If you love professional sports, California is the ultimate sports playground. With 24 major professional sports franchises, iconic stadiums, and year-round sunshine, the Golden State makes it easy to build a sports trip around game day.
Whether you visit Los Angeles, San Diego, the Bay Area, or Sacramento, use this guide to watch the Golden State’s best teams on an only-in-California sports trip. Extending a FIFA World Cup™ 2026 trip? Explore our 2026 Soccer Tournament Hub for planning ideas.
Los Angeles Sports Experiences
Los Angeles County is one of America’s greatest sports destinations. It’s home to 11 professional sports teams and is known for its state-of-the-art venues and a lineup of high-profile events, including the 2028 Summer Olympics and international football matches. Baseball fans can catch a Los Angeles Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium or take in an Los Angeles Angels game nearby in Orange County at Angels Stadium in Anaheim.
Basketball fans can watch the iconic Los Angeles Lakers or the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks play in Crypto.com Arena in Downtown L.A. or the Los Angeles Clippers at Intuit Dome in Inglewood. For a more in-depth look at the many stadiums that pepper the state, check out our California stadiums breakdown.
Don’t underestimate the city’s hockey scene, as you’ll find a packed house at Los Angeles Kings games in Crypto.com Arena and Anaheim Ducks games at Honda Center. Watch the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers play football at the high-tech SoFi Stadium—also set to be a venue for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Or find a passionate soccer fanbase at L.A. FC games and women’s Angels City FC games at BMO Stadium. See MLS champs, the Los Angeles Galaxy, play at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Experience the L.A. sports scene differently with these unique experiences:
Experience Immersive Sports Viewing at Cosm Los Angeles
When you can’t go to a game but still want to feel like you’re there, reserve seats at Cosm to watch the game in The Dome. Located near SoFi Stadium, this state-of-the-art, immersive entertainment venue features huge 8K LED screens that make you feel like you’re really there. The venue broadcasts a variety of pro and college sports as well as movies and even Cirque du Soleil.
Explore a Botanical Garden Before a Dodgers Game
Did you know that Dodger Stadium is the first American sports arena with an accredited botanic garden? Arrive early for a Dodgers game and take time to stroll past California-native, water-wise plants that reflect the region’s ecology. Or, set up your own Dodger Stadium tour for a less crowded viewing experience. On select Fridays, take a guided garden tour to learn how this lush landscape is sustained in the area’s arid climate.
Take a Hike Above Dodger Stadium
Get some exercise before a Dodgers game on a hike in Elysian Park. It’s right next to Dodger Stadium and is typically a tailgating hot spot, but you can also get your steps in with views of Chavez Ravine. Take the 2-mile West Loop trail for stadium and skyline vistas, or hike a bit further on the 3-mile Angel’s Point trail.
Run the Angels Stadium 5K and Get Free Tickets to a Game
Hit the pavement in Anaheim every June at the Angels Stadium 5K and get tickets to a future Angels game. You’ll race 3.1 miles along the course and end on the field in Angel Stadium. Participants receive a voucher for free tickets to select future games. All proceeds benefit the Angels Baseball Foundation, which gives back to the community.
San Diego Sports Experiences
San Diego’s professional sports scene is small but mighty, anchored by the MLB’s San Diego Padres at Petco Park in the Gaslamp Quarter and the city’s newer MLS team, San Diego FC, at Snapdragon Stadium in Mission Valley.
Play Pickleball at Petco Park’s Gallagher Square Before a Padres Game
The Padres’ downtown field is surrounded by endless entertainment, dining, and nightlife options. Gallagher Square, located just outside the park, is a hub of activity all its own: it has a concert space, a dog park, and pickleball courts. Bring your own paddles and balls on select dates, and if you really love both sports, join in on the stadium’s pickleball theme nights.
San Francisco Bay Area Sports Experiences
The San Francisco Bay Area is a hotbed for world-class sports, hosting the 2026 Super Bowl and six days of international soccer matches in 2026.
Multiple professional teams play in the Bay Area during the regular seasons as well. Major League Baseball's San Francisco Giants play at Oracle Park and the seven-time NBA champion Golden State Warriors and the WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries play at Chase Center. The NFL’s San Francisco 49ers have their home field at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, while the NHL’s San Jose Sharks play at SAP Center in San Jose, in the heart of Silicon Valley.
Pair these sports experiences with these activities unique to the Bay Area:
Kayak Around a San Francisco Giants Game
Catching a San Francisco Giants game at Oracle Park on a sunny day is a classic San Fran experience. Soak up more of that ballpark energy from a kayak while paddling on McCovey Cove, located directly behind right field. There’s even a large screen facing the cove so you can watch the action from your boat. Choose an afternoon Giants game to maximize daylight, rent a kayak from City Kayak, and paddle over. Bring a radio, snacks, and drinks for the ultimate game-day experience.
Go Ice Skating Outside the Chase Center, Home of the Golden State Warriors
Glide around in the heart of Mission Bay every December at Thrive City, located just outside Chase Center. Make a free reservation to skate outside the Golden State Warriors' front door on this synthetic ice skating rink. And don’t worry if you don’t have ice skates—rentals are available for a $5 suggested donation to the Golden State Community Foundation.
Take the Ferry to a San Francisco Giants Game
Direct ferries to Oracle Park offer a mellow ride to the game while taking in bay views along the way. On game days, take direct rides on the Golden Gate Ferry from Larkspur to the ballpark or the San Francisco Bay Ferry from Oakland, Alameda, or Vallejo. On the way to the game, you can even buy concessions and drinks on board.
Sacramento
California’s capital city is currently home to two professional sports teams: the NBA’s Sacramento Kings play at the Golden 1 Center downtown, and through 2027, the MLB’s Athletics take to the field at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.
Bike Along the American River Bike Trail to an Athletics Game
Get some exercise before a game at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento (also home to the Minor League Sacramento River Cats) by pedaling to the field on the 32-mile American River Bike Trail. This flat, paved trail goes right past the ballpark and is an easy ride from Folsom Lake or any city along the route. If you’d rather not bike back after the game, you can take your bike on Sacramento’s Light Rail for the return trip.
Explore the Old Sacramento Waterfront Before a Sacramento Kings or Athletics Game
Step back to Sacramento’s Gold Rush era with a pregame visit to the Old Sacramento Waterfront. This 28-acre historic district, shaped by gold, agriculture, and the river, is remarkably preserved today. Explore its museums and shops before heading to the Golden 1 Center or Sutter Health Park in time for the game.