Balboa Sports Center

Everything in the perimeter of Balboa to Burbank to Woodley to Victory is referred to by a different name but we find ourselves here for outdoor activity.

It's usually fairly calm when we begin our workouts in this area, the fields are empty and quiet. It's peaceful and the solitude is tranquil. I assume when many matches, games, practices etc are taking place the vibe is different.

My son loves this area while I don't typically gravitate towards it much anymore, unless I'm with him.

I've grown quite comfy heading right out my front door for upwards of 20mile runs (with out and back routes) but I used to like lapping a place several times. I just don't see the point in driving a car to a place to do what I can do from home. I'd almost rather run here from my neighborhood do a lap or two and run home but I don't typically run West of home.

My son and I spend time together here, whether it be running or taking 7-15mile walks (he rucks carrying anywhere from 35-55lbs and I'll typically carry about 20 ounces of water ;) when I go along on these with him. It's a nice area and it gets the job done.

I enjoy our time here, its a sensory and pavement change from some of my other routes and we cover a decent amount of ground in one lap (a little over 7miles).

If you are looking for a place to get out and long run or walk for hours in a certain area with very few traffic lights I recommend it. It's also a lovely area to just toss out a blanket to meditate, enjoy a meal, stretch or read a book.

While there's a ton of greenery and trees there are spots of heavy exposure, so always wear a hat or sunscreen and bring water if you require it. Bathrooms are scarce.

Parking is plentiful.

This is a great park and it is huge. It can get very crowded here so come early for whatever event you have. This is a Sports Park sports offered to hear our basketball and it is a full court. They also offer a several courts of tennis, which I believe you must pay for. They have three courts where you can choose to play volleyball tennis or pickle ball. The lines are there, but the net is not there except for the tennis and pickle ball have one net on one of the courts. But the court doesn't have any fences. Just be prepared for balls to be flying into and out of your court. There is also baseball a huge field for soccer and tennis backstop walls. Again there's no volleyball net so make sure to bring your own. There can be about 100 to 200 people playing different sports at a time. Furthermore, there are large grassy areas, barbecue pits, and picnic areas and playsets. So it's not just for sports. It's also for leisure. I find there's plenty of parking along Burbank and Balboa. It is pretty large if you'd like to walk around or run around as well. A bonus is that the basketball, and the pickleball/tennis/volleyball nets are lighted until about 10 PM.

Was trying to work out inside the recreation center on Monday morning to escape the rain and was told by one of the employees that I wasn't allowed to do so because "my manager won't allow it" and he pretty much forced us to work out outside in the pouring rain. Mind you that there WASN'T ANYONE ELSE in the building - literally just the guy that talked to us, the manager (who were both sitting inside their office doing absolutely nothing) and the janitor who was going around cleaning the trash cans.

Granted, the guy that talked to us was cool, but I can't believe that the only explanation we got was "my manager won't allow it" especially on a rainy monday morning in which the park was COMPLETELY EMPTY with everyone at work or school. Unbelievable.
(And for the record, I've worked out inside the gym before with no issues but I guess that day the manager was in a bad mood and wanted to take it out on me.)

I love this playground because it's gated and usually well maintained. Today I found shards of glass deliberately placed on the climbing wall. I've found glass in the sand before. But never something this scary. This was placed here on purpose. I spend 10 minutes fishing the shards out. I've included photo. Please be careful if you let your kids play barefoot.

Reasonably priced sports programs for kids. Most coaches are volunteering their time but schedules/games are relatively well organized and the kids had a great time.

I'm only rating the playground but I enjoyed how the one for little kids is separate from the ones for bigger kids so they don't get trampled. Lots of really neat and original climbing walls and jungle gyms. New equipment so very nice and lots of trees and fresh air. Beware of the squirrels though they DGAF and will chase you. You've been warned.

Latest review is for the basketball gym. Rooting on our grandson's team is pleasant in this facility. Plentiful parking is available on two sides of the building.

Bleachers offer adequate seating for most games. The interior walls are covered with banners celebrating winning teams.

It got hot in the building the other evening after a warm day, so they had giant fans by the doors, trying to cool off the court for the players.

The venue gets a lot of use, yet seems well cared for, a plus for local residents.

This park has so much to offer for an active day! It's well kept, clean and always is safe. We visit a lot on the weekends for exercise and picnics after. Great place for a job or family activity

I have only been here once and I already think this complex is beautiful. I came to watch my brother Marvin R. play soccer. The complex has baseball fields, soccer fields, picnic tables and restrooms. The lighting on the fields is exceptional.

I can only write about how nice the turf fields are and the lighting provided since I came to see a soccer game later on in the evening.

If anybody Was or Is assigned Caltrans at the Balboa Park Sports Center on the corner of Balboa Blvd and Burbank Blvd. You Have to be in the parking lot (the one on Balboa) by 6:00 A.M or 6:30 a.m. so you Don't miss the truck that picks everyone up and takes them, I don't know, near the freeway I'm assuming, for trash pick up. This is Not going to be fun at all, then again of course it's not, it's punishment. I just mean with this heat it's literally going to feel like Hell. I well just thought I'd give people some information on that. :))