Comments (0) Best Life in the Fun Lane - 2010
Corbin Recreation Center
If the soul of Southern California suburban life is found in the San Fernando Valley, then the heart of that suburban soul lies in the Valley’s historic and varied amusement centers. You can’t find a better den of recreation, mild athleticism and comfortable hanging out than the Corbin Recreation Center complex in Tarzana. Built in 1959, it’s attached to that awesome neon sign looming up just south of the 101, a few miles west of the 405, veritably announcing one’s entry to the sylvan, bucolic West Valley. There’s a restaurant, a bar (lit in the spooky, retro-futuristic style you’d expect) and a karaoke setup replete with fog machine and simulated mini volcanoes. However, the main event here is the bowling. Aside from plenty of birthday parties and private events such as showbiz wrap parties, the lanes feature tons of high-powered league play, where you can watch suburbanite bowling heroes hit 300s and 800s on a semi-regular basis. Or you can just be a carefree amateur, chug a few drinks and throw some balls down some lanes. 19616 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. (818) 996-2695, corbinbowl.net. —Adam Gropman
