| Now that I’m back in Los Angeles after a 15-month stint working in Scottsdale, I’ve rediscovered one of my favorite places to hang out in L.A., Trump National Golf Club. It is a fairly unknown spot -- considering Donald Trump owns it. If you want to really get away from the L.A. urban crush take a drive over to Trump National Golf Club. It is a bit out of the way along the coast in Rancho Palos Verdes, thus the trip itself is anything but ordinary. However, it is well worth the drive, especially if you come through Redondo Beach around the West side via Palos Verdes Dr. West. You might recall, this was the golf course that gained early notoriety back in 1999 when the 18th hole collapsed two weeks before the grand opening and they had to build an enormous underground retaining wall to support the course. Well, now Trump owns it and he’s seriously giving Pebble Beach a worthy rival in terms of a quality oceanfront destination.
Once there, I’m sure you’ll find that there a numerous reasons to return to Trump National again and again. I like it because it is a classy, not too pretentious, place where everything slows down to the point of casual enjoyment. (Did I mention, the views aren’t bad either?) So, whether you want to enjoy the spectacular waterfront perch, sip a glass of wine or two over lunch on the deck, check out the exotic cars that show up in the parking lot, play a round of golf or take the wife out to a really special dinner – Trump has it well covered – and then some. In fact, the last time my wife and a few of her girlfriends had lunch there, I got a call at work informing me that they were having lunch with The Donald. Although they weren’t actually at the same table, he was nearby and pleasant enough to say hello to the table of astonished girls.
One of the really cool things about Trump National Golf Club is that there are three different places to eat and they serve breakfast, lunch or dinner. So matter what time you arrive or who you come with (wife, friends or golf mates) there’s a perfect spot to enjoy, relax, listen to live music or just unwind with the blue Pacific below you and Catalina or Dana Point perfectly framing your mood. The Golfer’s Lounge, which they say is the most casual of the three restaurants, is decidedly classier than a typical neighborhood sports bar. Then there is a more casual yet upscale restaurant called Café Pacific. Finally, the namesake, Trump’s that recently opened. It is a fine dining experience that is shooting for world-class in only the way Trump knows how – over the top. |
