Where to Play Pickleball in Santa Monica

Santa Monica has always been a city that takes its outdoor recreation seriously. Runners on the beach path, yoga on the bluffs, volleyball at the pier -- if it involves moving your body outside, someone in Santa Monica is doing it before 8 AM. So it should surprise no one that pickleball has taken root here with a fervor that rivals the city's long-standing tennis culture. What started as a handful of players setting up portable nets at Memorial Park a few years ago has grown into a proper scene, with dedicated court time, organized groups, and a steady stream of newcomers showing up every week.

What makes pickleball courts in Santa Monica particularly appealing is the combination of accessibility and atmosphere. You are playing in a compact, walkable beach city where nearly every park is within biking distance from anywhere in town. The ocean breeze keeps things comfortable even during summer, and the laid-back coastal energy means the courts tend to attract a friendly, welcoming mix of serious players and people just looking for a fun hour outside. You will find retired locals who play every single morning alongside tech workers squeezing in a lunchtime session and tourists who packed a paddle alongside their sunscreen.

Whether you live in Santa Monica or you are visiting and want to get a game in between the pier and the promenade, this guide covers the best places to play. We have included addresses, court details, costs, and the kind of on-the-ground tips you will not find on a city parks website.

Quick Picks

Court	Address	Courts	Cost	Best For
Memorial Park	1401 Olympic Blvd	6	Free	Competitive play, organized groups
Marine Park	1406 Marine St	4	Free	Beginners, casual games
Ocean Park	2600 Barnard Way	2	Free	Beach-adjacent play, quick sessions
Penmar Recreation Center	1341 Lake St, Venice	6	Free	All levels, evening play with lights

Memorial Park

Address: 1401 Olympic Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90404

Courts: 6 outdoor courts (converted tennis courts with permanent pickleball lines and nets)

Surface: Asphalt, permanent lines

Cost: Free

Memorial Park is the center of gravity for pickleball in Santa Monica. If you ask anyone in the local scene where to play, this is the first name out of their mouth, and for good reason. The city converted several tennis courts into dedicated pickleball courts, and the facility now has six full courts with permanent nets and proper lines. No dragging out portable nets, no sharing with tennis players mid-session -- these courts are set up for pickleball and stay that way.

The park runs organized open play sessions multiple mornings per week, typically starting around 8 AM. These sessions attract a solid mix of skill levels, from 3.0 recreational players up to 4.5-plus competitors who come to drill and run fast-paced games. The regulars here are welcoming but do not expect a leisurely warm-up during peak hours -- courts fill fast and the rotation keeps moving. There is an informal system where players line up paddles on the fence to reserve their spot in the next game. Learn the local etiquette and you will fit right in.

The park is centrally located in Santa Monica, about a mile inland from the beach and a short walk from the Expo Line station at 17th Street. There is a community center on-site, restrooms, water fountains, and a shaded playground nearby if you are bringing kids along.

Best for: Intermediate to advanced players looking for competitive open play and an active community. Also the best option if you want to find regular playing partners.

Tip: Weekday mornings between 8 and 10 AM are the prime window -- courts are busy but organized, and you will get consistent games at your level. Avoid showing up at noon on a Saturday expecting an open court; that is when the casual crowd peaks and wait times climb. Street parking on Olympic Blvd is metered but usually available on weekdays. The lot off 14th Street is free for the first two hours.

Marine Park

Address: 1406 Marine St, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Courts: 4 outdoor courts (dual-lined for tennis and pickleball)

Surface: Concrete

Cost: Free

Marine Park is a quieter alternative to the Memorial Park scene and a solid choice if you are looking for a more relaxed session. The park has four courts with dual lines for tennis and pickleball, and while it does not have the same level of organized play as Memorial, it has its own loyal group of regulars who keep things friendly and inclusive. The vibe here is distinctly neighborhood -- families walking dogs, kids on the adjacent playground, and a pace that feels unhurried even when all four courts are in use.

The courts sit in the southern part of Santa Monica, just a few blocks from the beach and close to the border with Venice. The surrounding streets are residential and quiet, which makes parking significantly easier than at Memorial Park or anywhere near the pier. You will not find the same caliber of competitive play here, but that is part of the appeal. Marine Park is where you go when you want to rally with friends, work on your dinks without pressure, or introduce someone new to the game without throwing them into a high-level rotation.

Best for: Beginners, casual players, and anyone who prefers a low-key atmosphere over intense competition. Great for families.

Tip: The dual-lined courts can occasionally lead to confusion about who has priority -- pickleball or tennis. Mornings tend to skew pickleball, while afternoons see more tennis players. If you are planning to play on a weekend, arriving before 9 AM gives you the best shot at claiming a court. Bring your own water; the fountain near the courts is unreliable. The nearby streets have free, unmetered parking with no time limits, which is a rare luxury in Santa Monica.

Ocean Park

Address: 2600 Barnard Way, Santa Monica, CA 90405

Courts: 2 outdoor courts

Surface: Concrete, permanent lines

Cost: Free

Ocean Park is the closest you will get to playing pickleball on the beach without actually being on the sand. The courts sit at the southern tip of Santa Monica, just across the street from the beach path and a short walk from the pier. With only two courts, this is not the place for large group sessions, but it is perfect for a quick game when you are already in the area or want to combine a beach day with some court time.

