Sports fanatic? Los Angeles creams the competition with its wide variety of professional sports teams, plethora of outdoor activities, and infinite choices of adventurous recreation. Sunny beaches teem with joggers, roller skaters, and bikers traversing crowded boardwalks while stadiums and arenas across the City of Angels erupt into cheers for national L.A. sports teams. Gorgeous national parks and surfing associations establish Los Angeles as a premiere destination for sports and outdoor enthusiasts of all kinds.
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Home of the NBA’s Lakers and Clippers, WNBA’s Sparks, and NHL’s Kings franchises, Staples Center reigns as one of the top sports and entertainment centers of the world. Part of the L.A. Live entertainment district in Downtown Los Angeles, Staples Center hosts a multitude of events including games, conventions, and high profile concerts. Hungry? Staples Center main concourse offers a multitude of dining options like California Pizza Kitchen, Camacho’s Cantina, and Extreme Loaded Dogs. Get to Staples Center early before your game to peruse the Sports Museum of Los Angeles, which features exhibits from Gary Cypres’ private collection, considered one of the foremost and extensive sports memorabilia collections in the world. Sports Museum stays open during all Staples Center sports team events and fans gain complimentary admission with a game ticket.
Game at Dodger Stadium — Photo courtesy of Brendan C
A veritable Los Angeles landmark, 56,000-seat Dodger Stadium has hosted over 125 million baseball fans since it opened in 1962. The ballpark boasts captivating views of Los Angeles and a brand new state-of-the-art grass field. New concession stands at the Field Level include Mrs. Beasley’s, Ruby’s Diner, and Canter’s Deli. Don’t leave without trying a legendary Dodger Dog, the top selling hot dog in baseball history. Traveling with kids dying to see the dugout? Take a 1½ hour stadium tour which provide fans a unique opportunity to view the park in all its historic glory. Tour highlights include walking excursions to the field, dugout and press box to witness an exclusive behind the scenes look at Dodger Stadium.
6-Man Volleyball Tournament at Manhattan Beach — Photo courtesy of Photomaster 2012
Grab a sunhat, slap on some SPF 30, and head beachside for “Only in L.A.” sports viewing experiences. Venice Beach hosts the most intense streetball in the world. Every Sunday in the summer, Venice Beach basketball games treat fans to live DJ’s, MCs, audience interaction, and exciting dunk shows. Travel to the South Bay to check out the world-renowned Manhattan Beach Volleyball Open and annual International Surf Festival. The Manhattan Beach Open allows amateurs to “place into” the nationally recognized tournament by participating in pre-qualifying rounds.
Winter or summer, Los Angeles thrives on Academy Award-winning weather and perennial sunshine. Packed your hiking shoes? An infinite number of popular canyons like Temescal and Runyon and myriad national parks boast breathtaking panoramic views of ocean, land and skyline. Rent a bicycle, pull on some rollerblades, and enroll in a surfing or paddle-boarding lesson to take advantage of L.A.’s natural bounty!
