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The Austin Pickleball Center reopened in February as a prime pickleballing facility in Austin. (Austin Pickleball Center/Facebook)
Austin will soon to be home to Texas' biggest pickleball facility, and for good reason. With leagues cropping up around the city, the sport is quickly being embraced by Austinites of all age ranges and skill levels.
Here's every location that offers pickleball in Austin, from the premier Austin Pickle Ranch to your favorite neighborhood park.
- Alamo Recreation
Center, 2100 Alamo St.:Three outdoor, covered courts, with open play on Thursdays from 3–4 p.m. - Austin Tennis Center, 7800 Johnny Morris Rd.: Eight lighted outdoor courts with permanent nets.
- Bouldin Acres, 2027 South Lamar Blvd.: A hotspot for the city's pickleballers, Bouldin Acres is a restaurant and bar with two pay-to-play pickleball courts.
- Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center, 808 Nile St.: One indoor court, with open play pickleball on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-5:45 p.m.
- Dittmar Recreation Center, 1009 W. Dittmar Rd.: Four indoor pickleball courts, with free open play from noon-3 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.
- Dottie Jordan Recreation Center, 2803 Loyola Lane: Two outdoor courts and one indoor, with open play from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesdays.
- Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 East Rundberg Lane: One indoor pickleball court, with open play from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays.
- Hancock Recreation Center, 811 E. 41st St.: One outdoor court shared with basketball, no net provided.
- Little Zilker Neighborhood Park, 2016 Bluebonnet Lane: Some outdoor courts, no net provided.
- Mt. View Neighborhood Park, 9000 Middlebie Rd.: Two outdoor courts shared with tennis courts, no net provided.
- Pan American Neighborhood Park, 2100 E. 3rd St.: Three free-lighted outdoor courts.
- Rosewood Neighborhood Park, 2300 Rosewood Ave.: Two outdoor courts shared with tennis courts, no net provided.
- South Austin Recreation Center, 1100 Cumberland Rd.: Four indoor courts, with open play from 6-9 p.m. on Mondays. Two additional lighted outdoor courts.
- Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W Slaughter Lane: Two indoor courts, $2 admission fee.
- Cedar Park Rec Center, 1435 Main St.: Six indoor courts, $5 admission fee, with beginner's play from 9-11 a.m. on Mondays and open play from 8:30 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and Fridays.
- Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart Lane: Four indoor courts, $10 admission (free for members). Schedule: 6:30-9:30 p.m Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1p.m. Fridays, 8-11 a.m. Saturdays.
- The Quarries, 11400 N. Mopac Expy: Three indoor courts, with open play at scheduled times throughout the week.
- Veteran's Park, 2200 Veterans Drive: Four outdoor courts, with open play from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
Pickle Ranch, 9110 Bluff Springs Rd.
Austin's upcoming Pickle Ranch will become one of the world's premier pickleball venues once it opens this summer. Featuring 32 pickleball courts, sand volleyball, food trucks and a music venue, the ranch will show its prominence in the pickleball sphere by hosting the first WPF World Pickleball Games in 2022. Learn more here.
Alamo Recreation Center, 2100 Alamo St.
Three outdoor, covered courts, with open play on Thursdays from 3–4 p.m.
Austin Pickleball Center, 7800 Johnny Morris Rd.
Austin Pickleball Center is now a hub for pickleball after reopening in February. It includes eight lighted outdoor courts with permanent nets.
Bouldin Acres, 2027 South Lamar Blvd.
(Bouldin Acres/Instagram)
A hotspot for the city's pickleballers, Bouldin Acres is a restaurant and bar with two pay-to-play pickleball courts.
Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center, 808 Nile St.
One indoor court, with open play pickleball on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1-5:45 p.m.
Dittmar Recreation Center, 1009 W. Dittmar Rd.
Four indoor pickleball courts, with free open play from noon-3 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday.
Dottie Jordan Recreation Center, 2803 Loyola Lane
Two outdoor courts and one indoor, with open play from 2-5 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Gus Garcia Recreation Center, 1201 East Rundberg Lane
One indoor pickleball court, with open play from 10 a.m.-noon on Saturdays.
Hancock Recreation Center, 811 E. 41st St.
One outdoor court shared with basketball, no net provided.
Little Zilker Neighborhood Park, 2016 Bluebonnet Lane
Some outdoor courts, no net provided.
Mt. View Neighborhood Park, 9000 Middlebie Rd.
Two outdoor courts shared with tennis courts, no net provided.
Pan American Neighborhood Park, 2100 E. 3rd St.
Three free-lighted outdoor courts.
South Austin Recreation Center, 1100 Cumberland Rd.
Four indoor courts, with open play from 6-9 p.m. on Mondays. Two additional lighted outdoor courts.
Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W Slaughter Lane
Two indoor courts, $2 admission fee.
Cedar Park Rec Center, 1435 Main St.
Six indoor courts, $5 admission fee, with beginner's play from 9-11 a.m. on Mondays and open play from 8:30 a.m.-noon on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Jewish Community Center, 7300 Hart Lane
Four indoor courts, $10 admission. Schedule: (JCC members free) 6:30-9:39 p.m. Thursdays, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays, 8-11 a.m. Saturdays.
The Quarries, 11400 N. Mopac Expy
Three indoor courts, with open play at scheduled times throughout the week.
Veteran's Park, 2200 Veterans Drive
Four outdoor courts, with open play from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays.
For more information, check out this Austin Pickleball Facebook group or USA Pickleball.
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(Shutterstock)
You might know this beach as a college student's spring break hotspot, but really, it's the Rio Grande Valley's most secret gem. From someone who has been going to "the island" every year since before I could walk, here's a guide to the best SPI has to offer.
