Annenberg Beach House 
415 Pacific Coast Highway
Santa Monica, CA  90402
310.458.4904
Most days 10am-6pm
Adults $10; Children (1-17) $4
When it comes to location, Annenberg wins every time. The swimming pool is simple and lovely and, combined with the various other amenities of the Beach House, makes for a wonderful day out. The pool is 4' to 8' deep, so kids under the age of 8 (or less than 4' tall) need an adult in the water with them. The water is heated to a balmy 80 - 85 degrees and chlorinated, and lounge chairs surround the pool area. Reservations can be a good idea, as pool passes sometimes sell out on a hot summer day - especially on Dollar Splash Mondays!

Santa Monica Swim Center
Santa Monica College
2225 16th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90405
310.458.8700
Most days 10am-7pm
Residents: Adults $3.50; Children $1.50; Non-residents: Adults $7; Children $3
This pool is where everyone in Santa Monica runs into each other. The facility has two large pools: one is warm with a very large shallow end and a couple of swim lanes; the other is cooler with several swimming lanes and two diving boards. To swim in the second pool, kids need to show that they can swim an entire pool length. Both of these pools are hopping all year round.

Rustic Canyon Pool
601 Latimer Road
Santa Monica, CA 90402
310.230.0137
Adults $2.50 (or $2 with LA City Library card); Children free
Tucked in a secluded canyon between Santa Monica and the Palisades, Rustic Canyon has a Santa Monica address but the park is run by the LA Parks service - meaning that the pool is subject to LA Parks rules requiring one parent in the water per child under the age of 7. Nothing fancy, Rustic Canyon's pool is quiet and cool and feels like it's a long way from the city.

Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center
15777 Bowdoin Street
Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
310.230.7255
Adults $8; Children $5; Family $15
Maggie Gilbert Aquatic Center is the name for the new pool at Palisades High School. The facility offers a large lap pool and a smaller pool for lessons and younger kids. The smaller pool is heated to 84 degrees and has a shallow end. Although the pool is open year-round, hours change frequently, so check before heading out.

Malibu Community Pool
30215 Morning View Drive
Malibu, CA 90265
310.589.1933
Adults/children $3
Malibu's community pool is on the high school campus and available to the public outside of school hours.

Culver City Municipal Plunge
4175 Overland Avenue
Culver City, CA 90230
310.253.6680
Adults $4; Children $2.50
Culver City's pool is much loved by the community and a great place to see the neighbors on a hot day. The diving board sees a lot of action among the older kids, and the younger ones can hang in the 4' shallow end. Children less than 48" tall must have an adult in the water (1:1 ratio). Hours change often, so do call ahead.

Stoner Park – West LA
1835 Stoner Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90025
310.575.8286
Adults $2.50 (or $2 with LA City Library card); Children free
A gradual entry the length of the pool that makes it feel more like a shore than a pool, and the giant sprinkling mushroom, walls of water, and other spraying features in the shallows are non-stop fun. There is a formidable waterslide for kids old enough to indulge (48” and 7 years old). Hours can be persnickety; always check before heading out. Note that rules at Stoner are strict: adults must wear bathing suits whether or not they intend to swim, or else wait outside the gate; kids under 7 must have an adult in the water.

Cheviot Hills Pool
2693 Motor Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90064
310.202.2844
Adults $2.50 (or $2 with LA City Library card); Children free
The pool at Cheviot Hills Park is unheated, which doesn't seem to bother anyone on a hot day. One parent is required to be in the water per child under the age of 7.

Beverly Hills Aquatics
241 South Moreno Drive
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
310.286.7446
Adults $3; Children $2
During the summer months, the pool at Beverly Hills High opens up for the city's aquatics program, offering a variety of classes and recreational swim times.

Top photo courtesy of Annenberg Beach House

Originally published July 20, 2012