social programming— is what turns it into a destination,” adds Mark Bloom, SMASH partner.
There’ s no membership at California SMASH. It’ s open to the public.“ The goal is to be welcoming for a firsttimer and still legit for serious players. That’ s why the facility quality and programming matter just as much as the vibe,” explains Scott Doerner, another SMASH partner, whose background is in high-performance tennis.“ Pickleball has that same competitive edge, but with a community vibe that’ s hard to beat. It’ s one of the few sports where beginners and advanced players can share the same space.”
California SMASH offers a full array of playing options including Live Ball to Ladder Play to Open Play sessions. It provides daily pickleball programming for seasoned players along with those who are just venturing out for the first time onto a court.
Drogmund, unabashedly proud, describes the group’ s creation.“ About half the footprint is dedicated to pickleball, nine indoor courts, because our concept is intentionally play + social, not just a row of courts. We also built an upstairs mezzanine that overlooks the facility, with a DJ booth and lighting to set the energy. Our indoor – outdoor dining area opens
through garage doors and includes an outdoor TV, heaters, and a grassy space for cornhole, ping-pong, or just enjoying the Southern California weather.”
No doubt the California weather lends itself to outdoor activities, but California SMASH has given ample thought to those not-so-sunny days. It also offers the indoor Smash Studio, a soundproof private room with its own flat-screen TV, wet bar, disco ball, and even podcasting capabilities so groups can celebrate, host, or even create content in a space that feels completely separate from the courts.
Unquestionably, one of the sport’ s newest additions has been a smashing success. To learn more, go to calismash. com. •
MARCH / APRIL 2026 | MAGAZINE 53