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The Best Tennis Courts and Clubs in San Diego

With or without a membership, whatever kind of court you're looking for—hard, clay, lighted—you're bound to find the perfect match.

By Chase Scheinbaum

Think surfers and sailors in this town have it made? The waves can go flat for weeks at a stretch, and there’s only so much wind and daylight to go around. Tennis players, on the other hand, most certainly do. They can don their pleated skirts and headbands and revel in nearly 365 days—and on lighted courts, nights!—of ground strokes, volleys, serves, and smashes every year.

In the City of San Diego alone, there are 159 courts, more than 140 of which are outfitted with lights for nighttime play. You can find an exhaustive list of courts that includes high schools, parks, and even backboards and practice walls in your neighborhood here. But we’ve rounded up premier places to play. Committing to a club membership is a big deal, but many of these courts are accessible to the public for the amenable price of free.

Various Locations

Vavi Tennis

Vavi runs adult leagues for beginners as well as coed mixed doubles at various skill levels starting at all times of the year. Eight-week playing schedules include post-game happy hours at local establishments.

Address: N/A

Courts: Vavi leagues play at Barnes Tennis Center and Surf and Turf Tennis Club

Prices: Prices vary from about $119 to $185, depending on league

Other amenities: Make new friends, beat them at tennis

Balboa Park

Morley Field / Balboa Tennis Club

The Morley Field courts, in volleying distance of the San Diego Zoo, are the site of many tennis tournaments throughout the year hosted by Balboa Tennis Club, which offers a full complement of lessons and leagues. Reservations can be made a week in advance.

Address: 2221 Morley Field Drive

Courts: 25 hard courts, all lit, some with bleachers

Prices: $325 yearly adult membership; $10 adult day pass

Other amenities: One stadium court with 1,500 seats, and a clubhouse with lounge, and locker rooms. Membership lets you reserve courts a week in advance and grants access to clubhouse with locker rooms, showers, and the option to play on the club’s team

La Jolla

La Jolla Tennis Club

Nine courts in the heart of downtown La Jolla.

Address: 7632 Draper Ave.

Courts: Nine courts

Prices: $185 annual fee for adults

Other amenities: Assorted lessons, clinics, and leagues

Point Loma and Ocean Beach

Barnes Tennis Center

Adult programs are available but it’s mostly all about the kids at this wonderland of youth after-school tennis programs, teams and tournaments.

Address: 4490 W. Point Loma Blvd.

Courts: 25 hard courts, two clay courts, all lighted

Prices: $6-$8 per adult for court rentals

Robb Athletic Field

Nonmembers pay just a $4 fee for these riverfront public courts.

Address: 2525 Bacon St.

Courts: 12 lighted courts

Prices: $130 annual membership

Other amenities: Lessons, clinics, and tournaments, weekly and monthly tennis get-togethers

Point Loma/Cabrillo Tennis Club

This club plays on four courts at Point Loma Community Park and two courts at Cabrillo Recreation Center.

Address: 1049 Catalina Blvd. and 3051 Canon St.

Courts: Six

Prices: Individual membership $60; $5 day pass or $25 for a key to the courts at Cabrillo Recreation Center

Pacific Beach

Pacific Beach Tennis Club

This 200-member club boasts various leagues and mixers near De Anza Cove.

Address: 2639 Grand Ave.

Courts: Eight courts

Prices: $10 adult day pass; $245 membership; kids 18 and under are free

Other amenities: Clubhouse, pro shop, and ball machine ($10 per hour)

Pacific Beach Recreation Center

A pair of lighted courts just waiting for a heated pick-up match.

Address: 4641 Gresham St.

Courts: Two lighted courts

Other amenities: Youth and adult lessons available

Lake Murray

Lake Murray Tennis Club

Ten courts in a sublime suburban setting.

Address: 7003 Murray Park Dr.

Courts: 10 courts

Prices: $300 adult memberships; $110 kids memberships; $10 day pass

Other amenities: Clubhouse, pro lessons, leagues, tournaments, social gatherings

Rancho Penasquitos

Rancho Penasquitos Tennis Center

Get in line, Rafael Nadal! There’s currently an eight-10-month waiting list for memberships but the private nonprofit club generally keeps one court open for public nonmember use with a $5 day pass.

Address: 12350 Black Mountain Road

Courts: 12 courts

Prices: $299 adult memberships; $425 family membership; $105 junior memberships

Other amenities: Senior discounts available

UTC

University City Racquet Club

These courts are located at the Standley Recreation Center.

Address: 3585 Governor Drive

Courts: Six courts, lighted in weekdays only

Prices: $8 day pass; $250 adult membership; $50 junior membership

Other amenities: Youth and adult classes available

Kearny Mesa

San Diego Mesa College

The courts are open to the public when not in use for classes, practices, or matches. Check team schedules at Gosdmesa.com, keeping in mind that college team matches can take five hours.

Address: 7278 Mesa College Circle

Courts: Eight

Prices: Free

Other amenities: All the tennis, none of the student loans

Coronado

Coronado Tennis Center

Tennis is a popular pastime on this island hamlet.

Address: 1501 Glorietta Blvd.

Courts: Eight courts, three are lighted

Prices: Free for residents; $5 for nonresidents; reservations made five days or fewer before game day are $5 and $15, for residents and nonresidents respectively)

Other amenities: Clubhouse equipped with a kitchen and free Wifi

Coronado Cays Park

This park is located adjacent to Silver Strand State Beach.

Address: 99 Grand Caribe Isle

Courts: Five courts, all lighted

Prices: Free

Morena

San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club

This 10-acre facility also boasts a pool, racquetball, basketball, volleyball, and table tennis.

Address: 4848 Tecolote Rd.

Courts: 22; 16 are lighted

Prices: Contact the club for details

Other amenities: One stadium court, backboards, and pro shop. Lessons available through Angel Lopez Tennis Academy

Carmel Valley

Carmel Valley Tennis

Located at the Carmel Valley Recreation Center.

Address: 3777 Townsgate Dr.

Courts: Four courts, all lighted

Prices: $50 annual adult memberships; $25 annual junior memberships; $5 per person/per hour day rate for nonmembers

Other amenities: Lessons, camps, and clinics with a heavy emphasis on juniors

Del Mar

Surf and Turf Recreation Center

Where the surf meets the serve.

Address: 15555 Jimmy Durante Blvd.

Courts: Eight courts, all lighted

Prices: $735 adult membership; $495 junior membership

Other amenities: Lessons, camps, and “cardio tennis” workouts

The Best Tennis Courts and Clubs in San Diego

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