Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.14
Albert Park Field
100 Albert Park Ln
San Rafael, CA 94901
Year Opened: 1952 Renovated: 2011 Capacity: 900
Pacifics of San Rafael
The baseball team San Rafael Pacifics began their existence in 2012 as members of the now defunct North American League. The Pacifics have been a successful team since their inception.
They played in the Pacific Association from 2013 – 2019, claiming four championships during their tenure in that league. In 2020, they moved to the Independent Pecos League, but no games were played that year because of the pandemic. They won the Pecos League championship in 2023 and were the Pacific Division Champions in 2024.
They play their home games at historic Albert Park Field in San Rafael, CA
Food & Beverage 3
Albert Park Field has one concession stand beyond the first base side of the grandstand. It sells fresh-grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, and cheeseburgers ($6 - $8). It also offers cups of noodles, mac and cheese, chicken bake, and chicken rice bowls ($3 - $7). Snacks include popcorn, candy, cookies, chips, and beef jerky ($1 - $5). The concession stand has six different ice cream novelties ($2 - $3).
Non-alcoholic beverages cost $2 - $4 and are a mix of soda cans (primarily Coca-Cola brands), water, Gatorade, and coffee/hot chocolate.
A beer cart has an extensive collection of canned beers, including domestic, 805, Pacifico, and many delicious choices from Pond Farm, a local San Rafael brewery and sponsor.
It’s not a gourmet meal, but there are some unusual choices, and it is enough to get you by during a game. Get a Pond Farm beer and a fresh grilled hot dog, and you’ll be set!
Atmosphere 3
The San Rafael Pacifics provide an enjoyable evening out for the whole family.
Built in 1952, the stadium has an old box-style grandstand with seven rows of original blue wood bleachers with backs. The seats are surprisingly comfortable. The grandstand steps do not have handrails, making it difficult for fans with mobility difficulties to ascend. The stadium has a small walkway between the main stand and “box seats.” The “box seats” are eight sets of two rows, eight patio chairs each. The seating is shaded, and there is no breeze.
The field is nice and green, though a ball can take bad or strange hops on the infield. The center field is unique as it is part of the opposite softball field. The center fielder stands on dirt, not grass.
Photo Courtesy of the City of San Rafael
A black net protects the fans but is not easy to see through. The scoreboard and flagpole inhabit right field. New in 2016, the scoreboard is a dot matrix showing balls, strikes, outs, and the line score. The right field backdrop is a beautiful hill with green trees and a few houses. It is pleasing to the eye.
Another unusual feature is the dugouts. The dugouts are two fenced-in areas on the field in front of the stands, with folding chairs for the players.
The music volume level is perfect and the game day operations thankfully do not play ‘noise’ between pitches. More ball teams should take notice. The PA announcer’s voice is muffled; you can’t always understand what he’s saying.
The organization posts the starting lineups. That’s not the case at all Pecos League parks. It’s an excellent feature for those who like to keep score. Plenty of activities occur between innings: the YMCA dance, hula hoops, musical chairs, kids running the bases, and more.
Neighborhood 3
The ballpark is a few blocks from the downtown area. For places to eat pre-game, try the Red Rooster Brick Oven (Italian), The Stateroom (gastropub), or Sol Food (Puerto Rican). Of course, stop at the Pond Farm Brewery for a cold one or visit the Mayflower Pub or the Flatiron (sports bars and pubs).
The Panama Hotel (a boutique hotel) is probably the closest to the Albert Park Field (less than a ½ mile). An AC Hotel San Rafael Downtown (a Marriott brand hotel) is at about the same distance. Several lower-budget hotels (Motel 6, Best Western, Travelodge) are off the US 101 a mile or two away.
Tourist attractions in San Rafael include the Marin History Museum. Muir Woods National Park is a 30-minute drive away and is worthy of a visit. McNears Beach Park is close by and a lovely place for outdoor activities. Of course, you’re a bridge away from San Francisco and all the attractions that city has to offer.
For other sports to see when in town, see if the SF Giants are home; other Pecos League teams nearby include Martinez Sturgeon or Vallejo Seaweed. Or check on the Sonoma Stompers (summer collegiate baseball).
Fans 3
Attendance generally runs a few hundred fans. Fans can bring their dogs. Lots of children are in attendance. Visitors will see generations of families sitting in the grandstand.
One fan posts Ks near the press box to record the number of strikeouts the Pacifics’ pitchers get.
Albert Park Field Ks, Photo by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
It’s easy to strike up a conversation with fans sitting near you.
Access 3
Depending on where your travels originate, you may hit some of that famous California traffic, so be cognizant of that. The park is less than ½ mile off US 101.
It is .4 miles from the San Rafael Transit Center, a hub for regional and local buses, and a stop on the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit. The closest airport is a small regional one, the Sonoma County Airport, having three commercial airlines servicing mostly western cities. The San Francisco International Airport is about an hour’s drive away.
If driving, I recommend parking at the lot on the corner of Andersen Dr and Lindaro St. It’s free, easy to exit after the game, and is just across the street from the ballpark.
The stadium is not that easy for fans in wheelchairs, though a ramp goes up to the grandstand on the third base side. I did not see a way for people using wheelchairs to get to the concession stand (but there must be a way, right?).
New, clean, big restrooms are on ground level on the third base side and will easily accommodate a wheelchair. Like many public restrooms in California, they are gender-neutral.
Return on Investment 4
Ten dollars for general admission seats, free parking, reasonably-priced concessions, and a fun time make a Pacifics game at Albert Park well worth the price.
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Extras 3
The city of San Rafael and the Pacifics consistently make alterations and improvements to Albert Park for the betterment of the fans. Examples include the new scoreboard, upgraded restrooms, and new fencing along the ADA ramp and in front of the dugout.
It’s excellent to see local brews at the beer stand at Albert Park.
The configuration of the baseball and softball fields is definitely uncommon and worth an extra mention.
Final Thoughts
If you find yourself in the Bay Area, take a trip to San Rafael for an affordable, entertaining baseball game.
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