San Diegans flock to Tavern and Bowl, which has three separate locations in the county: East Village (near downtown), Eastlake (in Chula Vista) and North County (in Escondido). They are known for their happy hour, their flat-screen televisions and, of course, their bowling lanes. If none of those are convenient, there's also Kearny Mesa Bowl, off Clairmont Mesa Boulevard. It has bowling leagues and open play, as well as the occasional amateur tournament. Mira Mesa Lanes, off Mira Mesa Boulevard, also has leagues and tournaments, as well as a Rock and Bowl event most Friday and Saturday nights.
Heading up the coast, Saddleback Lanes in Mission Viejo has won awards and recognition for being a great Orange County alley. It offers bowling leagues, open play, birthday parties and cosmic bowling at night. Bowlmor is another choice, with locations in Tustin and Anaheim. Both offer glow-in-the-dark lanes, and the Tustin location, called Bowlmor Orange County, also has an arcade with games such as glow-in-the-dark air hockey. Additionally, there's Fountain Bowl, in Fountain Valley, which has leagues, parties and open play, as well as an unlimited bowling package on Tuesday nights.
In Los Angeles, if you're looking for a little star power, try Lucky Strike Hollywood. Apparently celebrities, including Justin Bieber and Will Smith, have dropped by this 12-lane alley to bowl a few games. Lucky Strike is also at LA Live, near the Staples Center, and this location also offers billiards tables and a four-lane private suite. A more traditional option is the AMF Mar Vista, off the 405 freeway on Venice Boulevard. This is a 28-lane alley with a pro shop on site; it offers open play and league bowling. There are also seven additional AMF locations within 25 miles of Mar Vista, from Cerritos to Montebello to Santa Monica.
Heading east to Riverside, you'll find Arlington Lanes, a family-owned alley that has garnered good reviews from visitors. It has 40 lanes to play on, as well as pool tables, an arcade and a pro shop. In Murietta, Brunswick Cal Oaks Bowl also has 40 lanes available for open play, league play and bowling parties. In the Palm Springs area, there's Palm Springs Lanes in Cathedral City. It has laser nights on Friday and Saturday nights, as well as dollar night Wednesdays and other open play deals throughout the week.
Moving north to Ventura County, you can visit either of Harley's two locations in Simi Valley and in Camarillo. Both offer open bowling, leagues and bowling parties, as well as atomic bowling, with black and neon lights on the weekends. In Ventura, Buena Lanes highlights its family-friendly nature; it has youth programs and adult leagues.
