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Calling all baseball fans! Have you ever experienced baseball spring training? Baseball teams spend part of February & March training and playing practice games for the impending season. Half of the teams head down to the Phoenix, Arizona area (Cactus League), while the other half head to Florida (Grapefruit League). Since we are Oakland Athletics fans, it’s down to Arizona for us!
In this guide you’ll find some tips on where to stay, transportation once you arrive in Arizona, info on the stadiums we’ve been to so far, extra activities in the area to maximize fun on your trip, and most importantly, what to eat!
Be sure to also check out these posts to help plan your trip to the area:
Phoenix Food Guide: Best Places to Eat & Drink
A Desert Off-Road UTV Adventure in Phoenix
Where to Stay for Spring Training
There are so many places to stay in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area – ranging from budget hotels to Airbnbs. If you plan on attending a lot of home games, I recommend locating a spot closest to your home team’s stadium.
If you’re going to be hopping around to different parks, pretty much anywhere in the Phoenix and Scottsdale area will put you less than an hour away from the farthest stadium. Check out this stadium map to help you plan!
Hotels
As we are A’s fans, we’ve stayed at the La Quinta Inn Mesa West in the Fiesta District of Mesa, closer to the A’s Hohokam Stadium. It’s clean, roomy, and convenient (and best of all, is a good fit for a lower budget).
If you would rather stay in Scottsdale during spring training, be sure to book your room nice and early; otherwise, you risk paying a minimum of $300/night for a decent room to stay in!
Some other alternatives in the Mesa area are the Hyatt Place (which is convenient not only for the A’s Hohokam Stadium, but also for the Chicago Cubs’ Sloan Park), and the Courtyard by Marriott Mesa.
Scottsdale Airbnb
Booking an Airbnb is definitely another great option for spring training, especially if you are traveling in a group. We booked this Airbnb in Scottsdale on our second annual trip and it had a great location where we could still walk to the Scottsdale stadium in about 20 minutes.
Melrose VRBO
We also stayed in this cute VRBO rental in Phoenix on our trip in 2022, which was conveniently located in the Melrose neighborhood on a quiet street. We were able to walk to a few restaurants and it was more central to some of the farther stadiums to the west.
Transportation
Here are some general tips on traveling to the Phoenix area, including flight and rental car info.
Flights to Phoenix
I generally recommend Southwest or American Airlines for flights to Phoenix as PHX is a hub for both. We’ve flown into Phoenix from Oakland on Southwest on multiple visits.
If you’re looking for super budget flights, Frontier also operates flights to PHX (though I can’t speak to the airline quality).
Pro Tips for Air Travel
Always plan on being at the airport early to check in for your flight home out of Phoenix as spring training is “busy season” and the terminals can get quite crowded. This is especially good to remember when dropping off a rental car, as you’ll need to account for the extra shuttle time back to the airport.
I also recommend not checking luggage, and packing everything you can fit into a carry-on to avoid the madness. I use these packing cubes from Amazon and have been able to fit both mine and my husband’s clothes and toiletries into one carry-on for a weekend away. They are a game changer!
Car Rentals in Phoenix
In terms of car rentals, we’ve rented ours from Avis at the airport rental facilities. The car rental building is actually off-site, which means you need to take a shuttle bus from the terminals.
We like to rent with Avis as they are one of the few agencies that allow an additional driver at no cost so long as they are your spouse or domestic partner. They also have a preferred customer program which speeds up your check-in process!
Be sure to also book with a travel rewards credit card, like the Chase Sapphire or Capital One X for primary rental coverage.
General Ballpark Tips
- Cash vs. Card: Most ballparks have adopted a cashless payment system, meaning cards are preferred even for parking. Some stadiums, however, still require cash for parking (i.e. Hohokam) so bring some just in case.
- E-Tickets: Most ballparks have switched to an e-ticket system utilizing the MLB mobile app, so be prepared to download that to access your tickets vs. printing at home.
