Most people searching for pickleball in Hollywood assume Poinsettia Recreation Center has dedicated striped courts because it appears on pickleball directories. It does not. What Poinsettia actually offers is eight lighted tennis courts that you can book for pickleball play at $14 per hour. The facility sits at 7341 Willoughby Avenue, and the tennis courts are well-maintained hard surfaces with benches and lights for evening play.
Ask the Karpo app to find other recreation centers with dedicated pickleball courts in Hollywood, or to check real-time availability at Poinsettia before you drive over.
What You Actually Get for Pickleball
Poinsettia Recreation Center lists zero dedicated pickleball courts in its inventory. You are booking a tennis court and bringing your own pickleball equipment to play on a full-size tennis surface. The facility does not stripe pickleball lines on its tennis courts, and there is no indication that pickleball nets or equipment are available to borrow or rent. You will need to bring portable nets, paddles, and balls.
The eight tennis courts are lighted and available for reservation during specific hours. Tennis court access runs Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to noon and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, then Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Park attendants enforce the reservation system strictly, so players without bookings can be bumped by those who reserved in advance.
The hard court surfaces are well-maintained, which matters when you are setting up temporary pickleball equipment. The benches courtside provide space to rest between games or store your gear while playing. The lighting system allows evening play during the 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM weekday window, which is when most working adults have availability. The courts are enclosed by chain-link fencing, keeping balls contained during play.
Booking and Pricing
Reservations go through the City of Los Angeles online reservation system or by calling (323) 876-5237. The rate is $14 per hour for tennis courts. Weekday reservations before 4:00 PM cost $10 per hour for tennis courts, but after 4:00 PM and all day on weekends the rate jumps to $14 per hour.
City-conducted programs have priority over all other court uses, so your reservation could be displaced if a municipal program needs the space. The facility does not operate on a walk-up, first-come basis for these courts. Show up without a reservation and you risk being turned away even if courts appear empty.
The online reservation system requires advance booking, and popular evening time slots fill quickly during weekdays. The phone reservation line at (323) 876-5237 operates during business hours and connects you directly to facility staff who can check availability and process bookings. If you book a weekday morning or early afternoon slot before 4:00 PM, you save $4 per hour compared to evening and weekend rates. For groups planning regular pickleball sessions, this pricing difference adds up over multiple bookings.
The Logistics
- Address: 7341 Willoughby Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90046
- Tennis court hours: Mon–Fri 8 AM–12 PM & 5 PM–9 PM, Sat/Sun 8 AM–7 PM
- Price: $14/hour for pickleball use, $10/hour weekdays before 4 PM for tennis courts
- Booking: City of Los Angeles online system or (323) 876-5237; reservations required
- Parking: Paid street parking only; no lot on site
Court Rules and Restrictions
Tennis shoes are required on all courts. No exceptions. The facility prohibits bicycles, skateboards, and roller skates on court surfaces unless they are part of an approved city program. Dogs must remain leashed and are not allowed on the tennis courts at any time, even if the court is empty. Teaching is not permitted on the courts except through city-authorized instruction programs.
A maximum of six tennis balls per court applies at any given time, unless you are part of authorized instruction. This rule exists to manage congestion and noise, and staff enforce it. Expect park attendants to monitor court use and intervene if you violate posted rules.
The tennis shoe requirement means no running shoes with black soles that mark the court surface, and no street shoes of any kind. Park attendants check footwear and will ask players to leave if they are not in compliance. The prohibition on teaching means you cannot run informal pickleball clinics or charge friends for lessons on these courts, even if you have a valid reservation. Only city-authorized instructors working through official recreation programs can provide instruction on site.
What Else Is Here
Poinsettia Recreation Center includes indoor basketball courts with open gym hours on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, and Tuesdays from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM. These hours are subject to change, so confirm before planning around them. A lighted baseball diamond and outdoor fitness equipment round out the facility's offerings.
The recreation center building itself operates Monday through Friday from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM and Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is closed Sundays. The tennis court hours do not match the building hours, so you can access courts outside of the main facility schedule as long as you have a valid reservation during the posted tennis court windows.
The outdoor fitness equipment sits near the tennis courts and is available during park hours without reservation. The lighted baseball diamond serves youth leagues and adult softball games, mostly in the evenings. The indoor basketball courts require separate scheduling and are not available for drop-in use outside the posted open gym hours. The building houses restrooms, water fountains, and administrative offices where you can ask questions about reservations or facility rules.
Why This Matters for Pickleball Players
If you are looking for a quick drop-in pickleball game with striped courts and regular pickup groups, Poinsettia is not that venue. You are paying for a tennis court and adapting it yourself. There is no verified information about evening pickup games, regular pickleball meetups, or a community of players who gather here specifically for the sport. The facility serves tennis players first, and pickleball is an afterthought accommodation.
For organised groups who want to rent a lighted court in Hollywood and have their own equipment, Poinsettia works. For casual players hoping to join a game or use permanent pickleball infrastructure, you will need to look elsewhere. The $14 hourly rate makes this a moderately priced option for what amounts to renting empty tennis court space.
The lack of dedicated pickleball infrastructure means you spend the first ten minutes of your reservation setting up portable nets and the last five minutes taking them down. A standard tennis court can fit up to four pickleball courts if properly lined, but without permanent striping you are limited to the configuration your portable equipment allows. Groups of four playing doubles on a single makeshift court will find the space adequate, but larger groups hoping to run multiple simultaneous games will struggle without permanent pickleball lines to guide court boundaries.
Getting There and Parking
Poinsettia Recreation Center sits on Willoughby Avenue between North Poinsettia Place and North Vista Street, just south of Santa Monica Boulevard in central Hollywood. Street parking is paid only, with meters running during daytime hours. The facility does not have a dedicated parking lot, so plan to circle the surrounding residential blocks or arrive early to secure a nearby spot.
The location is walkable from the Hollywood and Vine Metro station if you are coming by public transport, though the walk takes about fifteen minutes. Bike racks are available near the facility entrance, but remember that bicycles are not allowed on the tennis courts themselves.
The surrounding residential streets have a mix of metered and permit parking, so read signs carefully before leaving your car. Meters typically run until 6:00 PM on weekdays and charge hourly rates comparable to other Hollywood locations. Arriving fifteen to twenty minutes before your court reservation gives you time to find parking, unload equipment, and walk to the courts without cutting into your paid hour. The fifteen-minute walk from Hollywood and Vine Metro station heads south on Vine Street, then west on Willoughby Avenue, passing through a quiet residential neighborhood.
Practical notes
Poinsettia Recreation Center is at 7341 Willoughby Avenue in Hollywood. Tennis courts available for pickleball run Monday through Friday 8:00 AM to noon and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM, plus Saturday and Sunday 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Book through the City of Los Angeles online system or call (323) 876-5237. Expect to pay $14 per hour. Bring your own portable nets, paddles, and balls; the facility does not provide pickleball equipment. Paid street parking only. Tennis shoes required on courts. Reservations are mandatory and park attendants enforce the rules strictly.
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Ask Karpo first
Ask the Karpo app to find recreation centers in Hollywood with permanent pickleball courts and drop-in play, or to check whether Poinsettia has court availability before you book. It can also map other paid and free pickleball options within a ten-minute drive of Willoughby Avenue.