The two courts are well maintained with permanent lines and nets. The location means you will occasionally deal with ocean wind, which can turn a casual rally into an unpredictable battle against the elements -- experienced coastal players learn to use it. The trade-off is the setting. Playing with salt air and the sound of waves a block away is a distinctly Santa Monica experience that you will not get at an inland park.

The courts do not have organized open play sessions, so this is more of a bring-your-own-partner situation. That said, you will often find other players here who are happy to hit around or play a pickup game if courts are open. The beach path running alongside the park makes it easy to bike over from anywhere along the coast.

Best for: Casual players, visitors staying near the beach, and anyone who wants a scenic spot for a quick game. Good for doubles if you bring your own group.

Tip: Wind picks up in the afternoon, especially during spring and early summer. Morning sessions before 11 AM tend to have calmer conditions. Parking at the beach lots along Barnard Way is metered and can be expensive during peak beach season -- consider biking if you are staying nearby. There is a small lot on the south side of the park that fills up fast but has two-hour meters that are more affordable than the beach lots.

Penmar Recreation Center

Address: 1341 Lake St, Venice, CA 90291

Courts: 6 outdoor courts (lighted)

Surface: Asphalt, permanent lines

Cost: Free

Technically, Penmar sits just across the Santa Monica border in Venice, near the Mar Vista line. But it is close enough -- and good enough -- that anyone playing pickleball in Santa Monica should know about it. The facility has six dedicated pickleball courts with permanent nets, proper lines, and something that most Santa Monica courts lack: lighting. Those lights extend your playing window well into the evening, which is a game-changer for anyone who works during the day and cannot make it to a morning session.

The Penmar pickleball community is one of the most active on the Westside. Organized open play runs several days a week, and the player base spans a wide range of levels. You will find beginners on one court and 4.0-plus players running competitive games on another. The rec center also offers introductory clinics and group lessons periodically, making it a good entry point if you are new to the sport and want some structure before jumping into open play.

The surrounding neighborhood is a mix of Venice and Mar Vista residential streets, with easy access from Lincoln Blvd or the 405. The rec center has its own parking lot, a rarity for Westside parks, though it can fill up during popular evening sessions.

Best for: All skill levels, especially players who need evening court access. Strong community with a good balance of competitive and recreational play.

Tip: Tuesday and Thursday evenings are the most popular open play sessions and can draw 30-plus players. If you want shorter wait times between games, try Wednesday or Friday mornings instead. The parking lot is free but limited to about 40 spots -- street parking on Lake St and the surrounding blocks is your backup plan. Courts 5 and 6, furthest from the parking lot, tend to have the best lighting coverage after sunset.

Best Times to Play

Knowing when to show up matters as much as knowing where to go, especially in a city where good weather means courts are rarely empty.

Weekday mornings (7 AM - 10 AM): This is the sweet spot. The organized morning groups at Memorial Park and Penmar are in full swing, but there is enough court space to get consistent games without long waits. Retired players and remote workers dominate this window, and the skill level tends to be higher than at other times.

Weekday midday (11 AM - 2 PM): Courts clear out significantly during the middle of the day. If you have a flexible schedule, this is when you will find open courts at Marine Park and Ocean Park with minimal competition for space. The trade-off is that you might not find pickup partners as easily.

Weekday evenings (5 PM - 8 PM): The after-work crowd fills the lighted courts at Penmar. Memorial Park gets busy too but loses daylight earlier since it does not have lights. Evening sessions are social and energetic, but expect to rotate in during peak hours.

Weekend mornings (8 AM - 11 AM): Every court on this list will be busy on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Memorial Park and Penmar run organized sessions, and even the quieter spots like Marine Park fill up. If you want to play on a weekend morning, arrive early and be prepared to wait your turn.

Weekend afternoons (1 PM - 4 PM): Crowds thin out after lunch, especially at the less popular courts. Ocean Park and Marine Park are your best bets for finding an open court on a weekend afternoon without planning ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there free pickleball courts in Santa Monica?

Yes, all of the public pickleball courts in Santa Monica are free. Memorial Park, Marine Park, and Ocean Park are all operated by the City of Santa Monica and do not charge for court use. Courts are first-come, first-served, with no reservation system. Penmar Recreation Center in neighboring Venice is also free. You do not need a city resident card or permit to play at any of these locations.

Does Santa Monica have indoor pickleball?

Santa Monica does not currently have a dedicated indoor pickleball facility. All public courts are outdoors. For indoor play, the closest options are in nearby areas of LA -- some gyms and recreation centers in West LA and Culver City offer indoor court time on converted basketball or volleyball courts. The mild Santa Monica climate makes outdoor play comfortable year-round, but if you need indoor courts for weather or preference reasons, you will need to look outside city limits.

Where can I find open play in Santa Monica?

Memorial Park has the most consistent organized open play, with morning sessions running multiple days per week starting around 8 AM. Penmar Recreation Center in Venice also runs regular open play sessions, particularly on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and several mornings per week. For both locations, check with the local pickleball groups on Facebook or community boards at the parks for the most current schedules. At Marine Park and Ocean Park, open play is informal -- show up and see who is around.

Find More Courts Across LA

Santa Monica is just one corner of the LA pickleball scene. From the Valley to the South Bay, there are dozens of courts worth knowing about across the metro area. For more courts across the city, check out our complete guide to pickleball courts in Los Angeles.