Summer is almost here! Hot sunny days are just ahead. If you’re looking for something new to do with your friends and family this summer, consider a community pool party!
Though the warm summer months are just around the corner, many Bay Area and Northern California communities are still gripped by a cold winter. For those seeking adventure and activity during the warm summer months, swimming in a freezing pool is not exactly appealing. But for the rest of us, it might be the perfect way to beat the heat. Regardless of where you live, there are still community pools waiting to be explored!
When do community pools open in California? Luckily, we were able to parse this information out of California Department of Parks and Recreation (California Park & Recreation Association) records. The data on this page comes from these publicly available records. We’ve compiled this information into a handy list to help you plan your summer vacation.
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When Do Community Pools Open In California?
The following is a map showing the most popular swimming pools in California based on Facebook check-ins. The larger the dot, the more people have “checked in” at that location.
You can click on any dot to be taken to that pool’s page on the California Park & Recreation Association’s website. Additional details about the pool, including the opening hours, are available on the website. You can also contact the pool directly via their website for more information.
From Santa Cruz to San Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento, the data shows that most pools are open from April through October. The least populated pools, which are in parks in the Mojave Desert and Lake County, don’t open until June and close in October. Between the snow and the heat, it’s not exactly the most ideal time of the year to be in a pool. Still, being in a pool is much more relaxing and fun than being in the hot sun so if you really want to unwind, you could always consider a dip in a chilly pool!
Where Are All The Pools?
You can dive into the data on this page and get more details about all the pools in California. First, you’ll want to click on the magnifying glass icon in the upper-right corner to open the data table. Then simply search for “pool” or “swimming pool” to see a map showing all of California’s public pools.
The data on this page is up to date as of May 15, 2020; however, many pools stay open later than the times listed here due to the summer season. In the northern part of the state, hours can vary by a couple of hours either way. For example, in Fremont, the pool closes at 6:00 pm during the week and at 6:45 pm on the weekend. In other parts of the state, the pool closes at 8:00 pm regardless of the time of day or week. As a general rule, the later the better! Especially during the hot summer months, it’s nice to have a pool that stays open later so that you can enjoy the cool breeze as you swim. Of course, this means that if you want to make the most of the outdoor pool, you’ll need to be mindful of the sunset so that you don’t get caught by surprise by the coming darkness.
How Many Swimming Pools Do They Have?
Another way to explore pools in California is to click on any of the dot markers on the map to see a listing of all the pools in that area. You can click on the “See Full Report” button to see additional details about that pool including the number of lanes, depth, and water temperature.
The total number of registered public pools in California is 602. Of those pools, 336 have one lane, 171 have two lanes, and 55 have three or more lanes. The San Gabriel and San Fernando pools in Los Angeles County each have six lanes. With a maximum depth of ten feet and a temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit, these two pools are perfect for surfing. Though the beaches in southern California are famous for their sunshine and warm water, it’s often the waves that attract surfers from all over the world. If you’ve never been surfing, this is surely the place to learn!
What Events Do They Host?
Though many of California’s public pools are open all year long, they don’t always host the same events all year long. Some pools close down in the winter and don’t open until the following summer. It would be best to check the website of a particular pool to see if they host any special events that you might want to attend.
Many pools host swim team practices in the summer months. If you’re a keen swimmer or swimmer-in-training, you might want to consider showing up for these practices as it’s a great way to get some exercise and meet other people who share your passion for the sport. Though it might be tiring to keep swimming after practice, it’s definitely worth it because the feeling of accomplishment and bonding with other people who share your passion is priceless.
When Is The Best Time To Visit A Pool?
If you really want to make the most of your trip to a pool, the best time to visit is shortly after school has finished for the day. This is because kids are usually off school for the summer vacation and pool goers tend to be adults who want to escape the heat.
Though this might not be the best time to visit a pool in the summer, it’s still a great opportunity to do so. When the sun starts to set and the temperature starts to rise, it’s best to be in a pool to keep cool. If you’d like to visit a pool after hours, the best time to do so is during the week as these are usually the quietest days at the pool. On weekends, the place can get quite crowded as it is a popular activity among locals.
Pools located in the Northern part of the state stay open later than those in the Southern part so it would be best to visit the latter in the morning or in the afternoon. This will give you the best experience as the morning is typically hotter than the afternoon and the evening is when the temperature starts to drop giving you a relief from the heat.
Top-Notch Equipment Is Needed To Keep Swimmers Safe
Though you might not need specialized equipment to swim, you do need to ensure that the pool area is safe. After all, it’s not fair for the lifeguard to be there only to rescue you if you get into trouble. In fact, the law requires that lifeguards be trained in water rescue. If this sounds like something you’d like to learn more about, consider contacting a local swimming pool and asking about their lifeguard safety protocols.
Many public pools have adopted the Smart Pool™ System which utilizes state-of-the-art technology to improve the safety of users. The system consists of a touch-pad entrance, water sensors, and warning flags. When a swimmer goes underwater, the system sends an alert to the lifeguard station. Though the equipment is not cheap, it’s definitely a worthwhile investment. It’s always a great idea to research the safety measures in place at various swimming pools before visiting a specific location.
Access For Those With Disabilities
Many pools are not accessible to those with disabilities. If you belong to a minority group with a disability, it is not advisable to visit these spots as there are no dedicated facilities for you. If not, however, you might still have an enjoyable time at a pool even if it’s not accessible to those with disabilities. It is therefore imperative to research the accessibility of a particular pool before making any plans.
In areas where the water is warm, it’s best to look for pools that have accessible sections for those with disabilities. Though more and more pools are making the effort required to be more inclusive, it’s still a common problem that needs to be fought. If you encounter any barriers when visiting a pool, don’t be shy to ask the lifeguard or the owner of the pool about accessible facilities. Alternatively, you could contact the Access Board for California, which is a non-profit organization that helps people with disabilities get access to public places such as parks and pools. If you feel that you’ve been discriminated against because of your disability at a pool, the board may be able to help you obtain compensation. They may also be able to point you in the right direction towards accessible facilities.