The California Club

I’m writing this mainly to convince you that if you ever get invited to attend an event here, you should go just for the experience of seeing how the other side lives. I had no idea what the California Club was until I got there, and I’m glad I went. Think old boys’ club, of the East Coast preppy variety. Think old white men smoking cigars. Think of the type of people who perhaps attended the Ivies back in the day, who belonged to secret societies. That’s what this place is like.
As soon as I walked in, I got scolded for using my phone. I was led to a telephone booth room, a tiny closet really, to make my call. When I came out, I felt immediately like an uncomfortable, nervous kid who needed to be on her best behavior, lest she get into trouble again. I was like, oh man, I’m definitely not in Kansas anymore! I eventually made my way upstairs to the patio, where the event was taking place. And from there, everything was much more enjoyable and relaxed. The food, my favorite part of any event, was delicious. The views of DTLA were spectacular. The space itself was nice and classy, and the environment was made all the more fancy by the fact that there is a very strictly enforced dress code. They can and will turn you away if you wear jeans. Looking around, for men, it seemed like a suit jacket was required, as almost all the men were wearing one.
I stayed a couple hours, chatting away with friends in the nice space. Overall, I had a good time. Places like these are fun to experience once in a while, mostly just for the experience of something different than everyday life. In some ways, for me, going to a place like this is like a study in cultural anthropology, a glimpse into the lives of those belonging to a certain class and who hold certain value systems. It was all very interesting to me. So, if anything, go to the California Club for an eye-​opening social study. It’s the academic nerd in me that finds this stuff fascinating, hopefully you do too!

Had the opportunity to come here for a holiday event. Really nice venue that reminds me of the east coast. Very classily decorated for the holidays. The staff are all super friendly, from the parking valet to the servers. The hors ‘doeuvres were delicious from stuffed mushrooms to lobster and crab filling on crackers. The roast beef on mini buns with the horseradish and house sauce were good as well. Definitely a great venue for any nice event and tasty finger food too!

Wow, what a swanky social club. I had the opportunity to attend a benefit event here this evening and was very impressed with the establishment. The historic landmark sits unassumingly on S Flower St between 5^th & 6^th, surrounded by more modern highrises, and tucked away by its tall vine façade that surrounds the front of the building, leaving only room for a few steps to the auspiciously double door that is the entry for members-​only access.
Greeted and directed by the Concierge to where I needed to be. The cocktail lounge on the first floor is massive, for mingling and hors d’œuvre. The staff are professional yet very nice and personable.
Dinner was impeccably served with a shrimp/​tomato/​avocado salad; oven roasted chicken breast with Spanish rice/​bean, carrots, and fried plantains with house made rolls. Desert was a nice slice of banana cream cheesecake and coffee.
All of that aside, this event benefitted a great cause. For those reading this, please take a few minutes to check out Operation Walk at
!

I appreciate this place. I know that there are people who see this as the old school, not 21^st century place, but I’ve got an appreciation for the building itself and the décor inside. I’ve been to both the California Club as well as the City Club of LA and being a young person in business, I still prefer the atmosphere of the California Club, simply because the City Club gets a little too L. A for me. It’s a lot less busy feeling, a lot less modern and just gives off an atmosphere that I enjoy.
The rich wood and dark tall bookcases of the California Club are beautiful and just walking around you can’t help but appreciate the history within these walls.
I’ve been here a couple times for meetings and our service has always been impeccable. Very nice servers who accommodated so well to our group and ensured our meetings ran smoothly without disruption.
Overall, if you ever get the opportunity to come to this building, take some time to appreciate the building itself. You won’t regret the chance to enjoy a nice meal here!

The California Club is quite an impressive building — lots of history and interesting architecture. It is one of those old boys clubs, however, and has that feel. We enjoyed the offerings of the seafood buffet and the staff was more than attentive. We ordered the filet mignon and swordfish for entrees. The filet was well cooked but the swordfish was horribly overcooked and dry and was served with very salty greens. Overall it was a «fine» experience.

We went here for a holiday party, the owner of my company is a member. The staff was very nice but the food was just ok and the venue needs a makeover. Super old, a bit musty, and the carpets needed some serious cleaning!

I have been here for numerous events over the years, and knew that I wanted to have my wedding here. It was perfect– from the ceremony in the Main Lounge, reception in the Second Floor Dining room, and after party drinks on the new patio surrounded by nighttime skyscrapers. Service and food were impeccable. Many thanks to my sponsor and the catering manager for making it a magical day!

This place is known to be extremely fancy. The strict business attire will only grant you entrance. Anything less will get you kicked out!
The food was great (had the mahi mahi). The service was great (had a small private room to ourselves!). I’m not sure how one can fine here on a random day but it’s worth it if you can!

Really wonderful venue for any event. The staff is gracious and accommodating.
The décor reminds me of the Great Hall of the New York public library, with dark wood, chandelier and dim lighting. Think Beauty and the Beast in California.
The food that they catered was great, they even invented a dish to incorporate a requested ingredient. The macaroons and flourless chocolate cookies were really divine.
Great experience, they even have iPhone chargers at the front desk.

