The San Francisco Bay Area isn’t considered the basketball capital of the US. It may be the home of the NBA’s best team and the ancestral home of some of the NBA’s greatest legends (see: Bill Russell, Jason Kidd, Gary Payton, Paul Pierce), but it still falls behind cities like LA, NYC, Chicago and Seattle. Due to its temperate climate and desirable location, we think that that ought to change. Basketball history is strong here, and the city has a ton of great venues to back it up. Here are some of the best.
Stephen Curry taking aim during an elite youth event at historic Kezar Pavilion. (H/T to SF Rec & Park twitter)
If you’re a rec center superstar...Potrero Hill Recreation Center. Potrero Hill Rec has been a known pickup basketball hotspot for years. Located in Potrero Hill on Arkansas St, the gym conveniently sits across the way from Zuckerberg General Hospital. So if you literally break somebody’s ankles (or your own), you’re just a quick trip from an ankle specialist. Skill level can range from never-played-in-high-school recreation player to elite former-d1-college-player-now-working-in-tech.
If you’re new to San Francisco...YMCA Post/Letterman gym. Countless leagues, camps and YMCA events occur at the historic pair of YMCA gyms in the Presidio, the former military base at the northernmost tip of San Francisco. Breathe in the cool ocean air on your way to the gym from your car in the generously large parking lots, or on your postgame walk along Crissy Field to take in the beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Alternatively, if you’re out of shape, catch your breath sitting on a bench at the nearby Palace of Fine Arts.
If you’re in need of a pre or post-game meal (or hungover)...Balboa Park. For many southern SF’ers Roxie’s Sandwich Center is a community staple. With an ample selection of preordained Sandwich options like the popular Simon Special, you are guaranteed to find a ‘wich to your liking to fuel up the tank. Cruise by after handling local competition on Balboa’s outdoor courts next to the skate park. Accessible by BART, Muni and freeway.
Gene Friend Rec Center. Gene really is your friend with its close proximity to Deli Board, an artisanal sandwich shop on Folsom St. Their hours are from 11AM-3PM M-F and 11AM-4PM on Saturdays so be aware before you go hungry. Brings a whole new meaning to hitting the boards–and could be the best remedy after you’ve been hitting the glass...
If you’re b(r)ad and bougie...Equinox at the Four Seasons Hotel. The Equinox gym situated inside the Four Seasons Hotel may not be accessible to all (you need a membership or guest/day pass), but to the privileged few, this space is a perfect place to ball before, during and after your workday. Visiting NBA teams playing the Warriors routinely stay and practice in this gym, adding credibility to an already well-kempt and polished court. With added amenities like a pool, fitness area, and spa/saunas, you’ll feel like a million bucks (and will be paying almost as much).
If you play ping pong as well as you ball...Sunset Rec Center. Arguably as competitive, if not more competitive than the constant 4v4 pickup games happening over at Sunset Rec, are the ping pong matches. While running up and down the court, try not to get distracted by the absolutely elite table tennis on display through the windows in the adjoining rec room. Intimidating to some, if ping pong isn’t your thing, take a seat and spectate while waiting to hop in your next basketball game.
If liquid courage has inspired you to lace up the old beaters and ask everyone at the park “who’s got next?”...Dolores park. Sporting a magnificent vista of the cityscape, Dolores Park (known as “DP” to young natives and “Dolo” to young transplants) is a weekend mecca to outdoor leisure, imbibing and buzzed sports activities. After a recent renovation, the basketball and tennis courts have never looked more inviting. So pregame with an order from one of the many wandering street cocktail vendors, or don’t and probably avoid making a fool out of yourself.
If you can’t shoot and need to blame the wind...Holly Park. Holly Park is a small space situated on top of a hill in Bernal Heights. You’ll have the high ground, but you will be exposed to increased wind at the summit. Windbreaker and slashing ball-handler types encouraged, tank tops and 3pt shooters discouraged. Head down the hill to Cortland Ave and all its small shops & dining to experience one of SF’s best kept neighborhood secrets.
If you want to reenact the basketball scene from “The Pursuit of Happyness”... Cameron House. Deep in Chinatown, the historic Donaldina Cameron House sits at 920 Sacramento St where they have been providing social services to Chinese women and children for over a hundred years. Later, an elevated basketball court was added to accommodate Chinatown youth. After appearing in movie scenes, commercials, and on social media, the court has become a tourist attraction in its own right, providing a truly magnificent cityscape backdrop to your next profile picture. You got a dream of being an influencer? You gotta perfect it.
