10 Best Public Swimming Pools in Los Angeles

Annenberg Community Beach House Photo By Ncoriaty – Wikimedia Commons

10 Best Public Swimming Pools In Los Angeles

Los Angeles, California, radiates the classic movie-star looks of the Hollywood industry that it so proudly houses within its borders.

L.A. has all the makings of a perfect travel destination: it’s ruggedly handsome and deeply creative. The city is endowed with a beautiful mix of sandy beaches and hiking trails in its hilly areas.

After you’ve had your fill of exploring the natural world, head to the recreational pools.

There are numerous public swimming pools, and the majority of them are only open during the summer.

Here are the top ten public swimming pools in Los Angeles.

1. Jesse Owens Swimming Pool

Formerly known as Sportsman Park, it was renamed after one of the most famous Olympians of all time, Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals at the 1932 Berlin Olympics.

The Jesse Owens Swimming Pool is located in Jesse Owens Community Regional Park, just minutes from LAX, and has two heated indoor pools.

The park, which is adjacent to the two pools, offers recreational activities on its 20-acre property, including a 9-hole golf course, baseball, flag football, basketball, soccer, tennis, and aqua aerobics.

The pool is open six days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sundays.

2. Culver City Municipal Plunge

Swimming pool Photo By Raphaël Biscaldi on Unsplash

The Culver City Plunge, which is part of Culver City’s Veteran’s Memorial Park, opened on August 31, 1949. The pool is open all year and offers lap swimming in both short and Olympic lengths.

“The Plunge” is a 40,000-square-foot facility whose mission is to provide comprehensive aquatics programming that meets the needs of the community through highly accessible, enjoyable, and diverse learning and recreation opportunities.

Children under 48 inches tall must be accompanied by an adult at a one-to-one ratio. The Plunge also offers Family Swim, which allows four swimmers from the same household to share a lane, with all swimmers recreationally playing in the centre of the lane. In a family swim lane, lap swimming is not permitted.

3. Griffith Park Pool

The fashionistas and creatives who congregate along the Los Feliz/Silver Lake/Echo Park/Atwater axis east of Hollywood have long lauded the Griffith Park Pool (3401 Riverside Dr., Los Angeles 90027).

Most motorists have noticed the splendid pool and its antique building across from the Mulholland Memorial Fountain, which is located near the super busy intersection of Los Feliz Boulevard, Riverside Drive, and the Golden State Freeway.

Would-be swimmers should not be intimidated by the Griffith Park Pool’s appearance; it is a public pool that welcomes everyone including family members to the trendiest artists and fashionistas.

Here you get to swim your worries away.

4. Pan Pacific Park Pool

The Pan Pacific Park Pool is a neighbourhood favourite, located just a short distance from The Grove. This unheated outdoor pool is currently open from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends. This pool is only open during the summer months.

Most of the time, it is crowded with children, and the hours are limited. Lap swimming hours are available, with a section of the pool dedicated to adults swimming laps.

If possible, stop by the pool ahead of time and inquire about the day’s schedule.

5. Hansen Dam Aquatic Center

Swimming pool Photo By Alexandr Podvalny on Unsplash

If you want a completely different swimming experience, head north to Lake View Terrace and LA’s largest public pool, the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center, which has sand and impressive landscaping. 

The children may not be prepared for the enormous size of the Hansen Dam Aquatic Center. Big size equals big fun, which includes two large water slides.

While daily rates are reasonable ($4 for adults, $1 for children), a summer youth pass (valid from Memorial Day to Labor Day) is available for $10. The pool is open from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. seven days a week.

A word of caution: before you go, read the strict facility rules.

6. Annenberg Community Beach House

The Annenberg Community Beach House is located at Santa Monica State Beach and is built on the site of a now-demolished 110-room mansion built by William Randolph Hearst for Marion Davies.

The Annenberg Foundation rehabilitated the mansion’s original pool and opened it to the public on a fee-for-entry basis in 2009.

The pool is tile-trimmed and has a marble deck. One of the original guest houses at the mansion still exists and is used for events.

A splash pad, a children’s play area, a pool, and a small cafe are all available at the Beach House. The swimming pool is only open seasonally; however, there are Pop Up Pool Days when the pool is open all year. To be sure about Pop Up Pool Days, sign up for notifications here.

7. Hollywood Pool

This Hollywood-neighborhood pool is part of the Hollywood Recreation Center and was recently redesigned and reopened.

The reopening of the Hollywood Pool in 2015 revitalized this city-run recreation centre. The unheated pool, which is set against a midcentury-inspired locker room, has multiple diving boards and a spiral water slide.

It is only open during the summer, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends.

There are also three semi-shaded benches around the pool’s perimeter for those who don’t want to get wet.

8. Rose Bowl Aquatics Center

Rose Bowl Aquatics Center Photo By Ucla90024 – Wikimedia Commons

This Hollywood-neighborhood pool is part of the Hollywood Recreation Center and was recently redesigned and reopened.

The reopening of the Hollywood Pool in 2015 revitalized this city-run recreation centre. The unheated pool, which is set against a midcentury-inspired locker room, has multiple diving boards and a spiral water slide.

It is only open during the summer, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekends.

There are also three semi-shaded benches around the pool’s perimeter for those who don’t want to get wet.

9. Verdugo Aquatic Center

The most popular pool is the Verdugo Aquatic Center, which has sold out every day since it opened in the spring thanks to its fantastic Activity Pool.

According to the website, “weekly programming has been increased to include greater capacity for lap swim, a return of aqua fitness, learn-to-swim lessons, and swim team practice.”

In the late spring, summer, and early fall, this location offers recreational swimming. The Verdugo facility contains a big water slide in addition to the leisure pool. It is worth noting that non-Burbank residents pay slightly higher fees.

Whether you’re accompanying your youngster or channelling your inner child, it’s a worthwhile vacation.

10. Santa Monica Swim Center

Swimming pool Photo By Joe Calata on Unsplash

The Santa Monica Swim Center, which is on the Santa Monica College campus, features two heated pools: one for exercise and one for a shallower, relatively warm splash pool.

Fees are slightly higher for non-residents of Santa Monica, and on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, a special “Family Weekend” pricing is available.

Recreational swimming is limited to the smaller splash pool for the majority of the year, although it expands to include the fitness pool on weekends and during the summer.

Because the leisure pool is shallow-only, aspiring divers will have to wait until the fitness pool is available to dive off the boards.
Tuesday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.