DAYTRIPPING IN LOS ANGELES: APA Pickleball Tournament

Visiting LA is equivalent to opening a time capsule of pop culture’s past. Here’s how you do it: Dig through the bohemian spirit of Venice, where every nook & cranny is unique as the sand that surrounds the place, walk the gritty, neon history of the epic Sunset Strip that’s as interesting today as it was during the 1960s, explore the urban myths of Hollywood Boulevard, and by all means don’t miss the picturesque sunset beaches at Santa Monica Pier. From the moment you arrive in LA, you’ll be transported into the movie you are starring in.

And now there’s yet another reason to visit LA.  This weekend, September 23 & 24, the Amateur Pickleball Association (APA) is hosting its SoCal Gold Cup at the Warner Tennis Center in LA’s Woodland Hills, where players and spectators can experience all the fun of the world’s most rapidly growing sport within reach of the global phenomena that is LA’s iconic cultural landscape.  

A few SoCal Tournament specifics:

The format and features of the tournament are as follows:

• Players rated with skill levels 3.0-5.0 competing in singles, doubles and mixed doubles
• Round-robin play, followed by medal/bracket play with games to 11, win by 2 
• All teams/players will compete in a minimum of 5 games during each event they register to compete in
• Per player registration rates

Get inspired this weekend experiencing California’s chill culture with the adrenaline-pumping fun of Pickleball – get started here:

Places to Stay 

• Mama Shelter LA ($$) – Chic boutique property overlooking the iconic Hollywood Blvd surrounded by buzzing night life. Enjoy the impeccable comfort of king-sized beds, the fusion of French and American cuisine, with a perfect nightcap of the 360 degree view of Los Angeles from the hotel’s rooftop. 6500 Selma Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Venice Breeze Suites ($$$) - Spacious, beach-front apartment-style suites each with a full kitchen, steps away from Venice boardwalk’s funky shops, street performers, food, skaters, and surfers. 2 Breeze Ave, Venice, CA 90291
• Best Western Plus Sunset Plaza Hotel ($$) – In the heart of the legendary Sunset Strip, a short distance away from L.A.’s top sites including Universal Studios, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and every club along the Strip. Start your day off with a complimentary American buffet breakfast or relax in the whirlpool hot tub to let off the jitters from last night’s fun. 8400 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90069

DAY 1:  FRIDAY, September 22

AFTERNOON

• Academy Museum of Motion Pictures ($) – Get to know Hollywood’s favorites on a personal level, exploring the seven-floors of exhibition spaces of cinema stories, inspiration, with an inside look at the minds of some of Hollywood’s finest creators. Open since the Fall 2021, this museum is the ultimate cinematic experience, to say the least. 6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
• La Brea Tar Pits ($) – Discover fossils thousands of years old like the paleontologists did, and continue to unfold,  in this active research site in the heart of L.A. Experience the Ice Age mystery as animal bones were preserved in these tar pits while  learning about the history behind them. 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
• KazuNori: The Original Handroll Bar ($) – Located in Westwood Village Square, in UCLA’s campus neighborhood, the sushi bar is known for its special process creating hand rolls while guests are seated at the sushi bar. 6245 Wilshire Blvd #101, Los Angeles, CA 90048

EVENING

• Jazz at LACMA (Free) – Weave through the forest of Urban Light in front of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art while listening to smooth jazz fill the air. From April through November LACMA puts on Jazz Friday Nights starting at 6pm. 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
• Pink Taco ($) – Join the fiesta at this taco joint, chowing down on this restaurant’s signature pink taco shells, bursting flavors, music, trivia, and more. 8225 Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90046

AFTER DINNER HANG

• Whiskey a Go Go ($) – Legendary nightclub where rock n’ roll legends such as The Who, Cream, and Led Zepplin all got a start here once upon a time. Enjoy live concerts, drinks, food, and a good ol’ riot. 8901 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069

DAY 2:  SATURDAY, September 23

MORNING

• Side Car Doughnuts & Coffee ($) – Fresh doughnuts with  whimsical flavors such as the Huckleberry Peanut Butter Drizzle, Saigon Cinnamon Crumb, Malted Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough or go for a classic warm raised glaze. Each doughnut served fresh and hot out of the oven as multiple small batches a day are fried and plated. No need to wake up at the crack of dawn to get a great tasting treat. 631 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401
• Venice Beach and Canals – Take a walk along the Venice Canals transporting yourself into Venice, Italy, or catch a wave in the strong ocean breaks. 200 Linnie Canal Venice, CA 90291. 

AFTERNOON

• Abbot Pizza Company ($) – Head on over to Abbot Kinney, the Rodeo Drive of Venice Beach featuring trending shops and eateries including this great pizza outpost. Go old school with thin crust and classic ingredients or try the offbeat creations listed on the colorful chalkboard on the wall. With pizza in hand, walk along the mile long strip and get a sense of Venice in action. 1407 Abbot Kinney Blvd, Venice, CA 90291

EVENING

• OSPI Italian ($$) –Now that you’ve worked-up an appetite, take a seat and experience the Southern Italian cuisine bringing Southern Italy to Southern California. A familiar comfort food spot you’d see in Brooklyn, NY right in the heart of Venice, California. Cheesy handmade pastas, pizzas, and delicious craft cocktails. 2025 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291

AFTER DINNER HANG

• Santa Monica Pier ($) – End the night at the Pier, jutting out into the Pacific Ocean, twinkling lights blinding the screams from the top of the one and only west coast steel ocean front roller coaster you can find on the Pier. Snag a cute souvenir to take home to a loved one as you walk down the boardwalk, smash your face into the sweet syrupy taste of shaved ice, or snap some romantic pictures of the perfect night sky. 200 Santa Monica Pier, Santa Monica, CA 90401

DAY 3: SUNDAY, September 24

MORNING

• Inspiration Point Trail – Don’t miss out on one of L.A.’s beautiful morning hikes, looping through Will Rogers State Park lined with eucalyptus trees that lead out to the breathtaking lookout point, confirming pure bliss does exist. 1501 Will Rogers State Park Road, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
• Elefante ($$) – Brunch time is finally here, arriving in the loungelike dining area where delicious items such as breakfast sandwiches, banana bread, avocado toast, and mimosas are served until 3pm. Bask in the morning sun of Los Angeles’ consistent heated rays as your trip comes to a close. 1332 2nd St Rooftop, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Admit it: The only thing holding you from visiting LA is knowing you won’t ever want to leave the crazy place…