Pickleball and Palms: The Surprising Soul of Southern California’s New Social Scene

Pickleball and Palms: The Surprising Soul of Southern California’s New Social Scene

Once the sun begins its slow descent behind the palms, a new kind of SoCal nightlife lights up—not in clubs or cocktail lounges, but on neighborhood courts with paddle in hand and sneakers squeaking across freshly painted lines. Pickleball, a once-niche paddle sport, has become the cultural glue binding generations in Southern California—from Silverlake hipsters and Palm Springs retirees to Venice techies and Encinitas yogis.

The game—part tennis, part ping-pong, and all attitude—has transformed from a casual backyard pastime into a full-blown lifestyle. And in true SoCal fashion, it’s not just about the sport—it’s about the scene.

“We started playing just to get outside,” says Reina Salazar, a 34-year-old creative director who now co-hosts a weekly queer pickleball night in Echo Park. “But it quickly became a ritual. It’s where we connect, flirt, vent, and even network. It’s like brunch, but sweatier.”

Cities like Long Beach and Santa Monica are investing in permanent pickleball courts, and local designers are launching fashion-forward pickleball apparel lines, some with SPF 50 sun protection and others with cheeky slogans like “Dink Responsibly.” There are tournaments with craft beer sponsors, DJ sets at night games, and Instagram accounts dedicated to SoCal pickleball crushes. You can’t walk through a weekend farmer’s market without hearing someone mention “paddles” in the same sentence as “recovery smoothie.”

Critics argue that the sport is too noisy or a trend that’s “ruining tennis,” but pickleball seems to be redefining community in a region often accused of isolation and car-centric disconnection.

“It’s the most un-L.A. thing that’s ever happened to L.A.,” laughs former soap actor Brent Vega, who runs a “Sober Sundays” pickleball club in Burbank. “It’s real people, outdoors, no filter. Just paddles and good vibes.”

As temperatures climb and daylight lingers, don’t be surprised to find your neighbors—sweaty, smiling, and competitive—gathered on local courts until dusk. In the land of palm trees and reinvention, Southern California’s newest cultural movement might just be the sound of a plastic ball popping across the net.


Pickleball Courts in Southern California

Mar Vista Recreation Center
A well-loved Westside spot with casual community games.
 https://www.laparks.org/reccenter/mar-vista
11430 Woodbine St, Los Angeles, CA 90066

Desert Pickleball Club – Palm Springs
LGBTQ+ inclusive group with drop-in games in the desert.
 https://www.desertpickleball.com
Sunrise Park Courts – 480 S Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262

Santa Monica Beach Pickleball Courts
Beautiful ocean-side setting with consistent community play.
 https://www.santamonica.gov/places/pickleball-courts-north-beach
North Beach Courts, 1200 Palisades Beach Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90401

El Segundo Pickleball Courts / PicklePunk League
A quirky, themed local league with music and costumes.
 https://www.elsegundo.org/government/departments/recreation-parks/facilities-sports/pickleball
300 E Pine Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245

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2025

2025

In Chinese astrology, the Snake holds a revered place among the twelve zodiac animals, symbolizing wisdom, intuition, and elegance. The Year of the Snake in 2025, beginning on January 29 and ending on February 16, 2026, marks a period associated with transformation and insight.

Historically, the Snake is seen as a powerful and enigmatic sign, deeply connected to intellect and mystery. Those born under the Snake are believed to be resourceful, contemplative, and graceful, often carrying an aura of sophistication. In the Chinese zodiac cycle, the Snake is the sixth animal, following the Dragon and preceding the Horse.

The Snake’s influence in 2025 brings opportunities for self-reflection and strategic planning. It’s a year that encourages embracing change and harnessing inner strength to achieve personal and professional growth. In Chinese culture, the Snake’s attributes often symbolize renewal, making 2025 a promising time to shed the old and welcome new beginnings.

Aligned with the Wood element in the Chinese Five Elements system for this cycle, 2025’s Year of the Wood Snake emphasizes growth, adaptability, and a nurturing approach to challenges. This combination amplifies the Snake’s wisdom with a harmonious and grounded energy, fostering a year of thoughtful progress and collaboration.

As with all zodiac years, the Year of the Snake offers lessons tied to its unique qualities, reminding us to balance caution with courage and to trust our instincts as we navigate life’s complexities.

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Labor Day Weekend: Plan!

Labor Day Weekend: Plan!

It’s the end of Summer! Not really, but it is a three-day weekend, and as such, it’s a good idea to plan ahead—or just stay home. But, here are some ideas that don’t require jets, boats or trains. They will likely involve traffic as this is a given in Southern California!

 

1. Beach Getaways

  • Santa Monica Beach: Enjoy the iconic pier, sunbathing, swimming, and bike rides along the beach path.
  • Laguna Beach: Explore art galleries, relax on the sandy shores, and take in the scenic beauty of this coastal gem.
  • Malibu: Visit Zuma Beach for a more laid-back vibe or check out the tide pools at El Matador Beach.

2. Outdoor Adventures

  • Santa Monica Mountains: Try trails like Solstice Canyon or Runyon Canyon for breathtaking views and a good workout.
  • Griffith Park: Explore the park’s trails, visit the Griffith Observatory, or take a horseback ride.
  • Catalina Island: Take a day trip for snorkeling, zip-lining, or simply relaxing by the water.

3. Festivals & Events

  • Los Angeles County Fair: Running through Labor Day, this fair offers food, rides, exhibits, and live entertainment in Pomona.
  • The Taste of LA: Sample food and drinks from top LA chefs and restaurants at this annual culinary event.
  • Fiesta Hermosa: Head to Hermosa Beach for this arts and crafts festival, featuring live music, food stands, and local vendors.

