Great Escape: Coastside Edition

Surrounded by surf, sand and summer fog, Pacifica to Pescadero certainly is not the most popular destination for finding swimming pools. But don’t let this drive you to despair if you’re seeking an indoor or outdoor swimming pool close to home to take a dip, reminding you that it is the height of summer after all. There are some options for Coastsiders looking for a pool soak and perhaps grab some sun, away from the ocean fog and sand.

Plus, swimming is one of the best forms of exercise that there is. It doesn’t put any strain on your joints and can be done in most weather conditions, including coastal fog and rain, providing the pool is somewhat heated, of course.

So if you fancy a dip and aren’t a member of the Colony Club in Ocean Colony, a friend of someone living in Canada Cove, or checking into one of the few pool-on-site hotels on the coast at the , and , here's a guide to some of the public pools in the area. Hopping from pool to pool couldn’t be any easier.

Jean E. Brink Swimming Pool, Pacifica

The Brink Swimming Pool is a 10 lane, 25-yard indoor pool that’s open year round. The City of Pacifica, Parks Beaches & Recreation Department is the primary user of the pool and offers aquatic programs. The pool boasts a one-meter and a three-meter diving board. Depth ranges from 3 feet to 12 feet. Pool temperature is maintained at 82 degrees. There are dressing rooms that include lockers but guests must provide their own locks and towels. Fees: Youth & Seniors are $4 per swim, 10 passes are $36, 20 passes are $68. Adults are $5 per swim, 10 passes are $45, 20 passes are $85.

Half Moon Bay High School Pool, Half Moon Bay

The Half Moon Bay High School pool is one of the best-kept secrets in town. The pool has a heated swimming pool that operates year-round and is heated by natural gas. The Mavericks Swim Club uses the pool for other activities, ranging from morning and evening lap swim to practice for its youth teams to a water polo conditioning class. This summer, thanks to a partnership between the Boys & Girls Club of the Coastside and the , open swim lasts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Sunday through Aug. 14. Lifeguards are on site. Fees: During summer, swimming is $5 per day. During the academic year, memberships are available for $60 per month or $60 for a 10-swim pass.

La Honda Pool, La Honda

The La Honda Pool, staffed by lifeguards, is heated by solar panels and is up to 80 degrees most days of the summer. Sun promises to peek out at this South Coast outdoor pool most summer days. Serving residents since 1926, the pool was built at the same time the Cuesta La Honda Homeowners Guild was formed. Today, the 300 households in the guild own and maintain it through monthly dues. The whole season runs Memorial Day to Labor Day. Fees: For Guild members the group pass is still free, and for non-Guild members the price for a group pool pass is $298. ($49 for additional people on a group pass). The day guest pass rate is $7 and a booklet of 10 guest passes is $60. For children two years old and under the rate is $3.