Santa Barbara’s Pickleball Haven: Shannon Gaston, owner of Crushcakes & Cafe, has opened Crush Courts, a private pickleball venue in Santa Barbara. The courts, located on her parents’ property off North San Marcos Road, offer a secluded, high-quality playing experience. Gaston, a passionate pickleball player, launched the project to address the overcrowding issues at public courts.
A Pickleball Dream Turned Reality
Gaston discovered pickleball in 2023 and quickly fell in love with the sport. She met her partner, Andrew Manalis, on the courts at Cathedral Oaks Athletic Club, and they bonded over their shared enthusiasm. However, as she played more, she noticed that public courts were often crowded, making it difficult to enjoy an uninterrupted game.
That’s when she had an idea. Her parents had a 25-year-old tennis court that was no longer in use. She asked them, “What do you guys think if I just totally resurfaced it into two pickleball courts?” Her parents agreed, and Crush Courts was born.
A Private and Comfortable Experience
Unlike public courts, Crush Courts provides a completely private space where players won’t feel pressured by waiting lines. The courts have a separate entrance from the residence, ensuring that guests have full privacy. Gaston’s parents welcome the players and don’t mind sharing their property.
“You could sit here for hours. And just hang out and feel comfortable.” – (Gaston)
“It’s not like where you go to one of these public courts where you can get knocked off a court.” – (Gaston)
Players can book sessions online, and all paddles and balls are provided. Rates start at $50 for a two-hour session, with private lessons from Manalis available for $85 per hour.
Pickleball with a Sweet Twist
As the owner of Crushcakes & Café, Gaston has added a unique touch to the pickleball experience. Players can book food and beverage packages, including cupcake pickleball parties, corporate events, and champagne gatherings.
Crush Courts is also partnering with Rosewood Miramar Beach to offer guests exclusive access to the courts. Gaston and Manalis are working on different package options to enhance the experience.
“We’re trying to put together all these different packages.” – (Gaston)
Creating a Fun and Respectful Atmosphere
To keep the games enjoyable for everyone, Gaston and Manalis have created a set of basic rules:
- No yelling
- No trash talking
- No swearing
However, Gaston admits that some rules are a work in progress. “We all say it, and my parents don’t actually care,” she laughed, acknowledging that some swearing is just part of the game.
“But honestly, I don’t actually want it on the roll.” – (Gaston)
A Growing Pickleball Community
For Gaston, pickleball is more than just a sport—it’s about bringing people together.
“One of the things that I loved most about it was how it brought so many different people together. Like people you would never, ever meet unless you were on that pickleball court.” – (Gaston)
With pickleball’s rapid growth, Crush Courts is expected to become a sought-after destination in Santa Barbara. Gaston hopes to continue this venture for years to come.
“I’d be happy with it for as long as I can play pickleball, which will hopefully be many years to come. That’s one beautiful thing about the game, right? You can see people out there [in their] eighties, nineties, just out there playing. It’s amazing.” – (Gaston)
News in Brief: Santa Barbara’s Pickleball Haven
Shannon Gaston, owner of Crushcakes & Café, has opened Crush Courts, a private pickleball venue in Santa Barbara. The courts offer a secluded playing experience, complete with food packages and private lessons. With pickleball’s growing popularity, Crush Courts is set to become a top spot for players seeking a relaxed and private environment.
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