Los Angeles offers world-class attractions between games, from the Griffith Observatory and Getty Center to Venice Beach and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Whether you’re in town for a Lakers game at Crypto.com Arena or a Dodgers night at Chavez Ravine, building a day or two of sightseeing around your event turns a good trip into a memorable one.
LA is a city that rewards exploration. With teams in every major professional league and a packed calendar of sporting events, there’s always a reason to visit. The key is knowing what to see, where to eat, and how to navigate a city that sprawls across 500 square miles. Here’s how to make the most of your Los Angeles sports trip.
Culture, Landmarks, and Museums
According to the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board, the city welcomed over 50 million visitors in recent years, making it one of the most-visited cities in the United States. Many of the top attractions are free or low-cost, which is good news when you’ve already invested in game tickets.
Can’t-Miss Landmarks
The Griffith Observatory is the signature LA stop — free admission, panoramic views of the city and the Hollywood sign, and exhibits that hold your attention even if astronomy isn’t your thing. Time your visit for late afternoon and you’ll catch the sunset over the Pacific from the observatory deck. The Hollywood Walk of Fame and TCL Chinese Theatre are worth a walk-through, especially if it’s your first time in the city. For sports fans, a visit to Crypto.com Arena and the LA Live entertainment district is a destination in itself.
Museums Worth Your Time
The Getty Center is free (you just pay for parking) and houses one of the best art collections on the West Coast, with architecture and gardens that are attractions in their own right. The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on Miracle Mile is newer and worth a visit if you have any interest in film history. The Natural History Museum in Exposition Park sits next to the Coliseum, making it easy to pair with a USC football game or an Pro Football weekend.
Beaches, Neighborhoods, and Food
LA’s neighborhoods each have distinct personalities, and the best sports trips weave in time to explore beyond the arena. The contrast between Venice Beach’s boardwalk energy and Silver Lake’s coffee-shop calm is part of what makes this city worth more than a one-night stay.
Beach Towns and Boardwalks
Venice Beach is quintessential LA — street performers, Muscle Beach, skate parks, and a boardwalk that delivers people-watching you won’t find anywhere else. It’s a great way to spend a morning before a night game at Crypto.com Arena or Intuit Dome. Santa Monica Pier is nearby with a more family-friendly vibe, rides, and ocean views. If you’re in town for multiple days, a drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to Malibu is one of the most scenic routes in the country.
Where to Eat and Explore
Grand Central Market downtown is a food hall with dozens of vendors serving everything from tacos to ramen to Thai-inspired omelets. Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills is worth a walk even if you’re not shopping. For a more local experience, head to Silver Lake or Los Feliz for independent coffee shops, bookstores, and restaurants that feel nothing like the tourist circuit.
Planning Your LA Sports Trip
LA is spread out, and traffic is real. According to the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Los Angeles consistently ranks among the top three worst-traffic cities in the nation. The key to a good sports trip here is staying in the right neighborhood for your game and planning your sightseeing geographically rather than bouncing across the city.
Neighborhood Strategy by Venue
If your game is at Crypto.com Arena, stay downtown where you can walk to LA Live, Grand Central Market, and the Arts District. For a Dodgers game at Chavez Ravine, Echo Park and Silver Lake are nearby neighborhoods with excellent restaurants. Los Angeles Football fans heading to SoFi Stadium should consider Inglewood or El Segundo — close to the action and near the beach. Major League Vacations offers custom sports travel packages that pair game tickets with hotels in the right part of town so you’re not spending half your trip in traffic.
If you’re seeing multiple games during your stay, check out our guides to NBA travel packages and Pro Football travel packages to bundle everything together. And for a deep dive on the arena itself, read our Crypto.com Arena guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a car in Los Angeles?
For sightseeing, a car helps significantly — LA’s public transit covers some ground but not everything. For game day, rideshare or the Metro is often easier than dealing with stadium parking and post-game traffic. MLV travel packages often include transportation options that simplify logistics.
What is the best time of year for an LA sports trip?
October through April gives you NBA, NHL, and Pro Football seasons with mild weather in the 60s and 70s. Spring training for the Dodgers and Angels starts in mid-February. Summer is baseball season but hotter and more crowded at tourist spots.
Can I see two games in one LA trip?
Easily. LA has teams in every major league, and with the Lakers, Kings, and Dodgers all playing frequently, catching two games in a long weekend is very doable. During certain windows you can even combine an NBA and NHL game at the same arena on consecutive nights.
How far apart are the major LA sports venues?
Crypto.com Arena and SoFi Stadium are about 10 miles apart. Dodger Stadium is roughly 5 miles from downtown. Intuit Dome in Inglewood is adjacent to SoFi Stadium. Angel Stadium in Anaheim is about 30 miles south — far enough to be a separate trip within a trip.
Ready to plan your LA sports trip? Build a custom package with Major League Vacations that pairs your game with the best of what the city has to offer, or browse our MLB and NBA packages for upcoming LA matchups.