If you can’t dunk and always wanted to... House of Air. The Presidio is home to many converted military buildings; one former airplane hangar is now a trampoline park called the House of Air. Inside, anybody who has ever wanted to dunk but never could can fly through the air and flush it down on one of the hoops at their “Air Dunk” station. It is recommended to bring several friends to 1) posterize and 2) capture said posters for future viewing pleasure.
If you wish you could play on the Warriors home court at Oracle Arena but never will... Tel Hi Gym. Tucked away in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood under the shadow of Coit Tower is Tel Hi Neighborhood Center. Featuring the Warriors blue and gold woven into all parts of the court, including the center logo (just like the one at Oracle), this is the closest you’ll ever get to playing in the arena without getting drafted.
If you want to immerse yourself in history... Ingleside Presbyterian Church. In the OMI district on Ocean Avenue lies Ingleside Presbyterian Church, presided over by Rev. Roland Gordon, who for many years, drawing from his own athletic upbringing, has organized and facilitated youth basketball leagues and events in his hidden church gymnasium, named the Rev. Roland Gordon Fellowship Hall. The four walls of the Hall are covered in an extensive collage called “The Great Cloud of Witnesses”, which displays images of numerous civil rights heroes and heroines as well as text detailing their accomplishments. Gordon has been building the collage for over three decades. As former Mayor Willie Brown said, “Among San Francisco’s treasures are some that are hidden, some that are truly magical, and some that inspire everyone lucky enough to discover them.”
If you want to Instagram your experience... Alamo Square, GGP, Mission Bay (shameless insta plug)
If you’ve been elected to public office at City Hall... City Hall secret court. There is an urban legend that there is a secret basketball court in the depths of the beautiful City Hall. I can neither confirm nor deny...
If you’re obsessed with the game of ro-sham-bo...Rochambeau Park https://www.wrpsa.com/why-do-people-call-rock-paper-scissors-roshambo/ The origin of the game of Roshambo (or rock, paper, scissors) is a hotly contested issue among hand game historians. What is known, however, that in Northern California, children have been saying “ro-sham-bo” for decades, without any idea of why. Some point to the Comte de Rochambeau, a commander of French troops at Yorktown during the American Revolutionary War - was it a game of Rock, Paper, Scissors that decided that final battle and secured American Independence? It remains a mystery, and we may never know, but hopefully your next pickup session here at Rochambeau playground doesn’t end the same way.
If you want to play against the best... Olympic Club. The Olympic Club is the oldest athletic club in the United States. Sporting an elite downtown facility on Stockton St, NBA teams, valued members and ballers of all ages have stepped foot in the Sky Gym to practice, play and compete. Numerous leagues operate within the Olympic Club and many say the best competition in the City can be found within those walls. The premier league is where the best teams vie for the title of best in SF. Alternatively, if you want to become a member, it’s a very drawn out process; taking multiple years and multiple sponsorships from established members in the club to even have your application reviewed. After that, there is a sizeable initiation fee and of course, monthly dues. For many, to join the historic club makes it all worthwhile.
If you want to see the best... Kezar Pavilion/Chase Center. In the summertime, after the NBA season has ended, the San Francisco Pro Am summer league revives professional level basketball in San Francisco. Completely free to the public, spectators can watch elite high school athletes, college players and professionals all play at Kezar Pavilion near Golden Gate Park. 2019 will mark the Pro Am’s 40th year in operation, so be sure not to miss it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixxs1OuCId0
Chase Center. In only 2 years, the 500 million dollar, 20,000 seat, Chase Center is close to completion in the South Beach-Rincon-Mission Bay Area of San Francisco. The second major sports venue in the city will replace Oracle Arena in Oakland, much to the dismay of many fans in the East Bay. Due to open for the 2019-2020 NBA season, Chase Center will be the newest world class stadium for the NBA’s best team, the Golden State Warriors, and home to marquis basketball for years to come.
The Chase Center, state-of-the-art sports and entertainment center, and soon to be home of the Golden State warriors. (H/T to Chase Center Twitter)
If you’re a rec center superstar...Potrero Hill Recreation Center. Potrero Hill Rec has been a known pickup basketball hotspot for years. Located in Potrero Hill on Arkansas St, the gym conveniently sits across the way from Zuckerberg General Hospital. So if you literally break somebody’s ankles (or your own), you’re just a quick trip from an ankle specialist. Skill level can range from never-played-in-high-school recreation player to elite former-d1-college-player-now-working-in-tech.
Potrero Hill Rec Center
If you’re a rec center superstar...Potrero Hill Recreation Center. Potrero Hill Rec has been a known pickup basketball hotspot for years. Located in Potrero Hill on Arkansas St, the gym conveniently sits across the way from Zuckerberg General Hospital. So if you literally break somebody’s ankles (or your own), you’re just a quick trip from an ankle specialist. Skill level can range from never-played-in-high-school recreation player to elite former-d1-college-player-now-working-in-tech.
