Major League Baseball Stadiums You Can Visit by Boat

1 / 3

America’s pastime. The sporting event with the best snacks—hands down. A subject that can make or break a family reunion: baseball. At least the designated hitter argument is settled.

Who doesn’t love a baseball game? But loading the family in the minivan and sitting in traffic to go to a game will make everyone fussy before you even get there. Instead, why not enjoy a nice day on your boat, skiing and fishing, before docking at a local marina and taking a short stroll to see your favorite team play? Several Major League Baseball stadiums are on or near enough to water to make this possible.

Boatmart has a list of the five MLB stadiums you can visit by boat.

Petco Park

San Diego

Located a short walk from San Diego Bay, Petco Park, finished in 2004, is the home of the Padres. Perhaps the best marina for docking your boat for games at Petco Park (pictured above) is the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. With short-term transient slips available and located on West Harbor Drive in San Diego, the Marriott Marquis is a half-mile, about a 10-minute walk, from Petco Park.

While you’re in San Diego, don’t forget to visit the San Diego Zoo or find some creepy fun with Haunted San Diego ghost tours. Check out the USS Midway, too, permanently moored and now a museum in the harbor. There is much to see and enjoy in San Diego.

Oracle Park

San Francisco

The San Francisco Giants call Oracle Park in San Francisco home, and it is another of the MLB stadiums you can visit by boat. A marina with easy access to Oracle Park is South Beach Harbor. It is about one-quarter of a mile away from the stadium, which is on its fourth name since it opened in 2000. That’s an easy five- or six-minute walk. If you want to get really adventurous, take your kayak into McCovey Cove out past the right-field fence and stands. There, you might get lucky enough to retrieve a home run ball. You have to be quick, though, because it is a popular spot.

The Bay Area has a practically endless list of things to do. Go on a tour of Alcatraz Prison in the middle of the bay. Visit the spectacular Golden Gate Bridge. Spend an afternoon at Fisherman’s Wharf and see (and smell) the sea lions that regularly take over Pier 39.

Nationals Park

Washington, D.C.

Nationals Park is situated on the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., and is home to—you guessed it—the Washington Nationals. The three marinas nearest Nationals Park are The Yard Marina, The Wharf Gangplank Marina, and Diamond Teague Piers. The Yard Marina and The Wharf Gangplank Marina are both about 1 mile from the stadium—a leisurely 20-minute walk. The Diamond Teague Piers marina is about half as far from the stadium, which opened in 2008.

In Washington, D.C., you will find the Library of Congress, the White House, and dozens of museums, including the many associated with The Smithsonian. Plan ahead for next season to catch an early-season game and take in the beauty of the cherry blossoms in May.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards

Baltimore

Minutes from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor—a tremendous venue for day cruising—Oriole Park at Camden Yards is the home of the Baltimore Orioles and has been since 1992. The three marinas nearest to Oriole Park are walking distance for some adventurous fans and ride-share distance for others. From closest to farthest away:

1. The Baltimore Marine Center at Inner Harbor is a little over a half-mile away, or an easy 15-minute walk.
2. East Marina is about one and a half miles away. That’s a 30- to 40-minute walk for most folks.
3. The Baltimore Yacht Basin is just over 2 miles from the stadium. That’s a healthy 40 to 45 minutes to walk.

When you’re not attending a game, check out Baltimore’s National Aquarium or visit one of the many museums, such as the Maryland Science Center.

Citi Field

New York

Citi Field is in Flushing Meadows Corona Park, located in Queens, New York. It has been home to the New York Mets since 2009. Two marinas are located near Citi Field. The taxi ride from one will cost you an entire paycheck, according to local lore. World’s Fair Marina is about three-quarters of a mile—a 15- to 20-minute walk—from Citi Field. Your other option, the Chelsea Piers, is nearly 12 miles from the stadium. That’s roughly 25 minutes in a car (but we all know it will take longer).

In your downtime, what is there not to see in the Big Apple? While Times Square is always a popular stop, you may want to catch a show, visit the American Museum of Natural History, or try to find the world’s best pizza, one ristorante at a time.

With baseball season in full swing, why not plan a day or two around boating and baseball with this list of MLB stadiums you can visit by boat? If you don’t have a boat, start making new friends with boats who cheer for the same team you do. And really, that last part isn’t super important.

Anna Cecilia Tozzi

Anna Cecilia is a freelance writer with a passion for learning new things. With over five years of experience working as the business manager for a successful custom motorcycle and auto-rebuilding business, she specializes in creating engaging content that resonates with readers who have a passion for everything on wheels. When she's not typing away, you’ll find this Jaqueline of all trades working as a personal trainer or performing with a dinner theater.

See author's work