Nestled just five miles from Disneyland in Anaheim, Angel Stadium is a rare blend of historic pedigree and modern flair – the fourth-oldest active MLB park, yet transformed by a 1997 renovation that opened up its outfield views, added twin oversized Angels caps, and unveiled the show-stopping California Spectacular (erupting geysers and waterfalls cascading down a rocky slope). Inside, the food scene impresses with outfield favorites like Chronic Tacos and the “Nacho Mama” bar, alongside Smoke Ring BBQ Express and Jersey Mike’s. Fans can kick back on the Centerfield Waterfall Patio (just don’t count on full sightlines). Of the three SoCal stadiums we visited, Angel Stadium was in the middle of the pac – not as nice as the Padres’ Petco Park, but far superior to Dodger Stadium.

Design

Angel Stadium is the fourth-oldest active ballpark in MLB, trailing only Fenway, Wrigley, and Dodger Stadium – but you wouldn’t guess its age thanks to a major 1997 renovation. That facelift modernized the stadium with an open outfield view, a pair of oversized Angels caps at the entrance, and the signature “California Spectacular,” where geysers erupt and waterfalls cascade down a rocky slope dotted with real pine trees. These elements remain the most distinctive features of the park’s design and have helped breathe new life into a stadium once home to two Nolan Ryan no-hitters.

The surrounding skyline offers little in the way of scenery – but as I’ve said before, no view is better than a bad one (cough Kauffman cough). Still, it’s hard not to daydream about a skyline anchored by Sleeping Beauty Castle just a few miles down the road.

Location

Situated just five miles from Disneyland in Anaheim, Angel Stadium’s location couldn’t be more convenient – especially since it’s a short stroll from the Anaheim Metro/Amtrak station, perfect for sidestepping LA traffic. Like Dodger Stadium, it features an integrated parking lot – great in theory, but a recipe for gridlock during peak arrival times. Case in point: we thought we’d breeze in with time to spare, only to get stuck in a snail-pace parking line and miss the entire first inning (and an absolute Albert Pujols moonshot). On the bright side, being so close to the Magic Kingdom means you can still hit Disneyland and catch an Angels game all in the same day – just leave a little extra buffer for the parking shuffle.

Concessions

The food scene punches above its weight, anchored by the outfield’s Chronic Tacos, which often has a line out the door. When that proved too long, we tackled the “Nacho Mama” – a mountain of tortilla chips piled high with your choice of protein and premium toppings like creamy guacamole. We passed on the gargantuan “Nacho Daddy” helmet-sized portion – it was simply too massive for our appetite. For BBQ fans, Smoke Ring BBQ Express serves up tender smoked meats, and Jersey Mike’s delivers classic, made-fresh subs.

Amenities

Angel Stadium’s food scene punches above its weight, anchored by the outfield’s Chronic Tacos, which often has a line out the door. When that proved too long, we tackled the “Nacho Mama” – a mountain of tortilla chips piled high with your choice of protein and premium toppings like creamy guacamole. We passed on the gargantuan “Nacho Daddy” helmet-sized portion – it was simply too massive for our appetite. For BBQ fans, Smoke Ring BBQ Express serves up tender smoked meats, and Jersey Mike’s delivers classic, made-fresh subs.

Culture

The open outfield concourse at Angel Stadium offers a spacious, breezy feel similar to Kauffman Stadium – but don’t expect great sightlines from beyond the wall. The towering California Spectacular display, with its erupting geysers and cascading waterfalls, serves more as a showpiece than a viewing platform, effectively blocking the field from the concourse. While the Centerfield Waterfall Patio – complete with picnic tables – is a lovely spot to relax, you won’t catch much of the action from there. For true game-day luxury and unobstructed views, consider the Diamond Club or Knothole Club, both of which pair an upscale atmosphere with indoor/outdoor vistas and premium concessions.

Summary & Scoring

Dates Visited: Sunday, April 12, 2015
Game Played: Angels 2, Royals 9. Pujols hit his 522^nd home run, moving past Ted Williams, Willie McCovey, and Frank Thomas for sole possession of 18^th on the career list. Hot-head Royal Yordano Ventura picked a fight with Trout after a Pujols double and the benches cleared. Box Score
Design:  – A late-90s renovation gave Angel Stadium the rare designation of being both historic and modern. Not much to see, but at least it’s an open view devoid of eyesores.
Location: – Minutes from Disneyland and walking distance from the Metro/Amtrak that connects Anaheim to LA.
Concessions: – Pretty standard ballpark fare apart from a few exclusive chains like Chronic Tacos, but the standard offerings like nachos are better than most thanks to their premium toppings.
Amenities: – The Centerfield Waterfall Patio is a nice place to sit and enjoy your Nacho Daddy, or let your kids run around, but its view of the field is limited.
Culture:  – Maybe the sea of red and presence of Pujols and Freese played a part, but the culture felt a lot like Busch Stadium.
Overall:  – Angel Stadium is particularly impressive given its age – an above-average stadium by any metric.