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A Trip up the Coast to the Most Beautiful Tennis Courts & Resorts in California
Where can you find a tennis net to play a few rounds of tennis with your friends, followed by having a manicure, then getting a massage? If you live in Southern California, you can stumble upon some of the most beautiful, highly-acclaimed tennis resorts to be found. These particular destinations will awe you and make you feel like a pro playing at Wimbledon or the US Open. It doesn’t hurt to dream a little.
The entire state of California boasts some of the numerous breathtaking tennis resorts. If you find yourself in San Diego, you can kick up your tennis racquet at either the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club, Aviara Four Seasons Resort and most notably the La Costa Resort and Spa, which is home to the WTA Acura Classic and the Mercury Open. These places are significant if you enjoy tennis and the beach.
If you travel further north up the state, obviously you will encounter more of these outstanding tennis destinations such as the Lodge at Pebble Beach and Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, to name a few. This is enough for any tennis enthusiast to overindulge.
But it appears that the Palm Springs area is the most concentrated region where tennis courts are
found practically on every corner. While located 2 hours away from any beach, you will not be shortchanged the beautiful views that other places may offer.
Right off the bat (I mean tennis racquet) five tennis destinations come to mind: La Quinta Resort, Desert Springs Resort, Shadow Mountain, Rancho Las Palmas and the Westin Mission Hills. If a tennis tournament chooses to hold their games at a select location, you definitely want to go check out their facilities.
The La Quinta Resort has been the home of the Desert Smash Tournament sponsored by K-Swiss and has a great tennis history. Their tennis program started back in 1978 when a group of famed former players convened and it was these heavy hitters that helped champion one of the finest tennis grounds in the country.
One of those gentlemen was Mr. Charlie Pasarell, who was instrumental in bringing a professional tourney sponsored by Grand Marnier. That competition became what is better known in our day as the BNP Paribas Open. It is this event we can thank for La Quinta Resort’s sunken tournament-style court. While the LQ Resort no longer hosts the BNP Paribas Open, the footprint has been left for all to see. The BNP Paribas Open is now held down the road at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden and the La Quinta Resort does remain the official hotel for tennis fans to stay.
The La Quinta Resort has 23 courts, five of which are clay. The surrounding grounds are nicely manicured and immaculate. The demanding tennis player will not find one tennis net damaged, nor a substandard tennis court. Of course there is a nominal use fee to keep the courts looking pristine as they do. Their Tennis Pro shop is good-sized, selling several tennis essentials and conveniently located next to their sports café overlooking the center tennis court.
There is no need to be intimidated by the sights at these famed resorts. If you are a novice, this quote by a well-known celebrity might make you feel better about your play, “the serve was invented so that the net could play†-Bill Cosby.
Freelance writer Dee Adams majored in Public Administration. She likes covering topics including sports, health and all around good living.. Connect with Dee Adams.
