The calendar may say September, but Southern California baseball is nowhere near finished. The Dodgers have already clinched the National League West, the Padres are making a late-season push toward the playoffs, and there are still plenty of reasons to squeeze another baseball outing into the next couple of weeks.
The Angels won’t be part of the October action, but they’re still playing through the end of the regular season in Anaheim. For baseball fans, that means there’s no reason to put away the caps and jerseys just yet.
Here are five ways to make the most of the final stretch.
Catch one more game
A late-season baseball game can have a different feel from one in April or May. By September, you know which games matter, the postseason picture is taking shape and the atmosphere can change considerably from one series to the next.
For Dodgers fans, that means there’s a chance to see the defending World Series champions in the final days before October. Padres fans have an added incentive: Every game carries some weight as San Diego tries to hold onto its wild-card position. With the way they’ve been playing in September, there’s no reason to think they won’t.
Of course, there’s more to baseball than the dream of playoff glory and a championship ring. An Angels game in Anaheim is still a great way to enjoy SoCal baseball this fall, even if the stakes aren’t high. Bonus: the line for food and beer will probably be a lot shorter.
Turn it into a full-day outing
There’s no rule saying you have to arrive at the stadium just before first pitch.
Turn a Padres game into a downtown San Diego day with lunch, drinks or a walk before heading to Petco Park. In Los Angeles, plan dinner or another activity around a Dodgers game rather than treating the stadium as a one-stop destination.
The same idea works for an Angels game in Anaheim, particularly if you’re looking for a reason to spend an evening in Orange County.
The goal isn’t to cram as much as possible into the day. It’s simply to make the game part of an outing rather than the entire itinerary.
And yes, this is also a good excuse to break out the team gear you’ve been saving. A Padres or Dodgers cap is easy to wear all day, while a jersey or team T-shirt can turn a regular outfit into something that feels appropriate for the occasion.
Plan a game-day watch party
If the Dodgers make another deep postseason run — or the Padres manage to get there — you don’t have to be at the stadium to make a big deal out of it.
Invite friends over, put the game on the biggest screen available and keep the food easy. Pizza, tacos, wings and a few pitchers of something cold are more than enough. If the weather cooperates, move the whole operation outside.
A watch party is fun for everyone, whether they are a serious baseball fan or someone who mostly shows up for the food.
Make a baseball date night
Baseball can be an easy alternative to the usual dinner-and-drinks routine, particularly for couples who want to do something social without committing to an entire night at a concert or show.
Pick a game, grab dinner beforehand and stay for a few innings — or settle in for the whole thing if it’s a good one. September’s evening temperatures also make the ballpark a particularly comfortable place to spend a few hours outdoors.
If you’re a San Diego fan, order two Padres’ City Connect caps so you and your date can rep the team without dressing head-to-toe in team apparel. For Dodgers fans, the Dodgers 2026 Postseason Hoodie could be a fun way to mark the transition from regular-season fan to October mode.
Start planning for October
This is the fun part for Dodgers fans — and potentially Padres fans, too.
The Dodgers have already punched their postseason ticket, while the Padres are still working toward one. The Wild Card Series begins Sept. 29, so the next couple of weeks are a good time to figure out how — and where — you’ll be watching.
Maybe that means planning a backyard gathering for a playoff game, finding a favorite sports bar or making a standing date with the friends who watched last year’s postseason with you.
It can also mean dusting off the old baseball traditions: the lucky seat, the favorite snack, the jersey that only comes out for important games.
Because once October arrives, the stakes change. And whether you’re pulling for Los Angeles, San Diego or simply happy to have another reason to get together, Southern California baseball still has a little life left in it.
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