The new year has brought with it many changes that have altered the way we spend our free time. Now that the weather is getting warmer, people are looking for ways to enjoy the sun and relax. For those who visit Palm Springs, California, the answer is quite simple – go swimming!
The Palm Springs Pools website lists a variety of swimming and aquatic facilities, including a pool with waterslides, a lazy river, and even a kiddie pool! So whether you’re a regular swimmer or have just been craving the feeling of a warm shower after a long day, there’s a pool for you. Check out the Palm Springs Pools schedule below to see if their facilities are open and if so, which ones you might fancy:
Table of Contents
Weekdays:
Tuesdays: 05:00 pm to 08:00 pm
Thursdays: 05:00 pm to 08:00 pm
Fridays: 05:00 pm to 08:00 pm
Saturdays: 08:00 am to 08:00 pm
Sundays: 10:00 am to 05:00 pm
Weekends:
Saturday: 10:00 am to 05:00 pm
Sunday: 07:00 am to 05:00 pm
Many of the pools at Palm Springs are open during the week but close on weekends. Some of the largest and most popular include:
Indian Springs
Located in the heart of Palm Springs, this large spring-fed pool is one of the city’s most popular attractions and is open all year round. The pool itself is beautiful, with thick tropical plants surrounding its edges, but the surrounding area is even more spectacular. It’s possible to rent a cabana for large groups or events, or you can bring your own beach towel and sit by the pool. If you arrive between 11 am and 2 pm on weekdays, you can get a good workout in without having to fight the crowds. Weekends are busy too, with families spending their afternoons by the pool and getting a bit of a break from the city. Tourists and locals alike crowd the pool on warmer days, so don’t forget to make a move if you want a spot by the fountain.
Fountain Park
This popular and well-designed public pool in the center of town features a wide range of waterslides, including a lazy river and a tube slide. Since it’s located in the middle of the city, it gets pretty crowded throughout the year. On weekends, the parking lot next to the pool is jammed, but if you arrive early in the morning, you can find a spot near the road or on a quiet street. Kids also love the fountain, with its central water feature and animated benches placed around it. On some days, it’s not uncommon to see little ones asking for snacks or a ride on their parent’s hands. The park is open from 6 am to 9 pm every day of the year except for during the month of August.
Riviera Maya
On the southern coast of Mexico, the Riviera Maya is a paradise for travelers and nature enthusiasts alike. The climate is beautiful and very similar to that of the region in California, leading to many tourists visiting both places during the same trip. The most popular swimming pools in Riviera Maya are Las Baulas, Akumal, and Xel-Há. Akumal is a small town located on the outskirts of the Riviera where many large hotels are clustered. The town itself is mostly surrounded by pristine beaches, perfect for taking a dip in the ocean. The crystal clear waters of the Gulf of Mexico are just a few meters from the beach, meaning your morning swim will be followed by a gentle dive into the cool water. The large hotels in Akumal are connected to each other and have made building a pool in the city a priority. There are several fountains in the area that are fed by rainfall and provide beautiful, refreshing water for guests and locals alike.
La Jolla Cove
This pool in the city of La Jolla is fringed by a lush green area and surrounded by padelias (stone fences). It’s easily recognizable from the outside, but the beautiful curved building was designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan and has been featured on numerous occasions in the design and architecture magazines. The pool itself is small but quite picturesque, with built-in seating around its edges and a fountain in the center. The waterfall is turned off during the week but is still fed by a mountain spring, so if you visit La Jolla during the week, you can enjoy the sound of trickling water.
Sage Banyan Wading Pool
This pool is located in the middle of the sprawling City of Oakland and offers scenic aquatic activities, including a wading pool, a beach, and a grassy area with sun loungers. The pool itself is circular with a fountain at its center and features a wooden bridge that crosses over the water. The wading area is large enough for children to play in and is separated from the main pool by a series of planters filled with tropical plants. On the weekends, the pool is closed and becomes a playground for kids and teenagers, with many adults also joining in the fun.
Hog Mountain Springs
Located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, this naturally heated freshwater pool is surrounded by a series of cascading waterfalls, lush green lawns, and mature trees. The waterfall is turned on above the pool and provides an excellent place to cool off after hiking or running the nearby beaches, Black Rock and Pudding Creek. As the water rushes downhill towards the pool, it picks up minerals from the bedrock, turning the water a milky blue. The pool itself is large and modern, with a deck surrounding it and umbrellas lining the surrounding area. There’s also a kids’ wading pool attached to the side, complete with sandy beach.
As you can see above, there are several beautiful and well-designed pools in Palm Springs. The above list only includes a selection of the city’s best, but if you visit their website, you can access a map with all the locations of their pools so you can easily find the one closest to you.
Where to Stay
There are a variety of hotels and other accommodation options available in Palm Springs, with bed and breakfasts also becoming a popular option for families. Booking a stay at one of the many luxurious resorts is a great option; many of them have their own pools and are only a few minutes from the closest pool to the mountains.
Getting There
Getting to Palm Springs from the San Francisco Bay Area isn’t difficult; several major car brands have a dedicated network of car dealerships in the city, meaning it’s easy to find a rental car in just a few minutes. Many residents of the Bay Area drive to Palm Springs during the week to work, with weekend arrivals making the trip primarily for leisure. Traffic is a pain, however – it takes about an hour and a half to two hours to get to the outskirts of the city on major arteries, with longer journey times on secondary roads. If you can, avoid going during rush hour, as it can seriously slow down road traffic. Walking or biking to the office is also an option; many people take transit in both directions, with those in the office frequently traveling to the nearby restaurants and bars after their work day is completed.