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| Kamir with her frisbee at the HB Disc Golf Course, Photo:E.Ozlen |
So after two great weekends of
venturing around Orange County with Kamir, I realized the first two weeks both
venues were completely dog friendly.
Both Huntington Dog Beach and Park Bench Café had all accommodations,
expecting the dogs to visit. This
weekend was different. I am an active
person who loves sports and competing, so I thought what could I enjoy with
some friends that would also be fun for the dog? I thought, it doesn’t have to be a “dog
place” per se, just a place that I like, that Kamir could tag along, knowing that she is usually happy just being in our company.
A light bulb went off in my head, leading a car full of friends and one
dog, to the Huntington Beach Disc Golf Course.
Disc golf, or
“Frisbee golf,” is a sport that has grown tremendously over the past decade,
and the course in Huntington Beach is the second oldest in the world! I am no veteran to the pastime, but its
inviting atmosphere makes anyone feel comfortable trying it. There are no dress codes or expensive
equipment such as traditional golf courses require, and could you imagine
bringing a dog along to a country club, trekking over the manicured grounds? I think not.
That is another plus that makes this place so special. Dogs are welcomed to join their owners on a
day of disc golf.
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| A local disc golfer practicing, Photo :E. Ozlen |
At the welcome
shack, you can rent or buy discs, and a couple of dollars gets you all the frisbee throwing you can handle, sun up to sundown. I asked the old man working if dogs are ok and
if they had to be on leashes, he said, “Don’t worry about a leash if you can
control your dog, just bring baggies with you and help keep our course
clean.” By the way, they didn’t have dog
treats for sale, but a plethora of candy bars and Gatorade.
We made our way
to hole one of eighteen, with no commitment to play the entire course, which
could take up half of your day just like traditional golf. Kamir was already in full on explore mode,
sniffing away, unsure of where the journey would take us. After my friend’s odd body-twisting windup
and sudden extravagant heave of a frisbee, Kamir was spooked and didn’t know
what we were aiming at. She doesn’t play
fetch but after all of us threw our discs she knew there was nothing to worry
about.
As we headed
towards the second hole while walking down a wooden staircase, I realized the
sheer size of the course, which is part of the city’s Central Park. It spans over a lush upper grassy area, with
towering trees serving as shade and obstacles to throw past, as well as the
lower levels that are mostly dryer land with hard-packed dirt. The huge park is a perfect place to bring a
dog with endless pathways for one to follow their nose.
I could see
other dogs playing near a swing set in the distance, and as we made our way to
the next hole, Huntington Lake was within our eyesight. The lake is beautiful and makes a mini hike
with an occasional throw, pleasant as it provides a year-round breeze.
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| Kamir at Lake Huntington near hole 4, Photo: E.Ozlen |
As
you walk the course you should be aware of flying discs, and just as in
traditional golf, it is customary to yell “fore” as you make your throw. While walking along you will hear the rattle
of a frisbee hitting its target, a chain-linked basket, usually followed by
cheers and applause by the golfer and their friends.
As we made our
way further through the course, several friendly locals were resting on park
benches between holes eager to say hi to Kamir and make small talk about her
age, breed, among other things. I’m not
sure if the park technically allows the consumption of alcohol, but there is
some unwritten rule of the tolerance of drinking in public and the smell of
“funny cigarettes” in the air was also evident.
All of the parks golfers were extremely friendly and harmless, an
example of the easy-going Huntington Beach vibe.
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| HB Central Park's disc golf course resting area, Photo: E.Ozlen |
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| A local showing off his collection of discs, Photo: E.Ozlen |
The walk from hole to hole is an
adventure in itself, as you will pass ducks, swans, seagulls, squirrels, and a
beautiful natural landscape. As you make
your way back to the upper level of the course, besides the wild animals you
can see the Huntington Beach Equestrian Center, which has riding trails
alongside some of the disc golf target baskets. I spoke to two women riding horses that are
kept there who said they “Enjoy watching disc golfers while they are on their
rides, and are happy to see people enjoying the park just as they are.” I asked how their horses felt about dogs and
one lady replied, “My horse loves dogs, her’s is scared of them.” I think this was Kamir’s first time in her
life seeing a horse, and she definitely seemed reserved as she cautiously kept
her distance.
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| Horses from the HB Equestrian Center walk along the disc golf course, Photo:E.Ozlen |
Huntington Beach
Disc Golf Course is a local gem, and a historic relic, important to those who
love the game most. It offers fun with
friends, four legs or two, on an amazing piece of land that feels like a
natural oasis. Dog toys and human toys aren’t
much different, the course is a place we both enjoyed.
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| A damaged disc due to excessive chewing, Photo: E.Ozlen |
Click Below for a review of HB Disc Golf Course
