Looking for the best places to play tennis in Oakland and Berkeley? The inner East Bay is one of Northern California's most underrated tennis destinations. Forget the cold winds of San Francisco and the heat exhaustion of Contra Costa County — the corridor between Oakland and Berkeley sits in a natural sweet spot of mild, playable weather nearly year-round.
But great weather only goes so far. The courts you play on matter just as much. We've played at nearly every public and private facility in the area, and here's our honest ranking — from the most scenic private clubs to the best-kept public parks.
Quick Reference
| Location | Type | Courts | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Claremont Hotel & Spa | Private (member/guest) | 6 | Stunning setting, purple courts |
| Berkeley Tennis Club | Private (member) | 14 | Most historic club in the East Bay |
| Mills College | Semi-private (membership) | 6 | Best value, beautifully maintained |
| Oakland Hills Tennis Club | Private (member/guest) | — | Bay views, well-maintained |
| Montclair Tennis Courts | Public | 3 | Best neighborhood vibe |
| Mosswood Tennis Courts | Public | 3 | Best court condition in Oakland |
| Dimond Park | Public | 2 | Peaceful, shaded, excellent condition |
| Davie Stadium | Public | 5 | Stunning setting, needs resurfacing |
| Willard Park | Public | 2 | Newly renovated, vibrant atmosphere |
| Berkeley Rose Garden | Public | 2 | Most scenic in Berkeley |
| San Pablo Park | Public | 6 | Most active tennis community |
| Live Oak Park | Public | 2 | Quiet, fully enclosed courts |
Top Private Places to Play Tennis
Claremont Hotel & Spa
There is something genuinely magical about the Claremont's famous purple courts. Set against the Berkeley hills with the iconic white hotel as a backdrop, this is one of the most beautiful places to play tennis in the Bay Area — full stop. If you're part of the East Bay tennis scene, you'll likely get an invitation from a member or find yourself here for a league match. Worth every bit of the fuss.
Berkeley Tennis Club
Just next to the Claremont, the Berkeley Tennis Club is the most prestigious and historically significant club in the area. Founded in 1906, BTC has hosted some of the Bay Area's most decorated tennis players over more than a century. The clubhouse carries real history — walking through it and stepping onto the courts, you feel the weight of what serious club tennis looks like.
Special mention: BTC runs what we consider the best tennis tournament in Northern California each May — the Pacific Coast Senior and Family Championships.
Mills College (Northeastern University)
Just off MacArthur Boulevard, Mills College — now part of Northeastern University — offers the best value in Oakland for access to quality courts. Six pristine courts are surrounded by mature trees, open grassy fields, and beautiful campus architecture that create a calm, focused environment for hitting. The only knock is the ambient hum of the 580 freeway nearby, which fades quickly to background noise.
Mills opens its courts to the public through an affordable membership available through the athletics department. It's a genuine gem — and one of the reasons we host our UTR match-play tournaments here.
Oakland Hills Tennis Club
Situated just off the 13 freeway near 35th Street, Oakland Hills Tennis Club offers beautifully maintained courts and some of the most breathtaking views in Oakland — the Bay, the city skyline, and San Francisco all in one sweep. Wind can occasionally be a factor, but it's the exception rather than the rule. OHTC consistently delivers a high-quality playing experience.
Top Public Courts in Oakland
1. Montclair Tennis Courts
Montclair edges out the competition for the best overall public tennis experience in Oakland. Three courts sit inside the most complete public racquet sports park in the area, which also includes pickleball courts and a walking pond loop. After your session, the coffee shops, juice bars, and restaurants of Montclair Village are a short walk away — making it easy to turn a hitting session into a full morning out.
The neighborhood feel here is unmatched, and it's one of the areas where Forefront Tennis coaches regularly.
2. Mosswood Tennis Courts
Mosswood has undergone a real transformation. After a full resurfacing, its three side-by-side courts now feature a deep, rich blue surface with crisp bright lines, private-club-level benches, and lights for evening play. The surrounding park isn't as lush as Montclair or Dimond, but the court condition is currently the best of any public facility in Oakland. Worth a visit just to experience what a well-maintained public court looks like.
3. Dimond Park
Located off Fruitvale Avenue near the 580, Dimond Park offers two well-maintained side-by-side courts in a genuinely peaceful, shaded setting. Tall surrounding trees provide welcome shade during afternoon sessions, though fallen leaves and pollen can occasionally drift onto the surface — a minor nuisance easily swept before play. One of the most reliably pleasant public court experiences in Oakland.
4. Davie Stadium
Davie Stadium deserves a higher ranking on atmosphere alone. Situated in the Crocker Highlands neighborhood near the Piedmont border, five side-by-side courts sit in a stunning natural setting — deer, towering trees, a sloped hillside — that makes it feel like playing in a private nature reserve. The partially separated dividers between courts are a smart design touch that keeps stray balls from rolling into adjacent games.
The reason it lands at #4: the surfaces are in real need of attention. They play fast and slick, darken balls noticeably within a session, and have been overdue for resurfacing for years. If Oakland ever invests in these courts, Davie Stadium immediately becomes the top public tennis destination in the entire East Bay.
Honorable Mention: Athol Plaza
Just off Lake Merritt, Athol Plaza offers two courts with unusually generous open space around them. Wind off the lake is a near-certainty in the afternoons and evenings and can significantly affect play. Mornings, however, can be lovely — calm, uncrowded, with the semi-urban energy of the Lake Merritt corridor as a backdrop.
Top Public Courts in Berkeley
Berkeley's public courts are, as a group, the strongest collection in the East Bay. Several could legitimately tie for first. Here's how we rank them.
1. Willard Park
Willard Park recently completed a multi-year renovation and emerged with two newly resurfaced courts and a reimagined park environment. The surrounding park has a youthful, community-driven energy — blankets, frisbees, neighbors soaking up the sun — that makes playing here feel like being part of something. One of the most enjoyable public tennis experiences in Berkeley.
2. Berkeley Rose Garden
Just behind Willard Park in our ranking, the Berkeley Rose Garden is set in one of Berkeley's most beautiful public spaces in the North Berkeley hills. Getting there requires a bit more navigation for non-locals, but the walk through the garden and the setting around the courts make it worth the extra effort. If you're looking for a scenic, peaceful, off-the-beaten-path session, this is it.
3. San Pablo Park
San Pablo Park has the most active public tennis community in Berkeley — six courts on the southwest side of the park that see consistent use across all levels and ages. The park is also home to Operation Pride, a long-established nonprofit that runs after-school programs and junior tournaments here. If you want the energy of a court scene rather than a quiet session, San Pablo is the place.
4. Live Oak Park
Live Oak offers a quiet, residential feel with two fully enclosed courts that are ideal for lessons or focused private practice. The enclosure gives each session a focused, exclusive quality that open courts can't match. Parking is accessible, the neighborhood is peaceful, and the courts are well-kept. A reliable choice for anyone in the North Berkeley or Elmwood area.
Make the Most of East Bay Tennis Courts
The East Bay is genuinely well-served when it comes to places to play. Whether you're just getting started, working on your game, or looking for competitive match play, there's a court — and a community — for every level.
If you want to improve your game while you're out there, Forefront Tennis offers private adult and junior tennis lessons in Oakland with individualized coaching tailored to your level and goals. We also organize UTR match-play events at Mills College for players looking for competitive experience in a low-pressure format. Reach out anytime — we're happy to answer questions.