Pickleball Social Club in the Works in El Segundo

Pickleball enthusiasts in Los Angeles are in for a treat with the upcoming California Smash Pickleball and Social Club in El Segundo. Scheduled to open later this year, the club aims to blend competition with social interaction in a fully converted indoor warehouse. Founder Brett Drogmund, who discovered pickleball during the pandemic, is spearheading this project to create a community-centric space that combines live music, a dance floor, and a full-service bar and restaurant with ten pickleball courts. The club will offer rentable courts, paddles, and balls, and will not require membership fees, making it accessible to all.

California Smash is set to redefine the pickleball experience by integrating elements inspired by entertainment venues like Topgolf. Courts will be rentable by the hour, and the club plans to host themed nights and a podcast series featuring a former Los Angeles Chargers player. The club has signed a 30-year lease on a 25,000-square-foot building and is investing approximately $6 million in design buildouts. This venture aims to cater to players of all levels and ages, with special programs for kids and coaching lessons for newcomers.

The introduction of California Smash is expected to have significant impacts on El Segundo, both in terms of recreation and economic benefits. El Segundo City Councilmember Lance Giroux emphasized the city’s business-friendly environment and the potential for the club to enhance local tourism and nightlife. The club's success could pave the way for additional locations across Southern California, further capitalizing on the growing popularity of pickleball. With a vision to provide a high-end pickleball experience, California Smash is poised to become a vibrant addition to El Segundo’s sports and entertainment landscape.