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:
Cost: $8 / swim
Lap Swim Schedule
Mon-Fri 6:00am-7:30pm
Sat-Sun: 9.00am-4:00pm
Overall Experience: Has had problems over the year with staffing and closures but seems to have stabilized over the last year or so with new management and settling after pandemic.
UCSC
1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA
Cost: $120 / quarter, $320 / year, have to pay $2.95 parking.
Schedule (varies by quarter): Check current schedule.
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 6am-1:30pm, 3:40pm - 8:00pm
Monday, Wednesday 8am-1:30pm, 3:40pm - 8:00pm
Saturday TBD
Sunday 8am-6pm
Overall Experience: Nice pool. Parking is a pain at times. And it's sometimes closed during holidays.
The City of Santa Cruz Parks & Recreation Department is working diligently to open Harvey West Pool to the public by Summer 2024. More details will be forthcoming.
Overall Experience: Harvey West is a great and underrated pool among the redwoods, although capacity is small (6 lanes). There are plans to revitalize the venue. You can read about it here.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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.
25 Penny Ln, Watsonville, CA 95076
Schedule:
Mon-Thu: 5:00am - 10:00pm
Fri: 5:00am-9:00pm
Sat / Sun: 8:00am - 6:00pm
Overall Experience: Haven't been there since the refurbishment.
Masters/Adult Group Swimming:
Simpkins Adult Fitness:
Now coached by triathlete and experienced swim coach, Mike Bennett.
Cost: $9/workout
Mon/Wed/Fri: 6am and 7:15am
Sat: 9am
Cost: $110 / month for ALL SESSIONS
$60/month for weekends and Friday morning triathlon specific.
Soquel High School
*schedule changes often
Tues-Thurs: 6:00am-7:30am
Sat: 8:00am-9:00am
Sun: 9:00am-10:30am
Simpkins
Mon / Wed / Fri: 12:00pm-1:30pm
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
Hi! Do you know which pools in the county are salt-water?
Hi Martin. I think UCSC is also offering community swimming although I'm not sure of the details.