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Every New Year’s Day since 1923, the classic stand-off between the leading teams of college football’s Pacific Coast and Big Ten conferences has taken place at this historic landmark stadium. The Bowl has also hosted five professional football Super Bowls, the 1994 World Cup soccer finals, and many other major sporting events. Its giant flea market, held every second Sunday of the month, is legendary.

Dodger Stadium, home of the LA Dodgers major league baseball team, is widely regarded as a crown jewel among American ballparks. Completed in 1962, its clever configuration allows for good sight lines from all 56,000 seats. Panoramic city and mountain views are an extra bonus. Guided tours, which include peeks at the press box and dugout, are offered on non-game days.

This modern temple to professional team sports is home base for basketball’s Lakers, Clippers, and Sparks, ice hockey’s Kings, and indoor football’s Avengers. Opened in 1999, it’s also a preferred stop for blockbuster music acts à la Barbra Streisand and the Rolling Stones. Thanks to steep bleachers, views are great from most seats.

One of the most celebrated thoroughbred racetracks in the US, Santa Anita opened in 1934 and has been a hit with Hollywood stars and the LA elite ever since. The season runs from December 26 to April.

Nicknamed the “Track of Lakes and Flowers,” Hollywood Park has seen its share of triumphs since it opened in 1938. Founded by the Hollywood Turf Club under its chairman, movie mogul Jack Warner, it counted Bing Crosby and Walt Disney among its original shareholders. Thoroughbred races take place from late April to late July and again from early November to December.

An architectural triumph when completed in 1923, the Coliseum (see Around Downtown) in Exposition Park is now a National Historic Landmark. It first rose to prominence as a key site of the 1932 Summer Olympics and has also hosted the 1984 Games, two Super Bowls, and one World Series. Pope John Paul II has been cheered on here.

At the core of LA’s newest sports complex, opened in June 2003, is a 27,000-seat soccer stadium. It is the home turf of the Los Angeles Galaxy, the city’s Major League Soccer (MLS) team, and will also serve as the US national soccer training headquarters.

This friendly yoga studio offers 150 classes weekly for all levels. If you don’t know your downward-facing dog from your sun salutation, take an introductory class to learn about basic postures and breathing techniques.

Vanity rules at this state-of-the-art gym famous for its celebrity clientele and innovative workout classes. Get killer abs and buns of steel while sweating through unusual offerings such as Cardio Striptease, Kama Sutra Yoga, or Polynesian Phunk. Finish up with a relaxing session in the sauna or steam room.

Steel your biceps and other body parts in the hallowed halls once haunted by Mr. Universe himself, Arnold “The Terminator” Schwarzenegger. Other celebrity members have included Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and Keanu Reeves. Day passes are available.