Photos by Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.71
Sinsheimer Stadium 900 Southwood Dr
San Luis Obispo, CA 93401
Year Opened: 1968 Capacity: 2,000
Hot Sauce!
San Luis Obispo Blues is a member of the California Collegiate League, a summer wood-bat baseball league in which top college ball players participate. The league began in 1993 and currently has 13 teams.
The San Luis Obispo Blues began in 1946 as the Merchants but the name was changed to the Blues within a few weeks of operation, because of the colors on the uniforms. Originally, WWII veterans played on the team. The Blues had some ups and downs throughout the years and eventually changed to a college summer team.
The Blues play at Sinsheimer Stadium, a part of city-owned and operated Sinsheimer Park. Besides the stadium, the park has many other fun-filled activities like disc golf, a swimming pool, hiking trails, volleyball and tennis courts, an impressive playground, trails, and a BBQ area. Residents of San Luis Obispo (SLO) immensely enjoy the park as well as the baseball team.
Food & Beverage 3
Mouthwatering ‘Old SLO BBQ’ provides most of the food choices at the stadium. Smash burgers run $6.95 – $11.95. Gluten-free choices include chicken tenders, fries, and garden salad ($4 - $12.95). The BBQ options include tri-tip sandwiches, pulled pork sandwiches, chicken tenders, fries, and five varieties of hot dogs ($5.95 - $15.95). Sodas cost $2.85 and water is $4.45. They even place items purchased in a brown bag with handles to make it easier to carry to your seat. Sweet!
Snacks include peanuts, chips, seeds, Cracker Jack, cotton candy, ice cream, etc., and generally run $3 - $4.50. A kiosk on the first base side sells beer.
You won’t go hungry or thirsty at this baseball venue. Fans can bring in sealed bottled water.
Atmosphere 4
The field itself is sunk down a hill. Five rows of faded plastic stadium fold-down seats run from dugout to dugout. The seats, albeit old, are comfortable and have decent legroom. A middle-thickness net extends from dugout to dugout, protecting the fans from foul balls.
The grounds are not suitable for those uneasy on their feet. The venue has a small, paved walkway with a few steps to get down to the seating area and on top of the hill. I did not see a ramp down to the seating area. The venue has plenty of uneven grassy berms where fans spread their blankets and watch the game. If the ground is wet, I suspect it gets messy.
Many fans bring their lawn chairs and perch on the cement path at the top of the hill to watch the game. For those with mobility concerns, I’d recommend getting to the stadium early and parking in this area with your wheelchairs or lawn chairs.
The announcer does a decent job. He’s not too loud, has a clear voice, and is very conversational. He even convinced me to buy one of the programs. He introduces and recognizes the bat boy. He misses some calls, but I’m probably the only one who notices.
Plenty of activities occur besides the ball game: Baseball bingo (more baseball stadiums should have this), dizzy bat race, player-involved prizes, e.g., a catcher throws to a cardboard figure on second base, or a player tees off on a golf game. Depending on the outcome, a fan wins a prize. When an opposing batter has two strikes, fans start shouting ‘hot sauce!’ If the player strikes out, one lucky fan wins a bottle of hot sauce. Be sure to buy a program ($3); each program has a lucky number that can win you prizes!
Some ‘noise’ is played between some, but not all, pitches. It would get tiresome if they did that. The music person plays the tunes loud but is not quite obtrusive. Sometimes the music is too noisy and played over the announcer, so fans can’t hear what the announcer is saying.
The scoreboard, located in center field, is a basic dot matrix with the line score. A picturesque mountain view is beyond right field.
Once the sun sets, it can get chilly. Remember to bring a sweatshirt or jacket.
It is a fun, enjoyable evening out.
Neighborhood 4
Downtown San Luis Obispo is two+ miles from the park, with plenty of shops, dining, breweries, and wineries. Click here for a list of all the fascinating choices. Pick up a sandwich at High Street Deli & Market, or some Chinese from Mee Heng Low Noodle House.
Bang the Drum Brewery is less than a mile from the stadium. Or visit Beda's Biergarten for some yummy German food and beer.
The downtown area has several fashionable hotels, but they are not for those on a budget. I stayed at the Avenue Inn Downtown (just on the outskirts of the city). It is nothing fancy, but it is clean and comfortable, and more affordable.
For other things to see and do in the area, visit Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa or the San Luis Obispo Children's Museum. For something different and icky, visit Bubblegum Alley. Feel free to contribute to its ‘art.’
For outdoor activities, the Pismo and Avila beaches are 10 – 15 minutes away. Or take a hike in the Irish Hills Natural Reserve or Reservoir Canyon.
San Luis Obispo is quite a lovely area of California.
Fans 4
It’s a big community party at a Blues game. Families, multiple generations, companies, and friends all come out and watch and cheer on the Blues. Several fans keep score. The stands were full the night of this review, with more than 1,000 folks in attendance.
Access 3
San Luis Obispo is about halfway between San Jose and Los Angeles. It is off the U.S. 101 highway. The swim center and the ballpark share the parking lot. It’s very congested, with only one way in and out. Parking is free.
Pine trees give the exterior plenty of shade, and the park has benches and picnic tables to wait for your late-arriving friends.
A small regional airport (SBP) with limited service (Alaska Air, United, American Airlines) to a few western cities is two and a half miles from Sinsheimer Stadium. The city has a bus service with route 1A stopping at Laurel and Southwood, about a ½ mile from the stadium. Be sure to check late-night and weekend schedules.
The ground is uneven. I recommend staying on the cement path if you are prone to tripping, though the path does get crowded.
The venue has restrooms and port-a-potties.
Return on Investment 5
The San Luis Obispo Blues provide an outstanding value for your sports entertainment dollar. Seats are general admission - first come, first served. Tickets are $10. Students, military, and senior tickets are $5; children 12 and under get in free. The admission doubles on fireworks and special events nights.
The program is $3, and the parking is free. Food and drink prices are decent.
The game day ambiance is spectacular, and you’re bound to have a fantastic time.
You really can’t beat the price of attending a Blues game.
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Extras 3
San Luis Obispo Blues has several other items worth noting.
First, a very cool-looking logo.
Second, the team, organization, and game day are a community event with plenty of local business and individual sponsorships and donors. Kudos to the whole city and its residents for supporting the team.
Last, the program. It has news articles, a scorecard, the schedule, and local sponsor advertisements. Plus, a lucky number!
Final Thoughts
San Luis Obispo is a small but vibrant, entertaining town to visit and well worth a stop for any traveller. Attending a game at Sinsheimer Stadium provides an excellent baseball experience in a community that supports it well.
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