Best Pickleball Courts in the San Fernando Valley (2026 Guide)

The San Fernando Valley has become one of the hottest pickleball regions in all of Los Angeles. Stretching from Burbank to Woodland Hills and everywhere in between, the Valley offers a surprising density of quality courts, active player communities, and some of the best evening play conditions in Southern California. If you live north of the hill — or are willing to make the drive — you are going to find plenty of places to get on a court.

What makes pickleball in the San Fernando Valley stand out is the combination of space and community. Valley parks tend to be bigger than their Westside counterparts, which means more room for dedicated pickleball infrastructure. The result is a growing network of courts that range from laid-back neighborhood spots to serious competitive venues with lighting, organized play, and loyal regular crews. The Valley also has a practical advantage: while it can run hotter during summer afternoons, the evenings cool down beautifully, and lighted courts make after-work sessions a staple of Valley pickleball culture.

This guide covers the best places to play pickleball across the San Fernando Valley, from the flagship courts at Balboa to the neighborhood gems you might not know about yet. Whether you are looking for competitive open play, a casual game with friends, or just trying to figure out where to show up on a Tuesday morning, we have you covered.

For a broader look at pickleball across the entire metro area, check out our guide to the best pickleball courts in Los Angeles. And if you are still learning the game, our how to play pickleball guide will get you up to speed.

Quick Picks

Court	Neighborhood	Courts	Lighted	Cost	Best For
Balboa / Lake Balboa Sports Center	Encino	8	Yes	Free	Dedicated courts, competitive + rec play
Encino Park	Encino	6	Yes	Free	Evening play, solid community
Sherman Oaks Park	Sherman Oaks	4	No	Free	Casual play, central location
Woodland Hills Recreation Center	Woodland Hills	6	Yes	Free	West Valley players, organized sessions
Van Nuys Recreation Center	Van Nuys	4	No	Free	Beginners, neighborhood regulars
McCambridge Park	Burbank	6	Yes	Free	Burbank residents, well-maintained
North Hollywood Park	North Hollywood	4	Yes	Free	East Valley convenience, evening play

Balboa / Lake Balboa Sports Center

Address: 17015 Burbank Blvd, Encino, CA 91316

Courts: 8 dedicated outdoor pickleball courts

Surface: Asphalt, permanent lines, permanent nets

Lighting: Yes

Cost: Free

Hours: 5 AM - 10:30 PM daily

Balboa is the undisputed flagship pickleball facility in the San Fernando Valley, and a strong argument can be made that it is the best free public pickleball venue in all of Los Angeles. The LA Department of Recreation and Parks built out 8 dedicated pickleball courts here — not tennis courts with added lines, not shared surfaces, but purpose-built courts with proper dimensions, permanent nets at regulation height, and clean sight lines. That distinction matters, and you feel it the moment you step on.

The courts have lighting, which transforms this spot into a year-round evening destination. During the warmer months, the Valley heat makes afternoon play brutal, but once the sun drops behind the hills, the conditions at Balboa become ideal. The lighted courts draw a strong evening crowd, especially on Tuesday and Thursday nights when organized open play sessions run. You will find a genuine mix of skill levels here — 3.0 players working on their third-shot drops alongside 4.5 players running fast-hands battles at the kitchen line.

The community at Balboa is one of the best things about it. Regulars are welcoming, the rotation system during open play is well-organized, and there is an infectious energy on busy evenings that makes you want to come back. If you play pickleball in the Valley and have not been to Balboa yet, this should be your first stop.

Best for: Anyone in the Valley who wants dedicated, well-maintained courts with a strong community. Excellent for all skill levels.

Tip: The Burbank Blvd entrance has a parking lot that handles weekday evenings fine but fills up on Saturday mornings. Courts 1 through 4 catch some shade from mature trees along the fence line in the late afternoon — worth knowing in the summer. Bring your own water; the fountain situation is unreliable. Arrive by 5:30 PM on popular open play nights to get in the early rotation.

Encino Park

Address: 16953 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91316

Courts: 6 outdoor courts (converted from tennis, with dedicated pickleball lines)

Surface: Concrete, permanent nets

Lighting: Yes

Cost: Free

Hours: Dawn to 10 PM daily

Encino Park sits right along Ventura Boulevard, making it one of the most accessible pickleball spots in the central Valley. The park underwent court conversions in recent years, turning underused tennis courts into six dedicated pickleball courts with permanent lines and nets. The location is incredibly convenient — you can grab a coffee on Ventura, walk over, and be playing within minutes.

The lighting here is a major draw. Encino Park has become a go-to for after-work pickleball, with a regular evening crowd that shows up around 5 PM and plays until the lights go off. The community skews toward intermediate players, but beginners are always welcome and the regulars are the kind of people who will take time between games to offer tips without being overbearing about it.

