BIG SUR RIVER INN
46800 Highway One, Big Sur • (831) 667-2700
Located on the banks of the Big Sur River, this is a family-oriented resort, with a river-view restaurant, general store and burrito bar, and outdoor pool. If you are not staying the night in the hotel, you can take a “day” vacation to the Big Sur River Inn pool. They do not allow you to bring food or drink, however, they have a full restaurant and bar next door as well as a burrito bar and made-to-order pizzas. On Sundays throughout the summer they offer live music featuring all kinds of jazz with some Folk, Zydeco, and world music mixed in.
- Hours of operation: The pool is open from 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
- Lifeguard on Duty: No
- Cost: $10 per person; $20 per family
CARMEL VALLEY COMMUNITY YOUTH CENTER
25 Ford Rd, Carmel Valley • (831)659-3983
CVCYC is a private, non-profit organization that provides one of the only outdoor pools for general swimming. Located in Carmel Valley, the weather tends to be warmer and more comfortable for swimming. They have a diving board and a small slide in the shallow end for smaller children. There is a full snack bar or you can pack food. It is recommended that you arrive early as parking and the lounge chairs fill up fast.
- Hours of operation: June 3-August 6 (weekend dates may be extended past August 6); Monday-Friday: Noon-4:00 PM; Saturday & Sunday: Noon-5:00 PM
- Lifeguard on Duty: Yes
- Cost: Non-Members: $8; Members: $6. Annual Membership fee is $50 and memberships run from January 1-December 31. Membership entitles you to discounts on hall rental fees, group swim lesson fees, pool day-use fees and pool passes
HARVEY WEST POOL
275 Harvey West Blvd., Santa Cruz • (831) 420-6140
- This pool is operated by the City of Santa Cruz.
- Hours of operation: Monday-Saturday: 12:30 PM-2:30 PM; Sunday: Noon-3:00 PM
- Cost: $4 per person or $10 for family of four
- 12 passes: Residents-$50, Non-Residents-$42, Seniors-$38
MEADOWBROOK SWIM AND TENNIS CLUB
1553 Kimball Avenue, Seaside • (831) 394-6629
Located at the top of Kimball, Meadowbrook is a hidden gem. It is a private tennis and swim club. They have two pools, one is five and a half feet deep and a “Kiddie” pool which is only two feet deep. They offer a snack bar but members can also bring their own food.
- Hours of operation:
- Monday-Thursday: 6:45 AM-9:00 PM
- Friday-Sunday: 7:15 AM-6:00 PM*
- Lifeguard on Duty: No
- Cost: Initiation Fee: $250 plus Monthly Fee: $97 (for a family of four). Single Memberships available.
SIMPKINS FAMILY SWIM CENTER
979 17th Avenue, SantaCruz • (831)454-7946
This pool is run by the Santa Cruz Parks Department. They have a large lap pool and a smaller warm pool for children and a water play area. Vending machines are available for snacks.
- Hours of Operation: Summer Hours (beginning June 10)
- Monday-Friday: 1:00 PM-3:30 PM
- Weekends: 1:00 PM-4:00 PM
- Lifeguard on Duty: Yes
- Cost: Adults: $6; Youth (Ages 4-12): $4 (Mondays- $2)
- Seniors (65+): $4; Children 3 and under: Free
STILLWELL CHILDREN'S POOL AT LOVERS POINT PARK
Ocean View Boulevard and 17th Street, PacificGrove
This pool has a gorgeous ocean view and is perfect for little ones under 10 years old. The deepest section is 3 1/2 feet high at the wall. Children 10 and older are only allowed with the permission of the lifeguard. Children under 6 are required to be accompanied in the water by a paid adult.
Hours of operation: June 1-September 5
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from Noon-4:30 PM
Monday through Thursday from 2:30 PM-4:30 PM
Lifeguard on Duty: Yes
Cost: Monday-Thursday: $3.00 per person; Friday-Sunday: $5.00 per person
TITUS PARK SWIM AND TENNIS
127 San Benancio Road Salinas • (831) 484-1825
Located off of Highway 68 towards Salinas, Titus Park Swim and Tennis is a private club. The weather is usually warmer in this area. Titus Park is one of the few pools in the area that uses a salt system for water sanitation. This system reduces or eliminates the need for added chlorine. It’s much easier on the eyes, skin and even on swimsuits! The wading pool, at a depth of just one foot, is a great way to introduce children under six years to the water in a fun, safe environment.
Hours of Operation: Open Swim is daily from Noon-5:30 PM & 6:00 PM-8:00 PM
Lifeguard on Duty: Yes
Cost: This is a membership only pool. Membership costs vary depending on length of membership and how it is paid (one payment or monthly installments). Call for most up to date information.
INDOOR POOLS:
MONTEREY SPORTS CENTER
301 East Franklin Street, Monterey • (831) 646-3730
Monterey Sports Center offers a large lap pool which has a slide and water basketball hoop as well as a smaller warm pool. Floats are not permitted in the pools during recreational swim. Floats are permitted every Friday evening during recreational swim time. Swim lessons are offered year-round.
Hours of Operation: Call for hours as they vary depending on the day, when the water slide is open and adult swim times.
Water slide riders must be at least 46” tall & be able to swim unassisted to the exit ladder. Riders may not be assisted when riding the slide.
Lifeguard on Duty: Yes
Cost: Drop-in Fee includes: Use of locker/shower room, saunas, gymnasium, weight training center, cardio fitness center, sun deck, and two indoor pools.
Child (5 & under) $3.75; Youth (6-17 years) $5.50; Adult (18-61 years) $9.00; Senior (62 & older) $6.50. Discount for Monterey residents and memberships available.
PATULLO SWIM CENTER
1148 Wheeler Street, Seaside • (831) 899-6815
Patullo Swim Center is run by the City of Seaside. They have a large lap pool with basketball hoop and small slide and a separate small kiddie pool.
Hours of operation: June 5-July 28: Monday-Friday: 2:15-4:30 PM; June 5-December 30: Friday: 7:15-9:00 PM; Saturday: 1:30-4:00 PM
Lifeguard on Duty: Yes
Cost: Youth under 2 free; Youth Residents (17 & under) $3.50; Youth Non-Residents $4.00; Adult Residents (Lap Swim) $5.75; Adult Non-Residents (Lap Swim) $7.00
SALINAS AQUATIC CENTER
920 N. Main Street, Salinas • (831)758-7301
The Salinas Aquatic Center is owned and operated by the YMCA and is for YMCA members only. They offer a variety of aquatic and swimming programs including lap swim, lessons, family swim, water aerobics and more. The Natatorium features a 73-foot-by-75-foot pool along with support spaces that include a lobby, office, lifeguard room, men’s and women’s locker rooms, storage space, and mechanical space. The natatorium is enclosed with an operable roof system that allows up to 50 percent of the roof to be opened.
Hours:
- Monday 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
- Tuesday 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
- Wednesday 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
- Thursday 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
- Friday 6:00 am - 9:00 pm
- Saturday 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm
- Sunday Closed
- Closed 2:00 pm-5:00 pm Monday-Friday