There’s more to soccer culture than the professional game, which is why we’ve put together guides for each of MLS’ 19 markets. Whether you’re just dropping in on vacation or hitting the road with your fellow supporters, here’s the lowdown on what to do and how to do it.
SOCCER CULTURE
Birthplace of the suburban soccer revolution, with AYSO's 1964 founding in Torrance, followed by the 1970s explosion. Year-round warm weather allows for everyday play, every year, leading SoCal to be the top producer of talent in the US, with dozens of elite youth clubs developing talent for US national teams, pro leagues here and in Latin America, and colleges around the nation.
A vast multicultural landscape has led to a rich history of ethnic teams and leagues since the early 1900s. Nearly 50 years of professional soccer, involving some of the biggest names in sport (including Jack Kent Cooke, Dan Reeves and Alan Rothenberg) and championships for the Wolves (USA, 1967), Aztecs (NASL, 1974), Skyhawks (ASL, 1976), Hollywood Kickers (WSA, 1986) and Galaxy (MLS, 2002, 2005, 2011, 2012 and 2014).
WHERE TO PLAY
Greater Los Angeles covers thousands of square miles, from Ventura in the northeast to San Clemente at the southern tip of Orange County to the deserts and mountains of the Inland Empire, and you can find soccer -- organized, pickup, youth, adult, you name it -- everywhere, every day. Some of the best places to find a game: Santa Monica Airport field, Soboroff Field at Exposition Park near USC, Arroyo Soccer Park in South Pasadena, Balboa Sports Complex in Encino, Ferraro Soccer Field north of Griffith Park, and the Rio de Los Angeles State Park north of Dodger Stadium. Or check out socster.com or pickupsoccer.meetup.com.
LOCAL CUISINE
- In-N-Out Burger: SoCal's entry in the America's-best-burger sweepstakes, with locations all over the place. Check out the "secret menu," then order your double-double (two beef patties, two slices of cheese, but perhaps you'd prefer a 3x3 -- or a 12x12) with animal fries and a Neapolitan shake.
- Manuel's Original El Tepeyac Cafe: Some of the world's best Mexican food comes from LA, the second- or third-largest (battling Guadalajara) Mexican city on the planet. The best might be here. Try the Original Hollenbeck Burrito. Address: 812 N. Evergreen Ave. in Boyle Heights, on the edge of East LA, with a second location in City of Industry.
- The Original Pantry Cafe: Iconic diner in downtown LA hasn't closed its doors, not for a minute, since opening in 1924. Classic American fare, cash only. Join the line outside at 877 S. Figueroa St., a block north of L.A. Live.
- Honorable mentions:Philippe the Original, Canter's Deli, Restaurant Row
SOCCER BARS
- Alpine Village: (Torrance) Home base for LA's German community and one of Seattle Sounders coach Sigi Schmid's favorite hometown haunts.
- Casey's Irish Pub: (downtown LA) Lots of US supporters show up here.
- Cock and Bull: (Santa Monica) Storied English pub is ground zero on the West Side for anything footy-related on the tube.
- Honorable mentions:Dillon's Irish Pub (Hollywood), The Fox and Hounds (Studio City), Joxer Daly's Irish Pub (Culver City)
WHERE TO VISIT
- Disneyland: The No. 1 tourist destination in SoCal, of course, for all the reasons you'd think, and if you've never been -- regardless of your Orlando experience -- you've got to go. You'll pay plenty for the honor, more for a two-park pass, which you want, because California Adventure has Cars Land (and alcohol!). Mouseke-haters might prefer Knott's Berry Farm, just six miles away in Buena Park. Six Flags Magic Mountain, in Santa Clarita north of Los Angeles, doesn't have the charm of either but possesses the best coasters.
- Hollywood: The best place to act like a tourist, since there's so many prowling around. Walk Hollywood Boulevard to see the stars -- just don't do so too late at night -- get tickets to TV tapings, take a studio tour, watch the red carpet at a premiere, take in a screening of something you can't see at home (often with a Q&A featuring the stars or director), gander at the iconic Capitol Records building, hit the clubs, wander around Hollywood & Highland (with the Chinese Theatre and all the legends' hand- and footprints next door), and maybe take in a concert at the Hollywood Bowl (home to the L.A. Philharmonic, among others, in summer). Universal Studios, just north in Studio City, is a worthy theme park, and don't forget to check out Amoeba Music (Sunset and Cahuenga), maybe the best record/DVD store in the land.
- Griffith Observatory: The best view of the LA basin? It's up here, atop Griffith Park -- Los Angeles' version of Central Park, just much hillier -- and the observatory is pretty cool, too. For the view, just before dusk is the best time (with the sunset over the Pacific), but you could spend a day in and around the park, which is home to the LA Zoo, the Greek Theater (smaller, less iconic, better than the Hollywood Bowl), and the Autry National Center (a museum dedicated to the American West). Or you can play golf, swim, hike or ride bikes or horses.
- Honorable mention:Getty Villa, Huntington Library, Art Collections and Botanical Gardens, Venice Beach
MATCHDAY
The Galaxy, more so than any other MLS club, have a celebrity following, with many of Hollywood's soccer fans heading to Carson to get their fix. It's not quite as star-studded as during Beckham's reign, when you might run into Tom Cruise, but there's still decent traffic, with recent sightings of Kobe Bryant, Gordon Ramsey, Eric Idle and Taylor Lautner. Weezer's Rivers Cuomo is a huge LA fan, and Drew Carey used to be before he bought into the Sounders. Soccer royalty isn't rare, either: Beckham shows up every so often, and Gary Lineker and Frank Lampard have made visits. Bring binoculars: Most of them are sitting in private boxes.
MATCHDAY TIPS:
- Upgraded experience: You can make reservations to watch the game from the Champions Lounge field-side seats (with access to the Lounge, which players traverse from the locker room to the field) or in the Stadium Club, overlooking the south end.
- Tailgating permitted: A new policy this year will enhance the Tailgating experience in lots 10, 11, 12 and 13, starting three hours before kickoff. Meet up with the Angel City Brigade and L.A. Riot Squad to the north of the stadium and the Galaxians just south of the Northwest entrance.
- Best food: Check out Rock & Brews, on the southeast side of the stadium, for burgers, wings, pizza, salads, sandwiches and vegan fare, plus craft beers. Kiss' Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons are among the chain's founders, and Stanley sang the national anthem when it opened at StubHub last year.
