Pickleball has taken over Napa Valley, and you don't need a resort membership to play. Public courts have popped up from American Canyon to Calistoga, and most of them are free.

Here's where to find them.

Napa

The city of Napa leads the way with two standout public hubs.

Century Napa Pickleball Courts opened recently at 175 Gasser Drive, built by the city's Parks and Recreation Services in partnership with the Gasser Foundation. Four freshly paved courts come with dedicated fencing, nets, and lighting. Hours run 8 a.m. to sunset from September through April, and 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. May through August.

Las Flores Community Center, at 4300 Linda Vista Avenue, is the busiest open-play spot in the valley. Four courts are overlaid on shared tennis lines, and drop-in sessions run seven days a week, mostly from 8 a.m. to noon. Weekends belong to pickleball, with priority court rights on Saturdays and Sundays.

American Canyon

Two spots serve the southern end of the valley.

Elliott Park, at 2234 Elliott Drive, offers two clean, well-maintained public courts alongside a tennis court, and it's become the go-to outdoor sports hub for the area.

Rio Grande Park (Community Park I), at 1400 Rio Grande Drive, rounds things out with broader multi-use court space.

Yountville

Vineyard Park, at 1800 Oak Circle, might be the prettiest place to play in the entire valley. Four dedicated courts sit with a backdrop of the Vaca Mountains, Stag's Leap, and surrounding vineyards. The park adds a paddle-rotation system, water fill stations, and restrooms, and it's open 8 a.m. to sunset.

St. Helena

Crane Park, near the southwest entrance at 360 S. Crane Avenue, has four dedicated courts with acrylic surfaces, fencing, and full lighting for night play. It's a serious setup, and it doubles as home turf for the annual Napa Valley Pickleball Classic, a tournament that raises money for UpValley Family Centers - more on that in a future issue.

Calistoga

Up north, Calistoga High School offers four public courts at 1505 Grant Street, lined right over the existing tennis courts. Access is completely free, with school restrooms and evening lights available. The courts are also home to the wonderfully named Calistoga Pickles & Relish Club, which runs regular weekly public play and welcomes visitors who want to jump in.

Wherever you land, bring a paddle, a water bottle, and maybe a little patience if the courts are full. Pickleball's popularity in Napa Valley isn't slowing down anytime soon.

Next week, we're taking the paddle upscale - inside the resorts and private clubs where pickleball comes with a wine pairing.