Family Guide to an A’s Game at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento: Our First Family Baseball Night

There is something special about introducing your kids to a tradition you grew up loving. For me, baseball has always been part of summer. I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area cheering on the Giants, while my husband spent his childhood in San Diego rooting for the Padres. Even though we followed different teams growing up, we were both excited to share the experience of a live baseball game with our own kids.

Our family recently headed to Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento to watch the Athletics take on the Texas Rangers, and it turned into one of our favorite family nights of the spring. We expected to spend the evening in our stadium seats. Instead, our kids quickly discovered the playground on the lawn and completely changed our plans. Honestly, it made the experience even better.

If you’re thinking about taking your kids to an A’s game in Sacramento, here’s exactly what our evening looked like, along with plenty of tips to help you plan your own visit.

Why Sutter Health Park Is Great for Families

I’ve been to plenty of Major League Baseball games over the years, but Sutter Health Park feels much more chill for families with young children.

The stadium is large enough to have the excitement of professional baseball while still feeling easy to navigate. You never feel like you’re walking miles just to find food or a restroom, and the atmosphere is relaxed enough that kids can simply enjoy being kids.

Whether your children love baseball or just want a fun evening outdoors, there is plenty to keep them entertained.

How Much to Athletics Tickets Cost?

One of the questions I get asked most is whether seeing the A’s in Sacramento is affordable. The answer is that it really depends on who they’re playing, where you want to sit, and when you buy your tickets.

For our evening game between the Athletics and the Texas Rangers, we paid about $150 total for four tickets, which I thought was a great value for a Major League Baseball game. We originally purchased standard stadium seats, although we ended up spending much of the game on the family lawn while the kids enjoyed the playground.

For most regular season games, you can usually expect ticket prices to start around $20 to $40 per person for lawn seating or upper-level seats. Reserved seating is often $40 to $100+ per ticket, while premium seats closer to the field can range from $150 to more than $300 each, depending on the opponent and demand.

If you’re hoping to save money, games against smaller market teams or weekday matchups are usually your best bet. Popular opponents like the San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers tend to have the highest ticket prices and often sell out well in advance.

That said, if you’re flexible about where you sit, don’t overlook last minute ticket deals. I’ve noticed that you can often find discounted seats on resale sites or ticket marketplaces on the day of the game, especially for less in-demand matchups. If you’re comfortable waiting until the last minute, it’s possible to score an even better deal than buying weeks in advance.

My advice is simple: if you’re planning to see one of the biggest rival teams, buy your tickets early. If you’re just looking for a fun family night at the ballpark, keep an eye on same-day ticket prices. You may be pleasantly surprised by how affordable a Major League Baseball game in Sacramento can be.

Where to Eat Dinner Nearby Before the Game

If you’re looking for a place to grab dinner before the game, there are plenty of family-friendly restaurants near Sutter Health Park that make it easy to turn your baseball outing into a full evening. Since many fans arrive early to avoid the rush, planning a meal ahead of time is a great way to start game day without feeling hurried.

Here are a few kid-friendly options worth considering:

• Frankie’s Pizza in Old Sacramento is a great choice for families. The menu includes pizza, pasta, sandwiches, and salads, making it an easy option for both kids and adults. Plus, it’s just a short walk from the stadium.
• Drake’s: The Barn offers a spacious outdoor setting with plenty of room for kids to move around. You’ll find wood-fired pizzas, burgers, sandwiches, and other casual favorites, making it a popular stop before first pitch.
• 319 Broderick is another family-friendly restaurant close to the ballpark. Their menu features burgers, chicken sandwiches, wings, fries, and other comfort food that’s perfect before a baseball game.
• Cocina Doña Chuyita is a great option if your family is craving Mexican food. The menu includes tacos, burritos, quesadillas, and other crowd-pleasing favorites.

If you’re parking in downtown Sacramento, consider arriving an hour or two before the game. You can enjoy dinner in Old Sacramento or West Sacramento, take a walk along the waterfront, cross the iconic Tower Bridge, and make your way to Sutter Health Park. It turns an A’s game into a fun family evening rather than just a few hours at the ballpark.

Our Walk Across the Tower Bridge

One of my favorite parts of the evening actually happened before we ever reached the stadium.

Instead of paying for stadium parking, we parked near the Crocker Art Museum, paid the parking meter, and walked across the historic Tower Bridge into West Sacramento.

The walk only takes about 10 to 15 minutes and offers beautiful views of the Sacramento River. Watching the sun begin to set while crossing the bridge made the evening feel like a mini adventure before the game even started. Our kids especially loved the adventure of walk over the river!

If you’re comfortable with a short walk, I would absolutely recommend this option.

Watching the Athletics vs. Rangers

The game we attended featured the Athletics versus the Texas Rangers, and the evening weather and atmosphere was ideal.