The courts play well, with a smooth concrete surface that gives you a true bounce. The permanent nets are properly maintained, and the overall facility feels cared for. It is not as large as Balboa, but the central location and consistent quality make Encino Park a top-tier option for pickleball in the San Fernando Valley.

Best for: Central Valley players who want well-located courts with lighting. Great for the after-work crowd and intermediate players looking for regular games.

Tip: Street parking on Ventura can be tricky during peak retail hours, but the park has its own small lot accessible from the side streets. Weekday mornings before 10 AM are the quietest time to find open courts. The Encino pickleball group organizes ladder play on Saturday mornings — ask a regular for details if you want to get into the rotation.

Sherman Oaks Park

Address: 14201 Huston St, Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

Courts: 4 outdoor courts

Surface: Asphalt with permanent pickleball lines

Lighting: No

Cost: Free

Hours: Dawn to dusk

Sherman Oaks Park is a neighborhood gem that does not get the attention of Balboa but serves its local community well. The park has four courts with permanent pickleball lines and nets, tucked alongside baseball diamonds and a community center. The setting is quintessential Valley — mature shade trees, kids playing on the nearby playground, and the kind of relaxed atmosphere that makes you forget you are in the middle of LA.

Without lights, Sherman Oaks Park is primarily a daytime destination. That actually works to its advantage during the cooler months when morning and midday play is comfortable. The regulars here are a loyal bunch — many of them live walking distance from the park and treat it as their outdoor living room. You will see the same faces day after day, and the social aspect is just as much a draw as the pickleball itself.

The courts are well-maintained for a free public facility, and the community has done a good job of keeping things organized with informal scheduling for different skill levels during the week. Mornings tend to attract the more competitive players, while afternoons lean recreational.

Best for: Sherman Oaks locals who want a convenient neighborhood court. Good for all levels with a particularly welcoming beginner environment.

Tip: Parking is easy in the lot off Huston Street, and you rarely have to worry about finding a spot. If you are new and want to plug into the regular group, showing up on a weekday morning around 8 AM is your best bet — that is when the core crew plays, and they are happy to fold new faces into the rotation. Bring sunscreen; there is limited shade on the courts themselves.

Woodland Hills Recreation Center

Address: 5858 Shoup Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Courts: 6 outdoor courts

Surface: Concrete, permanent lines, permanent nets

Lighting: Yes

Cost: Free

Hours: 5 AM - 10 PM daily

The Woodland Hills Recreation Center anchors pickleball in the western Valley, and it has quietly built one of the best setups in the area. Six courts with permanent infrastructure, lighting for evening play, and a dedicated group of regulars who have turned this into a real pickleball hub. The west Valley does not always get the attention that spots closer to the 405 receive, but Woodland Hills punches well above its weight.

The courts themselves are in excellent condition — well-surfaced concrete with crisp lines and quality nets. The lighting allows for evening sessions that run late during the summer, and the west Valley's slightly more suburban character means you get a bit more breathing room around the facility compared to parks in denser neighborhoods.

Organized open play happens multiple days per week, with different sessions for different skill levels. The Wednesday evening intermediate session is particularly well-attended and has become a fixture in the west Valley pickleball calendar. The community here has also been proactive about welcoming new players, running occasional clinics and beginner introductions through the recreation center.

Best for: West Valley residents who want quality courts, lighting, and organized play without driving across the Valley. Strong intermediate community.

Tip: Shoup Avenue parking is straightforward, with a lot right at the recreation center. If you are coming for the Wednesday evening session, arrive by 5:15 PM to warm up and get your name on the board. The west Valley can be a few degrees cooler than the central Valley on summer evenings, which makes outdoor play here noticeably more pleasant from June through September.

Van Nuys Recreation Center

Address: 14301 Vanowen St, Van Nuys, CA 91405

Courts: 4 outdoor courts (dual-lined with tennis)

Surface: Asphalt

Lighting: No

Cost: Free

Hours: Dawn to dusk

Van Nuys Recreation Center represents the kind of honest, community-level pickleball that makes the sport accessible to everyone. The courts are dual-lined for tennis and pickleball, which means the surface is shared, but pickleball players have established regular time slots and a consistent presence. The facility is not flashy — it is a neighborhood recreation center doing its job, and doing it well.

What Van Nuys lacks in dedicated infrastructure it makes up for in accessibility and welcoming atmosphere. This is a genuinely diverse playing community, reflecting the neighborhood itself, and you will hear multiple languages on the courts during open play sessions. The skill range runs from complete beginners to solid 3.5 players, and the vibe is decidedly recreational. Nobody here is going to give you a hard time for a missed dink.

