Let’s say you’re a sports fan and you’re visiting California to see as many teams or games as possible.  You ask, what would a sports trip look like?  I would respond, well, what sport would you most like to see and what part of California are you going to?

Sports Options in San Diego

In San Diego, you’ve got the Padres. Now, let me keep it really real, I grew up going to Dodger games and I’m a Dodgers fan.  The Padres are simply that team to the south.  I give them their props for bringing our 2022 season to a dead stop though.  *deep sigh*  I’m not bitter (she says to herself as she rolls her eyes).  They have what has been ranked the #1 MLB stadium given the stadium’s sightlines, food and beer.  Meh, if you’re into that, great for you.  Seriously though, it’s in the heart of downtown San Diego and you can catch a great game and have tons to do afterwards.  Play ball!!

Sports Options in LA/OC

Head 2 hours north, I’d send you on your way to either an NBA game, Lakers or Clippers.  An MLB game, Dodgers or Angels or an NHL game, Kings or Ducks.  Let me not forget the NFL: Rams or Chargers.  I’m not going to go into NCAA sports because I could go on about that for days and you don’t know me well enough for that heated conversation.  Trust.  

Anywho, in Los Angeles, you’ve got almost too much to choose from.  Keep in mind that Los Angeles and Anaheim are NOT close.  The Angels and the Ducks are in Anaheim.  I do NOT know why MLB allows the name Los Angeles Angels because they do not play in Los Angeles.  Again, another conversation I could go off on, but I’ll save that for another day, another forum.

For now the Lakers and the Clippers play in the same stadium, but soon that’s going to change.  The Clips are headed to Inglewood.  If you read my previous post about SoFi Stadium, the Clips arena named the Intuit Dome (side-eye) is going to be just south of SoFi and projected ready by the 2024 season.  We’ll see…  For now, they both play in what a lot of folks still call Staples Center, but the actual name, yes, well, that other name, Crypto dot com whatever…

And yes, the Kings play in Staples too! I admit I had a thing for Luc Robitaille back in the day.

Word from the Wise re: Traffic

The Dodgers still have beloved Dodger Stadium.  A hop and skip from DTLA.  Now let me say this while I’m thinking about it.  If there’s a Dodgers, Kings or Laker/Clipper game and you’re not going to it, avoid DTLA like the plague.  Traffic will make you lose your religion.  Trust me on this one.  Either get through DTLA way before the game starts or mid-game before the 4th quarter or the 3rd period or the 8th (if you’re pushing it, 9th) inning.  Remember LA driving is all about timing.  If you’re trying to get from the west side to say, Pasadena or the San Gabriel Valley, you need to get through DTLA before the fans hit the freeways.  You’ll thank me later.

Sports Options in the Bay Area

Up north, you’ve got everything.  NBA has the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings.  NFL has the 49ers.  MLB has the SF Giants and Oakland Athletics.  NHL has the San Jose Sharks.  

Things to consider for the Bay Area

• The Warriors play in San Francisco.  The Kings are in Sacramento.  Nowhere near close to one another.  If you’re trying to hit both, take your time, see some sights in between.  You could stop in Napa on your way to Sacramento.  Just a thought…
• The 49ers aren’t technically in San Francisco (ah Candlestick Park, it’s a faint memory).  Levi’s Stadium is far south in Santa Clara and it’s a pretty nice stadium to call home.  It’s a drive.  Be mindful of traffic and you’ll be a’ight.  My first trip out there it felt like I was driving to the middle of nowhere, but the stadium eventually showed itself.
• If I had a choice to go to an Athletics game versus a Giants game, I’d probably go for the Giants.  And that’s saying a lot because remember, I’m a Dodgers fan.  Baseball fans will understand what I’m trying to say.  Honestly, I would never go to either, but if I HAD to choose…The Giants play in San Fran at Oracle Park right on the water.  For some, Oracle Park rivals Petco Park in San Diego for best baseball stadium.  You let me know what you think.  The A’s (Athletics) play in the Oakland Coliseum.  Yes, that’s where the Raiders used to play.  And yes, the stadium is super old.  If you have nothing good to say, don’t say anything.
• The Sharks are down in San Jose.  If you were trying for a combo in the South Bay, I would say go for a Sharks game and catch a 49ers game.  

I left soccer off this post because I know little to nothing about soccer.  Any advice I give you would be wild guesses and you deserve better than that.

Let’s hear from the sports fans out there.  Your favorite stadiums/arenas.  Favorite teams.  Favorite sports memories.

Until next time…

May the road rise to meet you and the wind be at your back.