Ultimate Sports Events

With nearly twice as many professional teams as any other state, California is big league all the way. But the state’s sports scene goes far beyond football and baseball, with a diverse line-up of world-class events throughout the year. Watch top surfers take on legendary waves in both Northern and Southern California. See sizzling-hot tennis in the desert at BNP Paribas in Indian Wells, near Palm Springs. Cheer on the planet’s best cyclists as they cover nearly 700 miles/1,126 kilometres during Amgen Tour of California. Want a bit more speed? Catch big-time IndyCar and NASCAR races at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, or horses sprint near L.A. See wacky amphibious vehicles in the North Coast, or join in the race at San Francisco’s celebrated Bay to Breakers. Or, for a slower pace—a much, much slower pace—watch giant frogs jump in the Gold Country.