public swimming pools, water parks in San Diego
A guide to public swimming pools, water parks in San Diego - The San Diego Union-Tribune
Taking a dip in a pool in San Diego County can mean many different things: a family day with kids at the Plunge in Belmont Park, riding down a waterslide at Sesame Place in Chula Vista, or even getting some exercise at one of over two dozen public pools.
Across the region, there are over 40 public pools that are here to help locals cool down during the warm summer days and provide recreational activities throughout the year.
Here is a guide to help San Diegans find a public pool nearby. All these places range in cost from free nighttime swimming at San Diego recreation centers, to all-day fun at water parks and $100 resort passes at luxury hotels.
City of San Diego
For less than $5 per day, anyone can cool off at 15 different city of San Diego public pools from Del Mar down to San Ysidro. They offer recreational and lap swimming with some locations opening as early as 8 a.m. Admission is $4 for adults 16 years and older and $2 for children, seniors and individuals with disabilities per day. There are water fitness classes at 10 of the city’s pool facilities for $4 per class or $33 for 10 classes.
The public can also swim for free at the City Heights Swim Center and Memorial Pool on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from June 20 through Aug. 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. These free swim times are part of the city Parks and Recreation Department‘s Parks After Dark program, which provides family activities during the summer.
For a full list of the city pool locations and hours go to sandiego.gov/pools.
In the city there is also the Plunge San Diego. It is privately operated, but open to the public year-round and located inside Fit Mission Beach at Belmont Park. It has a 175-foot by 60-foot pool with floor-to-ceiling windows and a retractable roof. Recreational day passes are $30 and family day passes are available for four people starting at $60. Non-swimmers and guests under 2-years-old can enter for $5. The Plunge has memberships starting at $55. For more information visit plungesandiego.com
In Barrio Logan, the Barrio Station community swimming pool will reopen to the public after it finds lifeguards, according to Rachel Ortiz, executive director of Barrio Station. She said anyone who is interested in being a lifeguard should call the Barrio Station at (619) 238-0314. Once enough lifeguards are found, this free community pool will open Monday through Friday from noon to 5:30 p.m.
There are 17 cities in the county, not including San Diego, and most have at least one public pool for residents.
Carlsbad: The city of Carlsbad has two public pools that are open every day. The Alga Norte Aquatic Center costs $5 for adults and $3 for youth to use the facilities, which includes a 56-meter competition pool with viewing bleachers, a 25-yard, 12-lane instruction pool, a warm water spa for adults and a splash pad for children. The other option is the Monroe Street Pool, and it has a 25-meter pool and a shallow play area. The entrance fee is $4 for adults and $2 for children. For hours and locations check the city’s website.
Chula Vista: At the Parkway Aquatic Center in Chula Vista, guests can swim and play in the 25-yard, six-lane lap pool. It is heated and has a shallow area for recreational swimming and water fitness. Day passes start at $4 for children and $3 for open swim. Lap swimming with a reservation costs $6 per day for up to two people. Hours vary based on day and programs. Chula Vista also has the Loma Verde Aquatic Center, which was remodeled and reopened in 2023. It has a competition pool for deep water fitness classes, lap swimming and is available for team rentals. The recreation pool is for swim lessons, open swimming, water fitness classes and lap swimming.
Coronado: In Coronado there is an aquatics center, but it is closed for repairs which are anticipated to be completed by Aug. 21 if no delays occur. Updates can be found at projectcoronado.org/aquatics-center-pool-improvements.
El Cajon: The Fletcher Hills Community Center and Pool is open from April through October and has lap swimming, water aerobics and open swim times. The pool has extended summer hours for recreational swimming starting June 24 and run through Aug. 10. It is closed July 4. Entry fees start at $5 for adults, $2 for children and a season pass is $40.
Escondido: The city of Escondido has two public pool centers, the James A Stone pool and the Washington Park Pool. Each location has open swim times and swimming programs with entry fees starting at $5 per visit and a 10 entry pass for $40. For hours and locations check recreation.escondido.org/734/Aquatics.
Imperial Beach: Residents in Imperial Beach can visit Mar Vista High School and use its pool during non-school instructional hours thanks to an agreement with the Sweetwater Union High School District and Imperial Beach. The Olympic size swimming pool offers fitness classes, swim lessons and lap swimming. Hours vary based on the day and time of year. For more details go to imperialbeachca.gov/645/Aquatics-at-Mar-Vista.
National City: The Las Palmas Pool is now open after a remodel. This facility offers lap swimming, recreational swimming, water aerobics and swim lessons. Fees start at $3 for adults, $1 for youth up to 12 years and $1.50 for seniors. Hours and classes vary throughout the year, with extended programming during the summer. For more information go to nationalcityca.gov/government/community-services/las-palmas-pool.
Oceanside: The city of Oceanside currently has three aquatic centers. The Marshall Street Swim Center opens in the summer and offers a six-lane, 25-yard heated pool that costs visitors $4 during lap swimming and $3 for recreational swim times. The William A. Wagner Aquatic Center has a 56-meter competition pool with one- and three-meter diving boards, an instructional pool and a splash pad. The entrance fee is $5 for adults and $3 for children. The Brooks Street Swim Center was reopened in February after renovations were completed. It features a heated pool with seven 100-foot lanes for laps swimming and costs $4 to use. For hours and locations click here.
Poway: Residents can visit the Poway Community Swim Center. It has a 50-meter by 25-yard pool with one-and three-meter diving boards, open swim areas and lap swimming lanes. Poway residents can use the facilities for $4 per adult and $3 for children and nonresidents can access for $8 per adult and $6 for children. Open swimming hours vary by day. For a complete listing go here.
San Marcos: The city of San Marcos has two city pools. The Las Posas Pool has aqua aerobics, swim lessons, lap swimming, lifeguard certification classes, water safety instructor certification classes and recreational swim teams. Prices start at $4 to use this facility and hours differ based on day and season. The Woodland Pool is currently closed and will reopen June 10. It has a 25 meter lap pool, a diving board, slide and picnic area.
Santee: Residents of Santee can use the Cameron Family YMCA. Amenities there include a 25-meter by 25-yard training pool, an activity pool with a play structure, a waterslide, a water exercise area, locker rooms and more. The fee to use the pool and gym is $15 per day for nonmembers and memberships start at $67 per month for adults, $57 for seniors and $44 for teenagers.
Solana Beach: The city of Solana Beach does not operate its own public pool, but residents can visit the Boys and Girls Club of San Dieguito at 533 Lomas Santa Fe Drive. Prices start at $8 to use the facility.
Vista: Residents in Vista can visit the Wave Waterpark located at 101 Wave Drive. Find more info on this aquatic center below under water parks.
All "public swimming pool" results in San Diego, California
1. Bud Kearns Memorial Pool 3.9 (49 reviews) Balboa Park
2. Plunge San Diego 4.4 (172 reviews) Open until 7:00 PM
3. Ned Baumer Aquatic Center 3.4 (21 reviews) Mira Mesa Closed until Noon
4. The Pool House 4.1 (162 reviews)
5. Tierrasanta Community Park and Recreation Center 3.4 (30 reviews)
6. Poway Community Swim Center 3.6 (14 reviews)
7. Carmel Valley Recreation Center 3.4 (35 reviews) Carmel Valley
8. Aztec Recreation Center 4.1 (122 reviews) Rolando
9. City Heights Recreation Center 4.4 (7 reviews) City Heights
10. Coronado Community Center 4.2 (77 reviews) Open until 9:00 PM
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