Visiting the Crags Country Club near Los Angeles, California


Wealth has many advantages that a lot of people don't even think of. When we think of wealthy people living in Calabasas and Malibu we tend to think of expensive cars, big mansions, that sort of thing. And it's true, but one thing that wealthy people have always loved to do is to get away to the wide open spaces. It's still true today, and if you visit the Malibu Creek State Park, you can still experience it. Nowadays you don't have to be wealthy to visit, because I've been there, but it's good to know a local who can guide you. I house-sat for many years for a friend who lived in Calabasas, and I would always try to get away to the wonderful places right nearby. Today I'd like to time-travel, and visit the Crags Country Club, near Los Angeles.


It's 1910, and the Crags Country Club is being established. To get to it, you drive waaaaay out on Ventura Boulevard, and turn south at Las Virgenes Road, heading towards Malibu. Keep your eyes open for deer that might be jumping across the road and look for Crags Road. Yes, Crags Road is still there, it takes you to the Malibu Creek State Park. Century Lake, which was originally Crags Lake, and is where the Country Club was.

I have to admit that the name "country club" confused me. To me, a country club is a golf course, but of course all it really is, is a club in the country. People would drive away from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles, and just get away. I know that I would like it, just strolling under trees, listening to the quiet. Of course the quiet would be disturbed quite a bit with gunshots, as deer hunting was part of the reason that people came to the Crags.

I'm still working on researching all of this, and I'll follow up with more, but from what I understand, it was a happening place until the 1930s, and then it kind of faded away. I'd love to go to Malibu Creek State Park and ask around to see if anyone had heard of the Crags, or if there's some evidence of the original structures. If you live around there, and can do that, please let me know.





The photos are from the Oviatt Library Digital Collections at CSUN 
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