Cheap Thrills: Hoop Dreams at San Pablo Park

In early evening, as the last light of day begins to burnish and the air starts to cool, pull on your shorts, change into your old rock t-shirt, and head over to San Pablo Park, in South Berkeley, for a fast-paced, all-in, game of basketball.

Tucked into the middle of the park along its eastern side, and ringed with an industrial skirt of galvanized fencing, the courts boast six hoops and, with an ever shifting tide of players, you’re usually able to find one free. The blacktop is sorely neglected, warped and cracked and glittering with broken glass. Once play has ensued, however, its deficiencies are quickly forgotten, lost to the shuffling pulse and pivot of your game.

The park is well used and enjoyed by many. With its large fields, tennis courts, and baseball diamond, it sees a lot of action. Kids roll past on bikes, scooters, and roller-blades, groups of teenagers huddle on the periphery, and people saunter by with their dogs. A convivial feeling of summer freedom floats on the breeze, carrying a sense of camaraderie and encouraging social exchange.

Bring a buddy and play a little one-on-one, or come alone and practice your jump shots. Either way, you’ll enjoy the sweaty, thumping fun of hoop dreams at San Pablo Park.