Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
206
Fun Facts
The Big Sprawl
How crowded is L.A.? If the five-county area was a state, it would surpass all states
in total population size, with the exception of California, New York, and Texas.
If you're not a fan of cr owded city courses, it's well worth the 20-minute driv e north
to play
Robinson Ranch,
27734 S and Canyon Rd., S anta Clarita (
&
661/252-8484;
www.robinsonranchgolf.com), one of the best and least-cr owded public courses in the
L.A. region (my golfing buddy loves this place). Golfers can choose between two Troon-
managed courses, M ountain or Valley, both of which offer challenging, hilly terrain—
bring extra balls—and gr eat vie ws of the S anta Clarita Valley. The striking
25,000-square-foot clubhouse makes a nice vie w as well, and houses a w ell-stocked pro
shop and full-ser vice restaurant. Greens fees for both courses ar e $87 Monday through
Thursday, $117 Friday through Sunday. Carts and practice balls are included.
The
Trump N ational G olf Club,
1 O cean Trails D r. (
&
310/265-5000;
www .
trumpgolf.com/trumplosangeles), recently opened in Rancho Palos Verdes. Perched on a
bluff overlooking the P acific Ocean, the course pr ovides a spectacular vie w from every
hole. Originally designed by Pete Dye as the Ocean Trails Golf Course, the property was
purchased by developer Donald Trump, who spent more than $250 million to r edesign
it with elements such as lakes and water falls. Located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, 30
minutes south of D owntown Los Angeles, the course also offers a 45,000-squar e-foot
clubhouse with locker rooms, a pro shop, three dining options, conference rooms, and a
grand ballroom. Greens fees at the public course ar e $275 M onday through Thursday,
$375 Friday through Sunday.
Industry Hills Golf Club,
1 I ndustry Hills Pkwy., City of I ndustry (
&
626/810-
4653;
www.ihgolfclub.com), has two 18-hole courses designed by William Bell. Together
they encompass eight lakes, 160 bunkers, and many long fair ways. The E isenhower
Course, consistently ranked among
Golf Digest
's top 25 public courses, has extra-large
undulating greens and the challenge of thick
Kikuyu
grass. (
Kikuyu,
even coarser than
Bermuda's broad-leaf terrain, is often called B ermuda on ster oids.) An adjacent driving
range is lit for night use. Greens fees are $85 Monday through Friday and $120 Saturday
and Sunday, including a cart; call in advance for tee times.
For more information on regional golf courses, log on to www.golfcalifornia.com.
HANG GLIDING
Up and down the California coast, it's not uncommon to see people
poised on the crests of hills, hanging from enormous colorful kites. You can, too.
Wind-
sports Soaring Center,
12623 Gridley St., Sylmar (
&
818/367-2430;
www.windsports.
com), offers instruction and rentals for both novices and experts. A 1-day lesson in a solo
hang glider on a bunny hill costs $120. I f it's more of a thrill y ou're looking for, choose
the 3,000-foot-high tandem flight for $199, wher e you fly with an instr uctor. Beginner
lessons are waterside at D ockweiler State Beach Training Flight Park (near L AX), while
tandem flights take off from a San Fernando Valley hilltop. Phone for reservations.
HIKING
The
Santa Monica Mountains,
a small range that r uns only 50 miles fr om
Griffith Park to Point Mugu, on the coast nor th of M alibu, makes Los Angeles a gr eat
place for hiking. The mountains, which peak at 3,111 feet, are part of the Santa Monica
Mountains National Recreation Area, a contiguous conglomeration of 350 public par ks
and 65,000 acres. Many animals live in this ar ea, including deer, coyote, rabbit, skunk,
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