Best Pickleball Courts Near 30A: Which Spots Are Free vs. Charge a Fee

Looking for the best pickleball courts near 30A?

It’s no secret that pickleball has taken the U.S. by storm. Pickleball is now the fastest-growing sport in the country with a double-digit annual growth rate.

All because three fathers in Bainbridge Island, WA wanted to entertain their kids on vacation and had to improvise with just a badminton court, ping-pong paddles, and a perforated plastic ball.

Some of the best memories I have from my annual beach vacations to 30A Florida are on the pickleball court. It’s become a family tradition!

In this guide, I’ve highlighted several pickleball courts along 30A worth visiting, complete with honest pros and cons for each and details on court reservation fees. So if you’re looking for the best spots to play pickleball in 30A, I’ve got you covered!

Best Pickleball Courts Near 30A

#1 Walton Sports Complex

240 MC Davis Blvd, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

The Walton Sports Complex includes four regulation-sized pickleball courts that are open from 7 AM – 9 PM.

Open play (i.e., all players, of any skill level, are invited to play on the courts) is from 7 AM – 11 AM daily and 5 PM – 9 PM on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. All other times are by reservation only.

Private court reservations are available between 11 AM – 5 PM daily and can be made up to three days in advance. Please go to waltonrec.com to reserve available court time (click on “Field and Court Rentals” and “Walton Sports Complex”). There’s no charge to reserve courts at this time.

Pros

• COURTS ARE FREE
• 4 pickleball courts
• Lights are on until 9 PM
• Public bathrooms on site

Cons

• 10-15 minute drive from popular beach towns on 30A (e.g., Seaside, Rosemary Beach)

#2 WaterColor Tennis by MatchPoint Resorts

976 Western Lake Dr, Santa Rosa Beach, FL, 32459, USA

Located in the heart of WaterColor, FL, this boutique tennis club includes two hard-surfaced pickleball courts. To reserve a court, call the Pro Shop at 850-400-3696. Court reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance.

The pickleball courts are available for both homeowners and guests staying in Watercolor. Homeowners receive one hour of complimentary pickleball court time daily — you must present your WaterColor homeowner card to receive this benefit.

Lessons are also available for anyone inside and outside the community.

After you’ve worked up a sweat, grab a bite to eat on Great Southern Cafe’s patio nearby (one of my personal recommendations for the Best Restaurants on 30A).

#3 Seaside Swim & Tennis Club

450 Forest Street, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459

At Seaside Swim & Tennis Club, you’ll find three courts that are open for play daily from 8 AM to dusk. Reservations are required through the Seaside Tennis Pro Shop. You can stop by in person or call 850-231-2214 to reserve a court and/or book a lesson.

Additionally, there are clinics available, such as Intro to Pickleball held on Mondays from 10 to 11 AM, excluding holidays. The cost of the clinic is as follows: Members $25 // Rental Guests: $30 // Walk-in: $35.

#4 Sandestin Tennis Center

9300 US-98, Miramar Beach, FL 32550

The Sandestin Tennis Center at Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort includes 6 hard-surfaced pickleball courts tucked away in the back corner. These are “blended” courts (i.e., tennis courts with pickleball lines and nets lowered to pickleball net height).

The tennis club does not offer open play; instead, it offers clinics, round robins, as well as private and group lessons. The clinics cater to various skill levels, from beginner “drill and play” sessions to advanced classes for players ranked 3.5/4.0. Prices usually range from $20 for members to $25 for non-members.

Please call 850-267-7060 to sign up for a clinic and for more information.

10 Basic Pickleball Rules

The game can be played in singles or doubles, inside or outside on a 20-foot by 44-foot court — approximately the size of a badminton court — and lasts until one side reaches 11 points. See a breakdown of how you can score a point below:

• Each point begins with a serve – you must serve diagonally to your opponent
• The player on the right side of the court always serves first
• The serve must land behind the “kitchen” (including the line) to count
• You must hit your serve with an underhand stroke
• Points can only be scored when you (or your partner are serving) – both players get a turn to serve until a “fault” is committed
• A “fault” usually includes one of the following: (1) you serve the ball into the “kitchen”, the shot lands out of bounds, or the shot does not clear the net
• The ball must bounce on both sides before either team can volley
• You are not allowed to volley while standing in the “kitchen” (non-volley zone)
• In doubles, you announce the score with three numbers: your score + opponent’s score + which player is serving in the rotation (1 or 2)
• You must win by 2 points (first to 11)