Pickleball Vacations: The Best Places to Travel in 2019

Do you hear that? The rhythmic pops. The sounds of laughter in the air. The friendly cheers and high-fives. Those are the sounds of pickleball vacations calling your name! From resorts and spas to pre-planned vacation packages to tourist destinations with active pickleball clubs, there are hundreds of possibilities. In fact, there are so many options that choosing just one can feel overwhelming. So, to help you pick the perfect pickleball vacation, we’ve scoured the internet and rounded up the best of the best for 2019.

Resorts

Not only are these resorts the definition of relaxation, but they also have incredible pickleball courts and most have on-site pros. So, you can get maximum relaxation off the court and learn something new on the court. It truly is the best of both worlds!

Sundial Beach Resort & Spa in Sanibel, Florida has a 12-court pickleball stadium that’s open to the public and has an IPTPA certified resident pro who offers lessons. This resort has hosted tournaments and was voted best pickleball courts on the island. For fun and sun, Sundial is the place to go!

Tres Palapas Baja Pickleball Resort in Mexico provides clinics throughout the year, as well as weekly workshops for beginning, intermediate, and advanced pickleballers. Their resort is also full of other amenities and activities for equal parts fun and relaxation.

Palmetto Dunes Oceanfront Resort in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina is one of the top pickleball vacation destinations in the country! They offer a special 4-day, 3-night package for pickleballers, but you can also just book a room and hit the courts at your leisure.

Palm Creek Golf & RV Resort in Casa Grande, Arizona, has 32 pickleball courts and nearly every resort amenity/activity you could want. From yoga to golf to bridge to bingo, there’s no chance you’ll be bored when you’re off the court!

Vacation Packages

If you’re an adventurous spirit who would like to learn about other cultures, experience new cuisines, or try new activities when you’re off the court, then we recommend looking for a pre-planned package through a pickleball club or travel company. These vacation packages are set up to give you ample time on the court and include some amazing excursions you might not otherwise get to do.

For example, Pickleball Getaways has some incredible pickleball vacations lined up for 2020, including a 10-day Portugal trip that includes the perfect blend of sightseeing and pickleball time! Here are a few more upcoming Pickleball Getaways trips:

• Mayan Riviera, Mexico - January 6-13th, 2020. Sign up here!
• Punta Cana, Dominican Republic - March 13-19th, 2020. Sign up here!
• Portugal - June 29th through July 8th, 2020. Sign up here!

Pickleball Trips has a great selection of pickleball vacations all around the world. They integrate cultural experiences with pickleball playing and training time so you get to make the most of your vacation. Our favorites for this year are:

• A Taste of Italy, which takes you through Tuscany and beyond from September 10-19, 2019
• The Samurai Trail: Pilgrims & Picklers in Nagano, Japan from October 7-14, 2019

Pura Vida House in Costa Rica also offers an amazing inclusive pickleball vacation package that provides small group play and luxury accommodations at one of the best villa resorts in the world!

Popular Destinations

If you’d rather skip the resorts and aren’t keen on vacation packages, there are plenty of tourist destinations all around the world that are ideal for pickleball lovers! These destinations offer easy access to pickleball courts with the freedom to stay wherever you’d like.

U.S. Destinations

In the U.S., the most popular states for pickleball vacations are Florida, Arizona, and California. But you can also find some great rental properties with pickleball courts in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah, Michigan, Colorado, North Carolina, Tennessee, and even Hawaii. Below are some of our favorites around the U.S.

Vero Beach, Florida

Vero Beach is one of the most popular places in Florida for pickleballers. This vacation spot is home to Pickleball U, which offers memberships to locals and a $3 per day fee for non-locals. There are also 3 parks within the city limits with pickleball facilities that are open to the public:

• Pocahontas Park – Hours: Mon – Sat, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• South County Park – No set hours
• Intergenerational Center –  Hours: Mon, Wed, and Fri, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

The Villages, Florida

Called the “unofficial pickleball capital of the world,” The Villages is a retirement community in Florida that has become one of the most popular spots for pickleballers. If you want to be a part of one of the largest communities of pickleball players, here’s a rental property nearby that offers access to the 150+ courts within the community.

Tucson, Arizona

Tucson, Arizona is a great place for pickleball lovers and desert lovers alike! This Western Bunkhouse rental property has two private pickleball courts and all the equipment you need to play. It also has sweeping views of the mountains you can enjoy from the private pool.

Encinitas, California

If the Golden Coast is calling your name this year, look no further than the quaint community of Encinitas, California, which is home to the famous Bobby Riggs Tennis Club. This facility has 12 courts and is open to members and non-members alike. Non-members can play during weekday morning and evening open play hours for $5, weekend open play hours for $10, or reserve a court for $10.

Maui, Hawaii

There are few things that sound better than playing pickleball in paradise and, lucky for you, that is an option! The Polo Beach Club is a beach-front condo rental that has four pools, two hot tubs, and pickleball courts on the grounds. Plus, it’s just steps away from the beach! Imagine waking up to play pickleball and then hopping into the ocean for a cool-down. Sounds like the ideal vacation to us!

Want to find other places to play pickleball around the states? Check out the USAPA’s Places 2 Play website to find even more facilities.

International Destinations

Outside the U.S., there are tons of popular tourist destinations that would be ideal for a pickleball vacation. As the sport grows in popularity, more and more pickleball facilities and clubs are opening up all around the world. Below are our picks for the perfect pickleball vacation abroad.

British Columbia, Canada

There are hundreds of places to play pickleball all over Canada, but British Columbia has been on our radar for quite a while because of its sheer beauty. From Vancouver Island to Okanagan to Cariboo, there are so many pickleball facilities that are ready and waiting for visitors! Pickleball B.C. has a great site that lists all the facilities in each region, so you can easily find one that works for you.

London, England

London is a must-see city on its own but there are also dozens of pickleball facilities in and around the bustling metropolis that make it a great destination choice. Because there are so many active facilities -- and new ones opening up frequently -- the Pickleball Portal is the best resource to find all of them listed in one place! If you’re planning a trip to London, we highly recommend you bookmark that link and check back often because they update the list frequently.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

According to the Pickleball Holland official site, pickleball is a relatively new sport in The Netherlands, with the first game being played in 2013. It has since grown in popularity and there is a Pickleball Amsterdam facility in the heart of the city that is open to the public.

Madrid, Spain

La Chopera Municipal Sports Center is located in one of the most beloved parks, in the heart of the city, and is open for public use. If you’re looking to play with other pickleball enthusiasts, there’s a Retiro Pickleball Club that plays on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. You can follow the group on Facebook to find events or contact them directly to find out exact meet-up times.

Bangkok, Thailand

If the wonders of Thailand are calling your name, the Santisuk English School is the place to go to play pickleball! This unexpected location is within the city, with easy access to hotels and just a 20-minute drive from the Suvarnabhumi Airport. The courts, which are in the school parking lot, are open Saturdays and Sundays. Your first day is free, then the fee is 200 baht per person per day after that.

Anyone else ready to take the year off to travel to all these places now? Us, too! The good news is, wherever you decide to take your pickleball vacation this year, you’re going to have an incredible time. As long as the focus is fun, fitness, and friends, you’ll be golden!

If you’re looking for an easy way to bring your own paddles along without adding too much bulk to your luggage, pick up one of our Signature Pickleball Paddle Sets today.