My annual January "In Search Of Sun" adventure took me to the west coast and my home for 25 years - California.                                   

A member of Claremont Country Club in Oakland called to invite me to a party which promised to be a reunion with many old friends and students -people I had not seen in over 17 years. My comfortable room let in the morning sun with a view overlooking the first fairway, and was just down the hall from the breakfast buffet table, paradise! The pros fixed me up with some good doubles action and head pro, Steve Shaw, provided a court for my lessons. My biggest thrill had to be giving instruction to a young girl while her mother and grandmother, both former students of mine from the '70s and '80s, watched from the bench.

After a few days in NorCal it was time to head south.

My terrific nephew/friend (thanks, Bruce) thought loaning me his roadster for the Pacific Coast Highway would be a good birthday present, especially since a new temperature record was about to be set for mid-January...eight straight days in the 80s! The top stayed down the entire trip.

My all-time favorite tennis club (and I've seen a few!)…

For a long time, I sat on the rocky point across the bay from the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, letting the excitement build. I once thought I had seen the last of this venerable establishment and now, after about a ten minute drive, I'll be checking in. Two days of good dining, tennis, and warm sunshine.

From the sublime to the ridiculous (and...a place that never changes), Surf City...here I come.

Definitely saving the best for last as I am back on the road, heading north to see if there is still a place that I vaguely remember as having the best waves, music venues, dragstrips, beaches (there is even one for dogs), sunsets, street musicians, Mexican food, seafood, volleyball, Main Street, artsies/crafties, and the local high school has 12 (TWELVE!) tennis courts - with bleachers! If I ever relocate to the west coast it would have to be Huntington Beach...where never is heard a discouraging word. 

Well, there you have it. In January the last three years I have visited my four favorite clubs.

            Best college facility - 2007 -   Universidad de Granada, España
            Best indoor facility  - 2008 -   San Jose Indoor Club, Costa Rica
            Best Country Club  - 2009 -   Claremont C C, Oakland, CA
            Best Tennis Club    - 2009 -   La Jolla Beach and Tennis, CA

Please visit your local tennis pro - help his economic growth/survival/travel expenses...