Shaded and Covered Seating at Oracle Park

Shaded Seats at Oracle Park

Each year the Giants play more than a dozen afternoon home games. Most of these are 12:45 and 1:05 p.m. start times in June and July. Although the Bay Area isn't known for stifling hot temperatures, the sun still shines as bright as in Southern California. Fortunately, there are several shaded seats at Oracle Park that can keep you out of the direct sun while still allowing you to enjoy an afternoon outside.

Best Options on the 100 Level

Oracle Park is a traditional stadium with a lower level, a club level, and an upper deck. Lower level sections are labeled in the 100s, and most of these sections (except for the outfield) do contain seats in the shade.

When looking at tickets in these sections, focus on rows 30 and higher. These are roughly the last ten rows in each section and they have the highest likelihood of being shaded for early afternoon games in the middle of summer.

First Base Sections

Shade comes to the first base side earlier than the third base side. As such, you'll find that as the game wears on, Sections 103-112 have more rows in the shade than similar seats on the other side of the field (119-132). If you don't mind spending the first few innings in the sun, you can purchase tickets in a lower row (rows in the 20s) on the first base side and wait it out.

The "waiting it out" strategy works well on the first base side, but not on the third base side - especially as you move farther down the line. For instance, sections 127-135 will lose shade as the game moves into the later innings. It's not uncommon for fans to be comfortably shaded in the first three innings, only to wind up in the sunniest part of the ballpark 30 minutes later.

Are Club Level Seats Shaded?

The Oracle Park Club Level seats are among the most popular tickets to a Giants game - especially for fans looking to avoid the elements. In particular, these seats are popular among fans who wish to avoid the infamous wind that blows in from the Bay. The Club Level is generally well-protected from the wind and provides a safe-haven lounge to escape to if conditions are sub-par.

The wind is not as much of a nuisance for afternoon games as the sun. However, there are shaded seats on the Club Level. Sections 202-211 are well-shaded - even for 1 p.m. games. The amount of shade depends heavily on the month of the year. But if you choose tickets in rows F and higher, you'll be shaded for most games throughout the year. You'll also be a few steps closer to the indoor club at the top of each section.

As with the lower level, club level seats on the third base side are more susceptible to the sun. The farther away from home plate, the higher your chances of sun exposure. Your odds grow even greater as the day passes and the sun moves behind home plate. Especially in sections 224-232, choose the highest row possible for the longest duration of shade.

View Level Seats Out of the Sun

Also known as the View Level, the 300s sections at Oracle Park are known for their gorgeous views of the landscape. To some, there's no better place to be than in the upper deck on a sunny day - watching the sailboats in the bay and seeing the hills in the background. To others, the direct sun is unwelcome.

If you're in the second group of fans - and you want views of the bay without the exposure to the sun - your options are somewhat limited. The roof cover only protects the last 7 rows in each section - and even covered seats can be in the sun.

Our recommendation for shaded seats in the upper deck is to purchase tickets in a double-digit row of sections 302-315. Rows 10 and higher of these sections are the first on this level of seating to get shade for 12:45 and 1:00 games.

When purchasing tickets in these upper rows, be mindful of some of the drawbacks. As you might expect, you'll be sacrificing your view of the field in favor of shade. But you'll also be seated farther away from the section entrance. You'll have at least a few stairs to climb each time you enter and exit your section.

We recommend completely avoiding upper deck seats on the third base side if you want to stay out of the sun. The later innings can wreak sun-havoc on all but the very top rows in sections like 326-336. It's best to stay on the first base side or behind home plate in the 300 level.

Are Any of the Outfield Seats Shaded?

The outfield seats at Oracle Park are incredibly popular among fans who love a cheap ticket near the field and enjoy the famous concessions near center field. On the contrary, these seats are not popular among fans who are easily bothered by the weather.

At night, outfield sections like 136-142 are among the windiest in the ballpark and it's not unusual for them to be 15-20 degrees cooler than seats on the infield. And during the day, these seats are the sunniest. It's common for them to be 15-20 degrees warmer than shaded seats. If this is where your seats are, plan ahead and bring the gear needed to survive all four seasons in one outing.

Covered Seats at Oracle Park

When looking for covered seats at Oracle Park, several options are available to ensure a more comfortable game-watching experience. Here's a summary of the covered seating areas:

• Sections 103-112 and 119-135: Aim for rows 29 and higher
• 300 Level: Rows 12 and higher
• Club Level: Last few rows (K or higher) of sections 202-211 and 220-232

These seats offer coverage and protection, ensuring a comfortable game-watching experience.

Fan Comments

• Shade and still can see the game perfectly.

  Submitted by a Fan · Section 134

• LOVE this section!

  Submitted by a Fan · Section 134
  We sat in row 35 and it was PERFECT because we were in the shade, yet could see everything perfectly!

• Awesome section!

  Submitted by a Fan · Section 122
  Not so low that you lose perspective, sun for a while then shade in the afternoon, sheltered from the cold and windy SF evenings.... easy bathroom access, food service in your seats, beer and wine right out the door.

• Sit on the First Base Side For Shade at AT&T Park

  Submitted by a Fan
  For late afternoon and evening games, the first base side of the field will provide your best chance for shade at AT&T Park. Outfield seats in left field and center field -- along with seats down the third base line -- are among the most exposed and should be avoided if you are sensitive to the sun.

• Front of sections 105-126 are behind the netting

  Submitted by a Fan
  There is some amount of netting or screening in front of sections 105-126, which extends past the dugouts and into the outfield. The height and coverage of netting or screening will vary by section.

Related Photos From Oracle Park

Related Questions

• Are upper level seats on the 3rd base side in the sun at AT&T Park?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · June 12, 2014

  Upper deck sections near the left field foul pole will see the most sun of any area at the ballpark, other than the sections beyond the outfield wall. Sections 335-336 will have the sun the longest as these seats face directly west with little protection from the sun until the late afternoon.

  
  

  
  If you are looking to be in the shade on the upper seating tier, we recommend sitting on the first base side between home plate and first base. Your seat will have you facing east while your back is facing the setting sun at the west.

  
  
  

  View from Section 302 shows the right field corner sections remaining in the sun the longest

• Are seats 15 and 16 covered in Section 104 Row 26 at AT&T Park?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · March 9, 2013

  Section 104 has 43 rows of seating running from Row 1 (closest to the field) to Row 43 (furthest). The last 10 rows of the section (Rows 34 to 43) are located under the overhang from the seating deck above, and if you are looking for rows that are best protected from inclement weather, we recommend considering rows 37 and higher. Row 26 will not be under the overhang from the deck above, which means you will be exposed to weather conditions, but will also have a more open view for tracking fly balls.

  

• Where are the shady seats at AT&T Park for a Giants Game?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · April 21, 2013

  The first base side of the field will provide your best chance for shade at AT&T Park.

  Avoid the Outfield

  

  Outfield seats in left field and center field, along with seats down the third base line, are among the most exposed and should be avoided if you are sensitive to the sun.

  Consider the Right Field Line

  We recommend considering rows 37 and higher in sections 105-110 as these will keep you close to the infield on the first base side, and will be located under the overhanging club level deck above for additional protection from the elements.

  

• What are best seats for shade on the top deck at AT&T Park?

  Answered by an RYS Expert · May 12, 2014

  Your best chance at being in the shade on the upper seating tier will be sitting down the first base line (seats on the third base side will see the sun longer). There is a small roof above the last 4 rows of the upper tier sections which will provide a bit of additional relief in rows 15-18.