Your Complete Guide to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games: Venues, Transportation & Travel Tips
The Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games will welcome millions of visitors from around the world for one of the largest sporting events ever held in the United States. Unlike many previous Summer Olympics that centered around a single Olympic Park, LA28 will stretch across Southern California, with competitions taking place in iconic stadiums, waterfront venues, arenas, and parks from Downtown Los Angeles to Long Beach, Pasadena, Anaheim, Carson, and beyond.
That regional approach is part of what makes LA28 so exciting. It gives visitors the opportunity to experience the diversity of Southern California while attending world-class sporting events. It also means transportation planning becomes one of the most important parts of building your itinerary.
Whether you’re traveling for a single event, following your favorite sport throughout the Games, or turning your Olympic trip into a Southern California vacation, planning where to stay, which airport to use, and how you’ll travel between venues can make a significant difference.
Karmel Connect helps travelers arrange airport transportation, private rides, shared shuttle service, and group transportation throughout Southern California through a network of trusted transportation partners. Whether you’re arriving at the airport, traveling between venues, or planning sightseeing before or after the Games, we’re here to help connect every part of your journey.
Why LA28 Is Different
Los Angeles has hosted the Summer Olympics twice before and will become the first city to host the Summer Games three times. Rather than constructing a centralized Olympic campus, LA28 is making use of many of Southern California’s existing world-class venues, creating an event that extends well beyond Downtown Los Angeles.
For visitors, this creates a unique opportunity to experience several distinct destinations during one trip. Depending on your schedule, you could spend one morning at a competition in Exposition Park, enjoy dinner in Santa Monica, attend an evening event in Inglewood, and spend the following day exploring the Long Beach waterfront or visiting Disneyland Resort.
Because the venues are spread throughout the region, advance transportation planning is just as important as purchasing tickets or reserving accommodations. Understanding the geography of Southern California before you arrive can help you make smarter decisions about where to stay and how to get around.
Official LA28 Venue Areas
The official LA28 venue plan includes competition sites across several major regions of Southern California, each offering its own atmosphere, nearby attractions, and transportation considerations.
Downtown Los Angeles
Downtown Los Angeles will serve as one of the primary hubs of the Games. Alongside several Olympic venues, visitors will find a vibrant mix of restaurants, museums, entertainment venues, and hotels.
Popular attractions nearby include Grand Central Market, Walt Disney Concert Hall, The Broad, LA LIVE, Little Tokyo, Olvera Street, and Union Station. Many destinations are connected by Metro rail and are easily accessible on foot once you’re in the downtown core.
Visitors planning to attend multiple events in this area may benefit from staying nearby to reduce travel time while enjoying one of Southern California’s most dynamic neighborhoods.
Exposition Park
Exposition Park is home to one of the most historic sporting venues in the world.
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum will make Olympic history by becoming the first stadium to host events during three different Summer Olympic Games. The surrounding campus also includes museums, gardens, athletic facilities, and green space, making it one of the signature destinations during LA28.
Even outside competition hours, this area offers plenty to explore, including the California Science Center and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.
Inglewood
Inglewood has rapidly become one of Southern California’s premier sports and entertainment districts.
Home to SoFi Stadium and Intuit Dome, the area will host several marquee events during the Games. Located only a short drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Inglewood is expected to be one of the busiest destinations throughout the Olympic period.
Visitors staying in this area benefit from convenient airport access while remaining within reasonable distance of Downtown Los Angeles and nearby venue clusters.
Long Beach
Long Beach offers one of the most scenic Olympic settings, combining waterfront competition venues with a relaxed coastal atmosphere.
Between events, visitors can spend time exploring the Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village, Rainbow Harbor, The Queen Mary, Belmont Shore, and Naples Island.
Its location also makes Long Beach a convenient gateway to Orange County, giving travelers the opportunity to combine Olympic events with additional sightseeing along the Southern California coast.
Anaheim
For families and visitors extending their stay, Anaheim offers an excellent base for exploring Southern California.
Known worldwide as the home of Disneyland Resort, Anaheim also features major entertainment venues, shopping districts, and a wide range of hotels that accommodate every type of traveler.
Many visitors attending LA28 will choose to spend several additional days enjoying the area’s attractions before returning home.
Pasadena
Pasadena blends historic architecture, walkable neighborhoods, and cultural attractions with one of the country’s most recognizable sporting venues.
Old Pasadena features boutique shopping, outdoor dining, art galleries, and cafés that provide a welcome change of pace between Olympic events.
Visitors looking for a quieter atmosphere than Downtown Los Angeles often find Pasadena to be an appealing place to stay.
Carson
Located between Downtown Los Angeles and Long Beach, Carson has hosted international sporting competitions for decades.