- Water: Most parks will allow at least one sealed bottle of water (some with size restrictions). I highly suggest bringing your own water to save on costs as ballpark bottled water is way overpriced.
- Bag Policies: Policies vary by stadium which is quite frankly a pain in the rear and hard to plan for. A few still allow bags/backpacks up to 16″ x 16″ x 8″ (my favorite backpacks for travel: black and brown). Some stadiums require clear bags for “safety” reasons – also with size restrictions (here’s one that I personally use). Some don’t allow backpacks at all even if they are clear! Be sure to always check each stadium’s bag policy in advance.
Hohokam Stadium
As I mentioned above, Hohokam Stadium in Mesa is the home of the Athletics, so we’ve been to this stadium more than others being A’s fans! Hohokam may not be the fanciest of places, but it’s comfortable and offers plenty of foodie options.
Parking seems to start around $5.00 and goes up depending on your lot of choice (to be on the safe side, carry a $20). They do offer both paved and unpaved overflow lots. Make sure you bring cash as parking is cash only here still!
Water Policy: Bring your own bottled water! You’re allowed one sealed bottle of water per person (no size restrictions noted), so grab some large bottles at a convenience store to bring in.
Bag Policy: bags and backpacks up to 16″ x 16″ x 8″ are allowed and don’t have to be clear.
Athletics Spring Training Website: https://www.mlb.com/athletics/spring-training/ballpark
Food at Hohokam Stadium
Food vendors rotate in and out yearly (as is the case with almost every ballpark). Here are some of my favorites that we’ve had over the years:
Mustache Pretzel Truck
This food truck has been there each time we’ve been to Hohokam so you can probably count on seeing them yearly. I recommend getting your pretzel with butter and salt (and some mustard packets to go). They also offer cinnamon sugar or plain if that’s your thing!
Truck schedule: https://www.mustachepretzels.com/find-us/
Chompie’s
Chompie’s is a local Phoenix area establishment serving Jewish deli-style foods. We’ve had some tasty items from Chompie’s at the ballpark, including a delicious potato knish and Reuben sliders. I didn’t see them at the park during our last visit, but hopefully they’ll come back again in the future!
Chompie’s Menu: https://chompies.com
Gadzooks
Gadzooks, another local Phoenix area restaurant (with a few locations in the area) has had a tent set up in the past, serving up delicious tacos and quesadillas. I highly recommend the veggie tacos with sweet and spicy cornbread, jalapeno ranch, honey vinaigrette slaw, and cotija cheese!
Other Food & Trucks
At the stadium entry area, there will be various other food tents and trucks parked and ready to dish out ballpark food. Again, these are going to likely be different every year.
Beers at Hohokam
The best beer deals we’ve found are tall cans of Lagunitas and there’s a smaller stand in the middle of the stadium where there generally is no line to get these. It is so hard to justify paying a premium price for average beer but heck, some of the other ballparks charge a lot more than at Hohokam!
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
What a nice ballpark! Home to both the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick in Scottsdale is one of the larger stadiums (and one of our favorites).
Water Policy: Fans can bring sealed bottles of water into the stadium. There’s a Target just down the street that you can stop and grab some bottles for cheap if you’ve forgotten to pick some up along the way.
Bag Policy: bags and backpacks up to 16″ x 16″ x 8″ are allowed and don’t have to be clear (although it is encouraged).
Ballpark website: https://saltriverfields.com/
Parking here starts at $15.00 (depending on the lot) and you will need to purchase parking ahead of time with your entry tickets. They do not accept cash onsite for parking any longer. We parked in the Mountain Lot side and ended up in a dirt lot, which was no big deal.
Salt River Fields also offers free Banana Boat sunscreen to its patrons, which is pretty awesome considering the Arizona sun can be pretty brutal – especially at a ballpark with minimal shaded areas to sit. You’ll find dispensers at various points in the ballpark.
