redbookmag.com - The 50 Best Dates in the 50 States

From outdoor adventures to cozy bed and breakfasts, and north to south, and east to west, these not-to-be-missed attractions demand a romantic tour of the US of A.

California

Skip the Hollywood Walk on Fame and cheer on Los Angeles' real stunners. The Derby Dolls, SoCal's all-female roller derby league, let you experience the retro sport bruise-free.

Read more: Best Dates in America - Dates in Every State - Redbook 

LA WEEKLY | 10 BEST PLACES IN LA FOR A FIRST DATE

2. L.A. Derby Dolls

Leave Staples Center to the celebrities and paparazzi. To really cheer on some hometown heroes, consider an outing to the Doll Factory, the L.A. Derby Dolls' banked track headquarters in downtown. 

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L.A. Weekly - 6 Awesome Sports Leagues You Can Join

The L.A. Derby Dolls, the famed all-female, banked track roller derby league, has been kicking ass and taking names for nearly a decade. They've dubbed their downtown lair the Doll Factory. Off the track, the volunteer-run organization works with charities like Aids Walk Los Angeles and the domestic violence and sexual assault crisis agency Peace Over Violence. Get involved with the league through their Fresh Meat program. Other leagues, like the Angel City Derby Girls and the SFV Roller Derby, are also available.

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The Today Show - KLG and Hoda get ready to roller-derby (cautiously)

Kathie Lee and Hoda ended their Fourth Hour Friday with a roller derby lesson, finishing their week in Los Angeles with the quintessential California sport.

The ladies got personal instructions from members of the L.A. Derby Dolls, whom KLG called “hard-core.”

“We’re scared of our knees breaking,” admitted Hoda, who along with KLG donned a helmet and elbow pads and kneepads.

Hoda wanted to know if the rough-and-tumble image of roller derby skaters smashing into each other and knocking rivals to ground is accurate. She was told by L.A. Derby Doll “Demolicious” that strict rules now govern the activity.

“It has changed full time. It’s an actual sport now, so there’s no fighting,” Demolicious said.

Officially dubbed “Smashie Lee” and “Throwda” by the Derby Dolls, KLG and Hoda expressed fears about injuries and asked whether the team members ever worry about getting hurt.

“Absolutely, but they’re trained. It takes years of practice.” Demolicious said.

“Then why are we standing here?” said KLG, before gathering her wrap dress and taking a stroll.

"She's a natural!" one of the L.A. Derby Dolls declared. 

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KLG and Hoda take LA | See the highlights from their adventure!

Thanks to our friends at Discover Los Angeles for all their help making our California shows such a blast.

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