Dodger Stadium Game Day Guide: Shuttle, Food, Seats & Our First Dodgers Game

“How do you get to Dodger Stadium?”

“Is the shuttle bus really free?”

If you are wondering what a Dodgers game day is actually like,

this firsthand report may help.

On May 26, 2026,

I attended a Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Colorado Rockies game at Dodger Stadium.

I was traveling in my 60s,

and in this article I will take you through the entire day:

from Little Tokyo to Union Station,

how we used the free shuttle,

what we ate at the stadium,

and even an unexpected moment involving Shohei Ohtani.

✅Check Dodgers tours with a tour escort

✅Check Dodger Stadium tours on VELTRA

From Little Tokyo to Union Station by Metro

Our day started in Little Tokyo.

After spending some time sightseeing in Downtown Los Angeles,

we took the Metro to Union Station.

The ride only took a few minutes

and did not require any transfers,

so it was very easy.

We also saw several Japanese travelers wearing Dodgers T-shirts

and heading toward Union Station.

Union Station is the main departure point for the free shuttle to Dodger Stadium,

so taking the Metro is a convenient option.

During our short ride from Little Tokyo to Union Station,

we did not feel particularly unsafe.

Little Tokyo Los Angeles Guide: Dodgers Shops, Ohtani Mural, Food & Metro Tips

Before heading to a Dodgers game, we highly recommend stopping by Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. There are several shops where you can buy Dodgers merchandise, along with Japanese restaurants and Japanese grocery stores. For travelers from Japan, the area can feel especially comforting because Japanese language, food, and culture are all around you. If you want to pick up a Dodgers jersey or souvenirs before the game, Little Tokyo is a great place to start. You may also find plenty of ideas here to make your Dodgers experience even more enjoyable. How to Get to Little Tokyo: Is the ...

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Free Shuttle from Union Station to Dodger Stadium

Once you arrive at Union Station,

head toward the west side of the station.

There are signs throughout the station marked

“DODGER STADIUM EXPRESS.”

Simply follow the signs

and they will lead you toward the shuttle pickup area.

Even if you are not confident in English,

the signs were easy for us to follow.

This is what Union Station looked like

as we walked toward the shuttle area.

We thought the architecture was very stylish.

We waited in line for about 30 minutes

before boarding the bus.

Buses arrived one after another,

so the line kept moving.

Even while waiting,

you could feel the excitement of the Dodgers fans around us,

which made the game-day atmosphere even more fun.

The bus dropped us off near the Center Field area.

It was very close to the stadium entrance,

so we did not have to walk far.

Using the Metro and shuttle together

was a convenient way to reach Dodger Stadium

without worrying about parking or traffic.

Tips for Using the Dodger Stadium Express

• The shuttle was free in both directions during our visit
• Follow the signs toward the west side of Union Station
• We recommend arriving more than two hours before the game
• If you leave before the game ends, you may be able to avoid the heaviest return crowds

If you are nervous about traveling independently

or about using English during your trip,

a guided Dodgers tour may also be an option.

✅Check Dodgers tours with a tour escort

✅Check Dodger Stadium tours on VELTRA

Stadium Entry Begins Two Hours Before the Game

During our visit,

we were able to enter Dodger Stadium two hours before the scheduled game time.

If you arrive earlier,

you may need to wait outside,

so it is helpful to plan your arrival time carefully.

Security checks at the entrance felt fairly strict,

so we recommend checking the current stadium bag and entry rules before your visit.

What We Prepared for Stadium Entry

• We used a clear bag that allowed the contents to be seen easily
• We brought only unopened drinks
• We were able to bring food into the stadium
• Lockers were available, but we understood that using them could take extra time and add cost

We prepared our clear bag before traveling from Japan,

and we entered without any problems.

SHEIN clear PVC tote bag

SHEIN clear PVC tote bag in pink

Inside Dodger Stadium: First-Game Certificate and Commemorative Pin

Finally,

we were inside Dodger Stadium!

Our first stop was near the championship ring display,

where we took commemorative photos.

The huge stadium was already full of fans.

Blue and white jerseys were everywhere,

almost like a sea of Dodger blue.

This game was held on Mexican Heritage Night,

so we also saw many fans wearing special Dodgers apparel inspired by Mexican culture.

How We Got a First-Game Certificate and Pin

From the Center Field area,

we walked past several food and drink stands

and continued until reaching the fan services counter.

There,

we received a first-visit certificate.

If you are visiting Dodger Stadium for the first time,

it makes a fun souvenir.

They wrote our name on the certificate

and added the date.

It became a wonderful memory from our first game.

We also received a commemorative pin.

However,

we found the fan services counter surprisingly difficult to locate.

If you have trouble finding it,

showing a photo from this article to a staff member may make it easier to explain where you want to go.

✅Check Dodgers tours with a tour escort

✅Check Dodger Stadium tours on VELTRA

Dodger Dog: Try the Upper Levels If the Lower Level Is Crowded

One of the most famous foods at Dodger Stadium is the Dodger Dog.

It cost $8.50 during our visit.

I had imagined that American hot dogs might taste relatively simple,

but the Dodger Dog had plenty of flavor

and was genuinely delicious.

The food stands on the lower level had very long lines,

so I went up to the Top Deck.

There,

I was able to buy a Dodger Dog immediately without waiting.

If the lower-level stands look crowded,

it may be worth checking the upper levels before joining a long line.

