Your guide to San Diego's public pools
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The newly reopened MLK community pool is ready for swimmers. Photo: Courtesy of city of San Diego
San Diego's beaches are hot spots all summer, but the city's public pools offer fun, affordable, chlorinated spots to catch some rays and cool off.
The big picture: There are 14 neighborhood pools open this summer, offering recreation and lap swimming, fitness classes, kids water polo and free swim lessons.
- The facilities range from small community swimming holes to large aquatic centers. Many are great for hosting birthday parties.
- Check out each pool's guide for programs and hours.
The latest: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. pool in South Encanto reopened this month after being closed for a facility upgrade that included a new pool deck. It was the pool's first major renovation in nearly 60 years.
- You can get free admission passes Tuesdays-Saturday throughout June, and Fridays and Saturdays in July and August.
- The pool is also offering free swim lessons for toddlers, CBS8 reported.
🏊 Other local pools, and some of our favorite features about them, when applicable:
- Allied Gardens, diving board and wading pool
- Bud Kearns Memorial in Balboa Park
- Carmel Mountain
- Carmel Valley, two water slides and a play structure
- City Heights Swim Center, water slide and play structure
- Colina del Sol in Mid-City
- Kearny Mesa, features a warm-water arthritis therapy pool
- Memorial Pool in Logan Heights, splash pad
- Ned Baumer Aquatic Center in Mira Mesa, three pools (competitive, recreation, children's), a slide and diving board.
- Standley Aquatic Center in University City, diving board
- Swanson Memorial Pool (next to Standley), warm-water arthritis therapy pool
- Tierrasanta, children's pool with playground and water sprays
- Vista Terrace in San Ysidro
How it works: You pay at the pool for each visit — $5 for adults (16+) and $2.50 for kids and seniors (62+).
- Adult passes cost $96 for 30 visits and $36 for 10 visits; $48 and $18, respectively, for children, seniors and disabled adults. They can be used at any pool.
- Swim for free at the City Heights Swim Center and Memorial Pool in Logan Heights during recreational swim hours and Parks after Dark events.
- The city's activity fee waiver program is also available for low-income families.
🚫 All city pools will be closed June 19, and some will be closed or have limited hours on July 4.
❌ Clairemont pool remains closed for major renovations.
🚧 Mira Mesa community pool is still under construction as part of a $43 million park renovation.
- Its new aquatic complex is expected to reopen in September with a 14-lane competition pool, an activity pool and a splash pad.