Food at Salt River Fields
Salt River has some more established food stands with a wide variety of dishes from noodles to iconic hot dogs.
Island Noodles
Hello noodles! This has been one of my favorite ballpark food finds. Options for noodles are to order them with just veggies (vegan) or to add chicken. These are pretty tasty – and the girl loaded up my carton to the top with all the veggie goodies! You can decorate your noodles with Sriracha at the end as well.
Home Plate Hot Dogs
To satisfy those hot dog cravings, you can head over to Home Plate Hot Dogs, making dogs to order. I recommend trying the Salt River Foot Long which comes with fried jalapeno coins, cilantro crema, and green chiles. We also ordered the Chicago dog (which is one of their top sellers), though I preferred the Salt River Dog a bit more.
Other Food Options at Salt River
Other food options range from burgers and pizzas, to nachos and tacos at the Salty Senorita. A few places were closed while we were there – Cold Stone (obviously serving up ice cream) and Verde Grill (serving up burgers and chicken). I’m guessing they could have been closed due to it being a Monday when we visited (aka not a busy game day).
They also have rotating food tents/stands, as most of the stadiums do. Some sample vendors we’ve seen include Chick-fil-A and Ike’s Sandwiches.
Peoria Sports Complex
Welcome to the home of both the Padres and Mariners! Peoria Sports Complex is quite a nice stadium, with ample seating and is very family friendly with their coastal-themed playground and splash pad, Peoria Cove.
Water Policy: Fans can bring sealed bottles of water into the stadium.
Bag Policy: Peoria has a clear bag policy for larger bags/backpacks up to 12″ x 12″ x 6″. Small clutch bags are allowed, but only those about the size of your hand (which can barely fit a phone these days).
Stadium Website: https://www.peoriasportscomplex.com/spring-training/know-before-you-go
Food & Drink at Peoria
There are plenty of food and beer stands dotted throughout the park, although we didn’t eat any of the food on our visit (too full from brunch). Vendors we observed on our visit were serving items like cheesesteak sandwiches, rice/noodle bowls, BBQ, funnel cakes, and chicken tenders.
For beers, Pizza Port was in the house – which is very appropriate considering it’s a San Diego based brewery (home of the Padres).
Scottsdale Stadium
As the oldest spring training stadium in Arizona, Scottsdale Stadium is one our least favorite stadiums of the bunch – and not just because it’s home of the San Francisco Giants (okay, well maybe that is part of it since we’re Athletics fans).
Tickets were very overpriced (we shelled out $50 pp just for lawn seating – and this was back in 2020) and I didn’t find the food selection to be that impressive.
Water Policy: Fans can bring sealed bottles of water into the stadium that are less than 32 oz.
Bag Policy: Scottsdale enforces a clear bag policy which can be single pocket totes up to 12″ x 12″ x 6″. Smaller bags up to 9″ x 5″ are allowed, which is a little more generous than some of the other stadiums for non-clear totes. Backpacks and large multi-pocket bags are not allowed, even if clear.
MLB Website: https://www.mlb.com/giants/spring-training/ballpark
Pros of Scottsdale Stadium
Grumbles aside, I do love the Spring Training mural to take pictures with to preserve your memories.
The stadium is also centrally-located in Scottsdale, which makes it easy to get to on foot if you’re staying nearby (unless you want to be price-gouged on parking too).
Food at Scottsdale Stadium
Your best bet at the Scottsdale Stadium is to stick with good old hot dogs and beers. I recommend scouting out the grills under the tented areas for the extra large polish dogs – and ask for mustard, jalapenos, and kraut!
In terms of drinks, we stuck with tall cans of Lagunitas IPA and Lemonade Trulys to get us through the afternoon (alcohol makes it all better).
If you’re feeling extra spendy, you can get a ticket/pass to the Charro Lodge area (upwards of $150 pp), which includes admission and unlimited food/drinks. Better get your money’s worth there!
