HOTEL SOLAMAR - A SAN DIEGO PETCO PARK HOTEL

Just a stone's throw - or a baseball's - from Hotel Solamar is PETCO Park, an open-air stadium in downtown San Diego. Opened in 2004, it replaced Qualcomm Stadium and now celebrates the San Diego Padres.

Designed by Antoine Predock, PETCO Park is purposely structured so that the ballpark's concourses as well as the surrounding restaurants, office and other businesses are open to the playing field, making Hotel Solamar the perfect San Diego PETCO Park hotel.

A little baseball trivia: Most outdoor ballparks are built so the batter faces northeast. In PETCO Park, the batter faces due north, allowing the fans in the grandstands a breathtaking view of San Diego Bay and the San Diego city skyline beyond the left field seats, and a view of Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo, beyond center field.

A little more trivia: The official address of PETCO Park is 19 Tony Gwynn Way, honoring the eight-time National League batting champion. The Park at the Park, a grassy knoll sloping beyond the outfield fence, is open during home games, allowing fans to sit and watch the game for a small price. When no games are being played, the Park at the Park becomes a free local park for locals and visitors alike, including Hotel Solamar guests.