What is padel?

Padel is a thrilling racket sport that is played in doubles, on turf and inside four glass walls. It’s easy to pick up like pickleball, dynamic like squash, and athletic like tennis.

The game was invented in Mexico in the 1960s and expanded really quickly to Spain and Argentina. Since then it has gained popularity in many countries, particularly in Europe and Latin America.

Padel is known for its social and inclusive nature, as it is relatively easy to learn but hard to master.

Padel’s defining feature is its glass walls. Enclosing a space of 33 ft by 66 ft, and sitting at 10 ft high, these walls are made of tempered glass that is roughly a 1/2 inch thick.

A padel racket is about 3 inches thick, made of a foam core and carbon fiber with a pattern of holes to provide an aerodynamic swing. A padel ball has a very similar appearance to a tennis ball, but the pressure is lower, reducing the bounce.

BENEFITS OF PADEL

  1. Easy to learn - Simple rules make it perfect for all ages and skill levels.

  2. Social and fun - Play in doubles, meet new people, and build connections.

  3. Great exercise - A full-body workout combining cardio and agility.

  4. Family-friendly - Enjoyed by all ages, great for bonding.

  5. Stress reliever - Boosts mood and reduces stress with exercise and socializing.

HOW TO PLAY? RULES

Padel is a doubles sport played, combining elements of tennis and squash. Here's a quick overview:


Scoring

  • Scoring is like tennis: 15, 30, 40, game. Matches are best of 3 sets. Each set goes to 6 games, winning by 2.

During play

  • Serve underhand, bouncing the ball first, and aim for the opposite service box.

  • The ball must bounce once before hitting the walls.

  • You can return off the glass, but not the fence.

  • If the ball hits the fence during regular play, it stays in play.

Winning points

  • Opponent fails to return the ball, it bounces twice, or goes out of bounds.

WAYS TO PLAY

Padel is easy to pick up, fun to play, and challenging to master. It’s simply… addicting. Hit the ball off the glass, lob it high into the sky, or smash it over the wall. The court is your oyster. No wonder it’s the world’s fastest growing sport.

  • Courts are bookable by the hour (one-hour minimum, but you can add half hours after the first hour). Pricing is per hour, per person. Racket rentals are not included in court bookings for non-members.

    Enable game match if you don't have enough players

  • Clinics are group lessons led by coaches, designed to help you improve your padel skills. Pricing is per person per hour. Rackets are included with your clinic.

  • Private lessons with a coach can be booked for an individual or up to four people. You can request specific skills to work on or have the coach design a session for you. Rackets are included with your private lesson.

  • Socials, or open-plays, are an excellent, hassle-free way to play padel. You can sign up individually for these weekly events and be matched with other players of your skill level. Socials are typically 2 hours long. Rackets are included in the pricing of socials.

  • We can host private events with a minimum of 2 courts up to a full 6 court and facility buyout depending on the location choosen. To book an event email hello@parkpadel.com

  • To give back to the community we offer free court time Monday through Thursday between 1 pm and 3 pm. These hours can only be booked at a max. of 24hrs in advance and customers are only allowed to play 1hr a week under this programming to provide diversity and accessibility to other customers.

    This is only available in the San Francisco location located in Embarcadero.

OUR LOCATIONS

San Francisco - Embarcadero

Experience the thrill of padel in the heart of San Francisco! Our two-court pop-up on the Embarcadero, open since November, offers stunning views of the Bay and the iconic Ferry Building.

South San Francisco - Oyster Point

Our brand new, six-court facility will feature soaring 30-foot ceilings, providing an unparalleled playing experience. We're more than just a place to play; we're building a community.

West Sacramento - The Bridge District

Our premier features a four outdoor courts. Enjoy stunning views of the Sacramento River waterfront while playing your favorite sport, then relax and socialize in our comfortable lounge area.