Surprise Stadium
We liked the Surprise Stadium, home of the Texas Rangers, and felt that it had a pretty laid back feel. They also had free parking, which I’ve noticed is common for the fields that are farther away from the city centers!
The stadium is quite far from central Phoenix and Scottsdale – up to 45 minutes away. For that reason, it’s probably not a stadium that we will frequent, unless we based ourselves in a location closer to the area.
MLB Website: https://www.mlb.com/rangers/spring-training/ballpark
Water Policy: Fans can bring sealed bottles of water into the stadium.
Bag Policy: No bags larger than 16″ x 16″ x 8″ are permitted and backpacks of any kind are not allowed.
Food at Surprise Stadium
We found the food selection here to be relatively unexciting, but did settle on some lemongrass steak garlic noodles and egg rolls from the Saigon Kitchen stand. The food was pretty tasty, although a little greasy.
They, of course, also have your standard baseball fare and we found a stand selling carnival-style food like funnel cake and popcorn varieties.
Goodyear Ballpark
Home to both the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds, Goodyear is a clean and comfortable ballpark to attend spring training games. Parking here is free and they have quite a bit of good food options going for them.
This ballpark is also very digital with transactions, meaning you must download the MLB Ballpark app to access your tickets – they no longer have a print at home option. They also have QR codes to scan and order food, which is a nice touch! You order and pay online, and pick up your food without waiting in line.
MLB Website: https://www.mlb.com/tickets/spring-training/goodyear-ballpark
Water Policy: Fans can bring sealed bottles of water into the stadium – one per person up to 1 liter.
Bag Policy: Bags and backpacks up to 16″ x 16″ x 8″ are permitted (with no clear bag restrictions).
Food at Goodyear Ballpark
Being the home of the Cincinnati Reds, they’ve got Skyline chili available! I was bummed we weren’t able to eat here and give that a try (we had other dinner plans). There’s also your traditional ballpark fare, Polish dogs, and a cheesesteak stand (also very tempting!). Alcohol was also comparatively priced throughout the park.
Shaded Areas
Shade here is a little minimal, so if you’re going to a day game, I recommend checking out tickets behind home plate in the top rows or club seats with a shade covering. You can also reserve table seats which have some shaded areas available!
Food Finds Outside the Ballparks
Ballpark food should not be the only food on your eating agenda, as there are tons of great places in Phoenix, Scottsdale, Mesa, and all the other surrounding cities. I like to do a bit of planning and research ahead of time to maximize my hunger-satisfying efforts, as usual, and here are some of my favorites!
Be sure to read my full Phoenix Area Food Guide for more details on each spot!
Best Places for Brunch
- Hash Kitchen: A lively spot with a few locations throughout the area. They have an awesome Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar, and some filling Skillet Hash dishes!
- Fàme Caffe: A great brunch spot in north Midtown. Here, you can get American breakfast favorites, Mexican-inspired dishes, and menu items with French flare. I recommend the chilaquiles and breakfast wrap with chorizo. They have a great chai latte too!
- Valentine: Valentine is an eclectic restaurant located in a former filling station adorned in Mid-Century Modern style. Their brunch menu elevates traditional breakfast items with an Arizonan flare, sourcing ingredients unique to the American Southwest. Try the Biscuit & Gravy with Duck Egg or the Churro French Toast!
- Ocotillo: Another restaurant with some Southwest flare, Ocotillo serves up filling dishes like their Breakfast Chimichanga, stuffed with black beans, chicken, and eggs and smothered with green chili sauce and queso fresco. I also recommend the Smoked Brisket and Parmesan Polenta!
Best Places for Lunch/Dinner
- Vecina: My favorite restaurant in Phoenix that should be at the top of your list, serving modern, Latin-inspired dishes. Must gets: short rib with white bean puree and gambas al ajillo.
- Topo: In the heart of Gilbert, this gopher-topped spot makes the best prickly pear soft serve, along with hearty burritos and brisket elote bowls.
