Have Tennis, Will Travel: California

From San Diego to Palm Springs and beyond, the Golden State is a treasure for tennis lovers. It all starts with Indian Wells in the Coachella Valley. They call it Tennis Paradise for a reason, with 29 courts graced by the game’s best during the BNP Paribas Open.

But the Indian Wells Tennis Garden is also open year-round and open to the public. Nearby resorts such as La Quinta Resort & Club and the JW Marriot Desert Springs Resort & Spa are great places to stay—and play as well.

Northstar, NoCal

• Serious players also flock to Northstar Tennis in Northern California, for top-notch camps and programming on eight courts framed by towering pine trees. This is ski-resort territory, but in the warmer months, the outdoor action pivots to downhill mountain biking, swimming, hiking and golf.

Los Angeles Tennis Club, L.A.

• If you’re in L.A., swing by the Los Angeles Tennis Club for a slice of history. Founded in 1920, the club has hosted many of the sport’s greatest champions (you can see their portraits in the club’s living room) and today offers lessons and play on its 16 courts.

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa, San Diego

• In the San Diego area, the Relais & Chateaux resort Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is renowned for its many awards, and looks—its tennis center is surrounded by bougainvillea and orange groves. Enjoy play on 18 Plexipave championship and two European red-clay courts, and reward yourself with some post-match time by the pool. Or, take a drive over to Solana Beach, known as Southern California’s friendliest beach town, for a swim, a surf, or to catch a sunset.

WATCH: Destination Tennis, Washington D.C.