Bocce is loved by people of all ages. Competitors or teams lob a total of eight bocce balls as close as possible to a smaller white ball called the ‘pallino.’ It is estimated that the game originated in Egypt in 5200 BC. It is still played today all over the world — the second most played ball sport, behind soccer. Here are the best places to play bocce in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Aquatic Park Bocce Ball is perfect for beginning bocce ball players. There is a helpful attendant on duty to explain the rules of the game. The cost to rent equipment is low, and people can bring their own food and beverages. When they are finished with the bocce ball courts, they can check out the other features of Aquatic Park, such as a small beach, a museum, and a paved trail for biking and or running.
The Hidden Vine is a wine bar in the Financial District that offers a large selection of wines from different regions each month. Customers can choose from over 180 wines, with 40 available by the glass. There are also small plates for customers to enjoy while they play on the outdoor bocce ball court behind the venue, which can be reserved by the hour.
The U-shaped bar at Stock in Trade offers several beers on tap, cocktails and bottomless mimosas for brunch. The indoor bocce ball court on turf is first come, first serve and features televisions which broadcast sporting events.
VIE Winery on Treasure Island has an oceanfront view with two outdoor bocce ball courts that rent by the hour on Saturday and Sunday. There are picnic tables next to the courts, so that customers can enjoy wine. The venue is dog friendly.
With locations in Los Gatos and Livermore, Campo di Bocce’s courts rent per hour and a half, and there is a flat rate for each person. Along with local tournaments, Campo di Bocce of Livermore hosted the 2016 United States Bocce Championships. Campo di Bocce is also great for dinner and appetizers, as it serves delicious Italian cuisine while guests wait to play on one of the venue’s several indoor and outdoor bocce ball courts.
Bar Bocce is known for its back patio, which has a fire pit as well as a free bocce ball court. This restaurant and bar offers beer, wine and delicious food, including one-of-a-kind sourdough pizza and a selection of garden salads. Bar Bocce is also located on the waterfront, with views of Richardson Bay from a small beach beside the bocce ball court and the patio area.
Make Westing is a large bar that serves cocktails, beer and wine, and small bites and features two free bocce ball courts indoors. The courts are first come, first serve, but reservations by the hour are available at a flat rate.
