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This is a guide to the San Francisco Giants home ballpark Oracle Park. Going to a baseball game can be fun, unique experience that you will want to plan for accordingly. Before you head to the game, you will want to know some some important policies and procedures, as well as stadium gate and parking lot locations for easy entrance.
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In this article we will discuss:
- What to bring to a San Francisco Giants Game
- San Francisco Giants Ticket Information
- San Francisco Giants Stadium Gate Information
- Does Oracle Park Accept Cash?
- How Long are Giants Games?
What to Bring to a San Francisco Giants Game?
If you are going to a San Francisco Giants game, below is a list of things you might need to bring. You will want to make sure you are complying with any security protocols the stadium has:
- Clear Stadium Bag – Many stadiums have strict bag policies and recommend a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com)
- Parking Pass – Many stadiums recommend fans to pre-purchase parking passes if needed to help avoid the hassle and wait times associated with buying passes at the stadium. Click here to view the current prices of San Francisco Giants parking passes and tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com)
- Weather and Sun protection – Oracle Park is an open-air stadium, which means you will want to be prepared to face the elements when you attend a San Francisco Giants game. Things like sunscreen, hats, jackets, and rain ponchos may be needed depending on weather forecasts.
- Bug Repellent – Because Oracle Park is open air, bugs may be an issue during summer. Just make sure your bug repellent meets stadium safety guidelines for aerosol cans.
- Camera – Some fans like to bring a camera into the game. Just make sure your camera meets the stadium requirements regarding cameras and video recorders.
- Noise-Canceling Headphones – Stadiums can get very loud, and noise-canceling headphones may be needed for toddlers.
- Cashless Payment – Many stadiums are slowly transitioning to cashless payments, so bringing a form of payment other than cash is never a bad idea.
- Baseball Glove – Some fans like to bring a baseball glove to the stadium in hopes of catching a foul ball.
Can You Bring a Bag Into Oracle Park?
As an emphasis on security has increased in recent years, most stadiums have adjusted their bag policies. Many stadiums recommend using a clear stadium bag like this one available at Amazon (paid affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Clear stadium bags help with security at the gate, and not only make the stadium safer, but also help security lines move faster. But each stadium has its own safety guidelines, and may include certain exceptions. To read more, I would advise you to visit the Giants information guide.
San Francisco Giants Ticket Information
Can You Buy Tickets at Oracle Park?
Yes, you can buy Giants tickets at the stadium, but only as long as supplies last. That said, for reasons we discuss below (like sellouts, lines, etc), many fans choose to buy their tickets online before they go to the game.
- I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seats will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view San Francisco Giants tickets available at Vivid Seats (paid affiliate link takes you to VividSeats.com).
The Giants ticket office opens 3 hours before first pitch on game days and closes by the end of the 5th inning, which is the only time it is physically open. They are also open Monday-Friday from 9am to 5pm PST via phone. For more details, you can find contact information here.
To read more, visit our article about buying Giants tickets at the stadium. If you are looking for more options to get tickets, check out our article on best places to buy SF Giants Tickets
Issues with Buying Giants Tickets at the Stadium
If you are choosing to buy Giants tickets at Oracle Park on the day of the game, there are a few risks and annoyances you will want to consider.
- Sellout – This is the big one. As we mentioned above, some Giants home games do sellout. Walking up and buying tickets at Oracle Park might not always be an option. But even though the games sell out, that doesn’t mean you can’t get tickets. It does mean you may need to use a ticket broker, like Vivid Seats, that sells aftermarket tickets (fan-to-fan).
- Ticket Lines – Be prepared, waiting in line is a possibility if you choose to buy at the stadium. The overall wait can obviously fluctuate depending on the specific circumstance, and may be relatively short for some games. But a wait is possible.
- Convenience – When you buy at the stadium, you will have to abruptly choose your seats while standing at the front of a line. Depending on the length of the line behind you, this may make you feel rushed when choosing where to sit. Buying online allows you to take as much time as needed to choose your seats and price.
Oracle Park Gate Information
Oracle Park main gates at Willie Mays Plaza Entrance open 2 hours prior to game time, while all other gates will open 90 minutes prior to game time. Oracle Park has several gate entrances conveniently located around the outside of the stadium. The Giants Ticket Office will open 2.5 hours though, if you need help with anything.
Depending on where you park, and where your seats are located, one entrance might make more sense for you than the others. To read about the location of each, and what parking lots make the most sense for you, visit our San Francisco Giants Oracle Park Gate and Parking Guide.
Fans can enter early to watch batting practice once stadium gates open. For more information, visit our article about watching batting practice at Oracle Park.
How Long Do Giants Games Last?
You can expect a San Francisco Giants game to last slightly over three hours on average, but it is worth noting that some games can last closer to four hours depending on pace of play. In 2021, the average Major League Baseball game lasted 3 hours and 10 minutes (source).
The length of games has become a point of emphasis for Major League Baseball as many fans site pace of play as one thing they’d like to see improve with the sport. In recent years, Major League Baseball has taken steps to help shorten the length of games, but the effectiveness of these measures is still under evaluation.
Major League Baseball games consist of nine total innings, with the exception of double header games which are only 7 total innings in length. If you are heading to Oracle Park, planning for a 3-4 hour game is probably the safest bet. To read more, visit our article about the average length of time MLB games should last.
Can You Bring Water Into Oracle Park?
Fans are permitted to bring water into the stadium as long as it is in a clear plastic bottle. Any liquids in a glass or aluminum bottle or can are prohibited from entering Oracle Park. It is always a good idea to check out the San Francisco Giants information guide before you go to the stadium to see if there are any updates.
Buying San Francisco Giants Gear at the Stadium
San Francisco Giants has a team store located on 3rd Street in between Oracle Park Willie Mays Gate and Oracle Park O’Douls Gate where you can shop for Giants jerseys and other types of fan gear. You can, of course, also shop online prior to the game. To read more, visit our Giants Jersey Guide.
Does Oracle Park Accept Cash Inside the Stadium?
Oracle Park is a cashless venue for all concessions and gear. The Giants state that they prefer fans use Visa cards, but other major debit and credit cards are accepted (source). Many of the parking lots do accept cash and there are a number of ATM’s located inside and outside of Oracle Park.
The San Francisco Giants usually have a 50/50 cash raffle, but it is always a good idea to check out the Giants Information Guide on the status of the raffle or if you have further questions about payment options.
San Francisco Giants Contact Info
This website (sportsfanfocus.com) has no affiliation with Oracle Park, the San Francisco Giants, MLB, or any of the events hosted at this facility.
Any information is provided “as is” with no guarantee of completeness, meaning much of this information is subject to change, and although we do our best to keep these guides updated, we can’t guarantee accuracy at all times. For all official information, we urge you to contact the San Francisco Giants staff. Contact information is below:
- Oracle Park – View Stadium Information
- San Francisco Giants – View Contact Information
- Oracle Park Parking Information
Need Tickets or Parking Passes? – I like to use Vivid Seats because they show me what my view from the seat will look like prior to purchase. Click here to view San Francisco Giants tickets and parking passes available at VividSeats.com (affiliate link takes you to vividseats.com).