#1 Sports Event
Also known as the Asics L.A. Marathon, the event is continuing to pick up speed as a destination running event with its new tourist-friendly scenic course that runs from Dodger Stadium to the Santa Monica Pier. In 2014, the marathon sold out for the second straight year, drawing 25,000 runners from around the world. It also raised a record-breaking $3.7 million for its 91 charity partners. Next: March 15, 2015
#2 Sports Event
Formerly known as the Pacific Life Open, the event is the most-attended tennis tournament in the world behind the four grand slams drawing more than 430,000 spectators. The event takes place each year in Indian Wells near Palm Springs with a 16,100-seat main stadium. Next: March 9-22, 2015
#3 Sports Event
The Toyota-sponsored race takes over the streets of downtown with a nearly two-mile circuit. It draws more than 170,000 spectators over three days, making it one of the largest paid spectator events in Southern California. In 2014, the event celebrated its 40th anniversary. Next: April 17-19, 2015
#4 Sports Event
Taking place in San Diego each year, the post-season college football game drew close to 53,000 attendees in 2013. The televised game will enter a new era this winter when it starts a six-year partnership with the Big Ten Conference and extends its current relationship with the Pac-12 Conference for six years. Next: December 27, 2014
#5 Sports Event
The Amgen-sponsored Tour de France-style road race is billed as the largest cycling event in America. Created and presented by AEG, it’s a demanding course that traverses a sweeping stretch of California roadways, highways, and coastlines each year in the spring. Next: May 2015
#6 Sports Event (new to the list)
First held under a different name in 1959, the event has been owned by IMG since 2000 and is now billed as the largest surfing competition in the world; Vans is the title sponsor. It draws an estimated 500,000 people to Huntington Beach each year, and this year’s theme celebrates 100 years of surfing in the beach city. Next: July 26-August 3, 2014
#7 Sports Event
One of the country’s more scenic races, the International City Bank-sponsored marathon runs along bike paths and past the Queen Mary. The event draws about 26,000 for a full marathon, a half marathon, a bike tour, and the Aquarium of the Pacific Kids One-Mile Fun Run the day before. Many more attend the two-day Health & Fitness Expo, and an additional 50,000 attend the Finish Line Festival. Next: October 12, 2014
#8 Sports Event
This year the gala was held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza, benefitting the new Sports Spectacular Health & Wellness Center at Cedars-Sinai. The event brings together big names in sports and entertainment and raises more than $1 million each go—bringing in $24 million since the event’s inception. Next: May 2015
#9 Sports Event
Formerly known as the Bob Hope Classic, the event is the big P.G.A. Tour tournament in La Quinta. Since 1960, Desert Classic Charities, the nonprofit that organizes the event, has donated more than $52.5 million to Eisenhower Medical Center and other local nonprofit organizations. Next: January 19-25, 2015
#10 Sports Event
The sports channel’s annual honors are held at the Nokia Theatre at L.A. Live in the summer. Drake will host this year’s event, and Capital One is the presenting sponsor. In addition to the big show, athletes flock to venues around town, where pre- and after-parties plus suites and lounges add to the award show's overall impact on the city. Next: July 16, 2014
