I am not trying to re-break my own record no, this is the start of posting my guides to visiting all 30 major league ballparks, I will post 30 stadiums in 23 days. I am going to save some of the nuances and traditions for the actual story portion of the book. This is an informational guide for those who wish to watch a game-and have all the information to do it.

AT@T PARK

BALLPARK RANK(DONE BY 10 FELLOW BALLPARK CHASERS WHO HAVE CURRENTLY SEEN ALL MAJOR LEAGUE STADIUMS:
AT&T PARK 1ST
MCAFEE COLISEUM 30TH

TRANSPORTATION:
SFO AIRPORT/OAKLAND AIRPORT (OAK)

The skinny on SFO airport: When bidding on flights to San Fran--do it from www.kayak.com< make sure you click the icon that says nearby airports. Oakland is only a 40 minute drive away from the ballpark and SFO is slightly faster at 20 minutes. Always figure out the best price. You may even find that flying into either SFO or OAK is cheaper flying in-and cheaper flying out of the other airport. You must consider the one-way car rental option as an expense if its cheaper in aggregate cost. If you are flying from the PAC COAST-there will be many non-stop flights that are offered for good rates. If possible, try and fly with Virgin America or Alaska as they are the best airlines. If you are flying anywhere else pick the cheapest flight. Note here, that Oakland is on the list of SOUTHWEST AIRLINES favorite cities, and have reduced fares. This is key because they are the only airline to offer free luggage checked.
SFO is one of the more expensive places to rent your car from---the car rental facility is also located a TRAM ride away from the main terminal in the car rental facility. The best option here is to bid on your car on www.priceline.com. First find out what the average daily rate for the given day you want and then bid 50% of that ptive. Strategy here is too low ball the offer and gradually increase it until it is accepted. If your bid is accepted then Priceline takes full payment from you right there on the spot--if it is declined they make you alter your class of car to re-bid within 24 hours. Don't be discouraged to wait the 24 hours---bidding in anger is not the answer.
If you are staying in the downtown area you do not need a car at all-- mostly everything is accessible for $15-20 cab ride. If you do have a car you are going to pay a parking fee-even at hotels. This can be quite pricey. The ballpark is expensive for parking as well--note here if you are going to visit the Fisherman''s Wharf anyway--take advantage of their $10-15 flat daily rates that give you till midnight before closing. When you are at the Wharf it is about a $10-15 cab ride to the park and the same to return. This will eliminate traffic. There are any stands outside PIER 39. You will pay $40 for parking between AT&T PARK and the WHARF anyway.
In SF, most car rental companies offer a gas deal if you drive less than 75 miles--you don't have to refuel at all-they do this for you at the best gallon rate.
There is a toll or going over the BAY BRIDGE-coming in from OAKLAND-and it is hell on traffic from 12pm-6pm. The GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE also carries a toll. Last year they were both $3.00.
If you decide not to take a car in to downtown SF, then the "LIGHT RAIL TRAM"-Located on the bottom deck of the 'TRANSPORTATION BUILDING' of the airport hits many of the main streets of San Francisco. The Light Rail service lasts long in to the night--however return trams to the SFO airport are less frequent. The price is $8-11. The Northbound TRAM goes all the way to right outside the "MCAFEE COLISEUM" even. If your hotel is in the downtown/CHINATOWN are you are a few miles within AT@T PARK. Note---do not try to walk to the Fisherman's Wharf from downtown sector unless you wish to walk about 3 miles of hills. Pay the $10-15 cab ride.-the cabbie's now the streets better than you too--lots of 10 miles P/H speed limits.

HOTELS RECOMMENDED FOR AT@T PARK

POWELL HOTEL. www.powellhotel.com--this is for those people that can afford a 3 star hotel at a reasonable rate. I stayed there for 2 nights with my girlfriend and it was perfect--they offer lots of packages with built in tickets already. The hotel is also a 20 minute walk from AT@T-and is closely situated to the trolley's for a historic ride anywhere.

BEST WESTERN SFO AIRPORT
A more moderate rate and convenient towards the airport for future travels..

BALLPARK CHASER SPECIAL--Especially for those dedicated travelers that are looking to save money. www.hihostels.com . San Francisco has 3 of these such hostels. These hostels run for about $37-$40 and have continental breakfasts in some cases--ideal for that singular traveler. I have stayed at hihostels is San Diego, Los Angeles, Boston and Chicago and they are lifesavers. Most of them have communal student center's to which there is a decent price for internet--and vending is always good. Lots of these hostels have built in deals with restaurants and entertainment facilities around the city to save a few dollars.

FOOD at AT@T PARK
Quite simply it is the best selection and quality in all of MLB. Last visit I ate parts of a mushroom burger-rib sandwich-chicken burger and garlic fries. There is also a Safeway in the bottom deck of the right center field area. They sell full deli sandwiches. Another note here is that there are COKE vending machines underneath the kids play area--and adjacent to the big COKE NEON SIGN and big baseball glove. They sell for $3 but how many of us hate waiting in line for just a pop? The best food stands are directly behind the scoreboard. There is also pizza, fish and steak available to eat in this little food court. Amazing... If you wish to eat at the Fisherman's Wharf they do have an 'ESPN ZONE' restaurant/clothing shop. I would recommend you eat at the ballpark though.

