Each summer, we love to share our favorite East Bay swimming pools, lakes, lagoons, and beaches. Read on for dozens of spots where your family can swim.
Favorite Public East Bay Outdoor Swimming Pools (open seasonally)
King Pool, Berkeley
Right next to the newly renovated King Playground in the Hopkins Street neighborhood, King Pool is a heated outdoor pool that is now open again after recent renovations. Family and recreational swimming is offered every day during the summer months. Grab a 10 Swims drop-in pass for $51 and make it a weekly swim play date throughout the summer! Check the schedule here>Â
Strawberry Canyon Recreation Area (SCRA) Pool, Berkeley
On the UC campus, Strawberry Canyon is a large lap pool with a big area for families and a wading pool for toddlers. There is a grassy area to park yourself in for snacks. Open Memorial Day Weekend for the 2024 season
Fees: Day pass fees are $15 for adults, $5 for kids under 12, kids 3 and under are free. You must buy admission in person. The hours are impossible to remember so you’ll want to check here and possibly this website.
Centennial Drive just East of Stadium Rim Way, Berkeley
West Campus Pool, Berkeley
This outdoor heated pool in West Berkeley offers both family and recreational swimming every day throughout the summer without a lot of frills. You’ll need to buy drop in pass through the city website before going, and check the hours here >
El Cerrito Swim Center, El Cerrito
The El Cerrito Swim Center includes a large lap pool; smaller warmed recreation pool with zero entry; water spray features; and a water slide (slide is closed for 2024). Families can find swim lessons, recreational swim time, community parties and a fully separate splash park outside. Slide Demolition begins May 20 through June 7, 2024. Expect noise, and use of heavy machinery.
Fees:Drop-In: Adults $5 per person, 2-17 years and older $5; FREE 1 year and under
7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito
Emeryville Swim Center, Emeryville
The Emeryville Center for Community Life (ECCL) runs this aquatic center and community swimming pool for the City of Emeryville including swim lessons and recreational swim time for families. They also offer swim parties for Birthdays. Rec Swim for 2024 runs June 17 – August 9 Weekdays: 1:30pm – 3:30pm; Saturday & Sunday: 1:30pm – 3:30pm; August 10 – September 29 Saturday & Sunday: 1:30pm – 3:30pm. Drop-in fees: Adults $7; Kids ages 6-17 $4, under 4 is FREE! More info here>
Trefethen Aquatic Center at Mills College, Oakland
General public pays $8 at this lovely lap swimming pool at Trefethen Aquatic Center in the hills. FREE for under 3. Large shade tents, no slides or frills. Fill out the waiver before you suit up. Rec swim only available on the weekends, 1 pm – 5 pm. More info here>
5000 MacArthur Blvd, Oakland
Lions Pool, Dimond Park, Oakland
The summer schedule begins in June at this City of Oakland-run pool Check Hours and offerings here > Kids pay $1; Adults are $3.
Dimond Park Recreation Center, Oakland
Roberts Pool Complex, Oakland
This newly renovated pool is open as of April 27, 2024. Located in Roberts Regional Recreation Area, the newly renovated Roberts Pool complex features six competition swim lanes and two cool-down lanes (approximately 5,600 sq. ft.) including additional shallow areas for recreation, swim lessons, and training. Weekends and Holidays (April 27 – September 15): 11 AM – 6 PM; Monday – Friday (June 10 – August 16): 11 AM – 4 PM; No entry after 3:30 PM (weekdays) and 5:30 PM (weekends). Read more about the park here> Website here>
Encinal & Emma Hood Swim Centers, Alameda
Both of these outdoor pools in Alameda offer public family swim times throughout the summer. Summer 2024 season starts in June and goes through August. Drop-in is $4-$6 depending on residency. Check their website to make sure they’re open. Summer swim passes are also available and they have fun Theme days and a diving board! More information here>
Rankin Aquatic Center, Martinez
With pools, slides, and a water play zone with dumping buckets, our kids love this affordable mini waterpark. Rankin Aquatic Center is a family favorite, opening Summer Hours beginning June 15, 2024: Recreation Swim (6/15 – 8/9): Weekdays: 1 pm – 5 pm; Weekends: 12 pm – 5 pm. Tot Time for 2024: Free play in the Splash Pool for parents and children ages 5 and under. The bucket is off the entire time. Tot Splash (6/16 – 9/1): Sundays: 9:30 – 11:30 am. Check hours.
