Sports Celebrities Love LA for Its -- Sports.

LOS ANGELES -- Sports celebrities tend to define Los Angeles for its, well, sports. But they also love LA for its weather, beaches and cultural heritage.

"LA's a sports fan's paradise. With soccer, you can't beat it!" exclaims Hong Myung-Bo, a defender for the LA Galaxy pro soccer team.

Galaxy midfielder Mauricio Cienfuegos sees LA as a center for Hispanic culture: "I love the Latin neighborhoods in Los Angeles. It's like traveling all over Latin America without ever leaving LA."

For starting Dodgers pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii, the city offers a variety of diversions: "My family and I love LA for its spectacular weather, beautiful beaches and of course, Dodger Stadium."

And for former Dodgers head coach Tommy Lasorda, it's all about baseball.

"It's always a beautiful day for a Dodgers game in LA," he quips.

The Dodgers and the Galaxy are among eight pro sports teams, some with championship titles, in Los Angeles. Others include the Lakers (basketball) and Kings (Hockey), as well as two Pac 10 college teams, the USC Trojans and UCLA Bruins. Venues such as STAPLES Center (basketball, hockey and arena football), Santa Anita Racetrack (horseracing), the Rose Bowl (college football) and the Home Depot Center (soccer) are spread throughout LA.

But sports in LA aren't limited to the spectator variety. Participatory sports, from skiing to skateboarding, abound throughout the region.

"I've been skating Venice Beach for 10 years. There's no other place like it," says skateboarding legend Eric Koston.

Myung-Bo, Cienfuegos, Ishii, Lasorda and Koston are among more than 30 well-known personalities who are part of the "See My LA" tourism campaign launched by LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau, which takes advantage of LA's best known assets -- its celebrities. Among the others are Mauricio Cienfuegos, Jamie Lee Curtis, Kazuhisa Ishii, Diane Keaton, Wolfgang Puck, Lionel Ritchie and George Takei.

Angelenos love LA; and that holds true for the multi-ethnic legion of actors, musicians, chefs, athletes and TV personalities who live and work here. Local celebrities are doing this pro bono -- out of love and an eagerness to share their city with visitors. Not only do they want to encourage travel, but they want everyone to see LA as they do.

Besides appearing in print ads, publications and promotional collateral, the "See My LA" campaign is featured on LA INC.'s new English website -- www.SeeMyLA.com -- and will be promoted through local TV and radio stations.

LA INC. The Convention and Visitors Bureau is a private, not-for-profit business association dedicated to marketing Los Angeles as the premier destination for leisure, convention and corporate travel. Though not part of city government, LA INC. is recognized as the city's official tourism marketing organization.