Top 3 Sporting Grounds in California
California is famous for its excellent climate, its diverse people, its good food, and beautiful sunsets. It is also home to some of the best sporting facilities in the world. For sports enthusiasts, here are some top facilities for different sports in California that you will love.
1. Dodger Stadium
California is undoubtedly the capital of baseball in America, a state that is home to five major baseball league teams. When in California, showing up for a baseball game is not just about participating in a national pastime; but also a chance for you to experience these cities from a different perspective.
Dodger Stadium, home to the Los Angeles Dodgers, is one of the oldest MLB stadiums, sitting pretty in third place. The stadium has a modern mid-century design that is unmatched, with its entrances at grade and with a wavy roof feature. Sitting on 300 acres of land overlooking the San Gabriel Mountains, this stadium’s architecture makes it the most beautiful baseball stadium.
A multi-stacked level and an outfield pavilion above the home plate ensures you get to enjoy unique views of the stadium at all height, including the top of the park. Should you be headed for a game there and wish to avoid the traffic menace, there is a dodger express shuttle from Union Station, downtown, for free.
2. Santa Anita Race Track
Horse racing is a big, fun sport in California, which is also home to five major horse racing tracks. Santa Anita Park, a Thoroughbred racetrack, tops the list of the horse racing parks, hosting prominent races like Santa Anita Handicap (G1), and the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
Located in downtown Los Angeles, this 14mile park is a powerhouse for some of the most prestigious horse races in the United States, which are held over Winter, spring, and early fall.Its proximity to Los Angeles has seen the track have a close association with the television and film industries.
Santa Anita seats 26,000 guests, with its infield resembling a park that has picnic tables and trees and can seat 50,000 guests. You can also sign up with your favorite online betting site and place your bets on your lucky horse. Santa Anita Race Track has an equine hospital facility and can house around 2,00 horses. This historic landmark that sits on 320 acres of land became eligible for the National Register of Historic Places listing.
3. WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca
Car racing is a thrilling, exciting sport that many enjoy, whether behind the wheel or from the spectator stands. When you go to California, you can enjoy both the sun and the raceways. The state has many raceways around the country that are fun to drive on, but almost everyone will mention Laguna Seca as a classic must-visit.
Laguna Seca raceway, previously known as the Mazda Raceway, is a fantastic paved road racing track for both auto and motorcycle racing. The 3.6 km complex racetrack has an elevation change that is 55m long and 11 turns, with the turns 8 and 8A “corkscrew” turn that plunges downhill being the signature turns of the course. At the top of the corkscrew, you get to enjoy beautiful Pacific Ocean views.
Laguna Seca saw its first race held in 1957, and Pete Lovely won with a Ferrari. Since then, some major events like Monterey Sports Car Championships, World Superbike Championship, and Monterey Historics for classic race cars have been held there every year.
You can access these tracks by joining motorcycle and car clubs that rent the tracks at different times of the year, depending on what calendar dates suit you.
