A guide to playing tennis
Some of Bay Area’s tennis venues with pro shops are free and some let you turn up and play, while some need booking first.
See venues on the mapBrowse court types
Bay Area
Cuesta Park in Mountain View has 12 lighted outdoor tennis courts and a lighted hitting wall, along with shade trees, a playground and picnic areas. The city lists an annual USTA open tournament here.
A public tennis center in Golden Gate Park, run by Lifetime Activities under contract with the City of San Francisco. With 16 courts plus mini courts, it's a lively spot for everyone from beginners taking their first lesson to club-level players, and reviewers praise the friendly staff and recently renovated courts.
A large municipal tennis center in Sunnyvale, run by Lifetime Activities, with 16 outdoor hard courts alongside pickleball courts on-site. It's a busy, well-kept public facility with a pro shop, café and lounge area — good for everything from a casual hit to lessons and league play.
Cupertino Sports Center is a city-run sports complex with tennis, pickleball, racquetball, badminton, table tennis and basketball, plus lessons and a pro shop.
A public, city-owned tennis facility in Santa Clara's Central Park, run by Lifetime Activities. Eight lit courts plus a full-size hitting wall make it a solid stop for casual walk-on play or organized lessons, with pickleball also on offer alongside tennis.
A long-standing private swim and racquet club in Los Gatos, founded in 1959 and still family-owned. Tennis sits alongside three pools and a full fitness center, with USPTA-certified pros on staff for lessons and clinics — a relaxed, community-feel base for members who want swimming and tennis under one roof.
A private athletic club in San Jose's Almaden Valley, built around outdoor hard courts. Its poolside cafe and range of activities make it a family-friendly place to combine tennis with swimming and fitness on one campus.
A long-running members' club in San Jose's Willow Glen neighborhood, built around a heated outdoor pool and six outdoor tennis courts. It has a relaxed, community feel for members and their families, with pickleball courts, a kids' play area, and tennis lessons open to non-members too.