Martin Spierings
Lap and Coached Group Pool Swimming in Santa Cruz
Updated: Jan 5
Update as of December 2022:
Well, we hoped for more post-pandemic but swimming in Santa Cruz County doesn't seem any less complicated. Simpkins has been hit with "staffing issues". I couldn't write an entire blog on this topic. But let's focus on how to get your laps in today. We've compiled a list of pools and their availability for both doing your own lap swimming workout or finding a coached masters or adult swim group in the Santa Cruz area.
Skip to masters/adult group swimming info HERE.
Public Lap Swimming:
Simpkins Family Swim Center
Cost: $8 / swim
Schedule: Drop in
Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat 6:00am-7:30pm
Tue, Thu, Sun: CLOSED
Overall Experience: I can't even with this pool. The times that it IS actually open it's now crowded
UCSC
1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA

Cost: $120 / quarter, $320 / year, have to pay $2.95 parking.
Schedule:
Monday 8am-2:30pm/4:30-8pm
Tuesday 6am-1:30pm/3:30-8pm
Wednesday 8am-2:30pm/4:30-8pm
Thursday 6am-1:30pm/3:30-8pm
Friday 8am-2:30pm/4:30-8pm
Saturday 11am-6pm
Sunday 8:30am-6pm
Overall Experience: Nice pool. Parking is a pain at times. And it's sometimes closed during holidays.
Harvey West Pool
275 Harvey West Blvd. Santa Cruz, CA

Closed in Winter (we don't know why)
Cost: Drop in $7 (adult), $5 (senior + youth) per swim
Schedule
Mon / Wed / Fri:
6:00am-11:45am and 1:30pm-7:30pm
Sat / Sun:
9:00am-4:00pm
Tues / Thurs: Closed
Overall Experience: Harvey West is a great and underrated pool among the redwoods, although capacity is small (6 lanes).
Enterprise Sports Club

100 Enterprise Way G100 Scotts Valley, CA
Cost: $99/month membership + $99 sign up fee.
Schedule:
Mon-Fri: 5:30am-9:00pm
Sat / Sun: 7:00am-8:00pm
Overall Experience: Expensive option if you're not swimming regularly. It's a nice pool and the hot tub is an added bonus.
La Madrona Sport Club
1897 La Madrona DriveSanta Cruz, CA
Cost: $175 / month but there's a waiting list
Overall Experience: They have a couple of nice pools and facilities but it's STILL on a booking system with 45 min slots and it's hard to get in.

In-Shape Capitola
1100-1200 41st Ave, Capitola, CA

Cost: $69.99/month + $49.99 enrollment
Schedule:
Mon-Fri: 4:00am-11:00pm
Sat / Sun: 6:00am-8:00pm
Overall Experience: Narrow and shallow lanes (limited to 4) with a lot of non-swimmers using this pool
Seascape Sports Club
1505 Seascape Blvd - Aptos, CA

Cost: $93/month + $800 initial membership fee
Schedule:
7:00am- 6:30pm
*must call no more than 24 hours in advance to reserve a lane for 45 minutes. 5 lanes in total.
SLV High School Community Pool
7105 Highway 9, Felton, CA 95018

Cost: Drop in/guests $5.00 per swim
Membership:
Residents living in SLV:
$40 (individual), $100 (family)
Residents living outside of SLV:
$80 (individual), $200 (family)
*Membership good till May 2022
Schedule: School Year
Mon / Weds: 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Sat / Sun: 1:30pm - 4:30pm
*closed Dec 18 - Jan 2nd
Cabrillo Fitness Center (Toadal Fitness)
Cost: Membership price not available on website.
Schedule:
Mon-Fri: 6:00am - 9:00pm
Sat / Sun: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Overall Experience:
Salt water pool, but it's short and shallow. Only 50 feet or about 17 yds long. You must be a Toadal Fitness member first and still have to reserve a lane.
Quicksilver Santa Cruz Masters:
Cost: $110 / month for ALL SESSIONS
$40/month for weekends and Friday morning triathlon specific.
Soquel High School

*schedule changes often
Tues-Thurs: 6:00am-7:30am
Sat: 8:00am-9:30am
Sun: 9:00am-10:30am
Triathlon-Specific Masters Swim
Coached by Gunnar Roll
Fridays: 6:00am-7:30am
Simpkins Family Swim Center
Now coached by Quiksliver coaches
Cost: $8 / swim
Schedule:
Mon / Wed / Fri: 12:00pm
Watsonville High School
Mon / Wed / Fri: 6:00am-7:30am
*Weekends only membership: 8:00am-10:00am
CRUZ Masters:
Cost: $100/month. $10/drop in.
UCSC
Mon / Wed / Fri: 12pm
Tue / Thu : 6am, 7am, 6pm
Sun: 10am
Seascape Sports Club Adult Fitness:
Cost: $20/month + membership
Schedule:
Tues / Fri: 6:15am-7:00am