Where to play
Hill Recreation Pickleball Courts
Beginner-friendlySix dedicated courts behind Novato High, expandable to eight when demand requires, with a paddle-rack rotation once full. Free, first-come-first-served, no way to reserve ahead. The address was recently corrected to 1560 Hill Rd — the previous address on file (500 Crescent Drive) likely belonged to a separate, unrelated facility ("Thigpen Courts"), so the exact map pin isn't fully nailed down yet; call ahead if in doubt.
Pioneer Park
Mixed levelsA smaller, quieter alternative to Hill Recreation. Free, first-come-first-served, no lights, so no evening play. These are outdoor courts — you may see them listed elsewhere as indoor, but that's almost certainly an error.
Bay Club Rolling Hills
Mixed levelsTwelve dedicated outdoor courts with permanent nets — twice the capacity of every other Novato venue combined, and the reason the city's court count is not the two-park story it first looks like. Members reserve; hours run 5am–9pm on weekdays and 7am–8pm at weekends. Membership required.
- Neither public venue takes reservations — arrival time matters more than planning ahead. Bay Club Rolling Hills does, but only for members.
- Data on Novato's pickleball scene is thinner than most cities in this guide — confirm current status with the city (415-899-8290) before a special trip.
Source-checked
City of Novato — Parks, Recreation & Community Services · Pickleballify — Pioneer Park. Verified July 2026 — always confirm hours before a special trip.
Nearby cities
Other cities we cover, nearest to Novato first.