With the US Open approaching, serious tennis players in San Francisco have options beyond public courts and drop-in clinics. The California Tennis Club at 1770 Scott Street has been training competitive athletes since 1884, making it the oldest private tennis club west of the Mississippi and one of fifteen oldest in America. Current members win USTA gold balls regularly, continuing a legacy that includes International Hall of Fame inductees. The club offers member-only private lessons, high-level clinics, and facilities that balance historic architecture with modern locker rooms, a gym with Peloton bikes, and a restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch daily. It's not a public facility—membership is required—but for players committed to improving their game year-round, the 140-year-old institution remains a Pacific Heights anchor.
Karpo tracks member tennis clubs across San Francisco, from historic Pacific Heights courts to newer facilities in SoMa and the Marina, with details on lesson availability and guest policies.
The oldest tennis courts west of the Mississippi
The California Tennis Club sits at 1770 Scott Street, between Sutter and Bush, occupying an entire city block that the membership purchased in 1925 for $175,000. The property dates to 1887, when the club moved from its original Van Ness Avenue lease and built a frame structure with three Santa Cruz bituminous rock courts costing $2,500. That makes it the fifteenth-oldest private tennis club in America and the oldest west of the Mississippi—a distinction members reference often, particularly when discussing the club's International Hall of Fame alumni.
Mary Therese Austin founded the club in 1884 with 24 members, a $10 initiation fee, and $2 monthly dues. The Van Ness location lasted two years before the Scott Street site became permanent. By 1926, bond sales to members and bank financing enabled construction of new courts, grandstands, and the clubhouse exterior walls that still face Scott and Bush Streets today. The grandstands came down in phases between 1956 and 1987, replaced by locker rooms, dining areas, a pro shop, and eventually the two-story structure bordering court one.
The 2009 renovation—completed during the financial crisis—updated locker rooms, the gym, and bathrooms in the area east of the dining room. Court resurfacing happens on a regular schedule, and members vote on facility maintenance to ensure the property stays competitive with newer Bay Area clubs. The gated parking garage, controversial when approved in 1988 and finished in 1989, now handles daily member traffic without spilling onto residential streets.
Professional instruction for serious players
The club employs a team of tennis professionals who teach clinics for adults and juniors at all skill levels. Private lessons are exclusive to members, available for individuals or groups up to four people. The focused instruction model appeals to competitive players training for USTA tournaments—current members continue to win gold balls in abundance, maintaining a tradition that connects back to the club's Hall of Fame era.
Adult clinics run in group settings that rotate skill brackets, allowing intermediate players to work on serve placement one week and advanced doubles strategy the next. Junior clinics operate similarly, with summer camps for kids age seven and older. Non-members can access limited spots in summer camps only after junior members enroll, and availability is managed by the Tennis Program Manager, Malia, via email at malia@calclubtennis.com. This prioritization system keeps the club member-focused while occasionally opening doors to the broader San Francisco tennis community.
Court reservations run in 90-minute sessions for singles or doubles matches. Members book through the pro shop, which sits in the two-story building added in 1987. Casual play dominates weekday mornings and late afternoons, while weekend slots fill quickly with families and competitive doubles matches that stretch into the evening. The club's competitive programming includes high-level leagues that feed into regional and national USTA events, particularly as the US Open approaches each August.
Beyond tennis: gym, dining, and social events
The clubhouse holds separate men's and women's locker rooms, each with its own sauna. The gym includes Peloton bicycles and space for personal trainers, offering members a workout option outside the tennis courts. The 2009 renovation modernized these facilities, adding updated showers and storage that match the standard of newer athletic clubs in the city.
The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch daily, with indoor and outdoor dining spaces that overlook the courts. The full bar operates throughout the day, supporting themed dinners, wine tastings, and member receptions. The second-floor lounge and dining room, added between 1956 and 1963, became an instant success by creating space for birthday parties, milestone celebrations, and speaker events that keep social members engaged even when they're not on the court.
Bridge and card games use the lounge and private rooms regularly. Book club gatherings, guest speaker receptions, and seasonal events fill the calendar, making the club a daily destination for members who value the social atmosphere as much as the athletic programming. The oak clock from the original 1887 gable roof now hangs in the dining room, a visual reminder of the club's continuity across three centuries.
Membership structure and family focus
The California Tennis Club welcomes individuals and families with children, emphasizing a multi-generational membership that includes people who learned to play as kids and now watch their grandchildren take lessons. Tennis skill is not a requirement—social members use the gym, dining room, bar, and event spaces without stepping onto the courts. This inclusive approach balances competitive players training for tournaments with families looking for a Pacific Heights social hub.
Membership inquiries go through Jennifer Haas, the Membership Administrator, at jennifer@calclubtennis.com. The club seeks diversity in its membership while maintaining its mission to foster community and promote tennis at every level. Initiation fees and monthly dues have risen considerably since the $10 and $2 rates of 1884, reflecting the property's value and the cost of maintaining professional instruction, a full-service restaurant, and facilities that compete with modern athletic clubs.
The club's location between Sutter and Bush on Scott Street places it within walking distance of Fillmore Street shopping and dining, and the gated parking garage solves the Pacific Heights parking challenge that plagues many private clubs. Hours run Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Saturday through Sunday from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with Christmas Day as the only closure. Members can reach the front desk at (415) 346-3611 or info@calclubtennis.com for scheduling and facility questions.
Practical notes
The California Tennis Club operates at 1770 Scott Street in Pacific Heights, San Francisco. Hours are Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., closed Christmas Day. Membership is required for court access and private lessons; contact Jennifer Haas at jennifer@calclubtennis.com for membership inquiries. Non-members can inquire about limited summer camp spots for children age seven and older by emailing Tennis Program Manager Malia at malia@calclubtennis.com. The gated parking garage provides convenient access for members. The restaurant serves breakfast and lunch daily, and the full bar operates throughout club hours. Please enjoy alcoholic beverages responsibly.
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