Best Tennis and Pickleball Courts in La Mesa, San Diego County

2 tennis courts, 1 shared tennis/pickleball court and 4 dedicated pickleball courts with lights in La Mesita Park in La Mesa, California. Great pickleball courts next to the YMCA. Courts are free but they do fill up fast. Nearby road can be a bit noisy. Plenty of parking. There are now 8 pickleball courts and fresh paint! The courts are lit until 10:00 PM. The city has rules posted but there is no rotation or skill level system. No rack or wait system for all the courts. It’s sort of pick a court and go wait over there. The pickleball courts (8) here are great and the wait for Open Play is not too long. Players here are really friendly. The parking lot can fill up quickly if you come late midday. Large grassy park with walking trails tennis courts picnic areas playground and a skateboard park. It’s adjacent to the YMCA.

Pickleball

There are four permanent nets with courts striped for youth tennis and pickleball (courts 3 A-D). Lessons offered by the Recreation Division have court priority. Lesson information is found at cityoflamesa.gov/register. There are four additional courts (courts 4 A-D), with a shared tennis court.

If rain is a possibility on the day of your scheduled class, please contact coach Kevin Bacon directly at 619.540.8154 to verify if classes will be held or rescheduled.
Lessons offered by the Parks and Recreation Department have court priority.

• Four (4)  lighted pickleball and youth tennis courts and four (4) shared courts. See court hours for designated times on court #4.
• Pickleball and youth tennis courts are open for play on a first come, first serve basis, except when in use by the La Mesa Community Services Department for private or group lessons. There is no fee to use the courts for open play.
• Limited to 1-hour play for singles; doubles are limited to 1.5 hour, see schedule for designate hours on court #4.
  Group pickleball lessons available. Register online at cityoflamesa.gov/register.
• Private pickleball lessons available. Contact Coach Kevin at 619.540.8154 for scheduling.
  • $40R/$50NR for one (1) hour private lesson

One-Day Train & Play Clinic

Beginning Pickleball

Learn the basics of Pickleball! The sport everyone’s talking about. Be part of the new age of sports fun. Learn scoring, strategy, rules, and more. Improve your balance, hand-eye coordination, and exercise. Learn how to be a team player, and work on your competitive skills. Learn the importance of hydration and nutrition, be socially active, and be outdoors.

Location: La Mesita Park: Pickleball Courts, Instructor: Kevin Bacon

Beginning Pickleball – Youth

Learn the basics of Pickleball! Be part of the new age of sports fun. Learn Scoring, Strategy, Rules, Sportsmanship (PLAY FAIR AND BE NICE) and more. Improve your balance, hand-eye coordination and exercise. Kids everywhere are getting into the fun. **** Parents, the UNDER 18 segment of Pickleball is EXPLODING!! More and more kids are playing at all levels including tournaments… This is an opportunity like no other… Don’t miss out!

Location: La Mesita Park: Pickleball Courts, Instructor: Kevin Bacon

Accelerated Beginner

Move your skill level up a notch with this “Accelerated” level clinic. Limited class size for more direct coaching. These clinics are intended for players who already know how to play Pickleball in game situations, yet are not Intermediate level players. You will learn better ball control and stroke techniques, Improved dinking and serving, Player position and movement. 1hr. of instruction followed by 1hr. of game play.

Location: La Mesita Park: Pickleball Courts, Instructor: Kevin Bacon

Accelerated Intermediate

Push your Pickleball skills and game play to the next level. Learn ADVANCED stroke and hitting techniques and game strategy for becoming a better player. Limited class size allows for a more direct approach to instruction. There will be focus on better hand/eye coordination, footwork, dinking, ROLL volley and 3rd shot drop.

No classes on Feb 16, Mar 30–Apr 11, May 25
Location: La Mesita Park: Pickleball Courts, Instructor: Kevin Bacon

Intermediate Pickleball – Youth/Adults

Elevate your pickleball game and skills. Learn advanced shots, improve your strategy, court awareness, foot work and skills. At this level, the game gets more strategic and faster. Recommended for the serious player looking to advance for Rec. and Tournament play.

Location: La Mesita Park: Pickleball Courts, Instructor: Kevin Bacon

No camps or classes June 19, July 3 or July 4

Pickleball Hours

Designated pickleball hours are:
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday & Saturday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Monday & Wednesday: 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Pickleball Court Schedule

Reserved for City of La Mesa Pickleball Lessons Courts 3C & 3D
Thursdays: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Fridays: 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Saturdays: 7:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Sundays (1st and last of the month): 7:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Pickleball Rules La Mesita Courts 3 A-D

The following rules should be followed during designated pickleball times listed on the schedule:

1. Place paddles in a single line on the inside of the fence at the court you are waiting to play.
2. Courts 3A, 3B, and 3C are for social play:
   Winners stay for max. of two games, losers rotate off*
3. Court 3D is challenge court: Winners stay until they lose, losers rotate off*
4. All Courts: *If more than six people are waiting to play at a court, rotation is four-on-four-off.
5. Only people authorized by La Mesa Community Services Department may teach. Private coaching is not authorized without a City permit.
6. Visit USAPICKLEBALL.org for game rules
7. Exercise courtesy, respect and good sportsmanship
8. If during open play there are tennis players waiting and open courts on 3 A-D, players should be courteous and move to a dedicated pickleball court.

