Sunny San Diego is the perfect place for the sports lover, with the consistent climate making it easy to get outdoors and enjoy all that the city has to offer. And while there are all kinds of popular sports here, you’ll also find alternative sports too, such as pickleball!
Pickleball is an incredibly fun and exciting game, with its unique combination of a variety of racket sports aiding its increasing popularity in recent years throughout the United States, with San Diego being no exception.
As a result, more and more people are looking to begin playing the sport, but if you’re new to the sport, you’ll want to know where you can play.
Whether you’re based in San Diego and looking for somewhere to play Pickleball, or you’re just looking for a game or two during your visit, then this guide will help you to discover some of the best pickleball courts in San Diego.
We’ll take a look at both indoor and outdoor courts, so you can play whenever suits you best.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
1. The Hub – San Diego
When it comes to the best pickleball locations in San Diego, The Hub is always going to be one of the first places mentioned, which is due to its wealth of resources and its vast amount of courts.
Here you will find 26 different pickleball courts for you to play across.
But that’s not all, there’s also a pro shop on-site, which means that you can get your hands on all of the latest equipment and gear, and there are even some helpful instructors too, which is great if you’re new to the sport, or just trying to perfect your game!
Throughout the year, they hold many events, including open tournaments, challenge courts, leagues, monthly parties, and more, so you’ll have plenty of chances to demonstrate your skills.
Once you’re done playing, you can grab a bite to eat at the restaurant here too, so it’s safe to say that The Hub has everything you need to play!
2. Black Mountain Multipurpose Center
While professional centers are always appreciated, for beginners, free courts are a convenient way to practice.
So if you’re in the San Diego area, and looking for a free open court to play some pickleball in, then visiting the Black Mountain Multipurpose Center is in order.
Shared alongside Black Mountain Middle School, this multipurpose center offers a free open pickleball court for players, typically on a Monday evening between 5:15 PM, and 8:15 PM, but it’s always best to check the schedule on the website for more information.
As pickleball becomes increasingly more popular in the city, the center will likely look to expand its hours too, so the future is bright for pickleball fans!
3. Balboa Park – San Diego
Another excellent location for pickleball is found in Balboa Park, a state-of-the-art activity facility designed to play host to many different sports and events. Thankfully, pickleball is one of them!
Balboa features five different courts for pickleball players to play on and currently welcomes players on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 11:00 AM and 2:30 PM as well as on Wednesdays, between 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
As always, it’s worth checking out their website to ensure that the sessions are still ongoing before you head there.
Playing at Balboa Park is completely free, and there’s also an air-conditioned indoor space for you to relax in after you’ve played, so it’s worth a visit if you’re close by.
4. Pacific Beach Tennis Club – San Diego
Although it’s a tennis club, PBTC also frequently welcomes pickleball players to its courts, and it’s always enjoyable to get the chance to play on courts that are both well-maintained and well-illuminated too.
The play sessions on offer here typically last 2 hours and are open to everyone once you’ve paid the admission fee ($32).
The sessions run on Monday and Thursday between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, Monday and Friday between the hours of 5:30 PM and 7:30 PM. As well as having three, two-hour, sessions on Saturdays, starting at 10:00 AM, and finishing at 4:00 PM.
There are also two sessions on a Sunday too, with the first being between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, and the second being between 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM.
The players that frequent these courts tend to be quite skilled, but beginners are always made to feel welcome here!
5. Coronado Island Marriott
A hotel having its pickleball courts sounds weird enough, but the courts being open to public usage is also particularly unusual, but if you find yourself looking for pickleball courts on Coronado Island, then the Marriott hotel here is going to provide you with everything you need.
At the hotel, you’ll find a selection of eight different outdoor pickleball courts, all of which feature their lighting, so you can keep playing long after the sun has gone down.
There are two different ways of playing here, you can either call the hotel to make a specific court reservation, which will cost you $24, or you can participate in one of the many open play sessions which are held here, taking place Monday to Thursday between 8:00 AM and 12:00 PM, which will cost just $6.
Specific reservations can be made through their website if you’re looking to play at a certain time, but it’s great to know that this is an option for all of those in the area!
6. Municipal Gym – San Diego
Initially built back in 1935, it was initially created for the California Pacific International Exposition as the Palace of Electricity and Varied Industries, with the architecture of this building aiming to bridge the gap between 20th-century ornamentation, and ancient Maya.
Since its renovation post World War 2, the gym has become a popular open play spot for many different sports and activities, and thankfully, one of those is pickleball.
The schedule for the open play sessions varies from month to month, and hours can fluctuate depending on certain events too, so it’s always worth checking the gym’s website ahead of time to ensure things are running as planned!
7. Scripps Ranch Recreation Center – San Diego
Another free-to-play location for pickleball in San Diego is the Scripps Ranch Recreation Center, which offers plenty of different activities throughout each week.
Much like the other free-to-play centers found throughout the city, the schedule can vary on many different factors, so if you’re considering attending one of the open-play sessions, you’ll need to make sure that it is still going ahead beforehand.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, many different locations will allow you to play pickleball in sunny San Diego.
So, no matter whether you’re looking to play at one of the excellent free-to-play venues found throughout the city, or you’re looking to show off your skills at some of the more professional venues, there’s something for all skill levels here.
If you’re new to pickleball, and have some questions about the sport, especially if you’re located in San Diego, then check out our FAQ section below, which should provide you with answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the sport!
Frequently Asked Questions
For those who are new to pickleball, there can often be a lot of questions that get left unanswered. Thankfully, we’re here to help and have provided answers to some of the most common questions asked about pickleball in San Diego!
There are both indoor and outdoor courts available for you to play pickleball in San Diego, so it doesn’t matter which setting you to prefer, you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of pickleball action across the various courts found here.
With most of the venues offering access to their pickleball courts being free-to-play activity centers, it’s always better to assume that you’ll need to bring your pickleball equipment to be able to play.
This means you’ll need to find your way to either a pickleball store or visit a website that sells pickleball equipment to get yourself kitted out before you play.
Of course! Open play sessions welcome everyone, which means that it doesn’t matter whether you’re just getting started playing pickleball or looking to hone your skills as a more experienced player.
One of the best ways to learn how to get better at pickleball is to play against and with more seasoned players, who will be able to provide you with all of the tips and tricks to improve your game.
I am Michael Wanner, an experienced and educated expert in the field of pickleball. I hold a degree in Sports Science from Cleveland State University, Ohio, USA. My expertise lies in the technical aspects of pickleball and how to play it effectively. I have spent many years playing and coaching pickleball and have a wealth of knowledge to share with my readers. I am a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their pickleball skills and strategies.
