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The sport of kings deserves to be played in style. Here are eight of the nicest spots in San Diego to play tennis, pickleball and the hottest new racquet sport, padel!
Hotel guests at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club gain exclusive access to its tennis facilities, which are some of the finest in San Diego. Named a “Top Tennis Resort” by Tennis Magazine and Tennis Resorts Online, the Club boasts 14 hard courts and two pickleball courts. Its experienced staff of USTA pros also offers private and semi-private lessons, clinics, cardio tennis workouts and other services. Guests can make court reservations for free. Lessons, clinics and equipment rentals are available for an additional charge. As a bonus: Rooms here are just steps from the sand at the resort’s beautiful beach!
Where: 2000 Spindrift Drive, La Jolla, CA 92037
With two pro-style courts, a beautifully manicured lawn and a shaded viewing terrace, the Fairmont Grand Del Mar’s tennis setup has got serious game, with lessons available from a former touring pro. And now the resort offers pickleball, too, with complimentary racket and ball rental and a Saturday pickleball clinic.
Where: 5300 Grand Del Mar Court, San Diego, CA 92130
The recently refreshed courts at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa are open to the public and can be reserved for a small fee. With pickleball becoming the fastest-growing sport in America, the Marriott converted many of its original tennis courts into 11 dedicated pickleball courts. But die-hard tennis players can still meet their match at the resort’s two remaining (and pristine!) tennis courts. Booking fees also include racket, paddle and ball rentals, if needed. Game on!
Where: 2000 Second St., Coronado, CA 92118
With eight new, hard-surface courts, Loews Coronado Bay Resort is a beautiful place to play pickleball in the South Bay. The Loews is located on a private 15-acre peninsula surrounded by San Diego Bay, and just a few minutes from downtown Coronado. Pickleball is free for resort guests; non-hotel guests can reserve a court via ResortPass for a one-time fee. Paddles and balls are included. Dink ‘n’ go nuts! (Note that the pickleball courts at Loews are open seasonally, March through Labor Day.)
Where: 4000 Loews Coronado Bay Road, Coronado, CA 92118
Keep calm and pickle on at this pickleball hub housed at the San Diego Mission Bay Resort. San Diego Pickleball features eight outdoor courts with bright overhead lighting for evening play, clinics and lessons for both beginner and experienced players, open play sessions, round robins and more. The club is open to everyone — just stay out of the kitchen!
Where: 1775 E. Mission Bay Drive, San Diego, CA 92111
Located where Point Loma and Ocean Beach meet, the Barnes Tennis Center is a trifecta of racket sports that offers some of the city’s best tennis and pickleball courts, as well as the hot new sport, padel. The tennis facilities at Barnes include 25 courts with one stadium court and two CaliClay courts. For the past few years, its stunning surfaces have played host to the San Diego Open, featuring the best professional women's tennis talent in the world. Barnes also has a staggering 19 dedicated, light-up pickleball courts with clinics for all levels and open play sessions. But the real attraction here might be the seven state-of-the-art padel courts run by Taktika Padel. Created in Mexico in the late 1960s, padel is a fast-growing, fast-action sport that combines elements of squash and tennis. All three sports at Barnes are open to the public. Prepare to be served!
Where: 4490 W Point Loma Blvd., San Diego, CA 92107
Get yourself into a pickle at Bobby Riggs Racket and Paddle Club — THE place to play pickleball in San Diego. With 22 courts and lights for evening games, Bobby Riggs provides an unparalleled experience for players of all levels. Newcomers are encouraged to take advantage of the facility’s world-class instructors, who offer an “Intro to Pickleball” class, private lessons and clinics and more. Seasoned pickleballers love the “open play” sessions that allow them to simply show up and find a game.
Where: 875 Santa Fe Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024
This luxurious, Forbes Five-Star resort and spa has been consistently ranked the No. 1 tennis resort in Southern California by Tennis Magazine since 2008. Tucked among the lush gardens and orange groves of Rancho Santa Fe, Rancho Valencia’s immaculate surfaces and facilities include 13 beautiful Plexipave championship courts, three European red clay courts and four pickleball courts. While the courts are reserved for hotel guests and tennis club members, the public is welcome to attend any of RV’s daily instructional clinics, group workouts, cardio tennis, liveball and other classes, or they can book a private lesson with one of its highly accredited pros.
Where: 5921 Valencia Circle, Rancho Santa Fe, CA 92067
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