Take a dive at our favorite BARTable pools, coves and lagoons
Photo courtesy of Daniel C. on Yelp!
When the urge to make a splash kicks in, you can always hit up the Pacific Ocean—or seek out less arduous (and warmer) waters. Hit up outdoor watering holes this summer (or fall) when the weather temps pick up and dive into heated public pools no matter the season of the year. From family aquatic play to nature lounging to senior exercises to competitive lap swimming, soak in these BARTable locales for your next dip.
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San Francisco
Photo courtesy San Francisco Recreation and Parks.
Mission Community Pool | 16th St Mission
Serving families of San Francisco’s Mission district since 1916, the mural-laden Mission Community Pool is a 90-foot-by-40-foot outdoor pool that lets the sunny neighborhood’s light shine in from above its four lanes. There are lap swim programs for various skill levels, water aerobics, and recreational swim hours. Take BART to 16th St Mission and go 0.5 miles to 101 Linda Street.
Photo courtesy of Aquatic Park.
Aquatic Park Cove | Embarcadero
For a San Francisco signature experience, hop on BART and make your way to Aquatic Park Cove with help from the classic F street car. This is a true Bay Area gem, where locals and tourists come for cold-water plunges in a protected cove with a private beach amidst beautiful views of the Bay. Swim along the buoy line for a popular route. Take BART to Embarcadero and then take the F Market and Wharves street car to Jones St. and Beach St.; walk 0.7 miles to Aquatic Park Pier.
Photo courtesy of Lana O. on Yelp!
Balboa Pool | Balboa Park
Balboa Pool underwent a massive renovation and reopened with modern facilities in and out of the pool. Choose your own swim adventure between recreational swim or lap swim with the convenient pool divider making space for all. Check out community programming in its newer event rooms when you're done with your swim! Take BART to Balboa Park and go 0.6 miles to 51 Havelock Street.
Photo courtesy of Josh J. on Yelp!
Garfield Pool | 24th St Mission
With its long wall of windows letting in natural light, Garfield Pool is a bright space divided into wide lap lanes and a shallow children’s pool section. Enjoy a swim and then relax on the greenery of the surrounding Garfield Square park in the Mission. Another beloved SF Rec & Park facility, this pool is outfitted with a locker room, showers, and community rooms. Take BART to 24th St Mission and go 0.5 miles to 1271 Treat Street.
East Bay
Photo courtesy of Daniel C. on Yelp!
Don Castro Regional Park Lagoon | Hayward
Built in 1964, the Don Castro Regional Park Lagoon resulted from the San Lorenzo Creek being dammed. The popular summer swimming hole with a sandy beach attracts adventurers to Hayward for cooling water time nestled within the 101-acre park. In addition to wading in the water, explore scenic hiking trails, waterfront picnics and barbecues, and a full day of communing with ducks and more wildlife. Take BART to Hayward and then take the 95 AC Transit bus to Maude Avenue and Kelly Street; go 0.4 miles to 22400 Woodroe Avenue.
Photo courtesy of Arseny T. on Yelp!
East Oakland Sports Center Water Park | Coliseum
With its signature twisting water slide and a lazy river next to swim lanes, this indoor pool attracts East Bay families no matter the temperature outside. East Oakland Sports Center Water Park has a full schedule of lap swimming, playtime, and recreational hours throughout the week. It’s a relatively shallow pool that caters to youth—with a $3 entry fee for kids. Take BART to Coliseum and go 1.4 miles to 9161 Edes Avenue.
Photo courtesy of 510 Families.
El Cerrito Swim Center | El Cerrito
Grab a day pass to El Cerrito Swim Center and let the kids roam in its popular “splash park” or sprawling outdoor pool. Family programming, swim lessons, and workout sessions mean there’s something on the pool calendar for everyone. For a tranquil summer experience, try some outdoor night swimming. Take BART to El Cerrito Plaza and go 1.0 mile to 7007 Moeser Lane.
Photo courtesy Berrin Y. on Yelp!
King Pool | North Berkeley
An outdoor heated pool located near North Berkeley station, King Pool is a main attraction of King Park, which also boasts a children’s playground for families to get outdoors in the city. While the little ones traverse swings and things nearby in the enclosed play area, adults can get in their workout. This is more for traditional lap swimmers than rec goers, but there are also Family Swim hours. Take BART to North Berkeley and go 0.8 miles to 1700 Hopkins Street.
Where's your favorite place to swim in the Bay Area?
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