Pickleball’s popularity is booming in San Diego and its surrounding suburbs. This fun, accessible sport is capturing hearts, promoting health, and fostering community spirit like never before. We have a large population playing the sport and since the sport has grown recently, there has been a significant demand for Pickleball courts in San Diego County and various local areas.
I get asked some form of Pickleball court questions from SD locations all the time…
- How many courts are there in San Diego and how busy and competitive is it?
- What time is available pickleball in San Diego?
We were in a pickle for not having enough Pickleball courts in San Diego. The article revealed a directory of spots where you can play pickleball and find out how many courts are available for you to enjoy this fun and exciting sport. You can get lessons from a certified teaching pro or just book one of the many courts and get started playing with your friends.
Popular Pickleball Courts in San Diego
There are around 20 outdoor courts (some of which are lighted) and 12 indoor courts. Many people would benefit from a casual restaurant and bar promoting local craft brews for post-pickling happy hours! Ideal places include the Morena district, Clairemont, University City (where the UC Tennis Club is now located), Balboa Park, Robb Field, and possibly a commercial area in Kearny Mesa or Mira Mesa (similar to the Chicken N Pickle concept famous in the Midwest). Would have reasonable annual memberships as well as a single-pay drop-in. Plenty of free parking–possibly under certain courts, like at the Marriott. Mike and Stefan are great fans of the underutilized tennis courts at Robb Field, which would be ideal!
Best Free Pickleball courts in San Diego
When it comes to developing a free public pickleball court, the city of SD is doing abjectly. Some people are putting a lot of effort into trying to make it happen, but it appears to be an uphill battle. These are a few that we were able to locate. There are some other high-level games in City (just south of SD) but those are private games and difficult to get invited to. While I wait patiently, I’m playing pickleball at PB and del Cerro (8 courts), both of which have limited hours because they’re inside tennis clubs.
Lindo Lakes Park
If you’re looking for some free courts open to the public in the east county of San Diego, there are 4 rolling pickleball nets to play pickleball on 2 tennis courts painted with pickleball lines at Lindo Lakes Park in Lakeside. Try not to be distracted by the beautiful mountains and Lindo Lakes in the background or the kids doing bicycle and skateboard tricks at the skate park adjacent to the courts.
There are lots of trees to rest under but bring your own chair. If you go here, put the Lakeside branch of San Diego County Library into your navigation. The courts are about 100 feet south of the library. The bathrooms are a short walk away from the recreation center.
La Mesita Park
La Mesita is a place to play pickleball in La Mesa, CA. The Park has 8 public, free courts with permanent nets. They have lights for nighttime play but they aren’t very bright on all the courts. There’s parking next to the courts and bathrooms nearby. Oh, you can also play tennis there.
Lakeside Community Center
Lakeside Community Center is a place to play pickleball in Lakeside, CA. There are 2 indoor and 4 outdoor courts. There is also a junior tennis academy that the center shares the pickleball courts with. So you’ll have 4 pickleball courts to one tennis court and nice top-of-the-line rollable nets that we can bring on for pickleball. The 4 outdoor courts have mobile nets (roll on/off court that are the best in the industry). It’s a wonderful set up for both tennis and pickleball at the same location. Players have access to restrooms, water, wheelchair accessibility, and lights. The courts are free.
You can play 7 days a week in Lakeside at Lindo Lake County Park/Lakeside Community Center. Play is available both morning and afternoons.
There is a group devoted just to this called: lakeside California pickleballers. They play Mon, Wed, and Fri around 3 pm-6 pm. Bill (trainer) offers free lessons for beginners at 8 am Sunday mornings.
Pickleball Courts in North County San Diego
Playing pickleball is Pleasures in North County San Diego. The area is renowned for its beaches, idyllic weather, characterized by a Mediterranean climate that boasts warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. With over 260 days of sunshine a year, the region is truly a sun-seekers paradise. We have found 9 registered indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, which is definitely not enough for the amount of players.
Cypress Canyon Park
One of the favorite places to explore in the San Diego Recreation and Parks portfolio is Glen Canyon Park. The paths within its 67 acres wind through heavy canopies of blue gum eucalyptus, cypress, and pine trees on the canyon floor before climbing high among the exposed, rocky crags. There are 3 outdoor hard courts. The lines are permanent, but you’ll need to bring your own net. The courts are free.
