San Manuel Stadium - Inland Empire 66ers
- Andrei Ojeda
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Photos by Andrei Ojeda and Meg Minard, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 3.00
San Manuel Stadium
280 South E St
San Bernardino, CA 92410
Year Opened: 1966 Capacity: 5,000
Hits on Route 66
The Inland Empire is a region located in Southern California. The region serves several communities including Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and San Bernardino. It has a deep history of hosting Major League affiliate teams with some of the game’s biggest stars, such as Ken Griffey Jr., using the IE as a starting point to The Show.
The IE 66ers play their home games at San Manuel Stadium. The stadium is located along a stretch of old Route 66 in the city of San Bernardino. In another nod toward the locals, the team mascot is named Bernie.
Now the Single-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, the IE 66ers have also had affiliations with the Los Angeles Dodgers and most recently from 2011-2025 the Los Angeles Angels.
Food & Beverage 3
The dining options are standard, offering hot dogs, chili dogs, footlongs and corn dogs, as well as smash burgers, chicken sandwiches, pretzels and nachos. Pepsi brand sodas as well as Coors brand domestic beer are the beverage providers.
Along the third base concourse is Pizza Here, serving up New York and Detroit style pepperoni, cheese, and specialty slices. During every home game, Pizza Here has a 2 for 1 special during the 7th inning stretch.
The LiUNA Lounge is an air-conditioned indoor bar accessible from the first base concourse with an outdoor patio offering high stool seating and bar tables . The LiUNA Lounge is open to all fans and serves up both domestic and imported brews and taps. Frozen cocktails such as Blue Razzberry, pina colada, jack & cola, and other frozen cocktail options are available at the lounge.
Atmosphere 3
San Manuel Stadium is your standard minor league stadium with not much frills. Views of the distant San Bernardino mountains, as well as palm trees dotting the grass berms along the left field line beyond the left field fence highlight the ambiance of this intimate yard.
Unlike most MLB venues, much of the in between inning entertainment is not over the top. Perhaps the most attention grabbing is the 7th inning kids race across the outfield grass with team mascot Bernie. But be warned, parts of this race do spill into the stands along the walkway dividing the lower stands from the berms, so you may want to avoid that area prior to the top of the 7th.
Neighborhood 2
The surrounding area does not offer much in regards to pre or post game entertainment or dining.
Because of their location along The Mother Road, there are several points of interest not far from the stadium, including the Wigwam Motel and the Original McDonald's Museum.
The Original McDonald’s Museum sits on the site of the first McDonalds and is worth a stop on the way to the yard. Countless historic displays, old play place playground equipment including the McBurglar, can be seen here.
With the Golden Arches being a major sponsor to many past organizations and sporting events, you will also find several items tied to them, including a display featuring Ray Kroc, the one time owner of both the Golden Arches and the San Diego Padres.
Another sports team nearby during baseball season is the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (MiLB).
Fans 3
Given their location neighboring Los Angeles and Orange Counties, along with the franchises past history with both the Dodgers and Angels, it’s easy to spot fans decked in either Dodger Blue or Angel Red, particularly if the Ontario Tower Buzzers or Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are in town. You may spot a few fans donning apparel of the parent club Mariners but otherwise it's your standard Minor League experience where fans are mostly families who enjoy an affordable baseball experience without the long drive to L.A. or Anaheim.
Access 3
The stadium is accessible from nearby I-215. I-215 can be accessed from Interstates 60, 10 and 210, all major freeways connecting from L.A. County. The Downtown Metrolink Station is within walking distance of the stadium. Ontario International Airport is the closest commercial airport to the venue (a little over 20 miles).
There is sufficient parking available, though the venue charges $10 to park, which seems high for a single-A venue. Security performs a bag check when entering the stadium; non-clear bags are allowed.
The single level venue allows fans to walk along the walkway to experience the various viewing points. Behind the walkway, between the first and third base dugouts, is another section of seats for fans wanting to sit closer to the infield.
Return on Investment 4
Tickets range from $11 to $24. If buying the cheapest tickets gameday staff is hardly strict so feel free to roam around and experience the different viewing points.
The Toyota Redlands Garage is an outdoor lounge atop the first base dugout for groups of 30 or more with tickets starting at $34 per person. Included in the lounge is an all you can eat dining and drinking experience with a built in service bar.
Party tents along both the left and right field berms are also available for group outings and offer AYCE BBQ for 90 minutes after gate opening.
The team offers daily deals to help reduce the cost of attending a game, so keep these in mind.
Tuesday - $2 parking, tickets, hot dogs, and tacos
Wednesday - Bring your canine friend and sit in the lawn section
Thursday - $2 Coors Light
Friday - $1 hot dogs and $5 lawn seats
Saturday - A giveaway day
Sunday - Family Sundays. Free tickets for kids 13 and under when purchased at the box office on game day.
Extras 3
An MIA/POW seat is placed on the concourse to honor men and women who left to fight for our country but never returned.
Below the press box, retired numbers of San Bernardino baseball legends Chin-Feng Chen (43), Rich Dauer (25), and Ken Griffey Jr. (24) are displayed, as well as Jackie Robinson (42).
At times during the season, the 66ers will rebrand as the San Bernardino Cucuys (bogeyman) or the Redland Pickers. The team wears special-branded uniforms, the merchandise store sells shirts, caps, and jerseys.
If you love ballpark art check out this mural of Ken Griffey Jr. at the Pizza Here stand with a slice of pepperoni, from his beginnings in the IE with the San Bernardino Spirit to the big show in Seattle.
Final Thoughts
San Bernardino has been the starting point for several big leaguers, including Ken Griffey Jr. With the 66ers recently switching affiliations over to the Seattle Mariners, ahead lies a new chapter of 66ers history. Some usage of the navy blue and nautical green as well as the trident give nods to the parent club.
When catching a game in the IE, one can expect an affordable and enjoyable family experience.
