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A low angle photo of a sign reading “Oracle Park,” with the logo of the San Francisco Giants—a stylized letter S and letter F entwined with one another—visible below it. Brock Keeling

What to do before and after a game around Oracle Park

Because you might be missing what's happening outside the ballpark

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Giants fans are not only lucky enough to not only root for Major League Baseball's greatest team, but also have a park located in San Francisco, right on the border of Mission Bay and South Beach. Home opener is today, which could be delayed due to rain. But that doesn’t mean you have to go home. Here are some choice things to see and do before or after cheering on orange and black.

From dining and boating to bowling and houseboat viewing, the South Beach/SoMa/Mission Bay area deserves a few pitstops. And we have all the details for you—even a semi-secret entrance to the park that might free you from long-line purgatory.

Also, should you get hungry, take of note is Eater SF's What to Eat at San Francisco's Oracle Park, Home of the Giants.

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Eater maps are curated by editors and aim to reflect a diversity of neighborhoods, cuisines, and prices. Learn more about our editorial process.

See the greenery at the Giants Garden inside Oracle Park

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Of course San Francisco's ballpark would feature an edible garden. Designed by Blasen Landscape Architecture and EDG, it features both raised beds and aeroponic growing towers with kale, herbs, arugula, and more. The garden is open every home game at the park, with two concession stands, Garden Table and Hearth Table, serving pizza, smoothies, juices, sandwiches, and salads.

Smoke weed at the McCovey statue

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Oracle Park is a family park, so don't be that guy who lights up during the game. Instead, head to where all the other stoners like to go smoke a bowl: the McCovey statue near The Yard.

Grab some artisan snacks at the Ferry Building

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For gastronomically-inclined Giants fans, check out the Ferry Building to buy some choice snacks to bring into the game. Better than waiting in lines for (lackluster) garlic fries at Oracle Park.

See Cupid's Span

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Commissioned by famed pop artist Claes Oldenburg and his wife, Coosje van Bruggen, "Cupid's Span" is a partial bow and a 60-foot-tall piece of an arrow made up of painted fiberglass and steel. It's hard to miss and, although controversial when it first appeared in 2002, now as San Francisco as the Golden Gate Bridge and sourdough bread.

Enter through the semi-secret Public House entrance

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BEFORE: Avoid the long lines at the gates by going through the not-so-secret entrance inside Public House at Oracel Park. Bonus, you can order food like their famous Cubano sandwich, pulled pork sliders, and more. You can even bring in some beer, should the mood strike.

Find all the statues around the park

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Outside the ballpark there are five statues—four of Giants all-time greats (Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey, and Willie Mays) and one of our mascot seal. Can you find them all?

Cocktails at the Hi-Dive

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Though hardly a dive bar, this watering hole is an untouched booze institution along Embarcadero. For those of you who eschew mixology concoctions, be sure to head here for a few stiff drinks and astounding views of the Bay.

Look for Jet Pack Guy

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Matt Cain's perfect game in 2012 wasn't just the scene of a historic game, it also marked the first reported appearance of Jet Pack Guy, who now makes regular appearance in McCovey Cove. Be on the lookout for an unnamed person sporting a water jetpack diving in and out of the water. It's quite the sight to behold.

Mission Creek Houseboats

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Moored along Mission Creek since 1960, this small community has been through the groovy '60s up to the recent tech boom, surviving unprecedented construction over the last few years. Be sure to check out this adorable community of 20 homes, just past the Fourth Street Bridge. But please do not disturb the residents; best to enjoy the adorable boats from the northern side of Mission Creek.

Photo by Brock Keeling / Curbed SF

San Francisco Giants parking guide

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Before: While Oracle Park provides plenty of spots in adjacent lots, those spaces fill up fast. Check out Curbed SF's parking guide map for the 10 other best parking lots on game day.

Take a ride on the Coca-Cola slide

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Remember, adults can also slide down the big Coca-Cola slide at Oracle Park too. For some quick fun before the game begins, head over to the eastern side of the park to take a ride.

