Vermont Canyon Tennis

This place is good except for the HORRIBLE TRAFFIC to get there. You literally have to go around griffith park trails to get there. And let me tell you, you need to give yourself about extra ten to fifteen minutes to get there on top of what the GPS quotes you.
Now the courts, there are 12 courts and they are all pay by hour courts so make sure you have money ready. You can always reserve a week in advance with the city card which you can purchase there. Early appt is highly recommended as the spots and hrs do fill up

As one re-​starting my game after many years, I am fortunate to have courts right up the lane from home.
The hills make such an idyllic backdrop!
One possible upgrade would be a small café with a terrace for enjoying cool drinks.

Good view. No nighttime play. clean courts. Just expected for any other courts out there.

This place is classy for a city park tennis court. The courts butt up against mountains. And the weekend hourly fee means you’ll usually have a court to yourself.

What a lovely public tennis facility. It sits in side the quiet Griffith park. The tennis courts are surrounded by trees and hiking trail. It’s quiet and serene. I always enjoy playing tennis here. Best time to play is between 2pm to 5pm.

Gary Wong, the head instructor, is great!!! Have been taking lessons from him and enjoying every second. He is patient, insightful, and has a zen quality about him that really helps get you in the right mind state for learning to play. The courts are great too.

My only experience here are clinics with Adam Goodley – he is by far the best tennis pro I have ever had. I have taken his clinics on Saturday mornings and can highly recommend him. If you take his clinic or a private lesson with him, you will not be sorry. He will be able to troubleshoot your game like no other, and offer many solutions to progess you to the next level.

These courts are nestled within Griffith Park, adjacent to a hiking trail. Take Vermont up and turn right into the second street after the golf course. I believe there are 9 courts total. There is ample parking in a lot right below the courts and parking all along the street.
There are 6 courts on the lower level and another 3 when you follow the trail. I’ve never had to wait for a court here and the best part is, they are free! Couple of downsides:
1. Courts are not well maintained (Beverly Hills Tennis Club, this ain’t)
2. Courts are not lit — once the sun sets, you’re done
3. This may be a plus/​minus: You are playing in the wild. Literally, you will hear squirrels, and rattlesnakes, and the like in the bushes behind you. I haven’t seen any critters on the actual courts themselves… yet.

Gary Wong, the head pro, is an unfunny joke – he is what those of us who grew up playing serious tennis call a «ballfeeder» (i.e. someone so burnt out he can’t even be bothered
to teach people how to change grips from backhand to forehand). You cringe as you see his victims reinforcing strokes that’d be IDEAL for catching butterflies, if you know what i mean.
People who take from him are as foolish as any Scientologist you wanna beat some sense into (read: you can’t).
Eric, the other guy – who does group lessons – cares more and is much more genial, conscientious.
The guys down at Riverside are a wash as well.

Nestled in the hills of Griffith Park with views that arouse the spirit of Hawkeye Pierce, lies the tennis compound of Vermont Canyon. This place is one of the more enjoyable parks I’ve played at in my life, simply because of the scenery — Of the two levels of courts, I suggest taking the very brief hike uphill to level two. It’s a bit more secluded and less people will hear you scream when you get attacked by a wolf or a mountain lion, but it’s worth the risk.
The courts themselves are in pretty good shape; sparse, minor imperfections exist but shouldn’t be enough to keep you away from even competitive play.
There is a fee schedule, though at $ 8/​hr, I suppose it could be worse.
Parking has always been available and I’ve never had to wait for a court… though, i’ve been close to it. I recommend this place if you dig tennis, hills, live nearby and/​or enjoy safaris. And don’t forget to practice safe tennis — bring a machete. Did I mention the rattlesnakes?