YMCA Letterman/Post Gym
If you’re new to San Francisco...YMCA Post/Letterman gym. Countless leagues, camps and YMCA events occur at the historic pair of YMCA gyms in the Presidio, the former military base at the northernmost tip of San Francisco. Breathe in the cool ocean air on your way to the gym from your car in the generously large parking lots, or on your postgame walk along Crissy Field to take in the beautiful views of the Golden Gate Bridge. Alternatively, if you’re out of shape, catch your breath sitting on a bench at the nearby Palace of Fine Arts.
The YMCA Post Gym features a large full size court and 4 additional side hoops.
Balboa Park
If you’re in need of a pre or post-game meal (or hungover)...Balboa Park. For many southern SF’ers Roxie’s Sandwich Center is a community staple. With an ample selection of preordained Sandwich options like the popular Simon Special, you are guaranteed to find a ‘wich to your liking to fuel up the tank. Cruise by after handling local competition on Balboa’s outdoor courts next to the skate park. Accessible by BART, Muni and freeway.
Gene Friend Rec Center
Gene Friend Rec Center. Gene really is your friend with its close proximity to Deli Board, an artisanal sandwich shop on Folsom St. Their hours are from 11AM-3PM M-F and 11AM-4PM on Saturdays so be aware before you go hungry. Brings a whole new meaning to hitting the boards–and could be the best remedy after you’ve been hitting the glass...
Equinox - Market St
If you’re b(r)ad and bougie...Equinox at the Four Seasons Hotel. The Equinox gym situated inside the Four Seasons Hotel may not be accessible to all (you need a membership or guest/day pass), but to the privileged few, this space is a perfect place to ball before, during and after your workday. Visiting NBA teams playing the Warriors routinely stay and practice in this gym, adding credibility to an already well-kempt and polished court. With added amenities like a pool, fitness area, and spa/saunas, you’ll feel like a million bucks (and will be paying almost as much).
Sunset Rec Center
If you play ping pong as well as you ball...Sunset Rec Center. Arguably as competitive, if not more competitive than the constant 4v4 pickup games happening over at Sunset Rec, are the ping pong matches. While running up and down the court, try not to get distracted by the absolutely elite table tennis on display through the windows in the adjoining rec room. Intimidating to some, if ping pong isn’t your thing, take a seat and spectate while waiting to hop in your next basketball game.
Dolores Park
If liquid courage has inspired you to lace up the old beaters and ask everyone at the park “who’s got next?”...Dolores park. Sporting a magnificent vista of the cityscape, Dolores Park (known as “DP” to young natives and “Dolo” to young transplants) is a weekend mecca to outdoor leisure, imbibing and buzzed sports activities. After a recent renovation, the basketball and tennis courts have never looked more inviting. So pregame with an order from one of the many wandering street cocktail vendors, or don’t and probably avoid making a fool out of yourself.
Holly Park
If you can’t shoot and need to blame the wind...Holly Park. Holly Park is a small space situated on top of a hill in Bernal Heights. You’ll have the high ground, but you will be exposed to increased wind at the summit. Windbreaker and slashing ball-handler types encouraged, tank tops and 3pt shooters discouraged. Head down the hill to Cortland Ave and all its small shops & dining to experience one of SF’s best kept neighborhood secrets.
Donaldina Cameron House
If you want to reenact the basketball scene from “The Pursuit of Happyness”... Cameron House. Deep in Chinatown, the historic Donaldina Cameron House sits at 920 Sacramento St where they have been providing social services to Chinese women and children for over a hundred years. Later, an elevated basketball court was added to accommodate Chinatown youth. After appearing in movie scenes, commercials, and on social media, the court has become a tourist attraction in its own right, providing a truly magnificent cityscape backdrop to your next profile picture. You got a dream of being an influencer? You gotta perfect it.
House of Air
If you can’t dunk and always wanted to... House of Air. The Presidio is home to many converted military buildings; one former airplane hangar is now a trampoline park called the House of Air. Inside, anybody who has ever wanted to dunk but never could can fly through the air and flush it down on one of the hoops at their “Air Dunk” station. It is recommended to bring several friends to 1) posterize and 2) capture said posters for future viewing pleasure.
TEL HI Neighborhood Ctr
If you wish you could play on the Warriors home court at Oracle Arena but never will... Tel Hi Gym. Tucked away in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood under the shadow of Coit Tower is Tel Hi Neighborhood Center. Featuring the Warriors blue and gold woven into all parts of the court, including the center logo (just like the one at Oracle), this is the closest you’ll ever get to playing in the arena without getting drafted.