So, I was like Pickleball !?! What the heck is Pickleball? Well I knew I must find out…read more Albany I would say is a pretty far drive from where I am in Oakland considering the traffic on 80 (pretty much all the time) but for a Tuesday night during commute hours it wasn't half bad and was definitely worth the trip. So a note about the location, the tennis courts are located back behind the baseball field. The baseball field you can see from the street, the tennis courts you can not. So if you're heading off the freeway on Buchanan the parking lot entrance is right after the Dept of Agriculture driveway. Being that it is a bit hidden I ended up getting stuck behind the place in a large housing complex with a ton of stop signs and had to end up driving all the way back to Gilman in order to circle the block. Back to Pickleball - So I would describe Pickleball as sort of a human size ping-ball game. You have pretty much the same looking paddles only bigger (larger than badminton but smaller than tennis rackets). You play with a wiffle ball, which makes the game interesting when a gust of wind brings your ball to a screeching halt or makes it completely change directions. It's also not as difficult to hit, well strength wise, as a tennis ball so my arm didn't get as tired as when I play tennis (not that I ever play tennis). The game is pretty easy to pick up, some simple serving rules, some directions on the order of who serves (which took me a little extra time to figure out) and of course you have to keep the ball in the lines on the court. Overall real simple to learn and loads of fun. Everyone there was really welcoming and fun to play against. I don't know what it will be like next week but most of the people who showed up were new to the game. I will be back next week and will keep an eye out at the thrifts/sporting good stores to see if I can pick myself my very own official Pickleball racket. They are there every Tuesday (except when it rains) from 6 - dusk (7:30?) $5 Drop-in Fee for Adults, $3 for seniors, $2 paddle rental

Pickleball? The ball is a fortified whiffle ball. Racquets-paddles: are like racketball,but solid…read moreguts like ping pong. Court is bout the dimensions of singles tennis with baseline about where the end of the service line is. Rules too complicated to lay out here. But if you have ever picked up a badminton, tennis, squash, ping pong racquets and are half way coordinated, this is a fun game for all ages, levels of endurance, and skills. Even if you never played before, which is me, you will pick it up quick and the regulars who come out are so sweet and helpful. I like the outdoor venue, yet to try inside. After an hour if you try you can break a nice little sweat. Bill the instructor supper helpful. All you need is $7 bucks a head To rent a paddle, several to choose from and plenty of pick up games. When it's really busy Bill assembles two additional courts behind the baselines of the two tennis courts so you have 4 games of doubles at once. Just remember to keep you pickle out of the kitchen... you will have to play to understand that one.

Update the review -At list they're honest enough to refund me the money they over charged…read more I wish they didn't make me feel so bad and make me feel like I did something wrong. I feel like their behavior is dishonest misleading and indicating a lack of integrity. The first time I join for one month trial they had a new year promotion so I join Jan 06 and immediately they charge me extra , after calling the front desk few times , they said the promotion was over yesterday (they forgot to mention it when I signed in ) , I talked with Luz (one of the managers )and she agreed to return the extra fees and I asked to cancel the membership at the spot . I didn't see the refund and after calling again , they said it's a credit for next month , I said again , I don't want to be here another month , please cancel my membership, they said yes and now they charge me again . I needed to send them email just to confirm the call and they still charge me again I spend so many hour talking with them about the issue and then like nothing happens. I was there 3 times and for charge over $300 already . Such a rip off If u decide to join them , take a lawyer with u because they will nail you with secret charges all over the place . Very disappointing

Pulled up to The Hub Sports Club in Alameda and honestly... this place is solid…read more Came through with my guy Nate to check it out, get some runs in, and shoot a little content. Right away you can tell this place is well run. The energy is welcoming, the staff actually cares, and the community vibe is real -- competitive but still friendly. Pickleball-wise, it's stacked. 8 indoor courts that are clean, permanent, and play great, plus 7 outdoor courts if you want fresh air. Runs are organized, people know how to play, and they're always hosting tournaments and competitive events, which I really appreciate as someone who plays a lot. Outside of pickleball, the gym setup is legit. Full cardio and strength equipment, unlimited group classes like yoga, barre, and more. Locker rooms are clean, with showers, sauna, and steam room -- clutch after long sessions. Pro shop is fully stocked and the staff is always down to help with gear or questions without being pushy. Small thing but funny -- they even added a ping pong table, which kinda says everything about the vibe here. Functional, fun, and community-first. If you're in the Bay and serious about pickleball, fitness, or just want a spot that's run right with good people, The Hub Alameda is definitely worth checking out. I'll be back for sure.

