WHERE TO PLAY
Where to play pickleball in Humboldt County
From McKinleyville to Shelter Cove, the list is organized from north to south and was updated in February 2025. The calendar here shows regularly scheduled, recurring drop-in sessions at the multi-use indoor facilities and is updated monthly when the venues release their schedules.
The Humboldt Bay pickleball community uses the free app PlayTime scheduler for scheduling most open play sessions, especially at the outdoor courts. Because outdoor play is weather-dependent, sessions are often scheduled last minute, so check the app frequently.
The Humboldt County Pickleball Facebook group often contains ‘special notices’ (e.g., info about tournaments, unusual closures of venues, etc.).
McKinleyville
McKinleyville Activity Center (Indoor) - 1705 Gwin Road
Venue: The McKinleyville Activity Center is a multi-use gymnasium. There are 3 courts with permanent lines and portable nets are set up during regularly scheduled drop-in sessions. A one-time fee is required to play (punch cards are available for purchase at the facility). 18 and up for drop-in play, except for special events.
Schedule: Typically 9:00 – 12:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays (September to June, no open play here during summer). The drop-in schedule changes occasionally depending on other events occurring in the building, check website for details.
Management contact information: McKinleyville Parks and Recreation, (707) 839-3251, https://mckinleyvillecsd.ca.gov/pickleball-drop-in
Arcata
Carlson Park (Outdoor) - 5201 Carlson Park Drive
Venue: Carlson Park has three dedicated pickleball courts with concrete surface and permanent nets constructed in 2024. There are no lights at the courts. Courts are open to the public – no fee.
Schedule: Open play often occurs in the morning most days, but there are also some people who play in the afternoons. Check PlayTime Scheduler for open play sessions.
Management contact information: City of Arcata Recreation Department, 707-822-7091, https://www.cityofarcata.org/423/Parks-Trails
Larson Park (Outdoor) - 901 Grant Avenue
Venue: Larson Park has three pickleball courts, lined on tennis courts. Portable nets are usually available for public use at the park. Courts are open to the public – no fee. These courts do have lights that can ONLY be used until 10 PM.
Schedule: Sporadic, more play is occurring at Carlson Park but evening play still often occurs at Larson Park because it has lights. Check PlayTime Scheduler for open play sessions.
Management contact information: City of Arcata Recreation Department, (707) 822-7091, https://www.cityofarcata.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/-25
Cal Poly Humboldt Forbes Complex, East Gym (Indoor) - Forbes Complex, Union Street
Venue: The Forbes Gym is a multi-use gymnasium with wood floors. The facility provides portable nets during drop in play (at least four will be available, additional personal nets can be set up to provide up to eight courts of play). A one-time fee is required to play for community members (punch cards are available for purchase at the facility). Current students at CPH are free. 18 and up (but currently enrolled Cal Poly Humboldt students that are minors are allowed)
Schedule: typically Sundays from 12-2 during the fall and spring semesters (late August to mid-May). Closed during the summer when classes are not in session.
Management contact information: Cal Poly Humboldt, (707) 826-6011, https://recsports.humboldt.edu/drop-in-recreation
Arcata Community Center (Indoor) - 321 Dr M.L.K. Jr Parkway
Venue: The Arcata Community Center is a multi-use gymnasium with wood floors with lines for three courts.There are courts with permanent lines and portable nets are set up during regularly scheduled drop-in sessions. A one-time fee is required to play (punch cards are available for purchase at the facility). Minors permitted to attend with a supervising adult.
Schedule: Typically Sundays, Fridays and Saturdays but the drop-in schedule changes periodically depending on other events occurring in the building, check website for details.
Management contact information: City of Arcata Recreation Department, (707) 822-7091, https://www.cityofarcata.org/362/Recreation-Division
Blue Lake
Blue Lake Roller Rink (Indoor) - 312 South Railroad Avenue
Venue: The Roller Rink inside Prasch Hall is a multi-use gymnasium with three indoor wood courts. The lines are permanent, and portable nets are available. A one-time fee is required to play (punch cards are available for purchase at the facility).