Since it was an evening game, the weather was much more comfortable than a hot Sacramento afternoon. As the sun started setting, temperatures cooled down and that perfect spring evening glow began. We intentionally booked an evening game to avoid baking in the hot sun.

Even if you’re not a huge baseball fan, there’s something fun about spending a few hours outside with your family in a new setting.

We Started in Stadium Seats

When we purchased our tickets, we chose traditional stadium seating. At first, we settled in, watched warmups, and explained the basics of baseball to our kids. We watched a few innings and cheered for the A’s.

That lasted for about 30 minutes before my 5-year-old needed to roam around and stretch his legs. While exploring, we spotted the playground around the grassy hill.

…And Ended Up Spending Most of the Night on the Lawn

As soon as our kids saw the play structure beyond the seating area, they had a completely different idea of how they wanted to experience the game.

Instead of staying in our assigned seats, we moved over to the lawn where they could run, climb, and play while we still watched the game.

Honestly, it ended up being the perfect choice.

We could still keep an eye on the action while giving the kids room to burn off energy. They would stop to watch an inning, play for a while, grab a snack, then come back to watch more baseball.

For families with younger kids, the lawn might actually be my favorite place to watch the game.

It takes away the pressure of asking little ones to sit still for several hours.

Ballpark Food Is Half the Fun

No baseball game feels complete without classic stadium food, and we definitely leaned into it.

Our family shared:

• Fresh popcorn
• Garlic parmesan fries
• Cracker Jack
• A souvenir drink cup of lemonade

The garlic parmesan fries disappeared almost immediately (because I ate them!). They were easily my favorite snack of the night.

The popcorn and Cracker Jack felt nostalgic, especially since they reminded my husband of baseball games he attended growing up.

A Perfect First Baseball Game for Kids

One thing I appreciated most was how family friendly everything felt. Nobody minded kids getting excited. Nobody seemed bothered when children needed to move around. Families filled the stadium, making the entire evening feel welcoming and relaxed.

Our kids spent time cheering, eating snacks, playing on the playground, dancing during the between inning entertainment, and asking questions about baseball.

By the end of the night, they were already asking when we could come back. That is probably the best review any family attraction can receive.

Tips for Visiting an A’s Game at Sutter Health Park with Kids

After our visit, here are a few things I would recommend:

• Choose an evening game during the summer for cooler weather.
• Consider parking near the Crocker Art Museum and walking across Tower Bridge.
• Bring sunscreen if you’re attending a day game.
• If your kids are young, don’t feel tied to your assigned seats. The lawn and playground may end up being their favorite part.
• Budget for ballpark snacks because they’re part of the experience.
• Buy the souvenir cup if your kids love keepsakes. Ours is currently a pencil holder on my daughter’s desk.
• Arrive early enough to explore the stadium before first pitch.

More Kid-Friendly Things to Do in Sacramento

If you’re driving in from outside the Sacramento area for an A’s game, consider making it a full day trip. There are plenty of family-friendly attractions within a 10 to 20-minute drive of Sutter Health Park, making it easy to keep the kids entertained before first pitch or continue the fun after the game.

Here are a few of my favorite family activities nearby:

California State Railroad Museum

If your kids love trains, this museum is a must-visit. It’s one of the best railroad museums in the country, featuring beautifully restored locomotives, interactive exhibits, and hands-on activities that appeal to both younger children and older kids.

Fairytale Town

Traveling with younger children? Fairytale Town is about a 10-minute drive from the stadium and features storybook-themed play areas, gentle farm animals, and imaginative playgrounds designed for toddlers and elementary-aged kids.

Sacramento Zoo

Also located in William Land Park, the Sacramento Zoo makes a great stop before an evening game. Families can spend a few hours seeing animals from around the world before heading over to Sutter Health Park for first pitch.

Funderland Amusement Park

If your kids enjoy rides, Funderland is another fun option nearby. The small amusement park is perfect for younger children and features classic rides that can easily fill an afternoon before the game.

Capitol Park

Need to let the kids burn off some energy? Capitol Park offers wide open lawns, walking paths, giant trees, and plenty of space to explore. It’s a peaceful stop if you’re looking for something free to do before heading to the stadium.

One of the things I love most about attending an A’s game in Sacramento is how easy it is to build an entire family day around it. Whether you spend the afternoon exploring museums, visiting the zoo, walking through Old Sacramento, or simply enjoying dinner before crossing Tower Bridge, a baseball game becomes the perfect ending to a fun day together.

Is an A’s Game at Sutter Health Park Worth It for Families?

Absolutely! Whether you’re lifelong baseball fans or simply looking for a unique family activity in Sacramento, an Athletics game at Sutter Health Park is an easy recommendation. It combines the excitement of Major League Baseball with a relaxed, family friendly atmosphere that makes it enjoyable for fans of all ages.