Growing up in the 1980s, I went to countless Dodgers and Angels games with both my grandfather and stepdad. I recently took my 10-year-old son to our first baseball game, and we had — well — a ball. Aside from hitting the beach or having a barbecue, nothing else captures the spirit of summer like taking your children to a professional sporting event. Below, I offer a few tips for visiting some of our local stadiums this summer with your kids. Besides baseball, I include women’s basketball and professional soccer because they are in season now, too.
Angel Stadium
Conveniently, there’s an Amtrak/Metrolink station about a half-mile away from Angel Stadium in Anaheim. And on game days (regular season runs through the end of September), a free shuttle service runs between the stadium and the station. This is a great option for those who want to avoid expensive parking and gridlock, but be sure to check departure times since baseball games can run long. Originally built in 1966, Angel Stadium is one of the older baseball stadiums in America, but the stadium’s amenities and food are top tier. Forget hot dogs — there are Nashville Hot Chicken sandwiches and Chronic tacos. You’ll find cocktails on all levels, plus wine and beer on several. If you’re looking to save some coins, you can also bring outside food in a clear, plastic bag no larger than a gallon and bottled water or sports drinks no larger than a liter. mlb.com/angels
Crypto.com Arena
I’ll admit that I still call the Crypto.com arena Staples Center, but whatever we call it, this popular Downtown L.A. arena will host the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks until mid-September. In the last few years, women’s basketball has become even more popular, thanks to new stars such as Angel Reece and Caitlin Clark. If you want to avoid expensive parking, take the train to see the Sparks; the Metro Station is directly across the street. Moreover, if you arrive early enough, you can catch a movie at Regal theater, visit the Grammy Museum or eat at L.A. Live. cryptoarena.com
Dodger Stadium
Perhaps only attending a show at the Hollywood Bowl is as iconic Los Angeles as attending a Los Angeles Dodgers game at its 62-year-old stadium perched on the hill known as Chavez Ravine. Tickets are harder to snag these days because everyone wants to watch superstar Shohei Ohtani, but if you schedule it far enough in advance, you can still get some seats. Buses run from nearby Union Station if you do not want to deal with parking. The stadium has made a number of recent upgrades, such as installing several water refilling stations, so feel free to bring your refillable bottle (as well as outside non-alcoholic drinks in factory-sealed plastic bottles). You can bring your own food, too, as long as it can fit inside a clear bag smaller than 12x12x6 inches. There are several tours you can take of the stadium, including a garden tour. mlb.com/dodgers
Soccer at BMO Stadium
Before SoFi Stadium was opened in 2020, BMO Stadium was the newest kid on the block. Opened in 2018, this 22,000-seat stadium was built exclusively for soccer. Conveniently located in Exposition Park, right next to the Memorial Coliseum off Figueroa Boulevard, the soccer haven is a short walk from the Expo Line just north of it. Once inside, enjoy a view of Downtown L.A.’s skyscrapers looming on the northern horizon. Beyond finding baby changing tables in all the family restrooms, there are five public elevators for those with strollers or wheelchairs and seven different entrances. Hosting both the Los Angeles Football Club men’s team and the Women’s Soccer League Angel City Football Club, there is a constant stream of games on the calendar. bmostadium.com
Dignity Health Sports Park, Home of the Los Angeles Galaxy
Located in Carson on the campus of California State University, Dominguez Hills, this sleek facility is home to Major League Soccer’s LA Galaxy, the five-time MLS Cup Champions. This 27,000-seat arena opened in 2003 as one of the first new soccer stadiums built in America. No matter how old your kids are, there’s not a bad seat in the house. The large parking lot just west of the stadium is famous for thousands of folks tailgating on game day. There’s usually live music and DJs warming up the crowd before the game. lagalaxy.com
Last year, my son and I had a memorable moment at our first Galaxy game. My son saw the lively crowd behind the northern goal waving flags, singing songs and yelling their hearts out. At halftime, we were in the gift shop when we ran into a friend who is a season ticket holder. My son and I had been sitting midfield, but my friend invited us to come sit with his crew, which just happened to be behind the goal. Within minutes, my son had a flag in his hands and was singing songs for the Galaxy.
As I watched him basking in the excitement, I recalled watching Kareem Abdul-Jabbar break Wilt Chamberlain’s scoring record at the Forum when I was in the fourth grade. These moments of jubilation are a big reason we attend sporting events. Granted, our team does not always win, but letting our kids experience being with thousands of folks watching these incredible athletes creates lifelong memories and cultivates deep civic pride.
Mike Sonksen is a third-generation L.A. native, poet, professor and author of “Letters to My City.”