Where Do You Swim in the East Bay?

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 renovated King Playground in the Hopkins Street neighborhood, King Pool is a heated outdoor pool that offers year round swimming. Family and recreational swimming is offered every day during the summer months. Grab a 10 Swims drop-in pass for $58 and make it a weekly swim play date throughout the summer! Check the schedule here> 

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. This seasonal pool usually opens around Memorial Day Weekend, but for 2026 this may be delayed due to nearby construction. 
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.
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 TBD for 2026; they’re working on repairs). The diving boards will be open on weekends starting in mid-June. Families can find swim lessons, recreational swim time, community parties and a fully separate splash park outside. Family Swim Programming is on pause until May 2026 due to construction.
Fees:Drop-In: Adults $8 per person, 2-17 years and older $5; FREE 1 year and under
7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito Website>

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 2026 runs June 22 – August 14, Monday – Thursday: 1 pm – 3 pm; Friday – Sunday: 2 pm – 4 pm; August 15 – September 27 Saturday & Sunday: 2 pm – 4 pm. Drop-in fees: Adults $6; Kids ages 5-17 $4, under 4 is FREE! More info here>

Piedmont Community Pool, Piedmont

After an extensive reconstruction, the Piedmont Community Pool is open for swimmers as of Saturday, April 11, 2026. Throughout April, the drop-in price for residents and non-residents alike is $5 per person. Read more about it here>

Trefethen Aquatic Center at Northeastern University (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> Current Calendar 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 opened last year and is fabulous. 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 (May 16 – September 27): 11 am – 6 pm; Monday – Friday (June 1 – August 14): 11 am – 4 pm; No entry after 3:30 pm (weekdays) and 5:30 pm (weekends).  Swim season ends on September 27, 2026. Read more about the park here> Website here>

Encinal & Emma Hood Swim Centers, Alameda

All aquatic programming will be at Encinal Swim Center this year (Emma Hood is still under construction, opening TBD). Summer 2026 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>

San Leandro Family Aquatic Center and Farrelly Pool, San Leandro

These two pools are great options for Summer fun. The San Leandro Family Aquatic Center (SLFAC) is located at Washington Manor Park. This dynamic, state-of-the-art facility offers a heated pool with an activity pool that has a zero-depth entry and water play structure, three 25-yard lap lanes, and a 17-foot tall water slide. Farrelly Pool is located adjacent to Roosevelt Elementary School and offers a heated pool with seven 25-yard lap lanes. Both pools offer Family Rec Swim starting in June 2026. Check their schedules 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 Memorial Day Weekend for weekend hours, and Summer Hours beginning in June 15, 2026. Tot Time for 2026: Free play in the Splash Pool for parents and children ages 5 and under. The bucket is off the entire time. Check hours.
Current Fees (Summer fees will update in June): 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. Outdoor diving board available, indoor basketball hoop. 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 currently available, so check before you go), activity pools, beach entry pool (sloping pool entrance), lazy river and a two lane lap area ensuring fun for the entire family. Currently not open weekends, but they do have Aquatic Playtime M-F for 6 and under.  More information here> Current Schedule>

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. Spring Schedule runs March 1 – June 21, 2026. Check spring hours here>

Silliman Aquatic Center, Newark

2026 Update: Pool is closed for repairs March 30 – June 21. 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. Spring rec hours offered only on the weekends. Summer rec hours begin in June, with more play times offered. Ages 3+ are $13, ages 0-2 are $4. Again, be sure to check the website and call before going as they sometimes have closures. More information here>

Boys & Girls Club, San Leandro

The Boys & Girls Club Pool is an indoor facility that is open year-round, offering a heated pool with five 25-yard lap lanes, and an enclosed patio with tables. Family Rec Swim starts in June and goes through August for the 2026 season. Check their schedule 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 2026 Summer season early, the weekend before Memorial Day weekend, then open weekends and holidays, May 16 – Sep 27. Open Mon through Fridays, June 1 – Aug 14.  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! 2026 Spring Hours are weekends only. Summer Hours Begin: Weekends June 6 – September 6; Weekdays June 8 – August 7, 2026. Prices: Adult 18+: $8, Youth 7-17: $6, Child 0-6: $5 (there may be a price increase in July).

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 in June, running through August. They also have designated Toddler Time slots for kids ages 5 and under. Check hours here>  Sprayground Prices: $3/Person Rec Swim Prices: Adult 18+: $8, Youth 7-17: $6, Child 0-6: $5. 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 2026. 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 will hopefully be open for Summer 2026. They are scheduled to open May 16, 2026. We love going there on a hot day after visiting Little Farm or the Carousel. Keep an eye on water conditions though> . Updated open hours and days are here>

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 our 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 May 16 to September 27, 2026 – Weekends and Holidays Only; Monday through Friday from June 1 – Aug 14; 11 am to 6 pm (water closes at 5:30 p.m.) 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 2026 weekends and Holidays May 16 – September 27; Open Monday through Friday: June 1–Aug. 14. Hours: 11am-5:30pm (swimming closes at 5:30pm, gates close at 6pm) More information here >
22400 Woodroe Avenue, Hayward

Lake Temescal, Oakland

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. For 2026, opening is set for Apr. 29 – Sept 17, weekends and holidays June 12 – Aug. 18, Monday – Fridays  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 (or possibly closed) for Summer 2026

• Contra Loma Lagoon, Antioch is still closed for construction until further notice.  Check for updates >
• Lake Temescal and Lake Anza often end up closing at some point during the season. Check for updates>
• Horseshoe Lake’s Niles Beach is under advisory for swimming due to a blue-green algae. Check for updates >
• Del Valle Lake, Livermore: East and West Beach are under caution, both for algae issues. Check for updates>
• Silliman Aquatic Center, Newark. 2026 Update: Pool is closed for repairs March 30 – June 21.

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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