Grab a brew at Local Tap

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Do you miss the old Zeke's sports pub at 600 Third Street? Fret not as its integrity remains but with a sleek new makeover. Local Tap SF opened last year and keeps the action lively at this favorite area sports bar, perfect for watching Giants or Warriors games. Don’t forget to read the chalkboard sign outside, which has become a neighborhood celeb in its own right.

See the Bay Lights

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Take a look at artist Leo Villarreal's light sculpture on the western span of the bridge, featuring 25,000 LED white lights across 1.8 miles, making it the world's largest LED light sculpture.

Bowling at Lucky Strike

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Throw a few strikes or gutter balls at this x-treme bowling alley (owned in part by former Giant Brian Wilson, no less), replete neon lights, fancy bowling food, and "Big Lebowski" quotes on the walls.

Ping pong at Spin

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This brand new social club on Third Street (owned in part my Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon) offers hours of fun via ping pong. Tables range from $19/30 minutes to $49/hour. Spin also features a kitchen and bar, should you want to fill up before or after the big game.

And if ping pong isn’t your thing, the tub full of ping pong balls, which you can dive into, might make a choice Instagram pic.

Mark di Suvero Sculpture at South Beach Park Playground

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While the kids play at the refurbished South Beach Park playground, you can admire Mark di Suvero's 60-foot steel sculpture.

Photo by Brock Keeling

The Yard at Mission Rock

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A pop-up shipping container village, this space next to China Basin Park is open year-round and features treats from Belcampo, Anchor Brewing, Creperie Saint Germain, and more. Also of note, the biergarten, which gets livelier as the day wears on.

Enjoy the game in a boat or a kayak in McCovey Cove

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Hop aboard the Freda B or the Cimba and enjoy the game from McCovey Cove in a boat provided by SF Bay Adventures. Enjoy the action with other seafaring-minded Giants fans. Individual tickets will run you $99. However, private charters start at $3,095 for up to 40 guests.

Otherwise, jump in a kayak or private sailing vessel and float over to where everyone else sets anchor. Who knows—maybe you’ll catch a splash landing hit!

Shoot some hoops at Mission Creek Park

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Mission Creek Park has one full- and two half-courts for the public to use, open from 6am-10pm. The full court has stadium lighting on at night, too. Located near 401 Berry Street.

Photo by Brock Keeling / Curbed SF

See Eric Staller's UFO Bubble Boat

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Commissioned in 1996 in the New York Harbor for the Statue of Liberty's 100th anniversary celebration, Staller's Bubble Boat can now regularly be seen during evening games, lit up and sailing up and down McCovey Cove.

See the greenery at the Giants Garden inside Oracle Park

Of course San Francisco's ballpark would feature an edible garden. Designed by Blasen Landscape Architecture and EDG, it features both raised beds and aeroponic growing towers with kale, herbs, arugula, and more. The garden is open every home game at the park, with two concession stands, Garden Table and Hearth Table, serving pizza, smoothies, juices, sandwiches, and salads.

Smoke weed at the McCovey statue

Oracle Park is a family park, so don't be that guy who lights up during the game. Instead, head to where all the other stoners like to go smoke a bowl: the McCovey statue near The Yard.

Grab some artisan snacks at the Ferry Building

For gastronomically-inclined Giants fans, check out the Ferry Building to buy some choice snacks to bring into the game. Better than waiting in lines for (lackluster) garlic fries at Oracle Park.

See Cupid's Span

Commissioned by famed pop artist Claes Oldenburg and his wife, Coosje van Bruggen, "Cupid's Span" is a partial bow and a 60-foot-tall piece of an arrow made up of painted fiberglass and steel. It's hard to miss and, although controversial when it first appeared in 2002, now as San Francisco as the Golden Gate Bridge and sourdough bread.

Enter through the semi-secret Public House entrance

BEFORE: Avoid the long lines at the gates by going through the not-so-secret entrance inside Public House at Oracel Park. Bonus, you can order food like their famous Cubano sandwich, pulled pork sliders, and more. You can even bring in some beer, should the mood strike.

