Snapdragon Stadium, the beautiful new venue in the heart of San Diego's Mission Valley, is the city's latest go-to spot for great sports events, concerts and much more — with a Major League Soccer expansion franchise on its way soon. And with an on-site San Diego Trolley station, the stadium — which boasts its own great lineup of food and drink options — offers quick access to just about anywhere else you'd want to go in San Diego. Here's a look at some hotspots to hit before and after a Snapdragon happening:
With its winning array of restaurants, watering holes, shops and much more, Old Town San Diego is a perfect place for pregame fun — and it's just a short drive or San Diego Trolley ride from Snapdragon. Old Town's Fiesta de Reyes is a great place to huddle up before heading to the stadium; enjoy Mexican food and margaritas at the Fiesta's two popular restaurants, Casa de Reyes and Barra Barra Saloon, and then stroll the courtyard and its 19 specialty shops as you work off a few calories before game time.
Just a block or so away from Fiesta de Reyes (and Old Town's trolley station) is this venerable restaurant, serving up traditional and contemporary cuisine inspired by the regional villages of Mexico. Casa Guadalajara's seafood specialties and chipotle chile-infused dishes go great with the restaurant's refreshing fishbowl margaritas. And if you've got a big group going to a game at Snapdragon, the restaurant also has ample room for private parties of 15-100.
The local Puesto mini-chain's tacos are renowned all around San Diego, and with good reason: Fresh ingredients and creative flavors combine for some heavenly south-of-the-border bites. Stop into the Mission Valley location before a game and grab some Mexico City-style tacos or shared plates, paired with a marg or one of Puesto's own site-brewed Mexican lagers.
Launched as part of the Town and Country Resort's beautiful renovation, Lapper channels that sunny San Diego vibe with a poolside patio and such casual menu favorites as fish tacos, flatiron burgers and a rotating array of local brews. The restaurant's lineup of fun amenities — including cornhole, shuffleboard and live sports on TV — also help make Lapper a pre- or post-Snapdragon palate-pleaser. (All this, and free parking too!)
A certified Mission Valley institution, this lively joint — just a quick hop across I-15 from Snapdragon — offers everything you could want in a postgame hangout, from pool tables to shuffleboard to a full menu of pub grub. And, of course, plenty of beers and other bevvies, including nonalcoholic options. If your competitive juices are fired up after taking in a game, you can even take part in McGregor's Trivia Night events, or go head-to-head at darts or a board game.
How's this for a selling point? The Yard House, tucked into the Westfield Mission Valley mall just a couple of miles from Snapdragon (and close to the trolley's Mission Valley Center station), offers what it calls the world's largest selection of draft beer. That's more than 100 choices, from both local and international brewers — which should keep your postgame plenty busy. If you're looking for a few bites after the big game, the Yard House has you covered there, too, with an extensive menu of apps, pizzas, tacos and more. And be sure to check out the late-night happy hour from 10 p.m. to closing Sundays through Wednesdays, with sweet discounts on drinks.
A popular mini-chain with locations around San Diego, Oggi's serves up pizza, beers and more in a fun and family-friendly setting. While it closes at 9 p.m., the Mission Valley restaurant (located in the stadium-adjacent Fenton Marketplace, with a trolley stop just a quick stroll away) still makes a good choice for dinner, drinks and relaxation after a day game at Snapdragon.
For a taste of postgame San Diego neighborhood charm, head up the hill to historic Normal Heights and pop into this local institution, which bills itself as a "five-star dive bar." The fact it offers five varieties of Boilermakers tells you a little about this place, which has a very robust drink menu as well as a full lineup of dogs, burgers and other pub-grub favorites, plus daily food and beverage specials. Besides being a good spot to drop in after a game, it's also a fine place to watch one, with 12 HDTVs tuned into sporting events.
When it comes to the ever-popular sport of shopping, Fashion Valley's the place to be in Snapdragon's Mission Valley neighborhood. The beautifully updated open-air mall houses such upscale retail favorites as Nordstrom as well as everything from an Apple store to Versace. And there are plenty of dining options as well, with True Food Kitchen and So Sushi Lounge among the favorites.
The largest aquatic playground of its kind in the world, Mission Bay boasts a vast array of recreation options, and is a great place to stay and play if you have extra time during your visit to a Snapdragon event. Boating, biking and beaches are all Mission Bay favorites, and the hotels around this San Diego landmark — from the Bahia and the Catamaran on the bay’s west side to the San Diego Mission Bay Resort on the east — offer inviting bars and patio cafes to relax and take in the gorgeous views.
Old Town's restaurants and bars are top-notch, but there's plenty more to see and do in this state historic park, the birthplace of modern California. Old Town houses numerous historic sites, from the (allegedly haunted) Whaley House Museum to the Junipero Serra Museum to the Iipay~Tipai Kumeyaay Mut Niihepok (Land of the First Peoples) outdoor exhibit area, which commemorates the area's Kumeyaay tribal heritage
Mission Valley abounds with additional cultural and recreational options, from the Riverwalk Golf Course, which offers numerous water features and borders the San Diego River, to the 250-year-old Mission San Diego de Alcalá, the very first mission in California and now a museum as well as a still-active parish church.
Closer to Downtown San Diego — but still just a few miles from Snapdragon — San Diego's Embarcadero and the adjoining community of Little Italy beckon with top restaurants, fascinating historical sites and gorgeous views of San Diego Bay and beyond. Stop into the Maritime Museum of San Diego to learn about local seafaring history; step aboard the magnificent USS Midway Museum, housed on a retired aircraft carrier, for singular views and fascinating stories; and then stroll over to a Little Italy dining favorite such as Juniper & Ivy, Born & Raised or Morning Glory — all of which are Michelin-recognized restaurants.
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Ticket Price: $30 advanced / $35 day of show / $53reserved loft seating (available over the phone or in person at out box office)
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