Address: 11490 Cypress Canyon Rd, San Diego, CA 92131
- 3 Outdoor Pickleball lined court on a basketball court
- Open play, first come first serve
- No fee– Bring your own net and equipment
Fairbrook Ranch Park
Fairbrook Park recently opened in the Scripps Ranch community of San Diego. This 3.4-acre park delivers a number of highly anticipated amenities including a sports plaza with half-court basketball and pickleball court, children’s play area, picnic shelters, trails, and flexible grass space. The local residents have been involved in the conceptualization and design of the park since 2009 when it was added to the neighborhood improvement plan. There are 6 Indoor Pickleball Courts (only 2 nets are available) and 1 Outdoor Dedicated Pickleball court with the net.
Address: 10366 Rue Fontenay, San Diego, CA 92131
- 1 Outdoor Dedicated Pickleball court with net
- Free – Net is provided, bring your own equipment
- Open play, first come first serve
- Call center for more information
Views West Park
Playing pickleball at Views West Park gives a rustic feel and modern-day perks, The Neighborhood park features baseball/softball fields, 3 Outdoor pickleball-lined courts on a basketball court & shaded play areas. ideal place to spend your free time, at or resort-style pool, playing bocce ball or pickleball, or hanging out with your neighbors!
The courts are a very short walk from Oceans West golf shop, Publix, McElroy Park, Walgreens, Halifax urgent care, community pickleball and tennis club, dog park, and more! And, of course, the beach! This condo offering affords you an active lifestyle with great views at no fee!
Address: 12958 La Tortola, San Diego, CA 92129
- 3 Outdoor Pickleball lined courts on basketball court
- Free – Bring your own equipment
- Call center for more information
Pacific Highlands Ranch Recreation Center
The Club at Pacific Highlands Ranch is resort-style Recreation Center appealing to all of its’ neighboring families. Along with a winding multi-use trail system and The Village Center at PHR these destinations are first-class for fitness, dining, shopping and entertainment. There are 8 concrete pickleball courts. 6 are indoors and 2 are outdoors. The lines are permanent, but you’ll need to bring your own net. The courts are free. The facility includes amenities like restrooms and water.
Other than the Pickleball courts center has – a multi-use turf field – basketball courts – a dog park – a skate plaza – a kids’ discovery play area – a parkour – a bike pump track – courtyard – all with a central promenade connecting to The Village at PHR!
Address: 5977 Village Loop Rd, San Diego, CA 92130
- Currently closed for restoration. Call the center for updates.
- Free – Bring your own equipment
- Call center for more information
Black Mountain Multipurpose Center
We are a bunch of pickleball addicts who mainly play in Henderson at Whitney Mesa, Black Mountain, Downtown Recreation Center (DRC), and Mission Hills Park. There are 3 indoor wood courts. The lines are permanent, and portable nets are available. The facility includes amenities like restrooms and water. You can’t reserve the courts. A one-time fee is required to play. The newest courts just opened are located at Black Mountaincourts open to the public.
Address: 9353 Oviedo St, San Diego, CA 92129
- 3 Indoor Pickleball Courts
- Open Play on Monday 6:15 p.m. – 8:45 p.m.
(Dates & times are subject to change without notice) - Call the center to confirm the times
- Free – Nets provided
Stagecoach Park Indoor Pickleball
Come play pickleball at Stagecoach Community Center in Carlsbad, CA! There are 3 indoor wood courts. Other than pickleball you’ll get a gated community, walking paths, 20 saltwater pools/spas, 9 tennis courts, pickleball courts, a clubhouse & an 18-hole redesigned championship golf course (w/ additional fee)
Address: 3420 Camino de los Coches, Carlsbad, CA 92009
- Pricing:
- $3 per participant for ages 18 and above.
- Free for individuals under 18, but a valid Student ID must be shown.
- Participants under 13 must be accompanied by a parent to participate in open play.
- Contact Information:
- Phone: (760) 602-4690
Carlsbad Pickleball Club Indoor
The Carlsbad Pickleball Supporters Group and the City of Carlsbad Parks and Recreation Department have successfully been working together since 2010 to establish dedicated pickleball venue. The club took over part of a closed Sears Building . They have 6 indoor courts. Every Friday morning the club hosts a mixed ladder, sponsored by a non-profit that buys and trains dogs, then provides them to former service members suffering from PTSD. A worthy cause, a lot of fun. Great people.
Address: 2561 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA 92008
- Free Open Play: Monday through Friday
- Time: 12pm to 1pm
- 3 dedicated courts for beginners
- 3 dedicated courts for advanced players
- Memberships are available.
- Phone: (760) 893-0019
Mira Mesa Recreation Center
The Mesa Tennis and Pickleball Center is the only tennis facility in Arizona named among the winners of the United States Tennis Association’s 2021 Outstanding Facility Award has eight new pickleball courts including two oversized courts.
