Balboa Park Municipal Gymnasium

You show up at 2 and put your name on the list. Serious run, you’ll get in shape quick running fives down here. Great location in the middle of the park

I’ve played a few basketball leagues here and it was a good experience for the most part. The negative side is that there are «A League» players in the «D League» and vice-​versa. The referees are also on the weak side, but you’ll get that in every league.

Great facility to host basketball leagues.
The gym is kept neat and it serves the purpose at a very satisfactory standard. The place is normally crowded during game nights. It’s a great site to practice your hobby with your teammates and friends.

I’ve been going to this gym for about 2 years and I’m definitely a fan. It looks unsuspecting from the outside, but once you step in, it’s pretty badass. There’s 3 fullsize courts with lots of room, plus they sweep the courts daily so it isn’t an ice rink in there. It’s an older building, so the ventilation isn’t the greatest, but I’m not complaining. They also have restrooms, water fountains and a sportsdrink vending machine.
The schedule for free play/​pickup basketball is a bit inconsistent so I’d call before coming in, but in my experience open courts are available:
M-​Th: 2PM — 6PM; after 6PM are when leagues start to play
Fri: 2PM — 6PM
Sat: They usually have some organized sport reserved; call before hand.
Sun: 11AM — 3PM; call before hand just in case
If you’re looking to play 5s, then come around 2−4PM. I usually ball around 5PM and can get a half court game going, but have definitely played 5s. It depends. The other day I came in at 5PM and there was absolutely no one inside.
One caveat I’d mention is, like anywhere else, protect your shit! I got my iPhone jacked here after leaving it outside my bag for 10 minutes. Shady McShadersons. Bitches caught me slippppinnnnn. FACK!

Good gym with good competition. The only thing is that it get’s pretty hot during the summer days even when the doors are open. Normally the San Diego Basketball league takes over the courts so there isn’t really an opportunity for pick up games.

This gym is cold in winter and I was told super Hot in the summer, but once you warmup. You will be fine! Great quality floors and the rims and nets are all there. Pretty much an open basketball paradise for the hoops junkie that I am!

Basketball, they’re playing basket… ball.
Yes!
My son’s club basketball team was participating in the youth California State Games and their games were held primarily at the Municipal Gym in Balboa Park. A reasonably older building that’s been remodeled over the years, located next to the old Ford Building aka Aerospace Museum.
The interior is well maintained but I have to complain that with all the ventilation systems built along the ceiling, why is the gym so damn hot and stuffy? The windows are kept shut (probably to keep the thieves at bay) but not to provide any cool air when the gym is full of sweaty players and their fans.
And I’m paying to get in? What’s wrong with this picture? I don’t know.
Nevertheless, my son’s basketball team won the Bronze Medal for their age group against some of the best teams in the state.
A nice ending to a story being held in «sweatshop» conditions.

I don’t play basketball; I just go to watch, but I can definitely appreciate this beautiful gym. It has impressive basketball courts (at least aesthetically)!
Overall, it’s super clean and very well kept. I recommend this place to both players and spectators!

what league are yall in? im looking to join a league.

Nice clean gym! San Diego Basketball league = good run

This is a big gym with three courts. I play in the Thursday night coed b-​ball league. It is an absolute blast. All skill levels are welcome. League fees aren’t too bad and you get referees and score keepers, nothing like hearing that buzzer; it’s like reliving the big game in high school… every Thursday!
They have a variety of leagues.
Anyways, they have wheelchair basketball here too and it is just a big nice old gym, come play!