4. Theme Parks & Attractions

5. Road Trips

  • Joshua Tree National Park: Explore the unique desert landscape, go rock climbing, or stargaze at night.
  • Santa Barbara: Spend a day in this charming coastal city, visiting wineries, shopping, and relaxing on the beach.
  • Big Bear Lake: Enjoy boating, fishing, or hiking in the San Bernardino Mountains.

6. Music & Concerts

7. Dining & Food

  • Food Trucks: Sample a variety of cuisines from LA’s best food trucks, often found at special Labor Day events.
  • Rooftop Dining: Experience a sunset dinner with panoramic views at popular spots like The Rooftop by JG or Perch LA.

8. Family-Friendly Activities

  • Aquarium of the Pacific: Take the family to explore marine life exhibits in Long Beach.
  • LA Zoo: Spend the day with the animals, and enjoy special holiday programming.
  • Santa Monica Pier: Enjoy the rides, games, and the aquarium with the kids.
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Checking-In: Graham Moore, Commercial Artist

Checking-In: Graham Moore, Commercial Artist

This is the first in a series of profiles about people who live and work in the SoCal area. We tap into the vast range of professions and endeavor to explore method and outcomes. We start with Graham Moore, a graphic artist born in Somerset, England, living in Los Angeles. HIs work is swinging 60’s London and Retro Americana.

 

HOW IT BEGAN
My journey started at Wimbledon school of art in London where I did my foundation studies, 3 years later graduated in Graphic Design. First job was working in a print shop in covent garden. Came over to New York in 1987, then down to Dallas, worked in a couple of design studios, them moved out to Los Angeles in 1991. Have continuously been working in the entertainment/music business/design studios/advertising agency as a graphic designer/Art Director. Was offered to teach a class at Art Center College of Design in 2003 and have been teaching as an adjunct faculty since then also at FIDM and currently at Woodbury University in Burbank. My own art started to take off in 2012, employing non-digital techniques, collage & mixed media being my process of choice. Out of many, Pop art would be my favorite art movement and that comes across in my work and most of the artists, music, fashion and style I admire are from that time period, the 1960’s. I continue to mix analog/digital techniques in both my personal and graphic design work!

What are the challenges in your profession?
It is not an easy road to tread….being a freelance designer/designer/teacher I am constantly hustling for work, looking for new clients, as an artist, be prepared for rejection, because it will happen, but not to be taken personally! Just remember that art is subjective so what one person may love, another person is not impressed! One door closes, another opens, that has been my experience! As a freelancer network, network & more networking for the next gig!

Can you explain your design thinking?
I love the clean, simple lines of mid-century modern design and the cool sounds of west coast jazz! and Blue Note jazz covers and the Abstract Classicists. I am a huge fan of the art movement, Califonia Hard-Edge. Bold lines, organic shapes, color and texture are all important ingredients that I employ in my own work. I was doing a lot of collage in my classes (art & design at Art Center and Woodbury University), always experimenting and exploring with different materials, textured papers and found imagery, etc. I had the idea to use record covers and the paper sleeves that protected 45 singles, specifically packaging from 1960’s. There is so much of it, an endless supply of material!

It already contained such strong use of shape, line, color and texture, (all the things by the way that I teach in my Basic elements and principles of design classes). There is something about the quality and feel of the printing from back then that cannot be rivalved! It seems ironic to me that it was the love of album cover art that made me want to pursue a career in graphic design in the first place, and here I am using it in a way I would never have dreamed of! Also, by accident, one day while working on my computer, from my living room window I was watching the clear channel guy strip down and replace some billboards. I went down and asked him what he did with the remnants and he said they just trashed it, so help yourself and through some experimentation found that there was a lot of great color, typography and texture to be had, and nice big areas of halftone dots!

My process is lots of experimentation! For instance, with the billboard pieces, I brake it down into manageable size pieces then soak it in the bathtub until I can peel it apart. The fun is always in the reveal because there are so many layers you never know what you are going to get! The record cover pieces are like a jigsaw puzzle, sometimes a piece will sit on my table for a few days, constantly moving pieces around until it feels right! There have also been instances where I have found the frame/frames first and created the piece specifically for the frame. One important factor is that I always use a square format, which relates to back to the album cover, be it 12 inch, 10 inch, 7 inch.

Photo, right: Jim wojtowicz and mother&daughter participates in the first Collage Garage workshop at the 1st annual recycled art fair @crafted at the port of Los Angeles in San Pedro California.  https://express.adobe.com/page/wwdfyIlaFVGWO/

For more Moore: http://www.gmoorecreative.com/

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Ask the Experts:Travel

Ask the Experts:Travel

If you’re travelling with a budget in mind, KAYAK offers a great service: find locations for travel based on location and price worldwide. Here’s how it works: Go to the flight section, under “anywhere” click and you wil find explore your options with anywhere search. Click on any price and it will give you the current price AND a forward look at upcoming prices. Deal of the day would appear to be Kahului, Hawaii. Also known as Maui, a roundtrip today would coast $338, roundtrip. If you like adventure and can afford it, you might take an expensive flight to Tolinaro in Madagascar for $3343.

https://www.kayak.com/

 
 
 
 

Meet Zuke Oshiro

Zuke Oshiro was born in raised in Hokkaido, the north island of Japan, and moved to Los Angeles in 1999. While he had his own educational agency business, Zuke has continuously traveled around world, and writes for numerious publications and journals.
info@socalmag.com

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