The recreation center staff have been supportive of pickleball growth, and there is talk of expanding court access as the sport continues to grow. For now, the four dual-lined courts serve the community well and provide a solid option for central Valley players who want a no-frills place to play.

Best for: Beginners and recreational players in the central Valley. A great place to learn the game in a pressure-free environment.

Tip: Weekday mornings from 9 AM to noon have become the unofficial pickleball window at Van Nuys, when the courts are almost exclusively used for pickleball. Parking in the recreation center lot is easy. Bring your own balls — the park does not supply them. If you are a beginner looking to try pickleball for the first time, this is one of the most welcoming environments in the Valley to do it.

McCambridge Park

Address: 1515 N Glenoaks Blvd, Burbank, CA 91504

Courts: 6 outdoor courts

Surface: Concrete, permanent lines, permanent nets

Lighting: Yes

Cost: Free

Hours: 6 AM - 10 PM daily

McCambridge Park is Burbank's premier pickleball destination and one of the better-kept secrets in Valley pickleball. The City of Burbank has invested in the facility, providing six dedicated courts with permanent nets, clean surfaces, and lighting for evening play. Burbank operates its parks independently from the LA Department of Recreation and Parks, and the result here is a facility that feels a notch above what you find at many LA city parks — better maintained, cleaner, and more consistently managed.

The Burbank pickleball community is tight-knit and active. Regular open play sessions run throughout the week, and the city has supported the sport with programming, events, and occasional tournaments. The player base is a healthy mix of retirees who play mornings, working professionals who show up in the evenings, and a growing number of younger players who discovered the sport recently. The skill level trends intermediate, with some strong advanced players mixed in during evening sessions.

McCambridge also benefits from its broader park setting — there is a recreation pool, a fitness center, and plenty of green space. It is the kind of place where you can make an afternoon of it, not just a quick paddle session.

Best for: Burbank residents and east Valley players who want quality courts with good lighting and an active community. Solid intermediate to advanced play.

Tip: McCambridge's parking lot off Glenoaks is large and rarely full. The courts closest to the pool area (courts 5 and 6) get the most shade in the afternoon. If you are new to the Burbank pickleball scene, Tuesday and Thursday mornings are the most welcoming sessions for newcomers. The Burbank Pickleball Club is active on social media and a good resource for schedules and community events.

North Hollywood Park

Address: 11455 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601

Courts: 4 outdoor courts

Surface: Asphalt, permanent pickleball lines

Lighting: Yes

Cost: Free

Hours: 5 AM - 10:30 PM daily

North Hollywood Park rounds out the east Valley pickleball options and provides a solid home court for the NoHo and Studio City crowd. The park has four courts with permanent lines and lighting, making it a viable option for evening play — which is important given that the east Valley does not have as many lighted pickleball courts as you might expect for an area with this much population density.

The courts see steady use from a core group of regulars, and the vibe is similar to other neighborhood park courts in the Valley — friendly, casual, and open to newcomers. The NoHo Arts District is a short walk away, which means you can combine a pickleball session with the neighborhood's restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops. That after-game burrito from one of the spots on Magnolia is practically mandatory.

North Hollywood Park is also well-connected by public transit, with the NoHo Metro station less than a mile away. That makes it one of the more accessible pickleball courts in the Valley for players who do not drive or prefer to skip the parking hunt.

Best for: East Valley and NoHo residents who want lighted courts close to home. Good for casual and intermediate players.

Tip: Street parking on Magnolia can be metered during business hours, but the park lot on the north side is free and usually has availability. Evening open play picks up around 5:30 PM and runs until the lights dim around 9:30 PM. If you are coming from Studio City, cut through Tujunga Avenue to avoid Lankershim traffic.

The Valley Pickleball Scene

The San Fernando Valley's pickleball community has its own character that sets it apart from the Westside and South Bay scenes. Where coastal pickleball tends to be trendy and Instagram-ready, Valley pickleball is grounded, community-driven, and unpretentious. People show up to play, not to be seen, and the result is a scene that feels authentically welcoming across age groups, skill levels, and backgrounds.

Several factors have fueled the Valley's pickleball growth. The abundance of park space — the Valley has more acreage of public parks per capita than many LA neighborhoods — gave the infrastructure room to expand. The LA Department of Recreation and Parks, along with independent city parks departments in Burbank and Glendale, have been responsive to demand, converting underused tennis courts and building new dedicated facilities. Community organizers have done the rest, establishing regular play schedules, informal clubs, and communication channels that keep players connected.

The social media side of Valley pickleball is worth mentioning. Facebook groups like "San Fernando Valley Pickleball" and neighborhood-specific groups have become the primary way players find games, organize sessions, and share updates about court conditions. If you are new to Valley pickleball, joining these groups is the fastest way to get plugged in and find playing partners at your level.

