The Tastiest Pickleball Vacations in the U.S. and Beyond
Where great food meets great play, your next trip starts here
For some reason food always seems to taste better after a high-output pickleball session. Pair that with amazing restaurants and you are in for a mind-blowing experience. For foodie pickleballers a growing wave of vacations now combine morning matches with evenings of culinary discovery. These trips are immersive experiences where local food is as important as the depth of your serve.
Take Quail Lodge in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Mornings are spent working on your game with pro Roscoe Bellamy, but by afternoon you’re wandering Carmel’s acclaimed dining scene—fresh seafood at Casanova Restaurant, local wines at tasting rooms straight from snug enclaves, and chef-driven meals at Aubergine, each plate artful and elevated.
If you're hankering for warmth and flavor, Costa Rica Pickleball offers retreats near Hacienda Pinilla. These blends of pro-led clinics and chef-prepared local dishes highlight ingredients like fresh mahi-mahi, tropical fruits, and sustainably sourced coffee. For dinner on-site, try fish tacos grilled with citrus salsa, or head to nearby Black Stallion Ranch for BBQ that’s out of this world..
In Baja Mexico, ocean and pickleball courts meet at Tres Palapas in Los Barriles. By day it’s sea breeze rallies; by night, tacos street-style and ceviche at La Playa, or upscale Baja fusion at El Ranchito Bar & Grill.
Along the West Coast, resorts in San Diego like Mission Bay Resort and Coronado Island Marriott offer courts beside the ocean. Afterwards, walk into the Gaslamp District for dinner at Born and Raised or seafood plates at The Oceanaire.
East of the Mississippi, Asheville, North Carolina steps up with art, courts, and extraordinary bites. Stay somewhere like The Omni Grove Park Inn, grab morning courts nearby, and then explore Asheville’s farm-to-table scene, Posana for seasonal American or Curate for authentic Spanish tapas. Add a brewery crawl at Wicked Weed or Burial for a match-toasting finale.
Further south in Naples, Florida—the self-proclaimed “Pickleball Capital of the World”—courts abound. But food is as high a priority: start at The Dock at Crayton Cove for Gulf-fresh seafood, then head to urban Italian at Campiello or creative small plates at The Continental. After dinner, grab a gelato at Gelato Bar and stroll the waterfront.
Why These Trips Work
You come for the pickleball, stay for the plate. Rehashing the best rallies of the day are ideal dinner time conversation, and discussing your dinner the prior night makes great courtside chat. Foodie pickleball trips are where new friendships and great memories are made.
