SPORT_127.qxp_Layout 1 11/22/19 12:51 PM Page 127 2020CALIFORNIAGUIDE Hit the Slopes with California’s Top-Notch Alpine Entertainment Site Inspections WAVE RIDERS of Event-Ready The Golden State’s SPG A Premier Travel Media publication 6 Destinations best surfing spots, revealed www.SportsPlanningGuide.com SPORT_128.qxp_Layout 1 11/16/19 6:08 PM Page 128 Laurie Baker Chief Executive Officer, Redding Visitors Bureau Welcome to the sports world of the Golden State! California has hosted many of the greatest sports events in history, from the Olympics to the Super Bowl. Whether your event takes place in a stadium, on a river, in the mountains or on a beach, California is ready to provide you with the world-class services and experiences you require to achieve success. One in eight Americans lives here, and our industries are active supporters of sports in all forms. California is known for its agricultural companies of the San Joaquin Valley, healthcare industry giants, over 100 major and community colleges and the high-tech firms of Silicon Valley. Our corporate leaders all recognize the value of sport and play to the growth of their communities and companies. They consistently support thousands of organizations and events each year with a multitude of sponsorships. In addition, California cities like Roseville, Redding, Irvine, Morro Bay, Bakersfield and Pomona are actively investing in sports facilities that can accommodate all types of events. The new Placer Valley Sports and Events Center in Roseville will offer 160,000 square feet of space for indoor sports and events. Irvine recently opened the 194-acre Great Park Sports Complex, which is capable of hosting just about any outdoor sport you can imagine, and the Fairplex in Pomona has a long standing reputation for year-round activities. Let’s not forget another great reason to bring your event to California—the amazing natural wonders. Over 50 percent of the state is covered by forests. You’ll get to see everything from the amazing redwoods to the blooming Mojave Desert to the tidepools of La Jolla and Big Sur. If skiing is your bag, Mt. Shasta, Big Bear and others will welcome you with open arms. One other bucket list location is a must: Yosemite National Park. Communities like Redding in northern California offer an abundance of charm, hospitality and awe-inspiring natural beauty, whether you’re hosting mountain biking, running, climbing, fishing or sailing events. Shasta Lake, Whiskeytown Lake, and Lassen Volcanic National Park are just a few of the unique venue gems you’ll find spread across California that can offer opportunities for ascension skiing, split boarding and sports snowshoeing. We invite you to review this year’s California Sports Planning Guide and contact any of our destinations for help and suggestions. Contact information is listed for each participating destination. We are here to help you build your event business. Sincerely, Laurie Baker Chief Executive Officer, Redding Visitors Bureau CALIFORNIA 4 Surf’s Up! 6 Big Snow ©iStock.com/bgblue 8 Irvine, CA 14 Bakersfield, CA 10 Morro Bay, CA 16 Redding, CA SI 12 Placer Valley, CA 18 Ponoma, CA 2 Sports Planning Guide @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG SPORT_129.qxp_Layout 1 11/16/19 6:41 PM Page 129 SPORT_130-133.qxp_Layout 1 11/17/19 10:42 AM Page 130 Surf’s Up! California’s official sport has a dedicated array of world-class beaches and tournaments to enjoy he lore of how surfing came to California on the backs of three MAVERICKS, HALF MOON BAY teenage Hawaiian princes in 1885 is legendary. When surfing Just outside Pillar Point Harbor north of Half Moon Bay, Mavericks is became the Golden State’s official sport in 2018, it was as much a winter destination that draws some of the world’s best big wave an acknowledgement of its history as a modern reflection on its iconic surfers. An invitation-only contest is held here most winters, having Tnature within Californian culture. From the crisp waters of Northern changed its name several times throughout the years and most recently California to the clement combers of San Diego, California’s coastline known as the Mavericks Challenge. The 25-foot waves and incredibly entices surfers from around the world with an arsenal of perfect waves fast left-hand break marks this spot as among the greatest challenges for every skill level. Here’s a look at some of the most memorable surfing throughout the state. spots and tournaments found around the state. PISMO BEACH PIER ASILOMAR STATE BEACH Consistently a standout among its brethren in the Central Coast Embedded in Monterrey County, Asilomar State Beach offers a calmer beachbreaks, the Pismo Beach Pier is a classic surfing hotspot. Nestled alternative to the fleeting but invigorating swell found at Ghost Tree off in between Point San Luis and San Luis Obispo Bay, the 1,250-foot- Pebble Beach. Waves here can still reach up to 10 feet in the winter months, long pier is lit at night, making