We could add toppings ourselves,

including pickles,

onions,

and mustard.

Choosing your own toppings was part of the fun.

Shopping on the Top Deck: Dodgers Merchandise We Found at the Stadium

There is a large official Dodgers shop on the Top Deck.

We found many items there

that we had not seen at Little Tokyo or Citadel Outlets.

So if you enjoy Dodgers merchandise,

we recommend checking the stadium shops as well.

Here is what we bought.

First,

we bought a bat and ball set for a grandchild.

We had searched for something similar at both Citadel Outlets and Little Tokyo

but had not found one,

so we were happy to finally find it at Dodger Stadium.

We also bought a Dodger Dog plush toy.

The stadium had the largest selection of plush toys

among the Dodgers shops we visited.

Dodger Dog merchandise seemed especially popular.

We had heard that the small keychain version could sell out quickly.

I looked for one during our visit,

but it was already unavailable.

Because we had joined the Dodgers fan club,

we were able to receive a 20% discount on our purchase at the stadium shop.

 

You can also read our guide to Dodgers merchandise shops in Little Tokyo.

Little Tokyo Los Angeles Guide: Dodgers Shops, Ohtani Mural, Food & Metro Tips

Before heading to a Dodgers game, we highly recommend stopping by Little Tokyo in Los Angeles. There are several shops where you can buy Dodgers merchandise, along with Japanese restaurants and Japanese grocery stores. For travelers from Japan, the area can feel especially comforting because Japanese language, food, and culture are all around you. If you want to pick up a Dodgers jersey or souvenirs before the game, Little Tokyo is a great place to start. You may also find plenty of ideas here to make your Dodgers experience even more enjoyable. How to Get to Little Tokyo: Is the ...

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The Game: Five Home Runs and an Unexpected Moment for Shohei Ohtani

The Dodgers hit an incredible five home runs during the game.

Every time the ball flew out,

the entire stadium erupted.

For our first Dodgers game,

we felt incredibly lucky to experience such an exciting night.

Watching Shohei Ohtani from Section 139LG

For our first game,

we sat in section 139LG.

When we zoomed in with a smartphone,

we were able to take photos of Shohei Ohtani at about this size.

Because our seats were on the third-base side,

we had a good view of Ohtani at the plate.

Then came an unexpected moment:

Shohei Ohtani was hit by a pitch.

Because he was scheduled to appear as a two-way player the following day,

the mood around the stadium immediately became tense.

We watched anxiously,

wondering whether he was okay.

Fortunately,

he was able to play the next day,

which was a huge relief.

We explain our seating areas in more detail in a separate article.

How to Buy Dodgers Tickets: Best Seats, Prices & My Experience at Dodger Stadium

The official Dodgers website is entirely in English. Prices are shown in U.S. dollars, taxes are added later, and tickets generally cannot be canceled after purchase. “Am I really choosing the right ticket?” “Once I click this button, is that it?” My hands were shaking before I finally completed the purchase.   In this article, based on my actual experience purchasing tickets through the official Los Angeles Dodgers website, I will explain the entire process in detail, including how to navigate the ticket pages, recommended seating areas, actual ticket prices, and tips for avoiding mistakes. If you are planning to ...

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Leaving in the Top of the Ninth: Returning to Union Station by Shuttle

We left our seats during the top of the ninth inning

and headed toward the shuttle pickup area.

The area becomes extremely crowded after the final out,

so leaving a little early can help you avoid the biggest rush.

Thanks to that,

we boarded the shuttle without waiting

and returned smoothly to Union Station.

Once we arrived at Union Station,

we requested an Uber back to our hotel.

The car arrived in about four minutes,

which surprised us because it was so fast.

We returned to

Courtyard by Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE.

Our Uber fare that evening was approximately ¥2,200 at the exchange rate at the time.

We also enjoyed the nighttime views of Downtown Los Angeles

from the car.

We arrived at our hotel at around 11:30 p.m.

It had been a very long day,

but it became an unforgettable memory.

🏨Check Courtyard Los Angeles L.A. LIVE rates on Expedia

🏨Check Miyako Hotel Los Angeles rates on Expedia

If you are nervous about traveling independently or using English,

a guided Dodgers tour may be another option.

✅Check Dodgers tours with a tour escort

Our First Dodgers Game: Final Thoughts

From Little Tokyo to Union Station,

the free shuttle,

stadium entry,

food,

shopping,

and finally the game itself,

our first Dodgers game involved a lot of new experiences.

But with some preparation,

none of it felt impossible.

Once we had prepared the items we needed for stadium entry,

we could simply relax and enjoy the atmosphere.

Seeing a game with five Dodgers home runs

in person became one of the most memorable experiences of our Los Angeles trip.

We also attended another Dodgers game on May 27,

which we cover in a separate article.

Dodger Stadium Early Entry Review: Waymo, Yamamoto Bobblehead & Ohtani Two-Way Game

Day two of our Dodgers experience was one of the highlights of our Los Angeles trip! This time, we traveled to Dodger Stadium in a Waymo self-driving car and tried Early Entry, which allowed us to enter the stadium about 90 minutes earlier than general admission. We also received a Yoshinobu Yamamoto bobblehead and had the incredible experience of seeing Shohei Ohtani as both a pitcher and hitter — plus a home run! It turned into an unforgettable day. Here is our firsthand Dodgers game-day experience from the perspective of a traveler in her 60s. Taking a Waymo Self-Driving Car ...

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