Things To Do in Rosemead

PickUp USA takes the infamous pitfalls of pickup basketball—uneven teams, sloppy play, and incessant arguing over fouls and whose mama gives the best hugs—and replaces them with officiated and organized game play without the restrictions of a league. Its members hit the courts in a pristine 17,000-square-foot space, which features a lounge, a stretching area, and courts built by the designers who create them for the NCAA and NBA. Here, California Basketball Officials Association–trained referees officiate one-on-one to five-on-five games every day and night of the year. Though they are unscheduled, the matchups unfold in an organized, staff-guided fashion, a scoreboard keeps track of points, and a constantly running clock keeps games rotating.

Fitness industry veteran Dulcinea Lee Hellings's goal is to bring a high-quality, effective exercise regimen to people who don't love big gyms or can't afford personal trainers. In 2004, she realized that mornings could be used for more than hitting the snooze button over and over for two hours, and founded Boot Camp "Morning Crunch!" to help fledgling exercisers whip into shape.

She designs her all-levels programs to be scream-free morning motivators⎯the first stop in her patrons' journey of daily accomplishments. The fast-paced, ever-changing circuit of strength and cardio exercises keeps bodies guessing and minds from becoming bored. Each of the boot camp's 12 outdoor locations has a different dedicated trainer who gets to know each student personally, remembering their names and memorizing any interesting freckle patterns. They complement their morning routines with a smattering of evening options for those who prefer to work out after the day's activities.

In the 1998 remake of Godzilla, a mutant lizard famously destroyed Manhattan—and at Hollywood Sports, visitors can do the same. The 23-acre sports center's paintball fields are each designed to mimic sets from classic movies, ranging from Godzilla to Saving Private Ryan; as they battle with their rented markers, paintball players live out their own twist on those film's battle scenes. Matches occur day and night thanks to the fields' stadium-style lights, which also ensure no one finds themselves in a shootout with a really aggressive bat. In addition to paintball, the park hosts other sports—rock-climbing walls, beach volleyball courts, and BMX racing tracks complement the movie-themed battlefields.

Epic voyaging need not be reserved for classical heroes who speak in dactylic hexameter. Just as Odysseus slayed the hurricane from aboard his inflatable raft, you too can conquer vengeful waters with today's Groupon to Gold Rush Whitewater Rafting. For just $50, you'll go on a heart-pumping, rapid-raging tour of the South Fork of the American River (44% off a $90 value).

Throughout Los Angeles, children as young as 2 are honing coordination, social skills, and other life essentials in Super Soccer Stars LA's kid-friendly camps. Each age-specific session is based on curricula designed by both soccer experts and early childhood and behavioral specialists in order to grant little ones with a fun and well-rounded experience in each drill they run and game they play. From dribbling and passing to more general principles such as teamwork, campers will learn skills that will help them succeed beyond the soccer field in the classroom, on the playground, and in the ball-kicking portion of state standardized tests. At the end of each camp day, children show off their new abilities by competing in a mini World Cup.

Whittier Narrows trains and nurtures novice and advanced tennis players with its roster of iTennis lessons, USTA adult league teams, and well-kept courts. Each of Whittier Narrows’ 16 courts are painted U.S. Open shades of blue and green to emulate professional play and increase ball visibility, and are fully lighted for nighttime and solar eclipse play. Tennis center memberships entitle players to complimentary perks such as a one-hour drill clinic, a racket demo program, weekly stroke clinics, and free ball machine rental (during off-peak hours), as well as a 10% discount in the pro shop and discounts on classes. After rinsing away sweat and lingering grunts in the men’s and women’s locker rooms, an airy member lounge invites athletes to relax on a leather couch and enjoy wireless Internet, a flat-screen television, and refreshments.

Cafe 322's welcoming atmosphere and rich menu of comforting Italian eats make diners feel at home while the live jazz adds a cosmopolitan flair. Try a different lasagna each day with the lasagna de la casa ($10.95) or opt for the sophisticated mélange of flavors in the fettuccine di spinaci e salsiccia with fresh spinach, italian sausage, and garlic sautéed in olive oil ($11.95). Cafe 322 also serves up tasty meatier dishes, such as lamb shanks slow-braised so they fall off the bone and directly into that special place in your heart reserved for Mom, America, and lamb shanks ($14.95). Stars of the gourmet pizza menu include the quattro formaggio, layered with fontina, mozzarella, gorgonzola, and parmesan cheeses ($11.95), and the flavorful grilled chicken pesto ($13.95).