Looking for a Swimming Pool This Summer?

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, reminding you that summer is here after all. There are some options for Coastsiders looking for a pool and perhaps grab some sun, away from the ocean fog and sand.

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 Half Moon Bay Lodge and Beach House Hotel, here's a guide to some of the public pools in the area.

La Honda Pool, La Honda

The La Honda Pool opened June 7 this year. Staffed by lifeguards, the pool 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 from noon to 6 p.m. 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.

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. Children must be 6 years of age, 48” tall and be water safe to swim unattended, or they must be accompanied in the water one-on-one with an adult. No personal flotation devices allowed. There are dressing rooms that include lockers but guests must provide their own locks and towels. Hours for recreation swim are Monday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday & Sunday 1 to 3 p.m. 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 has a heated swimming pool for their team that operates year-round and is heated by natural gas. The Mavericks Swimming Assocation also uses the pool for morning and evening lap swim to practice for its youth teams and a water polo conditioning class. E-mail swim coach Cindy Lee at cindyswimlee@earthlink.net for more information about Mavericks swim team practice sessions and the “Mini Mavs” swim program this summer. Memberships to the pool are available for $60 per month or $60 for a 10-swim pass. All Masters and adult lap swim participants must be members of United States Masters Swimming (USMS). You can join USMS online by visiting www.usms.org/ and clicking on the join/renew links. Lap swim is for those of any age 18+ wishing to swim on their own and at their own pace. Lap swim times: Monday through Friday: 5:30 - 7:00 a.m. Evening swim for adults M-F 6:15 - 7:30 p.m (all six lanes available at 6:30pm). Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.