When In L.A.: Options For Visiting Golf Fans
Tee times at nearby classics will be tough to obtain. So here are top June attractions if you're coming to the 2023 U.S. Open and want to experience the City of Angels.
With all due respect to the annual L.A. Open/Genesis Invitational, February is about the worst possible time to visit our fine city.
But June? When the first U.S. Open since 1948 will be played at a centrally-located course with no Pacific storms lining up and summer fun about to begin?
I’ve got thoughts!
No major championship has ever been dropped so centrally in the heart of a major city or near an airport easily reachable from all corners of civilization. Granted, getting in and out of said airport poses epic challenges and is usually enough to make most people hate the city. We apologize in advance.
If devoted Quadrilatangelenos cannot get a tee time at Riviera or Bel-Air, then carve out time for non-golf activities and stellar food (that rundown is coming in a few days). Your excuses for not experiencing some bit of L.A. are limited to budget, time and access to a vehicle. And I even have options below for those without access to a car.
The selections below were cultivated within a few parameters:
Sights and scenes in general proximity to the venue set on the westside of Los Angeles and bordered on the east by Beverly Hills.
To provide options that’ll give you a sense of L.A. life at its most fun, festive and scenic.
Alright, here goes and locals feel free to offer your suggestions in the comments.
Academy Museum
With all due respect to the Hollywood Wax Museum, we finally have a proper museum devoted to the art of moviemaking. The heart of the Academy Museum lies in the various exhibits devoted to “the craft.” Memorabilia donations are still coming in and should eventually fill all floors of the restored mid-century May Co. building, but already there are several excellent permanent exhibitions to go with some terrific temporary offerings. The current highlight: the recently-extended-to-2025 look inside The Godfather. It’s an absolute must for any fan of the epic Coppola films thanks to the memorabilia, costumes, script materials and casting videos. Also at the Academy Museum and expected to be available while the U.S. Open is in town: newly opened exhibitions on Casablanca, Boyz N The Hood, Lourdes Portillo and a soon-to-be-wrapping look at Black Cinema from 1898-1971 (sensational, especially if you love old movie poster art). Finally, don’t miss the view atop architect Renzo Piano’s theater. This structure added on the back of the May Co. building and offers sweeping views of the Hollywood Hills. The museum is open 10-6 daily and until 8 pm Friday and Saturday. Advance tickets are needed but I’m pretty sure you can also show up and get in.
Petersen Automotive Museum
