for 25,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night which may seem high for a simple hotel, but it can often provide good value as Oakland is one of the more expensive cities in the country. The Springhill Suites is popular among guests for good reason as it fits the needs of travelers looking to save money, families wanting to have space for 4-5 people in one room, and baseball fans who want to minimize their travel to the game.

Higher-End Options

Claremont Club & Spa - A Fairmont Hotel – The Claremont Club is a landmark hotel that presents an elegant historic feel while taking in the area’s surrounding beauty. The large property was opened in 1915 and now has the feel of an old classic building with a modern, artsy feel currently. Nestled among the trees, the hotel has a secluded feel while offering views of both the San Francisco Bay and the city’s skyline, while still being only 10 miles from the Coliseum. The hotel has a variety of wellness offerings including a large fitness center, group yoga and workout classes, guided hikes in the area, an outdoor fitness pavilion, and ten tennis courts. There are also three pools with large pool decks around them and a top-notch spa on location with a full menu of treatments. There is both an upscale restaurant with sweeping views from the outdoor patio and a gastropub onsite featuring weekend live jazz music. Rooms are sleek and cozy and there are a large variety of options with varying spaces and views, and there are both standard suites and higher-end suites that are as good as it gets for hotel rooms. The Claremont Club is the perfect hotel for guests wanting to indulge in their stay and experience secluded luxury while still being able to easily access both Oakland and San Francisco.

Oakland Marriott City Center – The Marriott City Center is an eclectic, modern hotel well-located in the heart of Oakland and is the closest higher-end hotel to the stadium. The recently renovated hotel provides comfortable rooms and communal areas highlighted by the popular American restaurant and bar in the lobby. Relaxing amenities are simple with a small pool, standard fitness center, and a spa, salon, and hair studio. Rooms are modern and uniquely designed with several different Oakland-themed suites with some rooms offering views of either the San Francisco Bay or Lake Merritt. All rooms feature soundproof windows and rainfall showers. Suites and some standard rooms offer lounge access with a free continental breakfast and evening bites and drinks. The downtown location is great with just a 3-minute walk to the nearest BART station to access any part of the Bay Area. It is 6 miles from the Oakland Coliseum which can be a quick drive depending on traffic or about 45 minutes by train. Prices in Oakland can get expensive, so booking the hotel for 35,000 Marriott Bonvoy points per night can often be great value. The Marriott City Center is good for guests looking for a nice stay in the middle of Oakland who want to be on the east side of the bay and close to the stadium while still able to enjoy the comfort of a more upscale hotel.

Nearby Activities

Pregame Food and Drink

Finding a convenient place to eat or drink before a game can be a challenge due to the location of the ballpark not being near many restaurants or bars. There are three simple, casual restaurants near the stadium just a short walk from the BART station and in between the station and the stadium. Mountain Mike's Pizza is a sit-down casual pizza restaurant which is the best option for a more traditional dining experience before a game. There are many large pizzas with other classics including wings and salads. Estrellas De Sinaloa is a small, quick Mexican restaurant with classic Mexican dishes as well as a breakfast menu before day games. There are a few places to sit down but it may be best as a quick grab-and-go option. Fans looking to get fast food and enjoy a California classic should visit In-n-Out Burger, located a bit further but still only a few blocks south of the stadium.

BARS

Getting to the Event

Unlike Oracle Park, there are parking spots accessible at Oakland Coliseum, partially due to the increased need for football events. There are several stadium lots close by which tend to be reasonably priced including free Tuesday parking. Street parking is ample near the ballpark and often free, but the area has some spots that do not feel safe so understand the area before street parking for a night game. Another good option if driving is finding a train station to park at and riding a quick train in, saving both money and time sitting in traffic. Walking has similar concerns, but hotels in the area can be an easy walk to a game as long as the area feels safe.

Public transportation is excellent in the area. The Coliseum Station services many different BART trains as well as Amtrak and local bus lines. It can be accessed from most parts of the city and throughout the Bay Area though line changes are sometimes needed. Public transit is probably the best way to get to a game due to how many options there are throughout the city and the reasonably prices to take the train. Using Uber/Lyft is also an option, especially when a game is not crowded, but with the local traffic taking trains will usually be the best way to go.

Where to Sit

Oakland Coliseum is the last combination football and baseball stadium which offers unique but sometimes not ideal seating situations. The ballpark has some of the widest foul areas in the MLB, so seats behind home plate are much closer than seats down the line, namely sections 116-118 and rows 13-20 in those sections have some of the best field views. If visiting fans want to sit near their team they should sit in sections 112-114 down the first base line behind the visiting dugout, but there will be a small tradeoff with the further distance from the playing field.

Due to poor attendance, tickets are generally well-priced, so budget seats can be found throughout the ballpark, which benefits budget fans because the upper level 300s section is very high up and far from the field and not recommended. Sections 217-220 are loge seating and give a good elevated view overlooking the field. In these sections sit in row 4 or higher because in front of the sections are walkways that will often block the view of fans in the first few rows. Lower level outfield bleachers are full of passionate and vocal A’s fans which is a fun ballpark experience and tend to be cheap, but these seats would not be recommended for fans of the visiting team due to this being a huge cheering section for the A’s.