Need a court today? Berkeley has 6+ public parks with tennis courts. Reserve online at berkeleyca.gov or walk up to Willard Park (lighted courts), Live Oak Park, or James Kenney Park.
Looking for hitting partners? Join TennisEastBay.com to connect with 30+ local players at your skill level, or check out PlayYourCourt Berkeley Tennis on Meetup (267 members).
Need equipment or stringing? Visit Courtside Tennis & Pickleball at 6012 College Ave (24-hour stringing turnaround).
Want lessons? Book through MyTennisLessons.com ($45-65/hour) or contact Hit Elite Tennis for East Bay coaching.
Best weather for tennis: July-September offers ideal conditions (70s°F, dry). Berkeley's mild Mediterranean climate allows year-round play.
Several options for finding players at your skill level:
Berkeley offers multiple booking options:
Hours: City parks generally open 6:00am-10:00pm daily
Multiple pathways to get instruction:
Berkeley has excellent options for recreational players:
Berkeley hosts several tournament opportunities:
The City of Berkeley maintains tennis courts at multiple parks. Most courts are reservable through the city recreation system at berkeleyca.gov. General park hours: 6:00am-10:00pm.
2 lighted courts - Clean, well-maintained, available for evening play. One court reservable via city system.
2 courts - Multi-use park with basketball courts, community center, and playgrounds. Tennis courts available for reservation.
2 courts - Also features softball field, basketball courts, and picnic areas. Adjacent to James Kenney Community Center.
Reservation Information: Book online via rec.berkeleyca.gov or call (510) 981-5150. 7-day cancellation notice required for refunds (25% processing fee).
Founded in 1906, one of America's most historic tennis clubs with legendary players like Stan Smith, Arthur Ashe, and Rod Laver competing here.
Contact: berkeleytennisclub.org for membership information
Note: UC Berkeley courts are not open to the general public. Access requires student, faculty/staff, or RecWell membership.
9 outdoor hard courts + backboard - Used for instructional classes, sport clubs, and pre-assigned groups. No open recreation available.
6 outdoor hard courts + backboard - Evening court lights available. Currently no open recreation offered.
6 hard courts with lights - Dedicated to Cal Tennis varsity team practices and home matches. Not available for public use.
UC Berkeley Students/Members: Reserve courts up to 72 hours in advance via RecWell online store. One court per day, one-hour sessions.
Connects players throughout Oakland, Alameda, and Berkeley. Offers both competitive leagues and a non-competitive partner program. Get matched with up to 30 players in your region and skill level for casual hitting without league standings.
267 members - Co-ed, laid back tennis meetups. All skill levels welcome. Features a flexible Challenge League format for fun competitive matches.
Structured tennis community for meeting practice partners and playing competitive matches in a flexible format.
UC Berkeley's competitive club team - 2024 USTA Tennis On Campus National Champions! Competes in USTA sectional and national tournaments. Open to UC Berkeley students.
Cal's intramural tennis club for recreational players. Formerly "Tennis at Cal" - provides casual play opportunities for UC Berkeley students.
Berkeley participates in USTA Northern California adult league programs:
Registration: $33 fee to join most league teams. Find teams through Berkeley Tennis Club or search playtennis.usta.com
Private lessons: $45-65/hour - Book certified coaches for kids, beginners, adults. Convenient online scheduling.
Certified coaches offering private lessons, group lessons, and clinics. Many USPTR certified instructors available.
Professional lessons on any court of your choice. Group lessons available - only $10 more per additional person.
Find private, semi-private, group lessons, or hitting sessions for all ages and skill levels throughout Berkeley.
Year-round private, semi-private, and small group lessons for adults and juniors of all ages and abilities. Professional instruction at historic facility.
Serving El Cerrito, Albany, Berkeley, and Richmond. Offers private/group lessons, camps, and ball machine rentals for kids and adults.
Lessons for players of all ages. Small group lessons: $30/hour. Clinics on sliding scale: $40-45/player.
Tennis lessons in Berkeley area. Contact: (510) 457-0553
Lessons for all levels from beginners to advanced. Private lessons available. Held at Channing Tennis Courts. Requires UC Berkeley student or RecWell membership.
6012 College Ave, Berkeley/Rockridge
Website: courtsidetennis.com
Nearby Oakland location serving Berkeley area - 55+ years of expert service
Bay Area sporting goods retailer with tennis department
According to Yelp reviews, other tennis shops in the Berkeley area include Plaza Tennis & Sports and Watergate Pro Shop. Check online for current hours and services.
Berkeley offers an exceptional tennis experience for avid players visiting the Bay Area:
Berkeley's Mediterranean climate features mild temperatures year-round. Best conditions: July-September with average highs of 73-76°F and minimal rainfall. Winter months (December-February) still offer playable conditions with highs in the low 60s, though you'll encounter some rain. Tennis is viable 12 months a year.
Berkeley Tennis Club, founded in 1906, hosted the Pacific Coast Championships for over 50 years (1918-1971). Legends like Stan Smith, Arthur Ashe, Rod Laver, Jack Kramer, and Bobby Riggs competed on Berkeley courts. The club continues hosting USTA Level 2 tournaments.
UC Berkeley produced tennis champions including Helen Wills (31 Grand Slam titles, 2 Olympic golds) and Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman (pioneering net player, Olympic gold medalist).
Berkeley's diverse player community welcomes visitors through multiple channels:
Berkeley's position in the San Francisco Bay Area provides:
Berkeley supports tennis community building through:
Perhaps the greatest tennis player in Berkeley history. Won 31 Grand Slam titles and 2 Olympic gold medals. Dominated women's tennis in the 1920s and 1930s. Known as "Little Miss Poker Face" for her focused demeanor on court.
Pioneer of women's tennis who revolutionized the game by becoming the first women's player to attack the net in tournament play. Won Olympic gold medals at the 1924 Olympics while mother of four (with a fifth child to come). The prestigious Wightman Cup was named in her honor.
From Orange, held USTA rankings from No. 2 to No. 6 during 1951-1959. Captured Wimbledon and Australian Open titles in 1951. Member of Berkeley Tennis Club during his competitive years.
During the Pacific Coast Championships era (1918-1971), Berkeley Tennis Club courts hosted tennis royalty:
UC Berkeley California Club Tennis won the 2024 USTA Tennis On Campus National Championships in Rome, GA, defeating USC 25-17. The team also claimed the 2023/24 Sectional Championship, continuing Berkeley's tradition of competitive excellence.
Berkeley Tennis Club continues the city's tournament tradition by hosting: