A basketball stronghold
In California, basketball is everywhere... And the mythical "purple and gold" jersey of the Los Angeles Lakers (17 times champions, last title in 2020) has been around the world more than once! From Magic Johnson to LeBron James, passing by Kobe Bryant or Shaquille O'Neal, the greatest have passed through the Staples Center (which will become the Crypto.com Arena in 2021)! But on the rest of the West Coast, fans of the big orange ball are not left behind. In recent years, Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors (7 times champions in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022) or, to a lesser extent, the Clippers, also from LA, have made the powder talk... and rained 3 points! Finally, a great atmosphere was also guaranteed in the rooms of the legendary Phoenix Suns, the Sacramento Kings or the Utah Jazz (Salt Lake City)!
Long live American soccer!
The US soccer is adored by the Americans and unleashes the crowds. And California is no exception to the rule! Each university has its own team and its own stadium. The games are real shows: each university has its cheerleaders, its brass band and its mascot who entertain the spectators during half-time. Tailgate is also a tradition on game days. It's a sort of enhanced picnic in the back of pickup trucks in the stadium parking lot. Some are very organized and bring barbecue, chairs, tables, etc. At the national level, in the mythical NFL (National Football League), 32 teams from all over the United States compete for national supremacy. Every year in January an event takes place that Americans would not miss under any circumstances: the Superbowl, the final of this championship, broadcast on mondovision. The top teams on the West Coast are the San Francisco 49ers, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Los Angeles Chargers, the Los Angeles Rams and the Arizona Cardinals.
Other US sports also featured
Baseball. Baseball, the "national pastime" in the United States, is also part of California's culture. Every year in late fall, the top two teams in the nation compete in the World Series of Major League Baseball (MLB). The top MLB teams on the West Coast are the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants.
Ice Hockey. In spite of the sun, we also vibrate around the ice rinks in California! Ice hockey has made a place for itself. In 2022, five great teams were playing in the prestigious NHL, the National Hockey League: the Los Angeles Kings, the San Jose Sharks, the Anaheim Ducks, the Arizona Coyotes and the Vegas Golden Nights. The season runs from October to April.
On the water, world famous surf spots
With its thousands of miles of coastline, California is a surfer's paradise. But for those who are cold: beware! The water of the Pacific is freezing in the north, no way to venture there without a wetsuit. Moreover, sharks sometimes prowl around, especially in Bolinas, a charming little town. Surfing is practiced by a large part of the population (male but not only) of California, and at all ages. This sport is also part of a way of life close to nature, with a certain state of mind that is frequently found among Californians. A vacation in California is a good opportunity to try it! Santa Cruz, south of San Francisco, is one of the historical spots of Californian surfing. Other places to try are Windansea Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Oceanside, San Clemente, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Malibu or Mavericks at Half Moon Bay, where the Big Wave Surfing competition is held.
Other water activities. Surfing of course, but who says ocean, says water sports of all kinds. Jet-skiing, sailing, paddleboarding, motorboating, water-skiing, wakeboarding but also river rafting or kayaking are very easily practiced throughout California. Adventure Centers are numerous, especially in the north of the state, and offer a wide range of activities around water.
On land, hikes for everyone
Regardless of your level of ability, hiking is enjoyed by everyone in California. In fact, dozens of natural and national parks welcome you with well-marked hiking trails of varying difficulty. So whether you want to walk for twenty minutes or all day, you'll be spoiled for choice! Wear a hat or cap and always remember to pack a bottle of water in your backpack because it can get very hot. The national parks of California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada are beautiful expedition grounds. Starting with Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, the first national park in the world, which was created in 1872. A myth! And it will delight families as well as experienced hikers..
Notice to all white ball lovers!
Golf is also very popular in California. You'll find a golf course in almost every area you drive through. It seems that owning a golf course is an asset to a community. The Monterey Peninsula is famous for its many golf courses with ocean views. Arizona is also famous for its golf courses, which are used primarily in the winter by a retired population.
Winter, more sliding
If surfing is practiced almost all year long, in winter the ski slopes make people happy! We think about it less often, but California is a mountainous state, rich in ski areas. The biggest ones are those of Mammoth Lakes or Lake Tahoe, very appreciated by Americans who come from all over the United States. Snowboarding is also practiced a lot, and impressive facilities exist in the resorts (halfpipes, gigantic snowparks...). Nevada, Arizona and especially Utah, which organized the Winter Olympics in 2002 in Salt Lake City, also have many ski areas.
