Los Angeles has quietly become one of the best cities in the country for pickleball. Over the past few years, the city has converted underused tennis courts, built dedicated facilities, and watched community groups pop up at parks from the Valley to the South Bay. Whether you have been playing for years or just bought your first paddle, there is no shortage of places to get on a court.
What makes pickleball courts in Los Angeles special is the sheer variety. You can rally on concrete courts steps from the ocean at Venice Beach, play under the lights in Encino, or join organized drop-in sessions in Griffith Park with a view of the Hollywood Sign. There are free public courts at neighborhood rec centers, paid indoor facilities with pristine surfaces, and everything in between. The LA pickleball scene has something for every skill level and budget.
This guide covers the best places to play pickleball in Los Angeles, based on court quality, accessibility, community vibe, and the kind of practical details that actually matter when you are trying to figure out where to show up on a Saturday morning. We will keep this updated as new courts open and things change.
Quick Picks
| Court | Location | Courts | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venice Beach Paddle Tennis Courts | Venice | 11 (shared) | Free | Beach vibes, casual play |
| Rancho Park | West LA | 4 | Free | Neighborhood regulars, all levels |
| Balboa Sports Center | Encino | 8 | Free | Dedicated courts, evening play |
| Mar Vista Recreation Center | Mar Vista | 6 | Free | Families, beginners |
| Griffith Park Recreation Center | Los Feliz | 12 | Free | Competitive play, big groups |
| Manhattan Heights Park | Manhattan Beach | 4 | $12-16/hr | South Bay players, quality courts |
| Echo Park Recreation Center | Echo Park | 2 | Free | Eastside convenience |
Venice Beach Paddle Tennis and Pickleball Courts
Address: 1800 Ocean Front Walk, Venice, CA 90291
Courts: 11 total (shared with paddle tennis) -- pickleball gets dedicated time on courts 7, 10, and 11
Surface: Concrete, permanent nets
Cost: Free
There is nowhere else in LA where you can play pickleball with the sound of waves in the background. The Venice Beach courts sit right on the boardwalk, and playing here feels more like a California postcard than a workout. The courts are part of the larger paddle tennis complex, so pickleball has designated time slots rather than 24/7 access.
Dedicated pickleball hours are Tuesdays and Thursdays, 8 AM to noon. Outside those windows, the courts revert to paddle tennis. The Venice Beach Pickleball Association helps organize play and is a good resource if you are new to the scene here.
Best for: Players who want the quintessential LA pickleball experience. Great for visitors and casual players.
Tip: Parking at Venice Beach is always a challenge. The lots along Pacific Avenue fill up fast, especially on weekends. Street parking on the residential streets east of the boardwalk is your best bet. Arrive early on Tuesday or Thursday mornings if you want guaranteed court time -- regulars tend to claim spots by 7:45 AM.
Rancho Park
Address: 10460 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Courts: 4 outdoor courts
Surface: Asphalt with permanent lines
Cost: Free
Rancho Park sits in the heart of West LA, tucked between Century City and Culver City, and it has become one of the more popular free pickleball spots in the city. The park has a loyal group of regulars who play organized sessions throughout the week, and newcomers are genuinely welcome. The vibe here is friendly and community-driven -- people hang around after games, swap tips, and organize informal ladder play.
The courts are first-come, first-served, and weekday mornings tend to be the sweet spot for finding open space. Weekend afternoons can get crowded, especially when the weather is nice, which in LA is most of the time.
Best for: Intermediate players looking for consistent competition and a welcoming community. Also a solid choice for beginners -- regulars here are happy to help you learn the ropes.
Tip: The park shares a lot with the Rancho Park Golf Course, and parking can fill up during peak golf hours. The side streets off Pico near the park usually have spots. There is a decent coffee shop on Pico a block east if you want to fuel up before or after.
Balboa Sports Center
Address: 17015 Burbank Blvd, Encino, CA 91316
Courts: 8 dedicated outdoor pickleball courts
Surface: Asphalt, permanent lines, lighted
Cost: Free
Balboa is the Valley's crown jewel for pickleball. The LA Department of Recreation and Parks invested in this facility, building out 8 dedicated courts that do not double as tennis or paddle tennis -- they are purpose-built for pickleball. That matters because you get proper court dimensions, permanent nets at the right height, and a playing experience that feels a step above most park courts.
