(credit: Angela Weiss/Getty Images)
(credit: beachhouse.smgov.net)
While it’s still nice and warm in Los Angeles, enjoy a dip in these unique and wallet-friendly pools. But make plans soon: Labor Day means closing time for most public facilities.
(credit: Angela Weiss/Getty Images)
Annenberg Community Beach House
415 Pacific Coast Highway
Santa Monica, CA 90402
(310) 458-4904
Mor Info
This gorgeous spread just steps from the Pacific Ocean is where Old Hollywood meets the beach. The recently renovated Annenberg Community Beach House, located on the former estate of silent film star Marion Davies, boasts a heated-to-bathwater-temps pool – yes, the very same that Ms. Davies and presumably her companion, Citizen Kane, er, William Randolph Hearst, enjoyed back in the day – a new beach house open to the public, an adjacent play area for the kiddos and Davies’ neighboring guest house, which is free and open for tours. While tickets range from $4-$10 per person, Dollar Splash Mondays invite visitors to pay – you guessed it – $1 each.
credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images
Stoner Park Pool
1835 Stoner Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90025
(310) 575-8286
More Info
Yes, this super kid-friendly pool is located at a place called Stoner Park. Once you get past the name, this aquatic wonderland on the Westside offers more than your average public pool. From spraying fountains, to tall gushing tubes, to an oversized drizzling mushroom and a twisty slide for older children, Stoner Park Pool gives kids that water-park feel for a fraction of the price. Children 17 and under are free, while adults are $2.50 each, unless you have a library card. Then it’s only $2. Smokin’!
credit: Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Pan Pacific Park Pool
141 S. Gardner St.
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 957-4524
More Info
While this spacious and well-tended pool at Pan Pacific Park offers basic amenities, it’s really about location, location, location. Tucked into the expansive park between Beverly Boulevard and 3rd Street, this pool is only a short walk from attractions such as The Grove, the Farmer’s Market and the Fairfax Branch Library. The park itself offers several play areas for kids of all ages, including a smaller patch for the little ones. So, once the family is done splashing in this money-saver of a swimming pool ($2.50 per person, max), they can splurge at a nearby lunch spot.
credit: Timm Schamberger/Getty Images
Culver City Municipal Plunge
4175 Overland Ave.
Culver City, CA 90232
(310) 253-6680
More Info
A favorite among lap swimmers, this pool located close to Veterans Memorial Park in Culver City has a bonus feature that’s a plus for adventurous kiddos – a diving board. However, the pool sports the admirable “safety first” motto, so swimmers must first pass a swimming test and be at least 48 inches tall before taking the diving-board plunge. Fees are a little higher at this public pool than those within the L.A. City limits. That said, it’s still an affordable $4 per adult and $2.50 per child.
(credit: calabasastsc.com)
Calabasas Swim & Tennis Center
23400 Park Sorrento
Calabasas, CA 91302
(818) 222-2782
More Info
For the West Valley and beyond, the pool at Calabasas Swim and Tennis Center is a luxurious public oasis. The Junior-Olympic-sized pool and children’s pool are both heated year-round, and there are ample times for public swim. See website for schedule. Open swim session fees range from $1 to $3.
