El Cerrito Swim Center

I’ve swam in enough pools in my life, but ECSC is by far THE best one! This is truly a community pool, meaning the programming and pool schedule are multidimensional. They have a completely separate shallow pool for small toddlers and kids; a large 3ft-deep pool for children’s swim class; and finally, a mammoth 8-10 lane pool for fitness and lap swimming. This pool also hosts the local high school water polo team, so suffice it to say you need to read the schedule and be cognizant of the various programming transitions that happen throughput the day and week! That being said, this is hands down the most immaculately maintained pool in which I’ve EVER swam, in my entire life. The pools are absolutely pristine(!) and the water in the main fitness/lap pool is a combination of chlorine and salt which make it not only feel amazing but also make it a breeze to swim in. Lastly, this pool is open year round and outdoors; however, the temp is PERFECT every time — not hot, but not cold — JUST PERFECT! The only downside is that it is expensive for a local pool (day passes are $10, monthly passes $96), but then again I try not to get upset about it, because they totally deliver on maintenance and safety!

I want to love this pool because it is beautiful and the splash park is great. But they have ridiculous hours. Even the splash park hours make no sense, there is no life guard there so why can’t you go whenever the pool is open? Don’t get me started about the Rec swim times, always during nap time. The front desk is so slow so trying to get in when it opens for the kid times is like waiting in line at the hottest club. They don’t have a separate line for those of us with resident cards. They block a half an hour between rec swim and the splash park so you can’t take you kid to both on the same trip. But once it’s open and you are inside at the correct hours, it’s great.

I love that I can swim outside year round thanks to the EC Swim Center. Pool is clean, heated, and (I heard) a bit saline, so swimming is even easier. Plenty of hours dedicated to lap swim. I can confidently go there before work, knowing I will probably have to share a lane with only one person, if anyone at all. Only downside is I think the locker/shower area can be cleaner.

I sure wish the water was heated a little for the $3 splash pad. The water is freezing!!! The pools tend to be crowded so you can't bring pool toys. The water slide makes up for that. There's a shallow end for the smaller kids. Older children must be accompanied by an adult. You can jump from the diving board on the other side if you can pass the lap test. Showers in the locker rooms. Benches and lawn chairs poolside.