Tennis

Hours not assigned to pickleball or tennis are first-come, first-serve. No reservations. Courts 1 & 2 are dedicated to tennis. (Lessons offered by the Recreation Division have court priority.) Lesson information can be found at cityoflamesa.gov/register.
Court 4 is shared with pickleball and is available for tennis:
Sunday, Monday & Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Tuesday – Friday: 4:00 – 8:00 PM

Reminders: Students are required to have their own tennis racket. To maintain the condition of the courts, please wear athletic shoes. The instructor reserves the right to transfer students to the appropriate level.

If rain is a possibility the day of your scheduled class, please contact the instructor TOM DRAFFAN directly at 619.677.7613 to verify if classes will be held or rescheduled.

• Two (2) lighted tennis courts and one (1) shared court. See court hours for designated times on court #4.
• Tennis courts are open for play on a first come, first serve basis, except when in use by the La Mesa Community Services Department for private or group lessons. There is no fee to use the courts for open play.
• Group tennis lessons available. Register online at cityoflamesa.gov/register.
• Private and Semi-Private tennis lessons available. Contact Coach Tom at 619.677.7613 for scheduling.
  • $40 Residents / $50 Non-residents for one (1) hour private lesson
  • $25 Residents /$30 Non-residents for one (1) hour semi-private lesson (Pricing per person)

Tennis Courts

All court schedules can be found here: cityoflamesa.us/courts.
For more information, please call the Community Center at 619.667.1300 or email recreation@cityoflamesa.gov.

City of La Mesa Tennis Court Policy

• All players must wear non-marking court shoes
• During open play, when players are waiting, play is limited to 1-hour for tennis singles or pickleball or 1 1/2 hours for tennis doubles
• Only people authorized by La Mesa Community Services Department may teach on these courts (LMMC-9.08.050)
• Courts may be reserved for La Mesa Community Services Department programs or events
• Please report light problems to the Public Works Department at +1 619-667-1450
• Bicycles, roller blades, scooters, skateboards or vehicles with any type of wheels are prohibited on courts (LMMC-10.21.010)
• Dogs or pets are not allowed on courts (LMMC-9.08.115)
• No smoking or vaping in Park (LMMC-7.27.035)
• Mesa Community Services Department +1 619-667-1300
• La Mesa Police Department non Emergency +1 619-667-1400

Tennis Court Schedule

Courts 1 & 2 Reserved for City of La Mesa tennis Lessons:
Monday-Thursday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 3:00 PM – 8:00 PM

For more information on organized pickleball play and events visit new La Mesita Park Pickleball Facebook Group.

Tennis Beginner – Teen/Adult

Beginner Level: Players will learn to hit with proper grip, basic forehands and backhands, proper footwork and gain consistency with rallies. Learn regular scoring and play various games to develop skills.

Location: La Mesita Park Courts Instructor: Tom Draffan

Tennis Intermediate/Advanced – Teen/Adult

Intermediate/Advanced Level: This program develops players for matchplay. Players should be able to hit over the net consistently, serve with more consistency, and play lobs.

Location: La Mesita Park Courts, Instructor: Tom Draffan

Tennis Intro/Beginner – Youth

Players will learn to hit with proper grip, basic forehands and backhands, proper footwork and gain consistency with rallies. Learn regular scoring and play various games to develop skills.

Location: La Mesita Park Courts Instructor: Tom Draffan

Tennis Intermediate/Advanced – Youth

This program develops players for matchplay. Players should be able to hit over the net consistently, serve with more consistency, and play lobs.

Location: La Mesita Park Courts Instructor: Tom Draffan

No camps or classes June 19, July 3 or July 4

Private & Semi-Private

Schedule by calling Coach Tom Draffan at 619.677.7613. Class fee is per class.

No classes on Feb 16, Mar 30–Apr 11, May 25
Location: La Mesita Park Courts, Instructor: Tom Draffan

Tennis Camp

Campers will learn to: improve techniques on forehands, backhands, improve court movement, footwork and recovery, hit volleys, overheads, serves with proper grips, rally with consistency, greater control and shot placement, play round robin formats or modified sets, and learn regular and no-add scoring.

**Students are required to have their own tennis racket. To maintain the condition of the courts please wear appropriate athletic shoes.

Location: La Mesita Park Courts, Instructor: Tom Draffan