Pickleball

59 outdoor pickleball courts | 11 dedicated pickleball courts | 5 indoor pickleball facilities | dedicated pickleball hours at 4 sites 

Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports, not just here in the United States but internationally as well. According to the USA Pickleball Association, the sport was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities created the game, which combines the elements of tennis, badminton and ping pong. Pickleball has since evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport both nationally and internationally, with many European and Asian countries adding courts.

"Fun, social and friendly. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players." -- USA Pickleball Association

The Recreation and Park Department has worked to accommodate the growing interest in pickleball in San Francisco by significantly increasing the locations available to play pickleball. Additionally, the department will continue to prepare and stripe courts for pickleball as courts are resurfaced.

Outdoor Courts with Pickleball Lines

Unless otherwise noted, you will need to bring your own net.

• Buena Vista Park– 4 pickleball courts on Tennis Court 1 with two nets provided. Reserve a court at Buena Vista Court 1.
• Louis Sutter Playground– 6 dedicated pickleball courts with nets provided (first-come, first-served)
• Parkside Square – Dedicated pickleball hours for group play on eight pickleball courts (Every day, 12:30 to 3:30 pm on Courts 1 & 2 with nets provided). 
• Presidio Wall Playground– 12 pickleball courts total on Courts 1-4 and dedicated pickleball hours for group play (Weekdays 10:30 am-1:30 pm and Weekends & Holidays 9 am-1:30 pm with nets provided). Reserve a court at Presidio Wall Courts 
• Richmond Playground – 2 pickleball courts on tennis court with nets provided. Reserve a court at Richmond Playground 
• Rossi Playground – 8 pickleball courts total on Tennis Courts 1-3 (Courts 1 & 2 are first-come, first-served). Reserve a court at Rossi Court 3 
• Stern Grove – 6 pickleball courts total on Courts 1 & 2 and dedicated pickleball hours for group play. TEMPORARILY CLOSED due to flooding at Stern Grove. Replaced with courts at Parkside Square.
• Upper Noe Rec Center – 2 pickleball courts on tennis court with drop-in pickleball hours (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10:30 am to 1:30 pm). Pickleball net, paddles and balls available to borrow year-round Tuesday-Friday, from 10am-7pm and Saturday, from 9am-4pm. Reserve a court at Upper Noe
• Golden Gate Park Goldman Tennis Center – 5 dedicated pickleball courts with nets
• States Street Playground – 2 pickleball courts on volleyball courts (first-come, first-served) 
• Crocker Amazon Playground – 2 pickleball courts on volleyball courts (first-come, first-served) 
• George Christopher Playground– 2 pickleball courts (first-come, first-served)

Indoor Pickleball Facilities

The Department has expanded offerings of dedicated pickleball play times in gyms. 

• Eureka Valley Rec Center Gymnasium
• Glen Park Rec Center Gymnasium
• Hamilton Rec Center Gymnasium
• Richmond Rec Center
• Upper Noe Rec Center Gymnasium
• Indoor Venues in San Francisco (external)

Helpful links to get you started (external)

History | How to Play | Equipment

Current Pickleball Proposal

After many months of negotiations, the Pickleball Working Group, Tennis Coalition, and San Francisco Recreation and Parks founded an agreement to build a dedicated pickleball complex on the west side of San Francisco. On February 19, 2023, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Commission approved the agreement to convert Larsen Playground’s one tennis and one basketball court into eight dedicated pickleball courts. This proposal met the Working Group's desire to have:

1. a dedicated pickleball complex on the west side of the city
2. easily accessible restrooms
3. reasonable access to parking

We understand that all sports communities made sacrifices in this agreement and thank everyone for their dedication in finding a solution.

The Details: While converting Larsen Playground sports courts to dedicated pickleball courts (and after the current construction at Stern Grove is complete), Stern Grove will serve as a temporary dedicated pickleball site with portable rolling nets. Upon the opening of the Stern Grove pickleball courts, Parkside Square courts will no longer have dedicated pickleball hours, which will provide more access to tennis players. After the completion of the Larsen pickleball complex, tennis striping will be added to Stern Grove and the portable nets and dedicated pickleball hours will be removed from the site. The Stern Grove courts will continue to be dual-lined with pickleball and tennis in accordance with Rec and Park practice on dual-lining courts.

Recognizing the impact on other sports communities, RPD will pause any further conversion of sports courts to dedicated pickleball courts while RPD’s Capital and Planning unit is tasked with identifying underutilized public space that can support future dedicated pickleball complexes within the city.

The goal is to open the Stern Grove dedicated pickleball courts in summer 2023 and the Larsen Pickleball complex in winter 2023/2024.