San Diego Chargers

Are you ready for some football, without snow, sleet, or freezing rain of the back east outdoor stadiums? Then grab tickets to Qualcomm Stadium (entrance on Friars Rd., www.sandiego.gov/qualcomm [1]) in the Mission Valley neighborhood. The San Diego Chargers (www.chargers.com [2]) are a good team in the AFC West, and they tend to make the playoffs most years (albeit as a wildcard in 2007–2008).

If you’re driving in, plan to arrive at the parking lot at least two hours early since the lot often fills up and even closes an hour before kickoff. Also, try to avoid going in or out via Highway 15, which is the most congested route to the stadium.

A better way to get there might be the Mission Trolley System (MTS), which has special event bus service to the stadium, as well as regular stops at Qualcomm on the Blue and Green trolley lines. The NTCD system also provides express bus service to all home games.

Once you’ve made it into the stadium, you’ll find ample food, drink, restrooms, souvenirs, ID bracelets for your kids, and first aid and other services throughout. Alcohol sales are limited and end at the close of the third quarter. For a more posh NFL experience, check whether tickets are available at the club level, which has squishier seats and a wait staff.