This place was recommended by a friend from our pickleball group, and I'm glad we checked it out!…read more The young gentleman who helped us was friendly, knowledgeable, and very patient in answering all of our questions. One of the best things they offer is their demo paddle rental program. You get 30 days to try different paddles and can check out up to three at a time. During that period, you can come back and swap them out as many times as you'd like to find the right fit for your game. The rental fee is applied back to your account as store credit once you return the paddles, which can be used toward a future purchase. Just keep in mind there is a $2 per day late fee if you return them after the rental period. They also sell demo paddles at discounted prices, so it's worth keeping an eye out if you're looking for a good deal and don't necessarily need a brand-new paddle. This is a great option for anyone getting into pickleball or looking to upgrade their equipment without making a blind purchase. I'll definitely be back!

Love being able to rent and test out paddles. I appreciate that a credit is applied to the serviceread more

Marty teaches pickleball where you can learn fast by playing immediately…read more He will remind you that it is supposed to be fun, easy exercise, and you will join a healthy community. But most importantly ...there will be lots of laughter. Come join the party

Great guys love the vibe Love it I was introduced to…read morepickle ball world through Marty he is the best come by and take a peek

We found out that there's no pickleball court in Hercules but Refugio is one of the tennis courts…read morein the city. Since the tennis court can be a replacement for the pickle ball court, we came here to enjoy our sport. We arrived after 1 pm and out of the 4 courts available, only 2 courts are occupied by tennis players. We took one of the courts and enjoyed more than 1 hour of pickleball. This place must be busy in the morning and you've to wait to get a vacant court. Playing in the afternoon has fewer players and more vacant courts to play on. The courts are covered by a blue tarp on the fence which helped to stop the wind from blowing to the court. It also serves as privacy. This is a nice place to either play tennis or pickle all.

A great place to get play in…read more Features: Walking paths Benches Restrooms (if applicable) Dog friendly Playground Water views Shade Parking The park was clean, felt safe, and had plenty of space for walkers, runners, families, and people simply looking to enjoy the outdoors. The tennis courts are always in use. Clean facilities and its own parking lot Definitely a place I'll continue returning to.

What I Love 1. Top-Notch Amenities…read moreFrom the well-maintained free-weight section and cardio machines to the heated pool, spa, sauna and steam rooms -- everything feels clean, modern, and thoughtfully laid out. The variety of court sports (tennis, racquetball, pickleball) is a big bonus, especially when you want a break from monotonous workouts. 2. Friendly & Professional Staff The front desk team, trainers, and maintenance staff are all approachable, helpful, and responsive. Whenever I've had a question or requested assistance (be it with equipment, scheduling, or classes), it's been addressed promptly and with a smile. 3. Community Feel This is more than just a gym -- there's a sense of belonging. Members say hello, staff recognize faces, and there's a positive energy in the place. It feels like more than a place to lift or swim; it's a place where people want to spend time.

If I could give zero stars, I would. This club is outdated and poorly managed. Some facilities are…read moreokay but not worth what they charge, and the jacuzzi often has a very strong chlorine smell that even irritates your eyes. I was there with four children and felt disrespected during an interaction with the owner Bruce. The way I was spoken to felt rude and condescending, yelling and threatening to call the police over moving chairs its crazy. Our membership was canceled right after his meltdown. Paying members deserve to be treated with courtesy and respect. I also observed the summer camp area while there. Children who were not in the pool didn't seem to have any alternative activities and were mostly left sitting around, with staff often raising their voices and telling them if they don't get in the pool is their problem. Overall, I left with the impression that this club prioritizes collecting fees over providing quality service and a positive experience for families. Based on my experience, I would not recommend this club.

Adi is a coach I would recommend to everyone. I've taken several lessons and he's good at both…read morelistening to anything you specifically want to work on and giving additional insights on aspects I didn't consider. He's also very good at giving advice tailored to each player, rather than simply trying to apply the same idea to each person. While there are certain fundamental principles of tennis, there are many adjustments you can make to your technique. Adi does an amazing job of teaching within your style to help you improve - an important skill for every good coach. I highly recommend him as I believe he can add to any player's game.

Highly recommend HIT Elite! We signed our 5-year-old up for lessons and the experience has been…read moreseamless. Adi made the registration and communication process a breeze. Coach Fred is wonderful with the kids--he strikes the perfect balance between keeping things fun/silly and keeping the lesson structured. It's the highlight of our child's week and we are excited to keep going with the program!