Where can you play pickleball in San Diego with stunning sunset views over the bay? Barnes Tennis Center in San Diego, California is known for being a premier tennis facility and has four dedicated pickleball courts.
In this post you’ll find helpful information about the courts, the open play schedule and more helpful information.
What are the Pickleball Facilities like at Barnes Tennis Center
At Barnes Tennis Center you’ll find four dedicated pickleball courts with clean lines at the back of the tennis facility.
There is A LOT to love about Barnes Tennis Center (see more info below about the facilities and other offerings), but their pickleball courts and program are seem like a lower priority on their list of offerings.
Is that true? You can decide with some things to love and some things not to love about the pickleball facilities here…
Things to love about playing pickleball at Barnes Tennis Center
- There are four dedicated pickleball courts with clean lines (and not tennis courts with pickleball lines over them)
- Nice quality nets
- Fences between the courts with lots of entry and exit ways onto and between the courts
- Small and clean seating areas with umbrellas for waiting and watching
As with all things that are great, there are things that are NOT great…
Things NOT to love about playing pickleball at Barnes Tennis Center
- The fences are “half fences” and not a full size fence. This means balls can easily be hit over the fence, and in the case of the court that is off to the side, can be hit outside of the tennis facility altogether and not easily retrieved.
- There are no wind screens on the fences. Given the location of these courts on the outskirt of the park and close to the road, the wind is a huge problem playing on these courts.
- While the seating area is nice, there isn’t enough of it. More importantly, there is no paddle line up area, which makes open play very confusing.
I’ll leave this last one as an observation for you to decide: there was a bucket of balls available for people to play with, but they seemed like they were a “hybrid” ball that could be used both indoor or outdoor.
So if you’re new to the sport and need some help with gear, it’s great news because they’ve provided you with balls to play with!
However, if you care about the type of ball you play with (I like to play with an outdoor specific ball such as the Franklin X-40), I had brought my own and used them during open play.
When is Pickleball Open Play at Barnes Tennis Center
Given the quality of the tennis facility at Barnes Tennis Center, I was surprised the open play drop in price was so low.
For just $5 per person, you can drop in for open play:
- Monday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9 – 11 AM
- Tuesday and Thursday: 5 – 7 PM
- Saturday: 1 – 3 PM
You can find the latest hours on the website (which are subject to change).
The real question though, is given how tennis-dominant this facility is, are people showing up for pickleball during open play?
My experience doesn’t mean it’s going to be your experience, but there were two things happening when I dropped in for pickleball open play at Barnes Tennis Center on Saturday from 1-3pm.
- There weren’t enough people
I was begging a few people who had reserved a court (and their time was up and they were leaving) to PLEASE STAY. There was one other traveler there (see Tom visiting from Utah in the photo above!) who had been waiting awhile for players to show up.
While we waited he kindly warmed up with me and after 15 minutes we resorted begging people to play with us (and they did for a couple games). - Lots of brand new players
If you are a seasoned player (or even an intermediate beginner looking to at least break a sweat like me), we not only lacked players, but everyone was brand new except myself and Tom.
We eventually had 9 total players on the 4 courts with no one else showing up and everyone being new.
Again, my experience is not going to be your experience, but I don’t plan on coming back to open play here OR at least I don’t plan on coming on a Saturday afternoon. I’ve noticed that more seasoned players will come early, so a drop in at their morning times may be more successful.
Here’s ONE lucky thing that happened…
As I was leaving, Chris of Toss and Spin was setting up for the Shake Shack Pickleball Club event. I came back later and participated in a friendly tournament and it was incredibly fun. Read more about that in the full blog post.
Reserving Pickleball Courts at Barnes Tennis Center
If you’re coming to Barnes Tennis Center to play pickleball with your own group of people, courts are available for rent.
- $28 per court per hour (for 2 hours max for up to 4 people with additional players at $7 per person)
- $20 per court per hour (for 2 hours max for up to 2 people playing singles)
More info can be found on their website. Reserve by giving them a call!
Location of Barnes Tennis Center
Barnes Tennis Center and pickleball courts are located in San Diego, California.
The address of the center is 4490 W Point Loma Blvd, San Diego, CA 92107. It is situated in the Point Loma area of San Diego, near the coast and a few miles away from the San Diego International Airport.
