Learning comes to life at Petco Park through immersive educational experiences that connect baseball, innovation, sustainability, and real-world careers to what students are learning in the classroom every day.
Our Educational Tours are designed to support STEAM learning, career exploration, environmental awareness, and California curriculum connections through engaging, behind-the-scenes experiences inside the home of the San Diego Padres.
Students will explore how science, technology, engineering, art, and math help power one of the most iconic ballparks in Major League Baseball while discovering the teamwork, creativity, and innovation required to operate a world-class sports and entertainment venue.
Curriculum Connections
Tours are designed to complement classroom learning and can be customized by grade level and educational focus areas, including:
- STEAM education
- Environmental science and sustainability
- Leadership and teamwork
- Communication and storytelling
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Sports management and event operations
Standard Educational Tour
Our standard Educational Tour takes students on a journey through the story of Petco Park – from its development and connection to downtown San Diego to the memorable moments, architecture, innovation, and community impact that have helped make it America’s #1 Ballpark.
Students will explore:
- The history and construction of Petco Park
- How the ballpark helped revitalize the East Village neighborhood
- Unique architectural features and preservation of the historic Western Metal Supply Co. building
- Major Padres milestones and memorable events
- Behind-the-scenes operations that bring game days and events to life
- The role sports venues play in community connection and entertainment
This engaging experience blends history, storytelling, sports, and real-world operations to create an unforgettable educational adventure for students of all ages.
STEAM + Sustainability Learning Educational Tour
Students will discover:
- How renewable energy and solar power support ballpark operations
- Water conservation and waste diversion initiatives throughout Petco Park
- The engineering and technology behind maintaining a Major League playing field
- How math and analytics impact sports operations and decision making
- The role design, branding, storytelling, and fan experience play in professional sports
- Careers in sustainability, sports business, engineering, operations, hospitality, marketing, and entertainment
Petco Park’s sustainability initiatives – including renewable energy programs, recycling efforts, food waste composting, and energy-efficient systems – help students connect environmental responsibility to real-world operations and innovation.
4th Grade RIASEC Career Exploration Tours
Our specialized 4th Grade Career Exploration Tours incorporate the RIASEC model to help students begin identifying their interests, strengths, and future career pathways in a fun and engaging environment.
Students explore careers connected to:
- Realistic – engineering, field operations, ballpark maintenance
- Investigative – analytics, sustainability, technology
- Artistic – branding, design, entertainment, storytelling
- Social – guest experience, hospitality, community engagement
- Enterprising – sales, leadership, marketing, event planning
- Conventional – operations, logistics, organization, administration
Through baseball and ballpark operations, students see how different personalities, talents, and interests contribute to a successful team both on and off the field.
More Than a Ballpark Tour
Educational Tours at Petco Park combine learning, inspiration, and unforgettable experiences to help students see the connection between education, innovation, teamwork, and future careers – all inside America’s #1 Ballpark.