- Clever Koi: A Pan-Asian restaurant serving up the most delicious dumplings (try both the Pig Face and Short Rib offerings). The XO Noodles are definitely worth it and also on happy hour special!
- Green Corner: Affordable and delicious Mediterranean food with locations in Mesa, Chandler & Scottsdale. Try the lamb gyro plate or the falafel!
- Cornish Pasty Company: Searching for a bit of England in Arizona? You’ve got to try a Cornish pasty if you’re looking for something hearty and filling! I recommend the Carne Adovada or the Veggie Mexican (if you’re not a meet eater). They have a huge menu of choices, so there’s something for everyone.
- Lou Malnati’s: If you’re craving a deep dish and a big glass of wine, this is the place to be.
- Chompie’s: If you like New York style deli food, come here and get the Reuben sliders and the potato knish! Definitely a spot for comfort food.
- Gadzook’s: Handmade tortillas with delicious taco options? Check! Come here for some casual eats where you can build your meal the way you want it (sort of Chipotle-style, but way better).
Are you hungry yet?
Best Places to Grab a Drink
- Cider Corps – Mesa: A great place to stop in before or after one of the Spring Training games in Mesa with awesome cider from this veteran-owned cidery. Try the P.O.G., Mango Foxtrot, and Sangria. They also have pizza onsite now too!
- Wren House Brewing: Wren House has some of our favorite beers in the area, especially if you like IPAs. They also have a Mexican Coffee Stout which is a must try!
- Huss Brewing: I’d be surprised if you went to Phoenix and didn’t see Huss beer on the menu somewhere – it’s a staple!
- 12 West Brewing: This is another great stop in Mesa before/after a Spring Training game. Pop in and get a flight! They also have a full kitchen.
Other Activities in Phoenix
If you’re interested in exploring the Phoenix and surrounding area outside of going to spring training games, there really is so much to do!
Day Trip to Sedona & Jerome
Sedona is one of my favorite places in Arizona, and it can be an easy day trip if you have extra time in your schedule. You could even plan it for one of the days you might have a night game scheduled!
Self-guided tours of the beautiful red rock formations are easy, and you can find a plethora of places to stop for lunch. If you have the time, you can also make a stop in Jerome which is an old ghost town.
Visit the Desert Botanical Garden
I highly recommend a stop at the Desert Botanical Garden if you are into nature. In the spring, they also have the butterfly exhibit open! That was my favorite part of the garden.
It can get pretty hot here, so I recommend an early morning or later evening visit (unless you want to see the butterflies – if so, I recommend a 4 p.m. entry time so you have about an hour with the butterflies and can catch the garden in the evening hours). You can even purchase wine and beer to carry around with you on your garden exploration!
Book your Desert Botanical Garden tickets here!
Desert UTV Adventure
We did a UTV tour on our most recent visit to Phoenix with Arizona Outdoor Fun and it was so much fun! The ride was adventurous enough and the scenery was awesome. As a part of the tour, you even get to learn a bit on the history of the land, along with the local flora and fauna.
I highly recommend booking this tour for the first tour of the day (8:00 a.m.) to beat the desert heat.
Read more about our UTV adventure in our recap post and book your tour here!
Mural Hunting
I absolutely love hunting for murals and street art in cities, and Phoenix and its surrounding cities have quite a few!
Here are some as listed on Google Maps:
- Welcome to Phoenix
- You are Amazing Mural
- Ayrton Senna Mural (if you’re a Formula 1 Racing fan)
- Welcome to Roosevelt Row
- David Bowie Mural
- Mesa Mural right at the bus stop of Main St & MacDonald (unmarked on Google Maps)
I hope you enjoyed my little guide to enjoying a Spring Training getaway in Arizona! If you’ve been to Spring Training in Arizona before, what are your favorite stadiums to visit? Any favorite food finds (within the ballparks or in any of the surrounding cities)?
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