The courts have lighting, which is a big deal for evening play. During the summer months, the lights let you play well past sunset, and the cooler Valley evenings make for comfortable conditions. The facility draws players from across the San Fernando Valley, and organized drop-in sessions run several days a week.
Best for: Anyone in the Valley who wants dedicated, well-maintained courts. Strong mix of recreational and competitive players.
Tip: The Burbank Blvd entrance has a parking lot that is usually manageable on weekday evenings but can fill up on Saturday mornings. Courts 1 through 4 get more shade in the late afternoon thanks to some mature trees along the fence line -- worth knowing if you are heat-sensitive. Bring water; there is a fountain but it is not always working.
Mar Vista Recreation Center
Address: 11430 Woodbine Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90066
Courts: 6 outdoor courts (shared with tennis, with pickleball lines)
Surface: Concrete
Cost: Free
Mar Vista Rec Center is one of those neighborhood parks that does not get a lot of hype but quietly serves its community well. The courts are shared with tennis, with dual-line markings, and pickleball players have established regular play times. The center runs programming for kids and families too, so it has a casual, neighborhood-park feel rather than a hardcore competitive atmosphere.
The surrounding Mar Vista neighborhood is walkable and laid-back, and the park itself has playgrounds, a community garden, and open green space. If you are a parent looking to get some games in while the kids play, this is a solid option.
Best for: Families, beginners, and Westside residents who want a low-key local spot.
Tip: The rec center is open Wednesday through Sunday with the most reliable court access. Weekday mornings are the quietest times. Street parking on Woodbine is usually easy to find. The Mar Vista Farmers Market is on Sunday mornings a few blocks away -- combine the two for a solid weekend outing.
Griffith Park Recreation Center
Address: 3401 Riverside Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Courts: 12 outdoor courts
Surface: Concrete, permanent lines
Cost: Free
Griffith Park needs no introduction as one of LA's great public spaces, and the pickleball scene here has grown to match. With 12 courts, this is one of the largest free pickleball facilities in the city, and it draws a wide range of players from the Eastside, Hollywood, and beyond. The courts are open from 5 AM to 10:30 PM, giving you a massive window for play.
The player community at Griffith Park skews slightly more competitive than some neighborhood rec centers, and you will regularly see 4.0-plus players running organized games. But there is still plenty of room for recreational play, especially during off-peak hours. The setting is hard to beat -- you are playing at the base of one of LA's most iconic parks, with trails and green space in every direction.
Best for: Competitive players and anyone looking for a big, active pickleball community. The large court count means you are less likely to wait for a game.
Tip: Take Riverside Drive and park in the lot near the recreation center. The Griffith Park lots along Crystal Springs are a short walk but tend to have more availability. Early mornings on weekdays are the calmest. If you are playing on weekends, expect to rotate in. Pro tip: come for pickleball, stay for a hike on the trails just up the hill.
Manhattan Heights Park
Address: 1600 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Courts: 4 outdoor courts
Surface: Post-tension concrete, dedicated pickleball courts
Cost: $12/hr residents, $16/hr non-residents
Hours: Mon-Fri 8 AM - 9 PM, Sat-Sun 8 AM - 8 PM
Manhattan Beach is one of the few places in the LA area where pickleball courts are reservation-based and paid. That might sound like a downside, but it actually means you are guaranteed a court when you book, and the playing surface is noticeably better maintained than most free public courts. The city invested in proper post-tension concrete surfaces that play fast and true, with clean lines and quality nets.
The reservation system keeps things organized. You can book up to two one-hour slots per day through the city website. Drop-in play is available when courts are not reserved. The South Bay pickleball community is active and growing, with regular players and informal groups that organize through local channels.
Best for: Players who want a guaranteed court and are willing to pay for a better experience. Great for the South Bay crowd.