Its central location provides convenient access to multiple Olympic venue areas, making it an attractive option for visitors attending events throughout the region.
Choosing the Best Airport
Southern California offers several commercial airports, and the right choice depends on your itinerary.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) serves as the region’s primary international gateway and offers the greatest selection of domestic and international flights.
John Wayne Airport (SNA) is often a convenient choice for visitors staying in Anaheim or Orange County.
Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) may be the better option for travelers spending time in Pasadena, Hollywood, or the San Fernando Valley.
Long Beach Airport (LGB) provides a smaller airport experience and convenient access to Long Beach and nearby coastal communities.
Ontario International Airport (ONT) is another option worth considering depending on airfare, traffic conditions, and where you’ll be staying.
Before booking flights, compare your airport with your hotel location and planned competition schedule. A less expensive airfare doesn’t always translate into the shortest overall travel time.
Karmel Connect offers transportation serving Southern California’s major airports and cruise terminals. Learn more about available services on our Airports & Cruise Terminals page.
Transportation Options During the Games
Every visitor’s itinerary is different, which is why several transportation options are available depending on your schedule, group size, and destination.
Shared Shuttle Service
Shared shuttle service offers an economical option for individuals and couples traveling between airports and hotels.
Pre-arranging your ride before departure allows you to arrive with transportation already in place, particularly during one of the busiest travel periods Southern California has ever hosted.
Private Transportation
Private transportation offers greater flexibility for families, small groups, and travelers attending multiple venues throughout the day.
Rather than coordinating several separate rides, private transportation allows your schedule to remain your own.
Visit our Fleet page to explore the range of vehicle options available for individuals, families, and small groups.
Bus & Coach Transportation
Large groups require thoughtful planning, especially during an international event of this scale.
Whether you’re organizing transportation for a university, sports team, corporate hospitality program, convention, fan club, tour operator, or family reunion, Karmel Connect can help coordinate larger vehicles through our transportation partner network.
Learn more about group transportation options on our Bus & Coach page.
Turn Your Olympic Trip Into a Southern California Vacation
One of the biggest advantages of attending LA28 is everything waiting beyond the competition venues.
Many visitors choose to extend their trip by several days, using the Olympics as the centerpiece of a broader Southern California vacation.
Popular attractions include:
- Disneyland Resort
- Universal Studios Hollywood
- Griffith Observatory
- Santa Monica Pier
- Venice Beach
- Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Rodeo Drive
- The Getty Center
- Malibu
- Newport Beach
- Laguna Beach
- Catalina Island
- Knott’s Berry Farm
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Planning transportation in advance makes it easier to experience more of Southern California without worrying about navigating unfamiliar roads or arranging last-minute rides.
Traveling With Family
Families often balance Olympic events with sightseeing, dining, and attractions.
Choosing accommodations near your primary venue area while arranging transportation ahead of time can simplify your daily schedule and provide greater flexibility throughout your stay.
Families traveling with young children, strollers, or additional luggage often appreciate the convenience of private transportation, particularly when moving between airports, hotels, and attractions.
Traveling With a Group
The Olympic Games bring together sports organizations, universities, fan clubs, tour operators, businesses, and international delegations from around the world.
Keeping everyone together becomes much easier when transportation is coordinated in advance.
From executive vans and minibuses to full-size motorcoaches, Karmel Connect can help arrange transportation for groups of nearly every size through our trusted affiliate network.
Plan Ahead for the Best Experience
Demand for flights, accommodations, attractions, and transportation will increase significantly as the Games approach.
Booking early provides more flexibility, greater vehicle availability, and additional hotel choices, particularly if your itinerary includes multiple venue areas.
Whether you’re arriving for a weekend or spending a week exploring Southern California, planning transportation before you travel allows you to focus on what brought you here: experiencing one of the world’s greatest sporting events.
Karmel Connect is proud to help visitors navigate Southern California with transportation options that connect airports, hotels, Olympic venues, attractions, cruise terminals, and destinations throughout the region.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which airport is best for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games?
LAX will be the primary gateway for most visitors, although SNA, BUR, LGB, and ONT may be more convenient depending on where you’re staying and which events you plan to attend.
Can I arrange transportation for multiple Olympic events?
Yes. Karmel Connect can help coordinate airport transfers, transportation between venues, sightseeing, and multi-day itineraries through our transportation partner network.
Do you offer transportation for large groups?
Yes. Group transportation options include private vans, minibuses, and full-size motorcoaches for schools, sports teams, tour groups, corporate events, and family gatherings.
Can I combine Olympic events with Southern California attractions?
Absolutely. Many visitors extend their stay to experience destinations such as Disneyland Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Santa Monica, Long Beach, Catalina Island, and the Orange County coastline before or after attending Olympic events.