It’s been quite some time, but the #FabFam is back on the road! We had such a special time during our bucket list Midwest baseball #RoadTripOfDreams a few years ago that we decided to do another epic baseball road trip this summer – this one out west to see my family and friends! On this Southwest baseball road trip we had the chance to see the Dodgers, Angels, Padres, and Diamondbacks at their home stadiums while reviewing the best Hilton Hotels and properties to stay at for the ballgames. Stay tuned for reviews for each of the stadiums and cities (and a full Southwest baseball road trip itinerary) in the weeks ahead, but today I’m sharing details, reviews, and recommendations from the first stop in our Southwest baseball road trip: Our experience visiting Los Angeles for a Dodgers game and our stay at the fabulous Jamaica Bay Inn in Marina del Rey. Having lived in Los Angeles for 12 years, I’ve been to many Dodgers games, and one thing that always stood out about the experience was the energy. Dodger fans are passionate and fun, so Dodgers games are always a good time. Coming off their World Series win and with the newly renovated and reopened Centerfield Plaza area, it’s a great time to visit Dodger Stadium, the 3rd oldest baseball stadium in the country. The good baseball vibe and stadium energy are still there, plus some beautiful upgrades for fan enjoyment. Read on to see lots more details, including how to get to Dodger Stadium, the best food at Dodger Stadium, Dodgers kids activities, and other recommendations, like where to stay when visiting Los Angeles for a Dodgers game and the best places to eat near Dodger Stadium.
Our hotel stay and some of the hotel amenities were sponsored by Hilton. All opinions are my own. I was not financially compensated for this post.
How to get to Dodger Stadium
Whether you are staying near Dodger Stadium, in the coastal area like we did (see more on our hotel below), or anywhere else in LA, you’ll want to know how to get to Dodger Stadium. You can drive and park at Dodger Stadium (for which you can pre-pay), or take public transit. One great public transit option (which is also free to Dodgers ticket holders!) is the Dodger Stadium Express. Read more about Dodger Stadium Express here.
Fab Everyday Tip: However you get to Dodger Stadium, be sure to take a photo from the parking lot. The view of downtown LA from Dodger Stadium is one of the best downtown views you’ll find in the city, so don’t miss this great photo opportunity.
Dodger Stadium policies
Before you attend the game, make sure to check out the current Dodger Stadium policies (you can see it all on their Policies and Information page here). This will give you more information on how ticketing and parking works, the clear bag policy at Dodger Stadium, any public health policies, and more.
Attending a Dodgers game
Like I said earlier, seeing a game at Dodger Stadium is a vibe! The fans are passionate and there is a lot of great energy, for fans young and old. Definitely don some Dodger blue. There are even more good food and kids activities at Dodger Stadium now with the renovated and newly reopened Centerfield Plaza (along with several interactive elements and photo opps), so plan to spend some time there.
Even with social distancing, the energy at Dodger Stadium is just as great as ever!
A Dodger game isn’t complete without paying homage to the great Jackie Robinson, so make sure you check out his statue in Centerfield Plaza.
The best food at Dodger Stadium
We love ballpark food, and try to seek out a mix of classic ballpark fare and the specialty items unique to each stadium when we attend games. In our opinion, here is the best food at Dodger Stadium:
- Garlic Fries (served in a souvenir Brooklyn Dodgers helmet bowl)
- Churro Sundae (served in a souvenir helmet)
- Tacos
- Elote (including the popular Flamin’ Hot Cheeto Elote)
- Micheladas
- Dodger Dogs (did you even attend a Dodgers game if you didn’t have one of the famous Dodger Dogs, which is now available with a plant-based option?)
Dodgers kids activities
Since we attend the games with our whole family, we made sure to check out the Dodgers kids activities at Dodger Stadium. You can find lots of fun for kids in the newly renovated and reopened Centerfield Plaza, including playscapes and interactive displays and sculptures for photo opps. Kids ages 5-14 also have the opportunity to run the bases after most Sunday day games! We were lucky enough to attend on a Sunday so we had the chance to do this, and I highly recommend it. Learn more about this opportunity here, and click here to learn about all the gameday experiences for kiddos and Jr. Dodgers. You can also download different games and activities to play on gameday or from home here.
