Lisa Lavin

Bel-Air Bay Club was built during 1927 and 1928 as part of a 31-acre project conceived by Alphonzo Bell, one of the primary developers of Los Angeles. The Club was incorporated on June 2, 1927. Mr. Bell seemed to have a special talent for developing this type of project, and his promotion of athletics was a knowledgeable one, having ranked as one of the nation's top ten tennis players in 1904. It is an appropriate legacy to Mr. Bell, who also served as Club President from 1927 through 1945, that the Bel-Air Bay Club is, to this day, known as "the paddle tennis club," having spawned several national champion players. The Club was such a center of social activity during the 1920's, 1930's and 1940's that many celebrities frequented Club functions, along with other prominent local citizens. Today, the Club is a popular destination for family and social gatherings as well as paddle tennis, volleyball, beach activities and Bridge. Bel-Air Bay Club consists of two facilities separated by Pacific Coast Highway.The grounds are located on one-quarter mile of beachfront, with a total of 14 acres including picturesque bluffs overlooking the sea. Mr. Bell situated the Upper Clubhouse in such a way that it offers an unsurpassed view of Santa Monica Bay and Catalina Island. Many visitors have commented that the Bel-Air Bay Club provides one of the finest views in the world.