A basketball stronghold
In California, basketball is everywhere... And the mythical "purple and gold" jersey of the Los Angeles Lakers (17-time champions, last title in 2020) has been around the world more than once. From Magic Johnson to LeBron James, via Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, the greatest have stopped off at the Staples Center (which will become the Crypto.com Arena in 2021). But on the West Coast, fans of dunks and alley-oops are not left out. In recent years, Stephen Curry's Golden State Warriors (7-time champions, including in 2015, 2017, 2018 and 2022) and, to a lesser extent, the Clippers, also from L.A., have been making it happen... and raining down 3-pointers! Last but not least, the legendary Phoenix Suns, the Sacramento Kings and the Utah Jazz (Salt Lake City) all provided a great atmosphere.
Long live American soccer!
US soccer is adored by Americans and unleashes the crowds. And California is no exception! The games are real spectacles: each university has its own team, its own stadium, its cheerleaders, its brass band and its mascot who entertain the spectators during half-time. Tailgating is also a tradition on match days. It's a kind of enhanced picnic in the back of pick-ups in stadium parking lots. Some are highly organized, bringing their own barbecues, chairs, tables and so on. At the national level, in the mythical NFL (National Football League), 32 teams from the four corners of the United States compete for national supremacy. Every year in January, the Superbowl, the championship final broadcast on mondovision, is an event that Americans wouldn't miss for the world. The leading teams on the West Coast are the San Francisco 49ers, the Las Vegas Raiders, the Los Angeles Chargers and Rams, and the Arizona Cardinals.
Other US sports also featured
Baseball. Baseball, the "national pastime" in the USA, is also part of Californian culture. Every year in late autumn, the two best national teams compete in the World Series of the famous MLB (Major League Baseball). The leading 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. Despite the sunshine, California's ice rinks are alive with excitement. Five major Western teams play 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 Knights. The season runs from October to April.
World-renowned surf spots
With its thousands of kilometers of coastline, California is a surfer's paradise. But if you're feeling the cold, beware! The water in the Pacific is freezing in the north, so don't venture out without a wetsuit. In addition, sharks sometimes prowl, particularly in Bolinas. That doesn't stop surfing being practiced by a large part of California's population, and at all ages. It's part of a way of life that's close to nature, and a state of mind that Californians often share. A vacation in the Golden State is the perfect opportunity to give it a try! Santa Cruz, south of San Francisco, is one of the area's historic spots. Others include Windansea Beach, Pacific Beach, La Jolla, Oceanside, San Clemente, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Malibu and Mavericks at Half Moon Bay, home of the Big Wave Surfing competition.
Other water sports. When you think of the ocean, you think of water sports of all kinds. Jet-skiing, sailing, paddleboarding, motorboating, water-skiing, wakeboarding, river rafting and kayaking are all easily accessible throughout California. Many Adventure Centers - especially in the north of the state - offer a wide range of water-based activities.
Walks for everyone
No matter what your level of fitness, hiking in California is for everyone. Dozens of natural and national parks offer well-marked hiking trails of varying difficulty. So whether you want to walk for twenty minutes or all day, you'll be spoilt for choice! Wear a hat or cap, and always remember to pack a bottle of water in your backpack, as it can get very hot. The parks of California, Arizona, Utah and Nevada are magnificent expedition sites. Mythical names such as Yosemite, Death Valley, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion and Monument Valley are sure to please families and seasoned hikers alike.
Notice to golf enthusiasts
Golf is also very popular in California. You'll find a course in almost every region you travel through: owning one seems to be considered a strong added value for a locality. The Monterey Peninsula, for example, is famous for its many ocean-view golf courses. Arizona is also renowned for its golf courses, used mainly in winter by a retired population.
Winter gliding
While surfing is practiced almost all year round, in winter the ski slopes are a joy to behold. It's not often you think about it, but California is a mountainous state with a wealth of ski resorts. The biggest of these are Mammoth Lakes and Lake Tahoe, which are popular with Americans from all over the United States. Snowboarding is also very popular: the resorts boast impressive facilities(half-pipes, giganticsnowparks, etc.). Nevada, Arizona and especially Utah, which hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, also boast numerous ski areas.
