I just started learning to play tennis but have been tennis curious for over a decade. This is a…read morehidden gem, the most beautiful tennis court in Oakland, tucked in a former quarry among eucalyptus trees that provide shade. For tennis lore, check out the wooden clubhouse built by the WPA in the 1930s. Book a court online for popular times in tie afternoon / evening / weekends, or walk on in the daytime.

This place is beautifully located in a canyon surrounded by eucalyptus trees complete with birds…read moreflying overhead. I came here for the first time on Friday night and boy was I impressed. I felt like I had traveled to some secret tennis haven as my tennis partner and I were the only ones for much of the time we were out there. And, best of all this place was ranked as one of the best tennis facilities by the USTA sometime in the early 80's. I can picture it now...all these 80's kids with their white short shorts and sweaters and wooden rackets...Those were the glory days. I am sure of it.

TL;DR beautiful pool, beautiful gym…read more PLUSES: + outdoor pool = great view (campanile) + design is old, rustic, and beautiful + huge locker rooms + halls are perfect for a photoshoot

This 33-meter (108+ feet!) rooftop pool of Roman proportions and elegance is a treasure of the UC…read moreBerkeley campus. The locker room is approached by a walk through a sunlit hallway of old, multi-paned windows. The locker room is spotless, and fabulously equipped. Then, the pool itself...holy crap...first of all, it's on a ROOF, and it's made of MARBLE and mosaic tiles. And there are huge concrete terraces on which to sun and rest oneself, as well as to view eye candy from the waterpolo team doing leisurely laps as if just for show. The lanes are huuuuge so collisions are rare. In fact, it sometimes feels like the place is a secret even from the lucky students who can enjoy it, because I don't remember it ever being crowded. In fact, as the sound of the Campanile heard between breaths of the fresh Berkeley breeze blowing over the verdant quad can charm anyone into thinking that they are having a dream of liquid solitude. Here, I was able to break through my 2-lap ceiling and seal my love of swimming forever. Okay, one pain in the ass is that you have to pay a fee to rent out a locker...but at least you CAN rent out a locker! Another pain in the ass is that you have to wear a damn swim tag on your person to show that you are allowed to be in or around the pool in the first place...but the crispy, sun-yellow, and oh-so-filchable towels provided by the gym make up for all this... Yeah, so basically, there's nothing negative that can be said about this pool. It is a drop of Heaven on Earth.

I recently discovered this place. I actually think it's part of a school…read more Every friday they hold a round robin tournament from 6:30pm - 9:00pm. Sign in before 6:45 to guarantee your spot. *First time = free. Returning = $5 I really enjoy myself and learn a lot just playing with different people. They place you in a group of 6-10 people and you get to play everyone. I think about 50 people show up every friday so you don't have to worry about playing someone that isn't near your level. You record your score at the end of each game and BTTC will calculate your new table tennis rating and post it up on their website a few days later. -1star because of one certain staff member who is quite rude. Me and my friends were there for our 3rd times and he made us feel very unwelcome. To the point where were considering not to come back. Overall: Everyone is pretty friendly. I have a great time win or lose. Definitely recommend this place for any novice or expert table tennis player!

What an awesome place for ping-pong lovers. They have about twenty tables setup at the James…read moreKenney Recreation Center with hundreds of ping pong balls flying all over the place. Times are Friday 6 - 9:45 PM: Round Robin Tournament. Don't be intimidated. They have a wide variety of skill levels. Saturday 7 - 10 PM: Free play. Bring a friend or some friends. It's lots of fun to just hit around for fun. $5 for either. They even have ping pong ball picker-uppers: long tubes that you just push onto balls on the ground. The tables ping pong balls are both quality. This is a great place to improve your skills if you are primarily a basement table tennis player like me. Bring some exercise clothes and a water bottle--you will work up a sweat!

Beautiful setting and friendly staff! Hours are limited for non-UCB folks though. And lanes may…read morebe crowded.

Golden Bear is a fine pool. The lifeguards are smart and competent. BUT…read moresince the children are there weekdays until 5 pm, the place is left a MESS. Clothing, food stuff, bottles, paper of all sorts remain. It is not healthy, It is certainly not pleasant to be there with the spaces littered. PLEASE. have the counselors (and parents) instruct children to remove their litter when they leave...and provide places for the 'mess' to go, that can be dumped elsewhere. We should NOT have to see piles of leftovers at the pool site.