all-night surfing via a full moon a reality. but Asilomar is usually pretty mellow with a right point break setup. Competitions occur here on the regular, like the World Surf League Qualifying Series Pismo Beach Open, held annually in October. But HUNTINGTON BEACH PIER beginners can catch a wave here as well, with playful summertime swells The pinnacle of surfing culture within Southern California, Huntington that accommodate everyone. Beach Pier is the holiest shrine within the state. Hawaiian surfing legends George Freeth and Duke Kahanomoku tamed the waves here RINCON POINT more than a century ago, and their legacy lives on today in some of Known as the “Queen of the Coast”, Rincon Point is world-famous the country’s premier surfing contests, including the Vans US Open of for its well-formed waves, long rides and winter swells. Mounted to the Surfing. The Western Surfing Association hosts events here regularly border of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties, Rincon is home to the where beginners can learn to compete in the same waters that past Rincon Classic surf championship each January, which draws local champions like Andy Irons and Kelly Slater conquered. Two iconic, legends and plenty of spectators. While in nearby Carpinteria, stop in at industry-defining surfing superstores call Huntington Beach home as Rincon Designs for authentic branded clothing and hand-crafted well: Jack’s Surfboards and Huntington Surf & Sport. surfboards, or just to get a taste for the area’s flair. 4 Sports Planning Guide @SportsPlanGuide #SportsPG SPORT_130-133.qxp_Layout 1 11/17/19 10:43 AM Page 131 STEAMER LANE, SANTA CRUZ TRESTLES Steamer Lane is legendary among California’s surfing sights, Trestles is home to some of the most pristine waves you’ll find any- where the Santa Cruz surf break has a storied, innovative history. It where in the continental United States. was here that the first modern surfing wetsuit and leash were devel- This series of point breaks was named for the train trestle near San oped by Jack O’Neill, and it’s also where he infamously lost his eye. Onofre State Beach, though surfers know the area new San Mateo Point The cliffs overlooking Steamer Lane make for a natural amphitheater as Uppers, Lowers and Middles for its surf spots. Take in the surrounding as you watch a lineup and listen for echoes of the past. Surfing made area while you’re there for the great views of the Dana Point Headlands its debut on the U.S. mainland in Santa Cruz in 1885, and the legends and the San Clemente coastline. have only grown since. THE WEDGE SURFRIDER BEACH Newport Beach’s world-renowned killer wave is an absolute beast. Surfrider Beach has the honor of becoming the first World Surfing The Wedge forms during south swells when waves refract off the rock Reserve by the Save the Waves Coalition. With nearly perfect waves, jetty, causing 30-foot-high waves for the bodysurfers and bodyboarders Surfrider’s long right-hand break makes it a popular spot along the brave enough to face the challenges found here. For the rest of us, there sandy beach between the Malibu Pier and Malibu Lagoon. These aren’t are plenty of spots on the beach to sit back, relax and enjoy the show. the best waves for fledgling surfers, but they definitely should be aspired to. Surfrider hosts the Malibu Board Riders Club Call to the WINDANSEA BEACH Wall competition annually in July. Below Neptune Palace in La Jolla, Windansea got its name from a hotel that burned down in the 1940s. The classic reef burst onto the SWAMI’S STATE BEACH scene in the preceding decade when surfing legend Woody Brown first Honored by National Geographic as one of the world’s top-20 surf rode the waves here in 1937. With waves ranging from two to 10 feet, towns, Swami’s State Beach in Encitas features an awesome park Windansea has a reputation for being unpredictable, which makes it a perfect for watching surfers during competition. Walk through the favorite for competitive surfers. The Windansea Surf Club Coalition gardens to take everything in if you’re not in line to catch the next wave, closes out the competitive season in November. SPG though keep in mind that Swami’s is best suited for surfers with an intermediate-and-up. Swami’s Surfing Association hosts the Swami’s California’s stunning beaches welcome world-class surfers and Contest annually in October. surfing events to the beaches along the Pacific Coast. SportsPlanningGuide.com Sports Planning Guide 5 SPORT_130-133.qxp_Layout 1 11/16/19 5:48 PM Page 132 BIG SNOW CALIFORNIA’S UNDERRATED SNOW SCENE IS BURSTING WITH TOP-NOTCH ALPINE ENTERTAINMENT hen most people think of California, they think of the warmth MAMMOTH MOUNTAIN SKI AREA of its famous beaches, the glitz and glam of Los Angeles and California’s dream landscape is on full display at Mammoth Mountain its glitterati, the lure of Hollywood or the architectural marvels Ski Resort, where a wealth of sunshine teems down upon peaks greater of San Francisco.