Pinkys up folks! This venue is upscale if I’ve ever seen it! Staff is top-​notch and very helpful. I never had an empty glass, and they didn’t blatantly judge me for having my fair share of chardonnay. Don’t worry, I can’t afford to come here either, but the boyfriend’s office holiday party was here so they let me in.
No use of phones unless you’re in the phone booth, aka a small, fancy pants room where you can talk on the phone. The bathrooms don’t have paper towels to dry your hands, but instead have embroidered tea towels.
Minus 1 star for the food. Had the porcini-​crusted cod (?)– nothing special. Boyfriend’s filet mignon was much better, but presentation left a lot to be desired. The poor blob of bernaise sauce was clinging to the edge of the plate for dear life.

This place is filled with history. It’s a great place to hang out, especially when there’s an open bar. Smoke cigars on the 3^rd floor.

Worked an event here and what a beautiful place. The staff is the best. From the bottom on up.
Everyone knows what they are doing and they do it perfectly. I was so impressed, I am still overwhelmed.
If you ever get a chance to be here, go. You won’t be disappointed.

One of the most beautiful, elegant and truly grand interior spaces in Southern California! The food is superb! The service here is outstanding and friendly. Very recently, the club opened a new patio area outside on the west side of the 3^rd floor roof, with a beautiful fountain, fire pit and other amenities.
Times change, but the California Club blends the best of the traditional with modern cuisine and exquisite, attentive service.

I was working here, shooting video.
Amazing! Like the Titanic on land. Great place, food and the service folks are the nicest!

I was invited here for lunch today by a member and it was outstanding. We sat outside on the beautiful patio which was an oasis in the downtown hub. I had the cold poached salmon salad and it was fantastic. Since it was an interview, I didn’t try the bread or anything else, but it all looked amazing. Service was top-​notch of course. Just a beautiful, classic, old-​school place.
I hope someone will invite me there again!

Wow! Just Wow! I was invited here for drinks by a member. I’ve always wanted to go here and jumped at the opportunity. The décor is beautiful (even the bathrooms). The staff is super on top of it. We sat in the bar area and it was really nice. They bring out a whole spread of appetizers, buffet style, for the guests to enjoy. The patio area is also really pretty and gives you a good view of downtown LA.
I’ve heard that they only started allowing women in recently (something like 1987.) Glad they did, because that place is awesome!

I had The California Club as my wedding venue and things could not have gone any better. Everyone at the club provided excellent service and made my day that much easier. The food was amazing. Normally, when you cook for 300 hundred people the filet mignon and fish becomes overcooked and dry and flavorless and your typical wedding food. Fortunately, that wasn’t a problem for me. The food was great and my Dad confirmed it. Trust me, if the food was bad my dad would have told me, regardless if it was my wedding or not. The architecture, the patio, décor, service, and food was just amazing and I’m so happy that I was able to have a wedding there!

Felicity is being treated to lunch on the third floor patio at the California Club in November. Free flowing crisp Chardonnay and iced espresso, generous chunks of Maryland blue crab in the gumbo and salad, topped off with a sampling of perfectly textured cookies … I could die happy right now.
My friends gave me the grand tour, from the clubby 3^rd floor to the grand dining room on the first floor (currently being gussied up for Thanksgiving). The club is an embarrassment of riches, with one of the world’s largest collections of plein-​air paintings, massive yet graceful chandeliers, oak paneling and furniture and timepieces.
I’m not unaware of its history of excluding women and minorities until 1987. The 2^nd floor parlors and private dining rooms were originally the domain of the wives, who presumably played cards while their mover-​and-​shaker husbands carried on. The weight of tradition is palpable, and if I’m going to be scrupulously honest, enviable.

Elegance, class, charm, stunning, and many other words that fill the finest dictionaries can be conjured up to describe this fascinating Los Angeles landmark. It’s exclusivity equals it’s rank as one of the premier social spots among the downtown collection of places you would want to go to.
The service is amazing and probably equaled only by the top hotels of the world. We had a couple of waiters for every table and as one left, the other was coming. There was not a single beat skipped by these amazing professionals. The food was 5-​star all the way to the end. The California Club does not lack in any way.
In all, the evening was as close to perfection without actually reaching heaven. If you ever have a chance to visit the Club, do so. It’s worth it.

Un haut lieu pour grands rendez-​vous, banquets ou dîners d’affaire. Le bâtiment est tel un labyrinthe, avec ses successions de grandes salles mais à dimension humaine. Le service y est excellent, les plats tout à fait corrects sans pour autant être de la grande cuisine. Enfin, cela dépend de l’organisation du banquet bien entendu ! Notez que ce lieu n’est pas ouvert au public.

One of the executives at my office brought us here for lunch one afternoon and the food was exceeellleennnt. We sat in a private room which had an amazing patio. The architecture was really impressive. Every room was different and unique.
Top of the line service, top notch food. top secret room. BOOM, done.