For sports fans living in Ventura County, Santa Barbara County, and California's 805 region, some of the biggest sporting events in the country are just a drive south. Los Angeles is home to legendary stadiums, modern arenas, championship teams, and venues that regularly host major sporting events.
Whether you're looking for NFL football, NBA basketball, MLB baseball, soccer, college football, or major international sporting events, Los Angeles offers plenty of opportunities for an unforgettable sports day trip from the 805 region of California.
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Travel times from Ventura and Santa Barbara can vary considerably depending on traffic, construction, and the time of day. For 805 residents, however, many of these venues are within reasonable driving distance for a game, tournament, or major sporting event.
Here are some of the top sports venues in and around Los Angeles to put on your list.
SoFi Stadium – Inglewood
SoFi Stadium is one of the most prominent sports venues in Southern California and the home of the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. Located in Inglewood as part of Hollywood Park, the stadium opened in 2020 and has quickly become a major destination for professional football and large-scale sporting events.
The stadium seats approximately 70,000 spectators and can be expanded to accommodate larger events. Its design combines indoor and outdoor elements, with a massive translucent roof covering the stadium and surrounding plaza.
SoFi Stadium has already hosted major events including Super Bowl LVI, the College Football Playoff National Championship, WrestleMania, and international soccer. The venue is also scheduled to play a major role in upcoming Los Angeles sporting events, including Super Bowl LXI in 2027 and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
For sports fans coming from the 805, SoFi Stadium is particularly appealing for NFL games and major international events.
Intuit Dome – Inglewood
Intuit Dome is one of the newest major sports venues in the Los Angeles area. Located in Inglewood, the arena opened for the 2024-25 season as the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers.
The 18,000-seat arena was designed specifically with basketball and fans in mind. One of its most recognizable features is The Wall, a dedicated seating section designed to create an intense home-court atmosphere. The venue also incorporates advanced technology, premium seating, food and beverage options, and a large outdoor plaza.
Intuit Dome is also an important part of the region's growing sports and entertainment district. In 2026, the arena hosted the NBA All-Star Game, adding another major event to its growing history.
For basketball fans in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, Intuit Dome provides an opportunity to see NBA basketball in a brand-new arena without traveling outside Southern California.
Dodger Stadium – Los Angeles
Dodger Stadium is one of the most recognizable baseball venues in the United States and has been home to the Los Angeles Dodgers since 1962.
Located near downtown Los Angeles, the stadium sits in Chavez Ravine and is surrounded by the hills of Elysian Park. The setting gives visitors a distinctly Southern California baseball experience, particularly during evening games when the stadium lights up against the Los Angeles skyline.
Dodger Stadium is a destination for both longtime baseball fans and visitors looking to experience one of Los Angeles' most established professional sports venues. The Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission lists Dodger Stadium among the city's major sports venues and notes that it hosted the 2022 MLB All-Star Game.
For 805 residents, a Dodgers game can also be combined with a visit to downtown Los Angeles, Chinatown, or other nearby attractions for a full-day Southern California outing.
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Crypto.com Arena – Downtown Los Angeles
Crypto.com Arena is located in downtown Los Angeles at the L.A. LIVE entertainment complex. The arena opened in 1999 and is home to the NBA's Los Angeles Lakers, the NHL's Los Angeles Kings, and the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks.
Unlike a traditional outdoor stadium, Crypto.com Arena provides an indoor setting for professional basketball and hockey, making it a year-round sports destination regardless of the weather.
The arena has also hosted numerous major sporting events, including NBA All-Star Weekend, the NHL All-Star Game, and NCAA tournament games. The surrounding L.A. LIVE district provides restaurants, entertainment, hotels, and other attractions, making it possible to turn a game into an entire evening in downtown Los Angeles.
For 805 sports fans, the arena is an especially convenient option when looking for NBA, NHL, or WNBA action in Los Angeles.
BMO Stadium – Los Angeles
BMO Stadium is located in Exposition Park near downtown Los Angeles and is an important destination for soccer fans. The stadium is home to Los Angeles FC and hosts professional soccer events throughout the year.
The venue has also been used for major soccer competitions and other sporting events. The Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission lists BMO Stadium among the city's major sports venues and notes that it hosted the 2021 MLS All-Star Game.
