Swim clubs appeal to families because they offer more features and more community than a public pool. Some people join a club for the attached gym, tennis courts, or snack bar, which makes it easy to feed their kids on summer afternoons. Read on to learn more about East Bay swim clubs.
Some swim clubs are open year-round, while some are seasonal. Some are country-club-style, where you pay an initiation fee and ongoing membership dues. Some offer summer camps and/or on-site childcare for parents who are working out.
Here is a list of the swim clubs to which some {510} Families readers belong.
Family-Friendly Swim Clubs in the East Bay
While we hesitate to publish prices that may go out of date, we have flagged the start-up fees in two categories, low and high, in which low initiation fees are under $2000 and high initiation fees are greater than $2000. We hope this helps you get a sense of the pricing.
Bay-O-Vista (San Leandro)
Focused on families, the Bay-O-Vista Club offers a lap pool and a kiddie pool in the warmer months. On-site childcare has been on pause but may open again this summer. Located near Lake Chabot, this club invites you to stop by for a tour and learn about membership, which requires a low start-up fee and then monthly dues.
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Location: 1881 Astor Dr. San Leandro, CA 94577
See also: Where to Swim in the East Bay (Including Lakes!)
Berkeley Tennis Club
Located across the street from the Claremont Resort & Club, Berkeley Tennis Club emphasizes tennis but also has a lap pool, whirlpool, and cafe. Membership is by application, typically submitted by a sponsoring member, and requires a high initiation fee if you are over 35, plus monthly dues. For young families (parents under 35), the initiation fee is low.
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Location: One Tunnel Rd, Berkeley, CA 94705
The Club at the Claremont Resort & Club (Oakland)
Club members share the pools (outdoor saline pools, a whirlpool, and a splash pad for kids), tennis courts, and fitness facilities with hotel guests. This iconic luxury resort features multiple onsite restaurants and a full-service spa. Buy in with a high initiation fee and then pay monthly dues. Membership pricing is available upon inquiry.Â
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Location: 41 Tunnel Rd, Berkeley, CA 94705
The Hills Swim & Tennis Club (Oakland)
(No memberships are available as of this writing.) Part of a small chain, California Athletic Clubs, The Hills is home to a robust swimming program, including a competitive youth team. Membership includes access to a full gym with group fitness classes. But the club is also meant to be a home away from home with a cafe for poolside dining and shower facilities.
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Location: 2400 Manzanita Rd, Oakland, CA 94611
See also: Where to Find Swimming Lessons in the East Bay
Harbor Bay Club (Alameda)
Set right on the water in Alameda, the Harbor Bay Club offers family memberships that provide access to a year-round heated pool as well as a fitness center and tennis courts. For kids, there is an after-school program, swim and tennis lessons, and annual summer camp programs. There is no large initiation fee.
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Location: 200 Packet Landing Rd, Alameda, CA 94502
Lakeridge Athletic Club (El Sobrante)
This is a full-service gym with a large outdoor pool, swim lessons for kids, and cabanas to reserve for socializing poolside. There is a staffed childcare room that will enable parents to work out while their little ones are entertained and cared for. The club makes for a great birthday party venue for kids who want a swim party. The fees are simply monthly dues, like a gym.
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Location: 6350 San Pablo Dam Rd, El Sobrante, CA 94803
Montclair Swim Club (Oakland)
For families who want a pool without the hassle of owning one, Montclair Swim Club is designed to be that place. With a lap pool, recreation pool, and baby pool, this club keeps its membership roster small so it is never crowded. Many kids take swim lessons here. Buy in with a high initiation fee and then pay monthly dues.
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Location: 1901 Woodhaven Way, Oakland, CA 94611
Oakwood Athletic Club (Lafayette)
A family-friendly club with childcare, Kids Night Outs, and other events for members, Oakwood features a year-round heated pool. Swim lessons and a junior swim team are available through the club.
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Location: 4000 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette, CA 94549
Oakland Hills Tennis Club
Located on Redwood Road near Skyline Blvd, OHTC has a lovely pool for its members with lanes for laps and lessons. There is a seasonally open baby pool, too, and a hot tub. On-site babysitting is offered for a small fee to facilitate parents being able to swim, play tennis, or work out. Buy in with a high initiation fee and then pay monthly dues.
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Location: 5475 Redwood Rd, Oakland, CA 94619
Oak Springs Pool (Orinda)
This is a small, seasonal swim club, associated with a housing community, loved by families who are in the know about it. Memberships are available for purchase by families who don’t live in the development. A family membership carries a low-cost initiation fee and then a low cost for the season. The season begins on Memorial Day and ends in October, depending on the weather. The pool features a wading area for young children, lap lanes, and a diving board.
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Location: 39 Spring Rd, Orinda, CA
Other places to swim in the East Bay
YMCAs (Oakland and Berkeley)
The East Bay YMCAs are full-service gyms with indoor pools, group fitness classes, and some programming for kids. Membership gives you access to all the East Bay YMCAs. On-site childcare is available at some locations, not all. One of the most affordable options, a family membership is $120/month for two adults and their children. Swimming lessons often have a waiting list, so be sure to ask if that’s what you’re after.
1 thought on “10 Swim Clubs for East Bay Families”
Saw this article and reached out to The Club at the Claremont Hotel & Resort. Initiation fees are $20K on top of monthly dues. I asked if they had any options for families that might need financial aid or scholarships and unfortunately haven’t heard back. I’m sure in this area people have that to spend but it’s a very exclusive group and tells me that this establishment doesn’t prioritize economic diversity.