Private Clubs vs Social Clubs in the Santa Clarita Valley (Which is right for me?)

The Santa Clarita Valley is a beautiful oasis of neighborhoods, shopping areas, restaurants, and green spaces. It is a wonderful place to live, raise a family, and grow older.

Living in the SCV means living in a community. Being part of a community adds to your quality of life and increases your sense of belonging and connection. But finding the right group of friends with whom you share values and interests can be difficult.

A private or social club is a great place to meet others. These clubs center around common interests and social activities. Join a team, attend an event, or support a charitable organization at a fundraiser — there are several ways to enjoy yourself.

The Paseo Club is a social club that has served the Santa Clarita Valley community for over 20 years. The club offers fitness, tennis, pickleball, and swimming facilities to support members in their healthy lifestyles.

The Paseo Club is one of three club options in the area. We wrote this article to help you better understand your choices. In this article, you will learn what private and social clubs are, what clubs are in the Santa Clarita Valley, and their resources and amenities.

What is a private club?

A private club is simply a club that is not open to the public and requires a paid membership. The club usually centers around a specific activity, such as tennis, golf, or physical fitness. Members benefit from its resources and enjoy the various activities, social events, and quality amenities. 

Members generally pay a one-time initiation fee and monthly fees. Some private clubs are member-owned and also require an equity fee.  

What are the private clubs in the Santa Clarita Valley?

The Oaks Club at Valencia

The Oaks Club at Valencia, formerly known as TPC or The Tournament Players Club, is a private golf club. Its 18-hole, 7,218-yard golf course is a huge draw — as are all the amenities. Members enjoy private dining, men’s and women’s locker rooms with pool, game, and card tables, golf equipment storage, private golf instruction, and more. 

They offer three membership options — social, golf, and corporate — so you can custom select the best the best choice. 

Valencia Country Club

Valencia Country Club is a private club centered around its spacious 18-hole championship golf course built in 1965. Golfers enjoy their pro shop with apparel and equipment, elegant locker rooms, and an exercise center. 

It has a 45,000-square-foot clubhouse with dining, fitness, and special event facilities. The country club is a popular choice for special private events — especially weddings. Fun weekly events are line dancing, tequila tasting, Pilates and prosecco, and more. 

Valencia Country Club has four membership options — full golf, junior golf, sport social, and social.

What is a social club? 

A social club is a group of people who gather together due to common interests, hobbies, professions, or values. The club can refer to the group of individuals and, if relevant, the facility where they meet. Social clubs can also be virtual.

Social clubs are most well-known as destinations for men to drink, smoke cigars, and discuss current affairs, but social clubs are far more diverse than that. 

• Sports social clubs: tennis, fitness, Pilates, or weight training
• Cultural social clubs: celebrating specific ethnic or cultural groups 
• Hobby social clubs: photography, musical theater, or birding

What are the social clubs in the Santa Clarita Valley?

The Santa Clarita Valley hosts one social club, the Paseo Club. The Paseo Club has been in operation for over twenty years. Its mission is to have the club be its members’ home away from home. With fitness, pickleball, tennis, and swim facilities and many top-notch amenities, the Paseo Club is a destination for many SCV residents. 

Social or private club, and which is best for me?

The overlap between private clubs and social clubs is sizeable. They both function as organizations for people to patronize who have similar interests. Yet, there are notable differences as well.

Private clubs are often more focused on the facilities and the amenities. For example, people who choose to become a member of a private golf club want a well-groomed course, quality practice facilities, and reasonable access to play a round. Playing golf is the primary purpose of becoming a member of a private golf club.

Private clubs tend to be more costly. Monthly membership dues can be in the thousands, and that does not include the initiation fee and the fees for additional services and amenities. 

Social clubs’ primary goal is to create a welcoming and engaging space for their members. Well-cared-for facilities and enjoyable amenities are also essential, but building community is the foundation of any social club.

Social clubs emphasize social connections. This is achieved through group classes, member mixers, charitable events, and more. 

Choosing whether you’d like to become a member of a private club or a social club in Santa Clarita depends on your needs, priorities, and budget. Here are some questions to consider.

• What is my budget?
• What is the club’s proximity to my home or work?
• Do I need childcare or junior programming for my children?
• Do I already know people who are satisfied members of the club?
• Is golf or fitness, tennis, pickleball, and swimming my primary interest?
• How much does engaging with my fellow members and attending social activities matter to me?

Once you can answer these questions, you will become clear on which type of club is the best fit for you. Most clubs offer free tours of its grounds. This is a great way to see the facilities and meet staff and members. 

If you’ve decided a social club is a good fit for you, then come check out the Paseo Club. We have dozens of ways for you to get connected at the club. Our seasonal social calendar will keep you up to date about all the events and activities you can join. Tennis and pickleball leagues are a fun way to engage in friendly competition with other players. 

Become a member of the Paseo Club today. You can sign up online and begin your journey into the Paseo lifestyle immediately. We can’t wait to see you!