Spectator Sports

Baseball & Softball

The San Diego Padres play April through September at downtown's $474-million PETCO Park. Mired in litigation and controversy, the 42,000-seat ballpark finally opened in 2004 to enthusiastic acclaim from baseball fans and civic boosters. Other San Diegans are still wondering when their promised new downtown library will be built.

A total of seven historic buildings were incorporated into the stadium, most prominently the Western Metal Supply building, a four-story brick structure dating to 1909 that now sprouts left field bleachers. The restaurant and bar here are a hotspot during the game. Another unique feature is the Park at the Park, a grassy area beyond center field where kids can romp and watch the game at the same time; the area has its own playground and concession stands.

This ballpark isn't the first to offer sushi alongside the usual franks and fries, but you'll find plenty of dining options. La Cocina, a Mexican food court, serves up grilled ahi sandwiches and Rubio's fish tacos; at Pacific Wok you can munch on spring rolls and Asian salads. The barbecue stand is run by former Padres pitcher Randy Jones. PETCO parking is limited and costly -- for a space within a couple blocks of the facility, expect to pay at least $17. Less expensive lots are found around Santa Fe depot at Kettner Blvd. and Broadway -- a 15-minute walk from the ballpark. Better yet, take the San Diego Trolley, which has three stops near the park. For Padres information and tickets (ranging in price from $7 to $67), call tel. 877/374-2784 or 619/795-5000, or visit www.padres.com.

The highlight of many San Diegans' summer is the racy softball event known as the World Championship Over-the-Line Tournament, held on Fiesta Island in Mission Bay on the second and third weekends of July.

Boating Events

San Diego has probably played host to the America's Cup for the last time, but several other boating events of interest are held here. Check with the San Diego Association of Yacht Clubs (tel. 619/282-5050; www.sdayc.org) for information on races and other boating to-dos. Yearly happenings include America's Schooner Cup, held every March or April (tel. 619/222-1214; www.sgyc.org), and the Annual San Diego Crew Classic, held on Mission Bay the first weekend in April (tel. 619/225-0300; www.crewclassic.org). The Crew Classic rowing competition draws teams from throughout the United States. The Wooden Boat Festival is held on Shelter Island every June over Father's Day weekend (tel. 619/222-9051; www.koehlerkraft.com). More than 80 boats -- from rowboats to schooners -- participate in the festival, which features nautical displays, seminars, food, music, and crafts. Admission is $5 adults, $3 children 6-12, free for children 5 and under.

Fishing Tournaments

Enthusiasts will want to attend the Day at the Docks event, held every April at the San Diego Sportfishing Landing, at Harbor Drive and Scott Street in Point Loma. For more information, call tel. 619/234-8793 or go to www.sportfishing.org.

Football

San Diego's professional football team, the Chargers, has been shopping for another city (including others within the county) since failing to generate interest -- and lots of public funding -- for an audacious plan to create a huge urban village around a new stadium in Mission Valley. With San Diego on the verge of bankruptcy, it's unlikely the city will commit to a sweetheart deal like that which the Padres received for their downtown stadium. For now, the Chargers (tel. 877/242-7437; www.chargers.com) play at Qualcomm Stadium ("The Q"), 9449 Friars Rd., Mission Valley. The season runs from August to December; single tickets are $54 to $98. The Chargers Express bus (tel. 619/233-3004 for information) costs $10 round-trip and picks up passengers at several locations throughout the city, beginning 2 hours before the game; the stadium is also easily reached via the San Diego Trolley.

Golf Tournaments

One of the country's biggest golf tournaments, the Buick Invitational, takes place in early February at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla (tel. 619/281-4653; www.buickinvitational.com). The weeklong event draws the PGA Tours' top players and features a number of special events, including clinics and pro-ams. Single-day tickets are $20 to $30 and $20 for seniors; tournament passes are $110. Monday, when the PGA players do their practice rounds, is free.

Horse Racing & Shows

Live thoroughbred racing takes place at the Del Mar Race Track (tel. 858/755-1141 for information and racing schedules; www.delmarracing.com) from mid-July to early September. Post time for the nine-race program is 2pm (except for Fri, when it's 4pm; 3:30pm on the final three Fri); there's no racing on Tuesdays. Admission to the clubhouse is $10, including program. Stretch-run seating is $6 with program and infield access; reserved seats are $5 to $15. Senior discounts are available and children 16 and under are free. Tables for four with food service run $50 to $80 (excluding admission). The infield area has a jungle gym where kids can play or watch exhibition shows put on by BMX riders and skateboarders; there's also a day camp offered for kids age 5 to 12. Party crowds are lured by post-race concerts by major artists and other special events. Satellite wagering is available at the fairgrounds' Surfside Race Place (tel. 858/755-1167; www.surfsideraceplace.com).

The Del Mar National Horse Show takes place at the Del Mar Fairgrounds from late April to early May. Olympic-caliber and national championship riders participate. For information, call tel. 858/755-1161 or 858/792-4257, or check www.sdfair.com.

Polo

The North County community of Rancho Santa Fe is one of the wealthiest enclaves in the country, so it's no wonder this upper-crust sport (with roots in ancient Persia) is played here. Staging one of the longest seasons in the United States, the San Diego Polo Club, 14555 El Camino Real (tel. 858/481-9217; www.sandiegopolo.com), has matches from May to October, held Sundays at 1:30 and 3pm. The scene is casual and convivial, with a touch of class (like the gourmet lunch buffet, $35). Even if you don't know a chukker from a ride-off, watching these skilled horsemen is plenty exciting. Tickets are $5, or $25 for preferred seating; parking is $5. And FYI: A chukker is a period of play, and a ride-off is the polo equivalent of a hockey body-check.