They have 3 different pool with different depth to it, there are attentive and friendly lifeguards…read moremaking sure they rotate turns and that everyone is safe. If you're looking for a place that doesn't close super early during the summer this one's an option.

I've been going here for a few years. Lap pool itself is fine, but the city REALLY needs to do a…read morebetter job cleaning the locker rooms (they get a zero for cleanliness), and they need to offer times when you can lap swim without the family swim. Today is the third time everyone had to get out of the pool because a kid threw up (last two times it was poop). Pretty gross, no matter how much chlorine you put in. I'm considering going back to Golden Bear now that they have better pricing.

I wanted to find a local pool option to rotate in some lap swimming to my fitness routine. You…read morepre-buy a pass that can be used at both this location and the king location. Passes are $6 and have no set time or date. There are some discounts for a 10 pack or monthly access. You file a photo when registering so no ID needed at the pool. You enter through the "locker room" which has showers and toilets and is overall pretty bare bones. If you want to lock items there are some lockers by the pool but bring your own lock. Also interior bike parking so this seems like a plus! Lap lanes were busy and some classes were going on but overall this met my needs. No concession stand but some picnic tables so you can bring snacks.

So many things to like about this pool…read more First and foremost, for me, is that it is WARM. It's the warmest pool around and it makes all the difference. It's easier to swim longer. Those several degrees are the difference between blue fingers and NOT blue fingers. The staff is great. I like the ease of buying a pass online. The price is right. AND, I am happy to say, that they still require masks unless in the pool or shower! I approve. Safety first! (Although the staff isn't consistent with masking.) My kids are grown, but I do appreciate the family friendly nature of the pool. It's always great to see parents and kids ... and I love seeing budding young swimmers doing laps. For those of you who like a cooler pool, I highly recommend the Emeryville Aquatic Center on San Pablo and 45th. It's also a very nice pool. Great staff. Was my go to for years ... BUT, I gotta say, I'm now addicted to the extra heat of West Campus Pool. I also hear the Pool on Hopkins, behind MLK Middle School ... identical lay out ... is cooler. SO, for those of you who like a chillier pool temp ... please go to the other pools and save the lanes at West Campus for us heat seekers.

This is a nice little spot to play tennis. It's a single court, without lights, a few hundred feet…read morefrom the ocean. Street parking is abundant, though also popular with surfers. The net and surface are well maintained, and there's a practice wall if you're waiting for your partner to show up. The court is free to use. There are no strict time limits other than basic courtesy to those who are waiting to play.

One old joke is that Albany is where Berkeley Radicals go to die. And a lot of people don't even…read moreknow where Albany is located. I sometimes mention Berkeley first or mention Albany Hill or the Race Track. It also borders Berkeley, El Cerrito, Richmond, and Kensington. Gayle also scoffs when I sometimes tell her that Albany in some ways reminds me of Iowa. She sees an "urban and gritty" East Bay suburb, while I feel that I'm living in a small town with friendly neighbours and a sense of cohesion. We Albanians are passionate about several things. The composition of the City Council changes with the popular issues of the day (like the Waterfront), but those meetings haven't been the same since Dario Mendiketti passed away. We like our services (including schools) and we're willing to vote for most if not all parcel taxes and bond measures put before us. What I appreciate personally is my neighbourhood and local park, the Solano Stroll, the walking distance availability to several things, the Community Center and Library, and the Teen Center services. Good City services and the friendly and helpful folks that provide them are also much appreciated.

Community Centers are the heart and soul of an area now. Combining so many public services that are…read morevital for a healthy community mentally and physically. I went to see an ART SHOW in the FOYER. It was awesome. The exhibit ... "Suenos Enigmaticos"- "Enigmatic Dreams." Local Artist Deborah Schilling make magic happen in pastels. These large pieces invoked a myriad of emotions from different people for different reasons. Just what art is supposed to do. The Albany Arts Committee presented this show and I'm glad they did. The event was January 13 but will run until March 27th, 2017. Wonderful reception and gathering followed this known and respected artist. It is something only your eyes can share with you. A must see.