Look for the Dodger blue firetruck in Centerfield Plaza if you’re attending a Dodger game with kids. It is fun for the kids to play on, and also a great photo opp.
Dodger Stadium is a great place to visit with kids!
Best places to eat near Dodger Stadium
If you’re looking for the best places to eat near Dodger Stadium, I highly recommend one of my favorite Los Angeles restaurants, Philippe The Original. Just 1.4 miles (or 5 minutes depending on traffic) from Dodger Stadium, a visit to the place that invented the French Dip sandwich is a game day tradition. Not just the place that invented it, Philippe’s also happens to be the best French Dip around. You can get your sandwich dry with au jus on the side, or pre-dipped and wet (which I recommend). It does tend to get busy before and after Dodgers home games, so be prepared to wait in line (though the wait will be worth it!).
Where to stay when visiting Los Angeles for a Dodgers game
Jamaica Bay Inn. When we decided to visit Los Angeles for a Dodgers game, we knew there were many different options for hotels. You can stay downtown near the stadium, you can stay more central in LA for shopping and tourist attractions, or you can stay coastal to enjoy what SoCal is famous for… beautiful beaches! Since we traveled with our kids, there was really only one option for us, and that was to stay coastal near the beach. We were so happy with our choice of staying at Jamaica Bay Inn in Marina del Rey. This perfect, family-friendly spot is nestled right on Mother’s Beach, and close to everything Marina del Rey has to offer, and near Venice Beach and Santa Monica. It’s a beautiful property with tropical, island-inspired décor, great service, and delicious food at the newly renovated Beachside restaurant (which offers al fresco dining right on the beach).
Jamaica Bay Inn rooms
The rooms at Jamaica Bay Inn are simply fabulous, or as the kids said when they first saw the view from our room, “it’s bussin,’ no cap!” (Exact quote, and apparently the Gen Z way of saying something to the effect of “it’s awesome, no lie.”). The boutique resort-style guest rooms have granite details, plush linens, 55” flat-screen TVs, complimentary Wi-Fi, upscale bath amenities, and plush bathrobes (always a favorite for me!). The best part is that most of the rooms offer scenic views of the marina from private balconies or outdoor patio spaces.
Jamaica Bay Inn amenities
For families, the best Jamaica Bay Inn amenities are the beachfront pool and spa (which have a gorgeous views of Mother’s Beach) and the sandy beach right in front of the hotel. The pool is heated year-round for guest’s enjoyment, and you can access Mother’s Beach just steps from your room. Play in the sand and shallow water, or rent a bike and stroll along the boardwalk.
The property
Not only conveniently located, the property itself is beautiful even if you never left. Because of this, we found ourselves spending most of our time in LA relaxing on our beachfront patio, strolling the tropical gardens on the property, in the sun and sand at the pool and beach, or eating with a marina view from Beachside restaurant.
Dining at Jamaica Bay Inn
The newly reopened Beachside restaurant at Jamaica Bay Inn is incredible. Whether you’re local, in town for a Dodgers game, or visiting the LA area in general, I recommend visiting Beachside MDR for a meal, brunch, or happy hour whether you’re staying at the hotel or not. The combination of the beautiful view with delicious food make it a must-visit spot.
Where to eat near Jamaica Bay Inn in Marina del Rey, CA
When you’re not dining at Beachside, another one of my favorite Los Angeles restaurants, SUGARFISH, just happens to have a location in Marina del Rey very close to Jamaica Bay Inn. When the menu choices are called “Trust Me,” you know the chef is confident in what they’re offering you. Trust me when I say this is some of the best sushi you will ever have in your life. I was actually angry the first time I had it because I knew it ruined me from other sushi restaurants.
Looking for more of my favorite Los Angeles restaurants? Check out my tried-and-true list after living there for 12 years here.
We had a great time traveling to Los Angeles for the Dodgers game. The experience at the game and at our hotel were some of the highlights from our trip. Stay tuned next week for our experience in Anaheim for an Angels game, and the whole Southwest baseball road trip itinerary in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, click here to learn more about the current specials at Jamaica Bay Inn.
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