L.A. is an excellent golf destination if you stay off the road for most of the day

ORANGE, Calif. – It took an hour to drive three miles this afternoon after playing golf in Southern California. Such can be life on the freeways around Los Angeles. But you shouldn’t let it deter you from taking a golf trip down here, especially if you combine it with other activities, and there’s certainly plenty to do.

When you think of golf trips, the Los Angeles area usually doesn’t come to mind. Folks are more likely to consider San Diego to the south, but the L.A. area has more than its share of really good daily fee, municipal and resort courses. I got to experience that firsthand this week.

If only the traffic was a little more manageable. I’m convinced there are a trillion cars here.

The key is to settle in on an area. This past week I hit three different regions: Los Angeles and its northern suburbs, Orange County and the Inland Empire. All three feature very different terrain and environments, but each are worth checking out.

Thursday, I got to check out Lost Canyons Golf Club in Simi Valley, north of L.A. I had heard it was good, but it surpassed my expectations. With mountains as far as the eye could see, Pete Dye takes you on a roller coaster ride up and down hills, from elevated tees through terrain that looks nothing like Los Angeles.

This was my second to last day, so I after had to make my way south toward Orange County, where I will play Monarch Beach Golf Links on Friday. It’s also where my departure airport is located.

I just didn’t hit the road soon enough this afternoon. Rush hour here is more like rush half-a-day. If only I had played faster – or maybe better.