Schedule: Typically 5:30 – 8:30 PM on Tuesdays, occasionally other times are posted on Playtime scheduler.
Management contact information: Blue Lake Parks and Recreation, (707) 668-5932, https://bluelake.ca.gov/parks-recreation/
Blue Lake Tennis courts (Outdoor) - Gymkhana Field, 210 Chartin Road
Venue: There are four outdoor asphalt courts lined on two tennis courts. Portable nets are usually available for public use at the park. Courts are open to the public – no fee.
Schedule: Sporadic, check Playtime Scheduler.
Management contact information: Blue Lake Parks and Recreation, (707) 668-5932, https://bluelake.ca.gov/parks-recreation/
Eureka
Adorni Center (Indoor) - 1011 Waterfront Drive
Venue: The Adorni Center has a multi-use gymnasium with permanent lines for four indoor wood courts. A one-time fee is required to play (punch cards are available for purchase at the facility). Drop-in play is free for members of the Adorni Center. Minors permitted to attend with a supervising adult.
Schedule: Typically Tuesdays 9:00 - 1:00 PM, Wednesdays 9:00 - 11:30 AM, Thursdays 9:00 - 1:00 PM and some Saturdays.
Management contact information: City of Eureka, (707) 441-4248, https://www.eurekaca.gov/735/Fitness-Programs-at-the-Adorni-Center
Highland Park (Outdoor) – 1206 Highland Avenue
Venue: There are eight outdoor asphalt pickleball courts lined on four tennis courts. Portable nets are usually available for public use at the park. Courts are open to the public – no fee.
Schedule: Sporadic, check Playtime Scheduler.
Management contact information: City of Eureka, (707) 441-4241, https://www.eurekaca.gov/675/Highland-Park
College of the Redwoods (Outdoor) - 7351 Tompkins Hill Road
Venue: There are eight outdoor asphalt pickleball courts lined on four tennis courts. Portable nets are usually available for public use at the park. The club owns some nets that are available in a lock box on-site. Courts are available when not in use by the College.
Schedule: Often mornings but check Playtime Scheduler.
Management contact information: College of the Redwoods, (707) 476-4100, https://www.redwoods.edu/index.php
Loleta
Bear River Recreation Center (Indoor) - 265 Keisner Road
Venue: The Recreation Center is a multi-use gymnasium located in Loleta, across from Bear River Casino. Private multi-use gynasium facility with permanent pickleball lines. A one-time fee is required to play. 18 and Up.
Schedule: Typically Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9:00 - 12:00 PM
Management contact information: Bear River Band of Rohnerville Rancheria and Bear River Casino Hotel, (707) 733-1903, https://www.bearriverrecreationcenter.com/gymnasium-1
Fortuna
Fortuna Rohner Park Basketball Court (Outdoor) - Rohner Park
Venue: Two outdoor courts are lined on newly resurfaced concrete that also has basketball court lines. you'll need to bring your own net. Courts are open to the public – no fee.
Schedule: Sporadic. Check “Fortuna Outdoors” on Playtime scheduler.
Management contact information City of Fortuna, (707) 725-7620, https://www.friendlyfortuna.com/departments/parksrecreation/recreationalclasses/pickleball.php
Fortuna Skating Rink (Indoor) - 9 Park Street
Venue: The three courts are inside the Firemen’s Pavilion. This is a multi-use facility with wood floor and permanent pickleball lines. A one-time fee is required to play. 18 and up.
Schedule: Typically Monday, Wednesday and Fridays from 9:00 - 12:00 PM
Management contact information City of Fortuna, (707) 725-7620, https://www.friendlyfortuna.com/departments/parksrecreation/recreationalclasses/pickleball.php
Shelter Cove
Shelter Cove (Outdoor) – 100 Upper Pacific Drive
Venue: Two courts are lined on a surfaced city street.
Schedule: Often Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings but check Playtime Scheduler.