BMO Stadium is particularly relevant for soccer fans from the 805 because Los Angeles has become an increasingly important destination for international soccer. LAFC's 2026 schedule includes numerous home matches at BMO Stadium, while the stadium remains part of the larger sports environment surrounding Exposition Park.
The stadium's location also puts visitors close to several other Los Angeles attractions, including the California Science Center, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum – Los Angeles
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is one of the most historically significant sports venues in Southern California. Located in Exposition Park, the stadium has been closely associated with USC football and major international sporting events.
The Coliseum is especially notable for its Olympic history. Los Angeles hosted the Olympic Games at the stadium in 1932 and 1984, and the venue is scheduled to be part of the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The stadium will host track and field and the Olympic Closing Ceremony during LA28.
The Coliseum continues to serve as a major event venue. In 2026, USC used the stadium for its main commencement ceremony, while LAFC also selected the historic venue for its 2026 season opener.
For visitors from the 805, the Coliseum is an excellent choice for combining sports with a visit to Exposition Park and the surrounding museums.
Photo by Sean Pierce on Unsplash
Rose Bowl Stadium – Pasadena
Rose Bowl Stadium may be one of the most famous sports venues in the greater Los Angeles area. Located in Pasadena, the historic stadium opened in 1922 and is recognized as both a National Historic Landmark and a California Historic Civil Engineering landmark.
The Rose Bowl is best known for the annual Rose Bowl Game and UCLA football. UCLA continues to play its home football games at the stadium, including its 2026 home schedule.
The stadium's location at the base of the San Gabriel Mountains provides a setting that is very different from the downtown Los Angeles arenas. Beyond football, the Rose Bowl hosts concerts, community events, special sporting events, and other large gatherings throughout the year.
For visitors from Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, the Rose Bowl can make an interesting sports-focused day trip, particularly when paired with a visit to Old Pasadena or other attractions in the San Gabriel Valley.
Dignity Health Sports Park – Carson
Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson is another major Southern California sports destination, particularly for soccer fans. The complex has hosted professional soccer, international competitions, rugby, and other sporting events.
The Los Angeles Sports & Entertainment Commission includes Dignity Health Sports Park among the region's major sports venues. Its location south of downtown Los Angeles also makes it a different option for fans who want to explore sports venues beyond the central Los Angeles area.
Because Carson is farther south than the Inglewood and downtown venues, 805 visitors should consider traffic conditions carefully when planning a trip. On a day with lighter traffic, however, it can be another worthwhile destination for Southern California sports fans.
Why Los Angeles Is Worth the Drive From the 805 Region of CA
For residents of Ventura County and Santa Barbara County, Los Angeles offers an unusually wide selection of professional and collegiate sports within a relatively manageable Southern California road trip.
One weekend might mean watching the Rams or Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Another could involve a Dodgers game at Dodger Stadium, an NBA matchup at Intuit Dome or Crypto.com Arena, a soccer match at BMO Stadium, or college football at the Rose Bowl.
Los Angeles is also preparing for a series of major international sporting events. SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host Super Bowl LXI in 2027, while Los Angeles will host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games at venues throughout the region.
Planning a Sports Day Trip From Ventura or Santa Barbara
The biggest consideration for 805 residents is usually not the distance but Los Angeles traffic. A trip that can be relatively straightforward during lighter traffic can take considerably longer during weekday rush hours or around a major event.
Before leaving Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Santa Barbara, or another 805 community, check the scheduled event time, parking information, road conditions, and venue policies. Many major venues also offer public transportation options, shuttles, or advance parking reservations.
It is also worth arriving early. Large sporting events can create significant traffic around stadiums, and parking facilities may open well before the scheduled start time.
Los Angeles Sports Venues Are Part of the 805 Experience
Los Angeles may be outside the 805 region, but its major sports venues are close enough to make excellent destinations for sports fans throughout Ventura and Santa Barbara counties.
From the modern design of SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome to the history of Dodger Stadium, the Rose Bowl, and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the region offers an impressive variety of places to watch professional, collegiate, and international sports.
For In 805 readers, these venues provide another reason to explore Southern California beyond the 805 while still making it possible to return home after the game.
Before planning your trip, always check the venue's official website for the latest event schedule, ticket information, parking requirements, transportation options, and entry policies, as event details can change.
Published September 29, 2026, In 805 Media (in805.com)