These new additions mean that the Mesa Tennis and Pickleball Center can now be rented for 16-lit tennis courts, 9-lit pickleball courts, and 4 sand volleyball courts. The windscreens and signage at the facility have also been upgraded.
Just drop in, pay $3, and go out and play! Anywhere from 16 to 40 people show up and from 6 to 10 courts are blocked off for this. Please note the flyer for the times offered for November through March.
Address: 8575 New Salem Street Sam Diego, CA 92126
- Call the center to confirm the times
- Free – Nets provided
- Phone: (858) 538-8122
Golden Hill Recreation Center
In the gym of the Golden Hill Recreation Center, Golden Hill offers FREE drop-in pickleball. The park also features tennis, pickleball, and basketball courts, large and small event lawns, a splash pad and play area, a multi-sport synthetic turf, and much more. The neighborhood can enjoy improved access to the river and breathtaking views of Tampa’s skyline at Golden Hill Recreation Center.
2600 Golf Course Dr, San Diego, CA 92102
- 4 outdoor and 2 indoor pickleball courts marked
- Open play Thursday 12:00-5:00pm (Dates & times are subject
to change without notice) - Free nets provided additional equipment can be checked out
from office - Phone: (619) 235-1138
Privately Operated Courts in the City of San Diego
The Del Cerro Pool and Tennis Club
The Del Cerro Pool and Tennis Club is a place Where can you play pickleball at night with, arguably, the best lights in San Diego proper. The Tennis Club is located just off Interstate 8, one exit west of San Diego State University and has eight pickleball courts. There is currently no “Open Play” schedule. To book a court for your foursome, you’ll need to create an account through their website. A 2-hour court rental is $25.
Address: 6475 Del Cerro Blvd, San Diego, CA 92120
Phone: (619) 583-5472
Barnes Tennis Center
12 pickleball courts being built at Barnes Tennis Center bringing the total to 19 pickleball courts. The courts provide the public an affordable world-class pickleball experience. These courts provide a solution to the demands of the pickleball community while putting to rest the attempts by the PASD organization to effectively destroy the Peninsula Tennis Club by taking over 50% of the club’s courts.
Address: 4490 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
Phone: (619) 221-9000
Newly Added Pickleball Courts In Sand Diego
Pickleball Training Center
Looking for More Activities in San Diego? where you may meet and connect with other members of the PTC community!
The Pickleball Training Center is currently operational! This lovely club is located in Poway, and it intends to build more courts, host entertaining events, and offer yet another excellent venue for the amazing pickleball community!
They are open every day of the week.
We recommend calling them before you go. This is where you can get the most up-to-date information on a variety of issues, such as interacting with other players, starting/creating regular weekly groups, weather reports, and contacting the Director of Pickleball, Kyle & Casey McMakin, to set up group clinics and lessons.
Address: 14343 Silverset St, Poway, CA 92064
Phone: (858) 848-4895
Barnes Tennis Center
Barnes Tennis Center is the top-class place to play pickleball. They have some of the nicest courts in the area. I can tell you what we like about them. The courts are separated by a 7-foot fence so only the really high out-of-bounds shots impede another court.
Courts that are not separated or have just four-foot fencing often have to stop play because of errant hits. there are always really nice players at Barnes Tennis Center. There are Pickleball’s 7 courts with 12 more courts coming on the line and a huge parking expansion that supports this new 19 Pickleball venue in center San Diego
Address: 4490 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107
Phone: (619) 221-9000
Santa Barbara
Pickleball continues to grow and be successful here in Santa Barbara. Many tennis courts have already been turned into multiple pickleball courts and people enjoy playing here almost every day. Santa Barbara many of you guys know that they are a huge club here for Santa Barbara County and put on tourneys, events charities, clinics, privates, and camps for pickleball.
You’ll get the perfect setting for Pickleball (paradise in Paradise…literally) In addition to swaying palm trees, picturesque beaches, warm water, friendly people, and perfect weather, the Big Island boasts a total of 20 newly paved pickleball courts.
Address: 1414 Park Pl, Santa Barbara, CA 93103
Phone: (805) 680-1408
Bobby Riggs
Bobby Riggs is the best place to play high-level games it’s in Encinitas (San Diego area) or about 2 hours south of the LA area depending on traffic. It has 22 pickleball courts, with 14 courts being covered and having large ceiling fans to keep the air circulation during the hot Summer months, and 6 uncovered courts. They have open play Mon-Sun 9 am to 9 pm with a paddle system in place and courts assigned to the level of play. Locker rooms with bathrooms and showers. $5 to play for the day, including the facility’s amenities.
Address: 875 Santa Fe Dr, Encinitas, CA 92024
Phone: (760) 473-2672