Tip: Book your reservation online at least a day in advance, especially for weekend morning slots -- those go fast. If you are not a Manhattan Beach resident, the non-resident rate is still reasonable for the court quality you get. The park is a short walk from downtown Manhattan Beach, where you will find plenty of post-game food and drink options along Manhattan Beach Blvd.
How to Choose the Right Court
With so many options across the city, here are the factors worth considering when you are picking where to play.
Indoor vs. Outdoor
Most pickleball courts in Los Angeles are outdoor, which makes sense given the climate. But indoor courts are worth considering if you want consistent conditions -- no wind, no sun glare, and climate control. Facilities like PowerPlay Pickleball and the growing number of dedicated indoor clubs offer premium play, though you will pay for the privilege. Outdoor courts are mostly free and abundant, but wind can be a factor at exposed locations, especially near the coast.
Surface Types
You will encounter three main surface types at LA courts. Concrete is the most common at public parks -- it is durable but hard on joints during long sessions. Asphalt courts, like those at Balboa, play slightly softer. Post-tension concrete, found at newer facilities like Manhattan Beach, offers the best public court experience with a smooth, consistent bounce. If you play frequently, court surface matters for both performance and your knees.
Free vs. Paid
The vast majority of LA's public park courts are free. The tradeoff is that you cannot reserve a spot, courts may be shared with tennis, and maintenance varies. Paid courts -- whether at Manhattan Beach or indoor facilities -- offer reservations, dedicated pickleball setup, and generally better upkeep. If you are playing once a week for fun, free courts are great. If you are training seriously or want reliability, paid courts are worth the cost.
Lighting for Evening Play
Not all courts have lights, which matters more than you might think in a city where many people work during the day. Balboa Sports Center, Griffith Park, and several other facilities have lighted courts that extend your playing window well into the evening. Always check whether a court has lights before planning an after-work session. Courts with lighting tend to attract an evening crowd, which can also be a good way to find regular playing partners.
Permanent Nets vs. Bring Your Own
Most of the courts listed in this guide have permanent nets, but some parks with dual-lined tennis and pickleball courts may not. If you are heading to a less established location, it is worth confirming that nets are available before you show up. Portable nets are available for around $100-150 and are worth owning if you play at multiple locations or want to set up at a park that does not have permanent infrastructure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there free pickleball courts in Los Angeles?
Yes, the majority of pickleball courts in LA are free. The LA Department of Recreation and Parks operates dozens of free outdoor courts across the city, including popular spots like Griffith Park, Balboa Sports Center, Rancho Park, and Mar Vista Recreation Center. These are all first-come, first-served. The only places that charge are certain beach cities like Manhattan Beach and private indoor facilities.
What is the best time to play pickleball in LA?
Weekday mornings between 8 AM and 11 AM are generally the best time for finding open courts and avoiding crowds. Weekend mornings are popular at nearly every location, so expect to rotate in during peak hours. For weather, the mild LA climate makes year-round play possible, but summer afternoons can get hot -- especially in the Valley. Evening play at lighted courts like Balboa is a great alternative during warmer months.
Do I need to bring my own equipment?
You need your own paddle and balls at most public courts. Some organized groups and indoor facilities provide balls, but do not count on it at park courts. A decent beginner paddle runs $30-60, and a pack of outdoor balls costs around $15. Wear court shoes with non-marking soles -- running shoes work in a pinch but do not offer the lateral support you want for quick movements.
Where can I find indoor pickleball courts in LA?
Indoor pickleball is growing in LA. PowerPlay Pickleball is building what will be the largest dedicated club in Southern California with 30 courts planned. Several gyms and community centers also offer indoor play on converted basketball or volleyball courts. Expect to pay hourly rates or membership fees at indoor facilities, but you get climate control, consistent lighting, and premium court surfaces.
Are there pickleball leagues in Los Angeles?
Absolutely. LA has a thriving league scene with options for every skill level. ZogSports runs organized team leagues where you can sign up as an individual or with a group. PIKL LA offers weekly ladder formats with beginner intro sessions included. Many parks also have informal ladder groups organized through local Facebook groups or apps like Pickleheads. Leagues are a great way to improve your game and meet regular playing partners.
Keep This Guide Growing
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