Dodger Stadium Overview

Palm trees. Dodger Dogs. Traffic. Sunshine. More traffic. Celebrities. More sunshine. Baseball. Welcome to LA … and Dodger Stadium!

Dodger Stadium is simply one of the most iconic ballparks in the country. The stadium is known for its unique location, nestled in the historic hilltop neighborhood of Chavez Ravine overlooking the downtown Los Angeles skyline. The picturesque setting, combined with its unique design and rich history, has made Dodger Stadium one of the most beloved and recognizable stadiums in the world.

Originally constructed in 1962, Dodger Stadium is the third-oldest ballpark in MLB (behind only Fenway Park and Wrigley Field) and the largest stadium in the majors by capacity (56,000). The park has undergone numerous renovations and upgrades over the years, the most recent being a $100 million addition of a two-acre center field plaza with a children’s area, craft beer garden, and sports bar (because what goes better with a kids’ playground than a Double IPA?).

Despite infrastructure upgrades to keep the park technologically up-to-date, Dodger Stadium has retained the same mid-century modern aesthetic it opened with over 60 years ago. The desert-style landscaping, wavy roof atop each of the outfield pavilions, and dual-hexagonal outfield LED screens are just a few of the elements that have made Dodger Stadium a lasting symbol of Southern California architecture and design.

Whether you’re a die-hard Dodgers fan or simply a lover of baseball and sports history, “Blue Heaven on Earth” is a true gem of the sports world and a bucket-list destination for any baseball enthusiast.

In this five-part guide, we will walk you through every aspect of planning the perfect L.A. baseball trip.

1. Travel: How to get to LA (the tricky part)
2. Lodging: Where to stay in Los Angeles (actually, wait, this is a tricky part, too)
3. Local Transit: How to get to Dodger Stadium (okay for real, this is the trickiest part)
4. Tickets/Seating/Premium: Where to sit, how to buy, which seats are worth it
5. Gameday: What to do before, during, and after the game

We hope you enjoy our Dodger Stadium insider guide. Please be sure to sign up for our free daily newsletter to keep informed about events, schedules, onsales, ticket deals, and everything else you need to know to plan the best fan experiences.

Why you should visit Dodger stadium

How many games should you see?

We usually suggest three games, and Dodger Stadium is no different. Dodger Stadium provides one of the best fan experiences in baseball, and three games will allow you to fully explore the stadium and its many offerings. You could catch one game from the bleachers, another game from the Reserve Level behind home plate to get a beautiful view of the San Gabriel mountains, and in your last game, you can pamper yourself with a seat in the Home Run seats, Baseline Club, or Yaamava Dugout club for a premium experience.

There’s also just way too much good food and drink around the park to enjoy in one sitting. If I may, a Dodger Dog and a Michelada are non-negotiable. (Note from the Editor: I think Micheladas are gross! A bloody Mary with beer? What’s wrong with these people!!??)

When should you go to Dodger Stadium? 

It’s LA, so literally whenever. Seasons aren’t really a thing here in Southern California, so if you’re worried about the weather during your trip to Dodger Stadium, let me put your mind at ease: the weather will be somewhere between good and great.

It may get a little warm, particularly in the dog days of summer, but if you’re from Chicago, or Cleveland, or Minneapolis, or anywhere with a real winter, you’ll have no reason to complain. Bring a pair of shades and a sun hat and you’ll be good to go. If the sun is not your vibe, no problem; head to our chapter on Seating and we’ll help you find a covered seat so you can keep cool.

Where is Dodger Stadium located?

Dodger Stadium sits on a hilltop in the Chavez Ravine neighborhood on the east side of Los Angeles, about two miles away from Downtown LA. It’s conveniently located right off the 5, 110, and 101 freeways, which makes commuting to the stadium straightforward.

Los Angeles in general is not a very walkable city, and the area around Dodger Stadium is no different. Although the stadium is “close-ish” (by LA standards) from vibrant Sunset Boulevard in Echo Park, there is a bit of a hike involved. If you don’t mind the hilly walk, however, there are some great bars, restaurants, and night-time attractions to keep you satisfied pre and post-game. For more on this, check out our chapter on Gameday.

More than likely you will be driving or using rideshare to get to the stadium. Los Angeles is notoriously the most unfriendly public transportation city of its size in the world. The Dodger Stadium Express is a free bus for ticket holders that runs from Dodger Stadium to Union Station in downtown LA or the Harbor Gateway Transit Center in Southwest LA, but unless you are near either of those depots, the DS Express is not a viable option. For more on this, visit our chapter on Local Transit.

How to support The Stadium Insiders

The Stadium Insiders is an independent media company and is NOT paid by the teams to explore their stadiums. We do, sometimes, accept sponsorships from various ticketing companies, hotels, restaurants, or other merchants, but only for products and services that we are independently willing to endorse.

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