How does an Angelino spend a sweltering hot summer day? Hiding out and cranking the a/c? Donning a barely there pair of sample sale Juicy short-shorts? Headed towards the coast with the masses in search of relief? Or gathering up their pals to drive an hour inland to Simi Valley where it's at least a dozen degrees steamier to gear up in layers of heavy combat gear, trekking up and down hills to hunt each other down with stinging, stinky paintballs?
Well, if you're a glutton for punishment and happen to have a friend with an August birthday who's always wanted to try paintball, that's exactly what you do.
Once you find this place - it's, quite literally, off the beaten path on a dirt road - be ready to throw on some old kicks or boots, slip into a pair of military issue oversized overalls, toss a bandanna and smelly helmet on your head, rip the fingers off some old gloves, (unlike most outings in LA, this is one that doesn't call for any exposed skin), and get a quick lesson in how to use and reload a paintball air rifle. After that, they take you out for a little shooting test, (you don't want to find out on the field your rifle is jammed), then, you're on your own.
Once you get your bearings wearing the crazy get up and get past the smell (part of the base used in the paintballs is fish oil), you're ready for action. If you've never played before, you're probably thinking, that looks like it hurts. Well, the truth is, it does. I took my first hit in the upper thigh, and after screaming out "shiiiiit!! that huuuurt!" the adrenaline took over and the killer instinct was unleashed. Yes, you're going to get hit - most likely multiple times, and yes, it's going to sting a lot like getting whipped with a wet towel - but as soon as you get into it, you're having so much fun, you won't really care, or even notice. Just imagine having free reign to chase down and shoot the ones you love! And then there's the end of the day when you get home and strip down. You'll have earned bragging rights for weeks to come! (It took about three for the photo worthy welts and multi-colored bruises on my upper arm and thighs to disappear).
This is a great place for newbs to the sport - they have packages for about $50 that include all of your gear, rental equipment, plenty of paintballs, instruction, lots of time on multiple playing fields with varying degrees of difficulty, and a spinning, stinking, splattering mess that is the paint grenade.
Between the adrenaline pumping, running up and down dirt hills, slithering across the ground on your belly, and sweatin' like a pig, an afternoon here will kill a good thousand calories. You can bring a picnic to enjoy at one of their picnic tables, grab a hot dog and soda at the roach coach on site, even order some local bbq to be delivered. Or, you could easily pile them all back on at one of the many area chain restaurants like Chilis and Applebees on your way home ;)
This is a great outing with a group. Grab your pals, leave your inhibitions in the car, and be prepared to get down and dirty for some clean, old fashioned commando style fun.
Random Trivia - If you watch the making of the movie "The Kingdom" on HBO, you'll recognize this paintball field. This is where they brought the cast to train before filming.
26413 Kalb Ct
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 255-5332