Fees: 2 and under are free, youth 3-17 are $5, adults 18-54 are $7, and seniors 55+ are $6.
Favorite East Bay Indoor Swimming Pools
Albany Swim Center, Albany
There are both indoor and outdoor pools, with family rec swim offered most afternoons during the summer (the hours can change often, so check the website before packing up your towels and goggles!). Be prepared for random closures and time changes at this pool (Albany is notorious for staffing shortages). Be sure to check the website before going, or subscribe for email updates. Don’t bring your own toys or floaties (they’re not allowed), but they provide oodles of noodles and balls to play with. Pricing: $4 – $7.50. More information here>
Aquatech, Alameda & Concord
You’ll need to register and pay $15 per person to swim at Aquatech. Capacity is limited so you’ll need to search their online reservation system to find a time to swim. Recreational hours vary by location. More information here>
East Oakland Sports Center Pool, Oakland
East Oakland Sports Center Pool is located at the East Oakland Sports Center next to Ira Jinkins Recreation Center. The Aquatic Center includes a 9,000 sq. ft. indoor water park featuring a white water slide (not always available though), activity pools, beach entry pool (sloping pool entrance), lazy river and a two lane lap area ensuring fun for the entire family. Â More information here>
Richmond Plunge & Richmond Swim Center
Both of these indoor pools in Richmond are great options for swimming in the East Bay. The Richmond Plunge is huge and has recreational and tot swim times available throughout the week in the summer. The Richmond Swim Center has similar recreational swim offerings along with a 1-foot deep wading area, and some spray features that offer excitement for little ones. Summer Schedule starting June 12, 2024. Check spring and summer hours here>
Silliman Aquatic Center, Newark
This crazy fun indoor swim center has loads to keep your little ones entertained. Read our review here> Be sure to call prior to your arrival to see what amenities will be offered: 510-578-4668 to speak directly with staff. Summer rec hours begin in June. Ages 3+ are $12, ages 0-2 are $3. Again, be sure to check the website and call before going as they sometimes have closures. More information here>
Worth the Drive: Walnut Creek and San Ramon Pools
Castle Rock Swimming Pool, Walnut Creek
This is such a beautifully situated pool in a forest in Walnut Creek. We had a lovely afternoon there and think you will too! Castle Rock Swim Area is part of a larger EBRPD regional recreation area. The Castle Rock pool complex at Diablo Foothills features a 30 x 70 foot chlorinated swimming pool and deck area. The pool opens for the 2024 Summer season over Memorial Day weekend, open weekends and holidays, May 25 – Sep 15. Open Thursdays and Fridays, Jun 13 – Aug 16. Cash and check only (no credit cards). Hours are 11am to 6pm (water closes at 5:30pm). Check current opening status at Castle Rock Swimming Pool info >
Clarke Memorial Pool, Walnut Creek
Opening for summer hours in June, Clarke offers a wading pool, recreational section of the 50m pool, and diving well to splash around and play. The Inflatable Obstacle course access is available for $2 extra (read our experience here). The Clarke pool is in Heather Farm Park, so it’s a great day trip for families! 2024 Summer Hours Begin: Weekends June 8 – September 1; Weekdays June 10 – August 2, 2024. Prices: Adult 18+: $7.00, Youth 7-17: $6.00, Child 0-6: $5.00 (Adult Price Increase: July 1st 2024).