Looking ahead, there are several proposed court expansions across the Valley, including additional dedicated courts at parks that currently use dual-lined surfaces. The demand is there, and the trend over the past two years has been toward more dedicated infrastructure rather than shared courts. The Valley pickleball scene is only going to get bigger.

Tips for Playing in the Valley

Beat the heat. The San Fernando Valley is consistently 5 to 10 degrees warmer than the Westside during summer. Plan your sessions for early morning before 10 AM or evening after 5 PM from June through September. Lighted courts at Balboa, Woodland Hills, McCambridge, and North Hollywood make evening play the most popular option during the hot months.

Hydrate seriously. This is not optional in the Valley, especially during summer. Bring more water than you think you need, and do not rely on park water fountains — they are hit-or-miss across Valley facilities. A frozen water bottle that melts over the course of a session is a veteran Valley pickleball move.

Join the community. The easiest way to find consistent games is through local groups. Search for pickleball groups specific to your Valley neighborhood on Facebook or check apps like Pickleheads for organized sessions. Valley players tend to be welcoming, and most open play sessions are happy to absorb newcomers.

Bring your own gear. Public courts in the Valley generally do not provide balls or equipment. Always bring your own outdoor pickleballs (the ones with 40 holes), your paddle, and court shoes. A small towel and a hat are smart additions for Valley conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many pickleball courts are in the San Fernando Valley?

The San Fernando Valley has over 40 pickleball courts spread across public parks and recreation centers. Major facilities include Balboa Sports Center with 8 dedicated courts, McCambridge Park in Burbank with 6 courts, and Woodland Hills Recreation Center with 6 courts. Additional courts are located at parks in Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, and several other Valley neighborhoods. The number continues to grow as the city converts more tennis courts and builds new dedicated pickleball infrastructure.

Are there free pickleball courts in the San Fernando Valley?

Yes, all of the public park pickleball courts in the San Fernando Valley are free to use. This includes major facilities like Balboa Sports Center, Encino Park, Sherman Oaks Park, Woodland Hills Recreation Center, Van Nuys Recreation Center, McCambridge Park in Burbank, and North Hollywood Park. Courts are first-come, first-served at all public locations. There are no reservation fees or hourly charges at any Valley park court.

Which Valley pickleball courts have lights for evening play?

Several Valley courts have lighting for evening play. Balboa Sports Center, Encino Park, Woodland Hills Recreation Center, McCambridge Park in Burbank, and North Hollywood Park all have lighted courts. This is particularly valuable during the summer when daytime temperatures make afternoon play uncomfortable. Lighted courts typically stay on until 10 PM or 10:30 PM, depending on the facility.

What is the best time to play pickleball in the San Fernando Valley?

During the cooler months (October through April), weekday mornings between 8 AM and 11 AM offer the best combination of comfortable weather and available courts. During the summer, evening sessions from 5:30 PM to 9 PM at lighted courts are the most popular and practical option. Weekend mornings are busy at every Valley location, so expect to rotate in at larger facilities or arrive early for the best shot at immediate court access.

Where can beginners play pickleball in the Valley?

Van Nuys Recreation Center and Sherman Oaks Park are particularly welcoming to beginners, with casual atmospheres and patient regulars. Balboa Sports Center and Woodland Hills Recreation Center also accommodate beginners during their organized open play sessions, which often include designated time for newer players. Joining a local Facebook group and asking about beginner-friendly sessions is the fastest way to find a comfortable entry point. If you want to learn the fundamentals first, check out our how to play pickleball guide.

Is there competitive pickleball in the San Fernando Valley?

Absolutely. Balboa Sports Center draws the strongest competitive players in the Valley, with regular 4.0-plus games during evening open play. McCambridge Park in Burbank also has a solid contingent of advanced players. Several Valley parks host tournaments throughout the year, and organized ladder play is available at multiple locations. The Valley also feeds into the larger Southern California tournament circuit, with events at facilities across the region.

Can I play pickleball indoors in the San Fernando Valley?

Indoor pickleball options in the Valley are more limited than outdoor courts, but they are growing. Some community centers and gyms offer indoor play on converted basketball or volleyball courts. For dedicated indoor facilities with premium surfaces, you may need to look at locations just outside the Valley. Check our Los Angeles pickleball guide for the latest indoor options across the metro area.

Keep Exploring

The San Fernando Valley pickleball scene is growing fast, and new courts and communities are popping up regularly. If you know a Valley court we missed or a community group that deserves a shoutout, let us know and we will add it to this guide. For a look at courts across the rest of LA, head over to our complete Los Angeles pickleball court guide. See you on the courts.