Find all the statues around the park

Outside the ballpark there are five statues—four of Giants all-time greats (Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey, and Willie Mays) and one of our mascot seal. Can you find them all?

Cocktails at the Hi-Dive

Though hardly a dive bar, this watering hole is an untouched booze institution along Embarcadero. For those of you who eschew mixology concoctions, be sure to head here for a few stiff drinks and astounding views of the Bay.

Look for Jet Pack Guy

Matt Cain's perfect game in 2012 wasn't just the scene of a historic game, it also marked the first reported appearance of Jet Pack Guy, who now makes regular appearance in McCovey Cove. Be on the lookout for an unnamed person sporting a water jetpack diving in and out of the water. It's quite the sight to behold.

Mission Creek Houseboats

Moored along Mission Creek since 1960, this small community has been through the groovy '60s up to the recent tech boom, surviving unprecedented construction over the last few years. Be sure to check out this adorable community of 20 homes, just past the Fourth Street Bridge. But please do not disturb the residents; best to enjoy the adorable boats from the northern side of Mission Creek.

Photo by Brock Keeling / Curbed SF

San Francisco Giants parking guide

Before: While Oracle Park provides plenty of spots in adjacent lots, those spaces fill up fast. Check out Curbed SF's parking guide map for the 10 other best parking lots on game day.

Take a ride on the Coca-Cola slide

Remember, adults can also slide down the big Coca-Cola slide at Oracle Park too. For some quick fun before the game begins, head over to the eastern side of the park to take a ride.

Grab a brew at Local Tap

Do you miss the old Zeke's sports pub at 600 Third Street? Fret not as its integrity remains but with a sleek new makeover. Local Tap SF opened last year and keeps the action lively at this favorite area sports bar, perfect for watching Giants or Warriors games. Don’t forget to read the chalkboard sign outside, which has become a neighborhood celeb in its own right.

See the Bay Lights

Take a look at artist Leo Villarreal's light sculpture on the western span of the bridge, featuring 25,000 LED white lights across 1.8 miles, making it the world's largest LED light sculpture.

Bowling at Lucky Strike

Throw a few strikes or gutter balls at this x-treme bowling alley (owned in part by former Giant Brian Wilson, no less), replete neon lights, fancy bowling food, and "Big Lebowski" quotes on the walls.

Ping pong at Spin

This brand new social club on Third Street (owned in part my Oscar-winning actress Susan Sarandon) offers hours of fun via ping pong. Tables range from $19/30 minutes to $49/hour. Spin also features a kitchen and bar, should you want to fill up before or after the big game.

And if ping pong isn’t your thing, the tub full of ping pong balls, which you can dive into, might make a choice Instagram pic.

Mark di Suvero Sculpture at South Beach Park Playground

While the kids play at the refurbished South Beach Park playground, you can admire Mark di Suvero's 60-foot steel sculpture.

Photo by Brock Keeling

The Yard at Mission Rock

A pop-up shipping container village, this space next to China Basin Park is open year-round and features treats from Belcampo, Anchor Brewing, Creperie Saint Germain, and more. Also of note, the biergarten, which gets livelier as the day wears on.

Enjoy the game in a boat or a kayak in McCovey Cove

Hop aboard the Freda B or the Cimba and enjoy the game from McCovey Cove in a boat provided by SF Bay Adventures. Enjoy the action with other seafaring-minded Giants fans. Individual tickets will run you $99. However, private charters start at $3,095 for up to 40 guests.

Otherwise, jump in a kayak or private sailing vessel and float over to where everyone else sets anchor. Who knows—maybe you’ll catch a splash landing hit!

Shoot some hoops at Mission Creek Park

Mission Creek Park has one full- and two half-courts for the public to use, open from 6am-10pm. The full court has stadium lighting on at night, too. Located near 401 Berry Street.

Photo by Brock Keeling / Curbed SF

See Eric Staller's UFO Bubble Boat

Commissioned in 1996 in the New York Harbor for the Statue of Liberty's 100th anniversary celebration, Staller's Bubble Boat can now regularly be seen during evening games, lit up and sailing up and down McCovey Cove.