Weather
First thing's first, don't underestimate how hot South Texas is. Be ready with plenty of sunscreen. If you thought Austin was hot, you're in for a treat as high humidity will make the Valley feel scorching. Luckily, the water offers some reprieve from the sun's rays—still, be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat.
Getting there
Driving in: From Austin, you can expect almost a six hour drive. Your navigation will take you either around San Antonio (which is a plus for most people) or through San Antonio, funneling to U.S. 77 until you reach Valley grounds in Harlingen.
- From there, it might be smarter to take the toll roads, which border the Port of Brownsville and will save you going through small towns like Los Fresnos that can get backed up with traffic.
- But if you do decide to hightail it through Los Fresnos, be wary of how fast you are going and the speed limit. Cops are especially on the prowl in those areas, catching out of towners unfamiliar with the speed limit changes.
Still, no matter which route you take, you'll go through Port Isabel before crossing the 2-mile bridge to South Padre. During peak times, such as early afternoon, expect to sit in traffic. Better times to travel are in the early morning.
Flying in: For the people that read a six-hour drive with wide eyes, there is a nearby airport in Brownville, a 40-minute drive from SPI, as well as the Valley International Airport in Harlingen, a 1-hour drive away. Be ready to spend $250-$400 a person.
Sights and sounds
Getting to the RGV, you'll be welcomed with palm trees well before you've made it to the beach. And just before crossing the bridge from Port Isabel to South Padre, you'll see a sign that may be blinking, indicating to watch out for pelicans.
As you drive over that bridge, your passengers will want to get their phones out and take the classic video of the the water, boats and parasailers in the bay. It's the best way to let everyone know you're on vacation!
And don't forget to roll down your window to take in the salty smell of the gulf of Mexico.
Lodging
Resorts: For beach access and the fun amenities that come with that, places like The Pearl, The Palm and The Saphire are where you'll get a resort-style feel.
Affordable: You can still find a Holiday Inn, Ramada and La Quinta along the beach bars.
Airbnb is always an option where you can rent out condos, but you'll want to make sure to book in advance as options may be limited in peak summer.
The beach
There are at least 25 access points to the beach, which is on the east edge of the island. Some you can only get to if you're a hotel guest. Here are the most popular ways to reach the sand.
Walking to the beach: Between the bars and hotels, you'll find free access points where you get to just park and walk right onto the beach. You're likely to still find umbrellas and chairs you can rent out.
Beach bar access: Some of the most popular places for beach entry are those that come with a nearby bar. But don't worry, all ages are welcome. You'll want to check these bars' social media pages in the evenings if you're looking for live music.
- Where you're almost certain to not struggle for parking is one of the hottest spots on the beach: Clayton's Beach Bar and Grill. At Clayton's, you're able to get your drink on, get a bite to eat and have access to the beach and volleyball courts.
- A smaller, but just as cool alternative is Wanna Wanna Beach Bar and Grill. With the same amenities as Clayton's, you can't go to Wanna Wanna without trying a turbo, a pina colada with a rum floater—you can get these just about anywhere on the beach, but they just taste better beachside.
Driving on the beach: If you want to try your four-wheel drive on the sand, you can! Access points #5 and #6 allow you to pay a small fee to take your vehicle out there. Click here to see how you might prepare your vehicle for the sand. If you choose to go with this option, you'll want to make sure to pack appropriately as there are no rentals or bars nearby.
More fun
If you're trying to make the most of your South Padre getaway, we have you covered with things for the whole family as well as the nightlife scene.
- Watch the fireworks: Catch a fireworks display at the island all summer long. Catch them displayed on the bay in front of Louie's Backyard on Tuesdays and near Clayton Beach Bar on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Beach Park and Isla Grande: The former Schlitterbahn is now a beach park that opened in 2021. The 25-acre waterpark has water slides, a zipline and beach access. (Day passes are $38.99 for children and $10 more for adults)
- Sea Turtle, Inc.: Learn about sea turtles and sea life conservation at the largest state-of-the-art sea turtle hospital. You'll be able to get up close and personal with the turtles! ($4 for children, $10 for adults)
- Gravity Park: For the adrenaline junkies, this park has the tallest reverse bungee in the world ($25), a skycoaster ($25), go-karts ($15-$20), mini-golf ($8-10), a 60-foot ferris wheel ($8), and a climbing wall ($8).
- Sandcastle exhibit: Right next to Gravity Park is a small sandcastle exhibit that is free and about a 5-minute walk to see all the exhibits made entirely from sand by professionals. (Free w/ donations accepted)
- Get in on the water sports: A couple of rental places like Coconut Jacks SPI offer jet skis for rental as well as equipment for parasailing.
- Rent a pontoon boat: Tritoon Charters allows you to rent a pontoon boat for the day perfect for the whole family. The charter offers private snorkeling, shell hunting, up close dolphin and turtle encounters, tubing and sight seeing.
- Party like a local: Escape the beachside and head to the west edge of the island for live music and dancing. Tourists love to flood Louie's Backyard, but there are other bars along the bay worth going to such as Longboard, Laguna Bobs and Tequila Sunset.
Food
You can't leave the island before eating ceviche and fried shrimp. And you can't go wrong by eating at the already mentioned beach bars and bay bars. But here are some other notable places to visit:
- Breakfast: Yummies Bistro and Grapevine Cafe are both places to get your breakfast tacos in the morning.
- Lunch: Cafe on the Beach are good midday options to catch a quick bite without sacrificing quality.
- Dinner: F&B is about as upscale as it gets if you can snag a reservation—Elon Musk has been spotted here. They also offer Sunday brunch.
