Feedback on membership with La Jolla Beach and Tennis (Corona: oceanfront, 2013)

[sweet Alicat]

Hello - I'm posting this on behalf of a good friend.
She has a toddler aged child. She makes good money but not crazy money. She is contemplating joining the La Jolla Beach and Tennis club. Her primary reason is for the family events, community relationships, things to do and be a part of with her child.
It's a very expensive membership and her time is up as to whether to pull the trigger and join.
So the question is - does anyone have experience with having been a member or still an active member? Can you give some honest feedback on whether it's worth it, good experience etc? Thanks in advance.

[USDefault]

Not worth it. The place is old, the rooms outdated, and they're not putting money into the place to update and upgrade. Think Hotel del Coronado, outdated. I've eaten here several times. The food is o.k., not great. I wouldn't go out of my way to eat here, because there are better options in Hillcrest, North County, and downtown. The beach is a nice spot, but the water is jammed with seaweed, and sometimes can be downright disgusting.

The buy-in price is high, and you'll have to share the amenities with non-member hotel guests. It's not worth it. Much better off renting an oceanfront room for when you want to attend, versus locking yourself in with a high buy-in and annual fees.

Now, if she's not making half a mil or more a year, she would be crazy to join this place. She would be much, much better off if she takes the membership fee and annual dues, sticks them in a 529 plan, and has her child's college education paid off by the time the kid hits 17. Graduating debt-free in a very competitive world is vastly more important than joining LJBTC.

[loveautumn]

I know someone who was a member about 17 years ago...especially at the toddler age, I'd say there's plenty of ways to be with your child and not spend that kind of money. The child won't even remember being a member!

[movinon]

I would pass on it. I can think of lots of other ways to entertain a child that would probably be equally or more satisfying. One could do a whole lot for that kind of money. Or, the college fund as mentioned by USDefault. Members of my family were charter members and remained members until the late 70's. I spent many many childhood weekends there and then as a young adult attended numerous luncheons and dinner parties there as well. But about 1974 or so my grandparents felt the bloom was off the rose and resigned from their membership. They used other venues for their social events, such as the La Jolla Country Club. By then all of us youngsters were young adults without children - we'd moved on to college and careers so there was no need for membership from that angle. Over the years I continued to go there through friends who were members. I was last there in 2013 and felt that it had not returned to its former glory.

Another aspect to consider is that she and her child will meet other parents and their offspring who may have far more discretionary income to do other activities away from the Beach Club. So keeping up with the proverbial Joneses can enter into it, too.

If I were in your friend's shoes, I'd keep looking at other options.

[sweet Alicat]

This is the friend... Thanks so much for your thoughtful replies and consideration of my situation. I will definitely do more research on other potential options. I am really looking for a place we can all enjoy that is more of a community feel than the YMCA. No doubt we will not be able to keep up with the "Joneses" and you bring up a really good point--it may be more difficult than I thought to develop a community there if we are so different financially than the other families. Thanks again for taking the time to reply to my friend's post...

[shanewear]

I will be the dissenting voice and encourage you to join if you can afford it. Yes it's rundown, but you're not joining for the looks of it. People join for the community of it and the ease of living. I'm not a member but know many people who are. I didn't get it at all until I spent a lot of time there. Now I understand the benefits.