Orlando City ends their two-game road trip in the City of Angels to face the LA Galaxy. California, here we come.
The Venue
StubHub Center is home to the LA Galaxy. It’s a state-of-the-art soccer specific stadium that can seat up to 27,000 people. While it has been the host venue to not only MLS games and events it has also hosted major events such as the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup, SuperLiga tournament matches and CONCACAF Gold Cup matches. It is also the site where the United States Soccer Federation Men’s and Women’s National teams train.
The Galaxy has three recognized supporter groups: Galaxians, Angel City Brigade and Riot Squad.
Places to See
Disneyland
Even though it’s a Disney mecca here in Orlando, if you’re going to the west coast why not check out the original park that started it all? Plus they have one park that we don’t, Disney’s California Adventure, showcasing more recent Disney characters and Hollywood-oriented attractions.
Griffith Park
The park, extremely accessible from the city, offers a 53-mile network of trails, roads and bridle paths. One of the most popular routes is up Mount Hollywood, which boasts panoramic views of the Los Angeles basin, the Griffith Observatory and the Hollywood sign along the way. If you don’t feel like working up a sweat you can see a lot of the park on horseback.
Venice Beach Boardwalk
The bohemian lifestyle of this famous boardwalk is constantly threatened by the rapid gentrification of Venice. Still, the magicians, fortune-tellers and Muscle Beach weigh lifters still survive. Struggling artists sell their paintings, infiltrated by tackier purveyors of cheap watches and sunglasses. Rent a bicycle or in-line skates, grab a hot dog and enjoy the sights and the sunset.
Bars and Restaurants
In-N-Out
Hands down the best fast food chain in America. Sorry, Chick-Fil-A. Why they haven’t expanded to Florida yet is the question I will ask till the end of time because nothing compares to the amazingness that is In-N-Out. If someone brings me back a Double-Double protein style with animal style French fries they will get OCSC tickets for life. (I don’t actually have the kind of power to offer tickets for life, but I will love you forever and I mean that. )
Sushi Gen
LA likes to consider its self the sushi capital of the US and nestled in Downtown's Little Tokyo neighborhood since 1980, Sushi Gen has turned into a cult favorite for LA's sushi aficionados. The main draw: a $17 lunch special. Glut your taste buds on fresh halibut, fatty tuna, sea urchin and oysters at this top-notch sushi spot, and be sure to order the scallop—a favorite among regulars. The only downside is the popularity of this place: lines can be massive, and you may feel a tad rushed by the staff who are eyeballing the hungry diners on your heels.
The Viper Room
Though the heyday of the Sunset Strip as LA's music mecca's long gone, the Viper Room lives on not just as a historic back-in-the-day hangout spot for Strip icons like Slash and Mötley Crüe, but as one of the few still-relevant clubs (along with The Roxy and The Whisky) remaining on the Strip. Of course, the most well known facts about the Viper are that River Phoenix died there, and that Johnny Depp was one of the original owners.
Block Party
This craft beer haven delivers big with a spacious back patio with plenty of picnic benches, a giant shuffleboard setup, and Wii projected on the wall. How are your virtual bowling skills after a couple IPAs? Only one way to find out. Besides the extensive beer lineup, they also serve up frosty margarita slushies, wine, and more. You’ll often find tasty bites from their pop-up food cart back there or you can bring your own eats from outside. Party on.