INTANGIBLES AT PARK:
The reason this park rated the highest of all ballparks is its location to the ocean in every direction. You have MCCOVEY's Cove directly behind the red brick wall in right field---that leads to the waters of the 'PORT AUTHORITY OF SAN FRANCISCO.' Across the waters there is a statue of Willie Mays on the other end. You also have iconic pictures to be had of the BAY BRIDGE-and the several piers nearby. Do yourself a favor and go to the third deck-and walk it pillar to post to take some great pictures. The Giants also have great wall murals of past greats up there.

TICKETS
It is my honest opinion to get the full effect of this park you should just buy the cheapest ticket possible and walk around the whole game viewing it from different vantage points. If you are 1 or 2 people I suggest www.stubhub.com for e-tickets to purchase. This is an easy to make a purchase. Stubhub only charges about $10 for sending out e-tkts and lots of season ticket holders use the site in SF.

Always bring a coat-especially to night games. Their is intermittent fog for a lot of the games.

San Fran can be combined on a doubleheader opportunity in one day if the Oakland Athletics and them play at different times day or night on the same day. If heading either way-----take the SAN MATEO BRIDGE to avoid the long delays at the BAY BRIDGE.

San Fran is a 7-8 hour drive from Los Angeles and a 8-10 hour drive from San Diego--unless you made it there by car, fly to your next destination. Flights within California one way are only about $100 per person. SFO also has one of the better airports for all night flights non stop to New York-Miami and Atlanta. If they play on Saturday nights at 6:05 you make it to the airports after the game for these flights.
SFO rates as a high level airport for cleanliness and traveler accommodations. There is not really delays(other than fog once in a while) and I recommend the VIRGIN AMERICA non-stop to JFK highly. I used this 4 times in year one of my streaks.

We go from the best ballpark to the worst....

MCAFEE COLISEUM
About the best thing about going to Oakland for a game is being able to add San Francisco if they are playing too. Quite frankly, Oakland is the worst stadium by far. Lets run it down anyway-it is on the list.

GETTING THERE
OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Is a really small airport, but is one of the hubs for SOUTHWEST AIRLINES. Ideal for flying in from the mid-west cities such as: KC-STL and COLORADO if you are looking for a day game. Oakland's Airport is located a few miles only from the ballpark which is very convenient at least.
The car rental facilities are about a 3 miles shuttle bus away from the airport. Now Oakland is a small airport so don't plan on eating there at all. Once you see the ballpark in the distance you have to choose parking. The car rentals are decently priced in comparison to San Francisco, still use the Priceline website to go cheaper.

PARKING
Are you kidding me!--MCAFEE COLISEUM is the worst value for parking at $15 for bird-pooped on, pot-holed, tailgated on to much premises (from RAIDER FAN), stalls. It is not the kind of neighborhood you should seek other parking either. Not the safest area, especially for night games. My advice to watch the game, pay the excessive parking and get out of Oakland pronto. Having said that I have some more information for you.

FOOD
Reasonable rates for burgers, fries and beer although taste in sub-standard--also do yourself a favor and do not walk the concourse around the bleachers--there are dirty tables and concession areas not in use that have not been cleaned properly left from football season, it is truly disgraceful I found that out while searching for a payphone. I recommend eating before or after the game.
There is a DENNY'S directly off of HEGENBERGER ROAD, also a mile from the ballpark is a MCDONALD'S AND BURGER KING.

HOTELS.
I wouldn't recommend staying in the area but if you must, There is a motel 6 about 3 miles from the ballpark that is reasonably priced and you could risk your life and walk to the park to save the $15.
Also there is a BEST WESTERN IN HAYWARD CALIFORNIA-that is about a 6 mile drive from the park.

TICKETS
Buy the cheapest bleacher tickets ($10 or so) you can and watch the game in amazement that they play a baseball in the stadium. All sections and rows are always available.

INTANGIBLES
Very few here, the Oakland A's have won 4 World Series and they have had some incredible players-(HENDERSON-JACKSON-GIAMBI-ECKERSLEY-CATFISH HUNTER) and they pay decent respect to these players everywhere. I like the tailgating done in the parking lot before the games--boy did I get harassed for wearing a 'MICKEY MANTLE' jersey during one moment outside the park. The foul grounds of the park are unique in size and it look nice aesthetically if you sit in the third deck behind home plate.For such a crappy stadium the A's had one of the better decades of late. They are in desperate need of a new stadium

OAKLAND, like SAN FRAN, can be combined with each other for a day night doubleheader. Oakland is a 13 hour drive from Seattle and a 7-8 hour drive from LA. I would recommend flying to your next destination as well. Oakland's temperature tends to be 7-8 degrees hotter then their BAY cousin's.