There are many things to do nearby and given the proximity to the bay, you’ll get some fantastic sunset views if you are playing in the evening.
Want additional ideas of things to do in the area? Below are additional blog posts to help you plan your pickleball travel!
- Read top things to do in Point Loma by clicking here
- Read top things to do in the Gas Lamp in Dowtown San Diego by clicking here
- Checkout an inexpensive, but beautiful boutique hotel in Point Loma by clicking here
- See a full tour and review of Paradise Point Resort in nearby Mission Bay by clicking here
Additional Information about Barnes Tennis Center
Barnes is a premier tennis center and offers a variety of tennis programs and services, including clinics, camps, private lessons, and tournaments.
It is generally open at 8am and closes at 8 or 9pm daily. You can find the latest hours on their website.
As for tennis, it has 25 hard courts, 12 clay courts, and a stadium court with seating for 1,200 spectators.
The Barnes Tennis Center has hosted many national and international tournaments, including the USTA National Junior Championships.
Once inside you’ll find just about everything you need to spend the day here. From full locker rooms, to a snack bar, pro shop and more – Barnes Tennis Center is capable of serving large crowds of people whether for regular play or hosted tournament.
Barnes Tennis Center is located beyond a gate (that is closed and locked when it is not open), but there is plenty of parking available (with overflow available in a grass lot).
Weather in Point Loma California
Barnes Tennis Center, located within Point Loma (in San Diego, California) is an amazing place to be outside year-round.
Here you’ll find a Mediterranean climate characterized by mild, wet winters and warm, dry summers. The weather in Point Loma is generally mild and pleasant throughout the year, with temperatures moderated by the cooling influence of the nearby ocean.
In the summer months (June through August), the average high temperature in Point Loma is around 75-80°F (24-27°C), while the average low temperature is around 64-68°F (18-20°C). The summer months are typically dry and sunny, with little to no rainfall.
In the winter months (December through February), the average high temperature in Point Loma is around 64-68°F (18-20°C), while the average low temperature is around 50-55°F (10-13°C). The winter months are typically cooler and wetter than the summer months, with occasional rain and cloudy days.
Overall, Point Loma enjoys a mild and comfortable climate year-round, making it a popular destination for outdoor activities and tourism.
Top Things to do Nearby in
Barnes Tennis Center is located in the Point Loma area of San Diego, which is a coastal community in the western part of the city. It is situated near several other attractions and landmarks, including:
- Ocean Beach: A popular beach neighborhood known for its laid-back vibe and surfing culture.
- Sunset Cliffs Natural Park: A park with stunning ocean views and hiking trails along the cliffs.
- Cabrillo National Monument: A historic site that commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay in 1542.
- Liberty Station: A former naval training center that has been redeveloped into a vibrant mixed-use community with shops, restaurants, and cultural institutions.
- San Diego Bay: A natural harbor that offers opportunities for boating, kayaking, and sightseeing.
- Downtown San Diego: The central business district and cultural hub of the city, with many museums, theaters, and restaurants.
Want more ideas of things to do nearby in Point Loma? See the Point Loma blog post with tips for things to do or checkout the video below!
Quick tip!
When booking tours in San Diego, it’s important to book ones with top traveler reviews and are easily refundable if travel plans change.
Discover More Pickleball Destinations
Zoom in and click around on the map below to discover places to play pickleball. Once you’ve found a destination, click on it to find the helpful blog post with helpful tips on how you can play there! Or see all the blog posts by clicking here!
Special Events – The Shake Shack Pickleball Club
When I was traveling in San Diego, I had the opportunity to attend the Shake Shack Pickleball Club held at Barnes Tennis Center. It was a day of clinics, a tournament and a ton of burgers and lemonade put on by, yes, you guessed it – Shake Shack! Learn more about it by clicking here.
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Bottom Line
Barnes Tennis Center is a premier tennis club and while they have four dedicated pickleball courts, it seems as though it’s a last priority for this facility given the half fences with no wind screens and lack of participation in pickleball. It’s location is premium if you are traveling in the San Diego area, but consider which time you go for open play depending on the skill level you are looking to play with.