Palos Verdes Bowl (Demolished)
Torrance, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Rising above Crenshaw Boulevard, the tall blade sign at Palos Verdes Bowl in Torrance gave motorists a neon invitation to stop for a few games. The stacked lettering and distinctive crest made quite a landmark, regardless of anyone’s bowling average. Finding the place after dark probably required less concentration than picking up a difficult split. 02-99
Dedicated in January 1959, the 24-lane center featured local Palos Verdes stonework inside and along an exterior accent wall. The natural stone gave the building a connection to the surrounding area, while its mid-century styling brought a little roadside flair to the corner.
Palos Verdes Bowl
Torrance, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
The lanes also appeared on Channel 9’s TV Bowling Derby, giving the center an audience beyond the neighborhood. For local bowlers, though, the attraction was closer to home: league nights, family outings, and another opportunity to improve on the previous game.
Outside, the marquee supplied its own entertainment. Its height and neon lettering made it easy to recognize from the road, becoming part of the familiar drive along Crenshaw. Even without time to bowl, there was a good reason to stop for a photograph.
Palos Verdes Bowl
Torrance, CA Photo courtesy Adriene Biondo
After more than six decades, the center closed in 2020. The building disappeared later that year, taking another longtime South Bay recreation spot out of the roadside scene. The corner eventually traded rental shoes and falling pins for groceries and drive-through meals.
The bowling pin theme can be seen
in the interior of this bowling alley. Check out this painted "bowling
pin lady" found along the wall.
UPDATE: Palos Verdes Bowl closed on January 31, 2020, and was demolished later that year. Its former site at 24600 Crenshaw Boulevard was redeveloped with Aldi, Chick-fil-A, and Kinecta Federal Credit Union. 10-26
Southwest Bowl (Closed)
Los Angeles, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Along busy Western Avenue, Southwest Bowl offered neighborhood customers a place to leave the traffic behind for a few games. Across from Los Angeles Southwest College, the center was well placed for an evening of bowling close to home. 08-98
Opened in 1958, the alley became a gathering spot for league regulars, families, and friends. Its roadside signs helped announce the destination, while the lanes inside supplied their own familiar soundtrack.
The bowling business eventually closed, and the signage disappeared. The property’s later history, however, involved more than a complete clearing of the site. Portions of the building were retained for another use.
UPDATE: Southwest Bowl at 11633 South Western Avenue closed in 2008. Its bowling signs were destroyed, but part of the building was preserved and adapted for the Foundation Center. 10-26
Bowl-O-Drome (Rem.)
Torrance, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
New colors and signage had given Bowl-O-Drome in Torrance a different look by the time of this photograph. The place had changed since the early 1990s, though customers could still head inside for the familiar challenge of keeping a ball out of the gutter. 08-98
Opened in 1957, the Western Avenue center has carried its bowling tradition through several changes in ownership and branding. The old Bowl-O-Drome name became part of its history as newer identities took over the signs.
The 40 lanes continued welcoming league bowlers and families, with food, drinks, billiards, and arcade games adding other reasons to stay. An evening here didn’t have to depend entirely on a respectable score.
Bowl-O-Drome
Torrance, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
With Palos Verdes Bowl and Gable House Bowl now gone, this surviving bowling address has become an especially welcome part of Torrance’s recreation landscape.
UPDATE: The former Bowl-O-Drome remains open as Lucky Strike Torrance at 21915 South Western Avenue. The center continues offering bowling and entertainment under modern branding. 10-26
West Covina Bowl
West Covina, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The marquee at West Covina Bowl gives this Glendora Avenue bowling center a roadside introduction with a bit of a 1970s look. The original visit also noted Skate Junction, adding roller skating to the possibilities for an evening out. Apparently rental shoes came in more than one variety here. 09-98
Known for years as West Covina Lanes, the center offered plenty of room for league competition and family outings. Its 56 lanes made it a sizable neighborhood entertainment destination.
The skating attraction added another layer to the memories attached to the property. Some customers came to roll a ball, while others came to roll themselves around a rink.
West Covina Bowl
West Covina, CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Later renovations brought updated scoring, lounge seating, an arcade, and different branding. Fortunately, the bowling continued at the same address, keeping the property active as older recreation centers elsewhere disappeared.
UPDATE: West Covina Bowl operates as Bowlero West Covina at 675 South Glendora Avenue, with 56 lanes, an arcade, and a sports bar. It is a separate property from the historic Covina Bowl on San Bernardino Road. 10-26
Southwest Bowl (Closed)
Bowl-O-Drome (Rem.)
Bowl-O-Drome
West Covina Bowl
West Covina Bowl
