The Vegas Golden Knights and the Los Angeles Kings have something of a warm divisional rivalry. No, there isn't much blood like Vegas has with the Edmonton Oilers. It doesn't have the deep history and lore associated with the Golden Knights and the Sharks, either. However, both teams don't like each other, which makes things even more interesting.
Like, I learned my travel lessons the hard way when I wore a Golden Knights jersey to Crypto.com Arena for the first time. The endless heckling and screaming from Kings fans came with the traumatizing memories involved, leaving me to vow that I'd never return again...
...Except I did. I decided to return to Los Angeles annually for Christmas, taking in the chill Mediterranean-esque climate. Why not take in some lovely views of the beach and head to downtown Los Angeles afterwards? I had some unfinished business to tend to with the city, after all.
Allow me to regale you with a second opinion on how to head to Los Angeles for your first time, Golden Knights fans. The beauty of a city like L.A. is that it's so big that you can explore plenty of parts and still have something that you missed out on. Could there be a Part 3? Stay tuned.
Getting to Los Angeles
For the past six years, I've traveled to Los Angeles by way of the car. It saves you a few bucks when compared to the air and is great for rocking out on the ol' playlist (more on that in a bit).
That's especially true with rental car companies charging you $500 for a deposit. Don't be fooled by the online prices, people. You're taking out a mortgage for a deposit for three days.
Still, if you're keen on traveling by air, keep in mind that getting to the rental car place can be confusing. L.A.X. is so big that finding the right rental car spot can be confusing.
Be sure to know where to go for your pickup. When I got my car from Midway Rental, I went to the pink lot. That took some time to find, so it can get complicated quickly.
What I did while I was in Los Angeles
First, there's a ton to do while you're in Los Angeles. Griffith Park (although you must arrive early, as parking is limited) and Joshua Tree (which is a couple of hours away) are two nice places to go for a hike.
If you're looking to see some of the movie stars (and p*rn stars) that made it big, go to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Along the way, I highly recommend going to Scum and Villainy Cantina. There's a buffalo chicken sandwich that'll clear your sinuses out, leaving you to breathe like you're in Dire, Dire Docks from Super Mario 64.
Of course, I also love going to Venice Beach. There's so much to do while walking down there, ranging from fishing on the pier to checking out the various eateries. For my trip, I also went to Santa Monica Pier, which is excellent for a date night.
As mentioned, the options are endless whenever you travel to Los Angeles. That's why I expect to go a few more times in the future. That way, I can truly uncover everything centered around the City of Angels. Who knows? You could even check out a Dodgers game come April or October!
The Golden Knights playlist for Los Angeles
Obviously, you have your West Coast rappers such as Dr. Dre, Tupac, and Snoop Dogg. Don't forget Ice Cube because he's essential L.A. listening as well. If you're ever tailgating at a Rams or Chargers (or 49ers since they always take over SoFi Stadium) game, you want these bumping.
But I also have five other artists who deserve recognition. These bands make up the whole "chill" vibe that Southern California brings (or they're from Southern California). Be sure to update that Spotify list with these five bands, with an honorable mention thrown in.
System Of A Down
Fun fact: The Los Angeles Kings were featured in the music video for "Toxicity" when Daron Malakian wore their jersey. Practically, this is the go-to band for L.A. Kings gameday, where you get chaotic hockey that usually doesn't make sense, yet it works in many ways.
Therefore, rock out to legendary tunes such as "B.Y.O.B.," "Sugar," and "Aerials." I also love "Dreaming," "Know," "Ego Brain," and "Highway Song," to name a few songs (of many, of course). Yes, you can tell that I'm a huge fan of System Of A Down, which was why I was so geeked to go on this trip.
Rage Against The Machine
Now, this is a dicey choice for people because of the band's outspoken politics. It doesn't matter if it's Tom Morello or the frontman, Zach de la Rocha. However, there are some certified bangers that Golden Knights fans should tune into. "Renegades Of Funk," "Sleep Now In The Fire," and "Testify" are some great jams to rock out to while you think about modern life.
311
Usually when I'm out by the Pacific Ocean on Venice Beach, I like to slip my earbuds in and turn on 311 (it's even better if it's March 11). Tunes like "Amber," "Love Song," and "I'll Be Here Awhile" are excellent tunes to jam to when heading out to a Kings game as well.
Sublime
I know the whole theme around this is either L.A. alternative rock, West Coast rap, or stoner rock. But a Kings game at Crypto.com Arena isn't complete without a little Sublime.
Put in "Santeria," "Date R**e," and "Garden Grove" in your playlist. Heck, put in "What I Got" and "April 29, 1992 (Miami)" into your playlist as well. The amount of quality songs you'll find from them is endless.
Reel Big Fish
Of course, a Southern California hockey excursion isn't complete without some ska. I'm referring to the OG's of fun, the band known as Reel Big Fish. The Huntington Beach band has countless hits on the list, including "Sell Out," "Life Sucks, Let's Dance!", and "Beer." This was always my go-to band whenever I drove from Las Vegas to Los Angeles since it represented chill surfer vibes.
Grading the overall arena experience at Crypto.com Arena
Obviously, I despised my first experience at Crypto.com Arena. I sat in front of a group of six drunk teenagers when the Golden Knights were playing (they came in after the first period ended). One girl wouldn't shut up about how she slept with a hockey player and how she didn't know what a faceoff circle was.
Of course, Kings fans were rowdy as they doubled up the Golden Knights, 4-2. That left a bad taste in my mouth as I looked back on that game with traumatizing memories. Would it be different this time around?
Yes... with a little bit of no. There was one chick who also came in after the first period and wouldn't...
Stop.
Making.
Noises.
Like, it wasn't just screaming. It was also humming and singing like a bee right in my ears. There had to be a noise every second or else she'd develop crippling anxiety for the week. Like, dude, be quiet for two seconds.
Anyways, I was talking with a Norwalk man at Tom's Watch Bar (highly recommend if you go out here) named Rich (chill dude, by the way, since he bought me a shot), who grew up in Orange County. But he grew up a Kings fan (and a Dodgers fan), mainly because of his dad's side. He discussed how hockey has grown within the Hispanic community, particularly among the Mexican community. It's a similar vibe to the Golden Knights, who also have fans from all walks of life.
But Kings fans were also the same passionate bunch that hung around three years ago. As Rich talked about, the team had a huge Mexican following that broadened the fanbase and overall experience. As a result, you have a rabid group that wants to win and tells Leo Carlsson that he sucks.
Overall, I'd give this arena experience a 9.3 out of 10. I was blown away from the dramatic improvements made within the arena, offering fans a more authentic experience. L.A. Live has taken the gameday experience to another level, livening downtown Los Angeles and giving it more credibility as the go-to sports hub. Imagine how lit the area will be when the Olympics come to town in 2028.