Some compounds offer lavish amenities. Golf is popular with expatriate executives and professionals. Dirab Golf and Recreation Centre and Arizona Golf in Riyadh have a thriving clientele. Some expatriates spend their weekends in Bahrain, attracted by its fairly liberal environment and ease of access via the King Fahd causeway. Shopping malls provide an alternative source of diversion.
Major cities have several air-conditioned shopping complexes.
Some of these facilities, particularly sports clubs, are for women only, as gender segregation is a significant part of the Saudi lifestyle. Banks, for example, have separate entrances for women. The newly built Obagi Health Club in Riyadh has a range of services and equipment for female clients only. American, British, French and other expatriate communities have their own individual female-only clubs. Women are not allowed to drive, but the authorities are weighing a change that would allow women to drive during the daytime.