Where to go, what to love, and what to know about these 12 miles of flat, scenic bike paths passing by all of Mission Bay’s public parks and following a portion of the San Diego River.

"It's really difficult to imagine any stadium topping Petco Park — it's simply the best."

Those could well be the words of any fan who's had the pleasure of taking in a Padres game — or a pop concert, or a fireworks show, or college football's Holiday Bowl — at San Diego's beautiful downtown ballpark. But the quote happens to be from a sportswriter with USA Today, which has named Petco Park the nation's best MLB ballpark more times than any other stadium.

It's easy to see why: With stunning skyline views, proximity to the city's sparkling waterfront, awesome food and beverage options, inviting event spaces and much more, Petco is (as USA Today describes it) "the perfect ballpark."

Whether you've made the pilgrimage to the home of the Padres many times or are looking forward to your first visit, here's your complete guide to the Petco Park experience.

Located in coastal North County, Carlsbad was named after a famous spa in Karlsbad, Bohemia, and is now known as a popular destination for beaches, shopping, dining and much more.

A gigantic aquatic playground, Mission Bay is ideal for just about every kind of watersport, from sailing and SUPing to jet skiing and kayaking. It also has 27 miles of park- and beach- lined shores which are perfect for sunbathing, playing beach volleyball, and picnicking. Cyclists and runners will fall in love with the paved, 12-mile long path that winds around the bay and along the beachfront boardwalk. With resorts, theme parks, restaurants, and 19 miles of beaches, everyone will find a few reasons to love Mission Bay. Here are just a handful of them.