Larkey Pool, Walnut Creek
Larkey is a favorite and is offering sprayground drop-in starting in June. During recreational swimming at Larkey, the large sections of shallow and deep water are open along with the diving boards and the sprayground. During sprayground only hours, only the sprayground is open and the pool is not available for recreational swim. Rec Swim begins on weekends in May, with summer hours beginning in June, running through August. They also have designated Toddler Time slots for kids ages 5 and under. Check hours here>Â Sprayground Prices: $2/Person Rec Swim Prices: Adult 18+: $7.00, Youth 7-17: $6.00, Child 0-6: $5.00. Check Hours Here >
San Ramon Olympic Pool and Aquatic Park
The San Ramon Olympic Pool and Aquatic Park is another favorite of 510 Families readers who are looking for a warmer destination in which they can enjoy a pool. This pool features an awesome play area for toddlers and preschoolers. Open weekends starting Memorial Day Weekend, with daily summer hours beginning in June, running through August 2024. Details here>
Favorite Beaches Where You Can Actually Swim (open seasonally)
East Bay Regional Park swim options are awesome and affordable. Crown Beach and Keller are FREE, while the rest listed here are $4 for adults and $2 for kids, infants under 1 are FREE. Drop-in, or check if pre-registration is available if you want to make sure you can get in on busy weekends.
Crown Beach, Alameda
Crown Beach is open year-round with no lifeguards or fees; a changing room is onsite. Check the water conditions before you go; the swimmer’s itch has been reported. Ick. We’ve been oodles of times though, all without issue.
8th Street & Otis Drive, Alameda
Lake Anza, Berkeley
This sometimes open little lake in the hills of Berkeley’s Tilden Park is actually open for Summer 2024 (for now at least)! We love going there on a hot day after visiting Little Farm or the Carousel. Keep an eye on water conditions though> Weekends and Holidays (April 27 – September 15): 11 AM – 6 PM
Monday – Friday (May 27 – September 6): 11AM – 6 PM.
Keller Beach, Richmond
This gem is located in the Point Richmond District at Miller/Knox Regional Park in southwestern Richmond; no lifeguard but lots of sand, water, and pretty views. See Whitney’s review of Keller Beach. Keep an eye on water quality though before you go.
Dornan Drive & Western Drive, Richmond.
Cull Canyon, Castro Valley
A human-made 1.5-acre swim lagoon with a real sandy beach all around the edge in a natural setting surrounded by trees. It also features a bathhouse, vending machines, free life jackets, and lifeguards. Terrific for families with small children with shallow water and white, sandy beaches. There’s also a dock for stronger swimmers to visit. Read about our visit to Cull Canyon > Cull Canyon is open weekends and holidays April 27 – September 2 for the 2024 season; and daily May 27 – August 16. Optional pre-registration is available for weekends and holidays. Non-holiday weekdays are walk-ups only. Check restrictions and hours.
18627 Cull Canyon Road, Castro Valley
Don Castro Swimming Lagoon, Hayward
A sandy beach with a machine-made lagoon gives the best of both beach and swimming pool vibes. We love the toddler-friendly shallows. Don Castro is a family favorite. Opening for Summer 2024 weekends and Holidays May 25 – September 15; Monday – Friday: June 10 – August 16. More information here >
22400 Woodroe Avenue, Hayward
Lake Temescal, Oakland (Postponed for 2024)
Another oasis in the middle of a city, Temescal Park offers ample picnic spots on grass as well as on the sandy beach of the lake. It’s been a while since this local lake has been open for swimming, but you never know, things may change before the summer season is over. Read more about Lake Temescal > Check the website for more info>
North Entrance: 6500 Broadway Oakland
South Entrance: 6502 Broadway Terrace Oakland
East Bay Swim Clubs
If swimming is a big part of your dream summer schedule, a swim club might be the thing for you. Some are full-service gyms while some are simply seasonally open pools that sell memberships.
See the list of East Bay swim clubs >
Favorite East Bay Swim Spots Closed for Summer 2024
- Contra Loma Lagoon, Antioch closed for construction Summer of 2024. Â Check for updates >
- Lake Temescal, Oakland. Blue-green algae problems again. Check for updates >
- Horseshoe Lake’s Niles Beach is closed to swimming due to a blue-green algae too. Check for updates >
- Del Valle Lake, Livermore:Â East Beach is closed, West Beach open under caution, both for algae issues. Check for updates>
More Ideas to Splash and Cool Off in the Water
See also more great Bay Area beaches available with a little drive outside the East Bay.
Worth the Drive: Inflatable Aqua Park Playground near Sacramento>>
Check out our guide to Bay Area water parks >>
Pick your favorite splash pads for little kids>>
Find pools doing swimming lessons for East Bay kids >>
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