Paintball is great because it's an activity that anyone and everyone can enjoy. You don't need any prior experience or training—all you need is the right equipment and a place to play. But as a paintball enthusiast, you're always looking for new places to play. But sometimes, your options can be limited.
Whether you're looking for something competitive or just want to have some fun with friends, these are some of the best paintball places in San Francisco and some of the neighboring locations that might be worth getting started!
471 Kenilworth Dr,
Petaluma, CA 94952
Playland707.com
Playland Paintball is your best bet if you want to paintball in the Bay Area. This field is located in Petaluma, California, just 50 minutes away from San Francisco, and has a good variety of CQB (close-quarters battle) and long-range lanes.
The outdoor field is a great place to bring your kids and friends. There are four distinct arenas, each accommodating up to 100 players at once. You can also bring your own equipment if you'd like—the Playland staff is friendly and helpful.
The only cons are that the driveway to Playland is poorly marked, and many guests got lost there. Also, it's open during the weekends, but if you're planning on going during the week, you need to be with a group or have an appointment.
When it rains, this place stays open, but be careful because there are huge puddles between the waiting area and the actual field.
2 Eucalyptus Dr,
American Canyon, CA 94503
PaintballJungle.com
Paintball Jungle is a 45-minute drive from San Francisco, and it's the only woodsball field in the bay area. It's great for all skill levels, with lots of cover and sniper towers.
They have two speedball courses, one that's geared towards younger kids and one towards older kids and adults. The field paint they use is of decent quality and not outrageously priced.
The refs actively paint checks, so you won't have to worry about someone cheating. They also try to protect hit players who aren't wearing goggles verbally. You have to bring your own paintballs so that costs can be kept down.
The downside is that games go by quickly—under 5 min between games—and everyone was rushed out of the gate without time to clean up after each game, which was a bit annoying but understandable given how busy this place is.
Fairgrounds Gate D, 2542 Monterey Rd,
San Jose, CA 95111
SantaClaraPaintball.com
Santa Clara Paintball is located just over an hour away from San Francisco, making it easy to get to and from. The environment is friendly and fun for kids but also exciting for adults. Many different games at this paintball field will keep you coming back for more.
The staff is friendly and helpful during orientation. You can sign up online, get geared up at the store, and play in no time. There are different game modes to choose from, like capture the flag and zombie survival mode. You'll be provided with a thin protective vest, goggles with a built-in visor, and a narrow neck strap.
There are fast food restaurants less than 5 minutes away, so you can grab some grub before or after your game. This field is great for birthdays, bachelor parties, hangouts with friends, and other events!
7900 Vallecitos Rd,
Sunol, CA 94586
SunolPaintball.com
Sunol Paintball Outdoor Park is a family-owned paintball park that's located just 45 minutes from San Francisco, making it the perfect place to spend a day with your friends or family.
The team is dedicated to providing clean, well-provisioned facilities and allowing outside paint at their facility. They offer great rental guns at reasonable prices. Each game lasts about 10 minutes or until a team loses. Once that happens, you come back to reload so you can play again!
We recommend this park for birthdays, bachelor parties, hangouts with friends, and other events. They have lots of gear rentals available (including masks), and prices are the same as parks in a 100-mile radius of the area.
The only drawback I found was that there were no actual bathrooms with running water; only porta-potties and changing rooms were available on site.
1230 Greenville Rd,
Livermore, CA 94550
AmericanPaintballPark.com
American Paintball Park has multiple outdoor fields where you can play mock combat with your friends or family members using paintball guns. The field is equipped with unlimited paint and air, so you don't have to worry about running out of ammo or breathing supplies during a game. The breaks between games are less than 3 minutes, so you can get back in action quickly.
They offer private birthday parties on fields of your choice and professional referees to ensure everyone stays safe. There's more than enough room in the staging area for 50+ people—it's a great place to host a group outing or have some fun with friends.
They don't serve food at the park itself, but you can order food through an app called DoorDash (or a similar service), and they'll deliver it right to your field. You can also bring your own paint —though the store offers decent fresh paint at reasonable prices.
1201 W 10th St,
Antioch, CA 94509
AntiochPaintballPark.com
Antioch Paintball Park is located in Antioch, California, about 50 minutes away from San Francisco. The map is huge and covered in flipped tables, turned-over covers, and artificial rocks in the desert—it's a great place to practice your sniper skills!
The staff is knowledgeable and will help you with anything you need to know about playing paintball at this park. They also offer good prices on paintballs—about the same as other paintball parks. They have decent fresh paint at reasonable prices if you don't want to bring your own.
There aren't any bathrooms at this paintball park (though there are changing rooms), so I recommend bringing some toilet paper with you if you plan on using theirs. Also, make sure to wear clothes that you don't mind getting hit with paintballs. They don't offer any gear apart from face masks, so bring your own.
125 Armstrong St,
Fairfield, CA 94535
Paintballisfun.com
Ballistic Ben's Paintball Park is located about 1 hour away from San Francisco, so you're guaranteed to have a great time without worrying about traffic or parking. It's also an excellent choice for first-time paintballers and those looking for a more intense experience than your standard paintball field.
The park has a variety of maps with different playstyles and dynamics that will keep you on your toes no matter what time of day or week you decide to play. You will need a 30-day visitor pass to enter the park—but don't worry—they have plenty available at the gate.
Their protocol ensures everyone has fun while remaining as safe as possible—they're very clear about their rules and enforce them kindly without making anyone feel like they're being singled out or picked on.
2325 Cordelia Rd,
Fairfield, CA 94534
Fairfieldextremesports.com
Fairfield Extreme Sports is 45 minutes away from San Francisco and has awesome fields that are great for all ages. The fields had great obstacles ranging from oil barrels, old cars, and various wood/metal structures.
The equipment is sanitized and clean, which is always a must for safety. They switch out the games every few hours so that everyone gets a chance to play different roles, and they rotate players fairly
They have very clear rules that are kindly enforced by professional and flexible staff. We definitely recommend paying extra for a private ref if you're taking a large group, as it'll help ensure everyone's utmost safety.
4901 Midway Rd,
Vacaville, CA 95688
MidwayPaintball.com
Located 1 hour away from San Francisco, this facility has a wide range of age-appropriate fields perfect for team practices or just having fun with friends.
The staff was excellent at educating on what to expect and how to play safely, so everyone felt comfortable getting involved. The field is well maintained, and the equipment is in good shape, making it easy for everyone to have fun without worrying about safety concerns.
There are limited food options here, so I recommend bringing your own snacks and drinks if you're planning on playing for more than an hour. There are picnic tables set up around the fields so you can take a break and rehydrate in between games.
If you're looking to paintball in San Francisco, there are many fields to choose from. From indoor facilities that offer a more controlled play experience to outdoor arenas, there's something for everyone. Whether you're an experienced veteran or just starting out, these locations have something for everyone:
We hope you've enjoyed our list of the best paintball places in San Francisco. If you're looking for a new way to spend time with friends, we can't recommend this activity enough! I think it's a perfect choice for groups of friends or families looking for something active, fun, and exciting.
If you have questions or comments about the fields that I've highlighted here, I'd love to hear from you!
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