Looking for a way to cool off without spending much? Look no further than LA’s public pools, where you can get in for as little as $4.
These days, many of us are looking for something fun to do on a budget. Going to the beach is always an option in Los Angeles, but the drive, parking and crowds can feel like too much — especially on a weekday.
Fortunately, public pools offer another option, and it’s one taxpayers already help fund. Depending on the pool, visitors can swim laps, take lessons, bring children to a splash zone, ride a water slide or simply relax in the sun.
Here are six Los Angeles public pools I visited, and what each is best for.
What to know before you go
Single admission is $4, cash only, for adults ages 18 to 49. Admission is $1 for youth, adults 50 and older, and people with disabilities. Multivisit passes are also available.
Hours vary by location, with indoor pools generally staying open later than outdoor pools. Swimming lessons, including group and private options, are also offered. Check with each pool for current hours, classes and registration information.
No. 6 Pan Pacific Pool
141 S. Gardner St., Los Angeles
Neighborhood: Fairfax District
Best for: A quick neighborhood swim
Tucked inside Pan Pacific Park near The Grove, this smaller pool has two dedicated lap lanes and plenty of deck space for soaking up the sun. During my visit, lessons occupied much of the pool, leaving one section for recreational swimming.
Make a day of it by walking around the park or picking up a book at the nearby library. Parking can be difficult because the lot serves several facilities, but there’s a parking structure at The Grove nearby.
No. 5 Hansen Dam Aquatic Center
11798 Foothill Blvd., Los Angeles
Neighborhood: Lake View Terrace
Best for: A beach day without going to the beach
This was easily my favorite stop. Hansen Dam’s massive 1.5-acre recreational swimming lake feels more like a beach day than a trip to the pool.
Visitors can bring food, chairs, a tent or canopy, and even a propane grill for a cookout. Vendors inside sell paletas, nachos and burgers. There is also a sandy area and a water slide.
The water reaches about 4½ feet, and there are no dedicated lap lanes, so this is better for hanging out than training. Arrive early because lines can get long.
No. 4 Eleanor G. Roberts Aquatic Center
4526 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles
Neighborhood: Mid-City
Best for: A deep-water swim after work
This older indoor facility has a large pool, a diving board and a deep end that reaches 12 feet. Visitors must pass a swim test before entering the deep-water section.
It stays open later than many outdoor pools, making it a good option after work. There are also several food spots nearby, with Midtown Shopping Center just down the street.
No. 3 Hollywood Swimming Pool
1122 Cole Ave., Los Angeles
Neighborhood: Hollywood
Best for: Waiting out Los Angeles traffic
This Hollywood pool has recreational swimming, lap lanes, a diving board, a water slide and a 12-foot deep end. I also saw an adult swimming lesson during my visit.
There is free parking around the pool and plenty of deck space to relax in the sun. Its central location also makes it a good after-work stop: Swim, relax and let some of that LA traffic die down before heading home.
No. 2 LA84 Foundation/John C. Argue Swim Stadium
3980 Bill Robertson Lane, Los Angeles
Neighborhood: Exposition Park
Best for: Families with younger children
Just south of USC, this larger facility has stadium-style bleachers and a splash area with plenty of shallow water for younger children.
There is also an Olympic-size pool for more serious swimmers, although it was not open when I visited. Check availability before making the trip if that is your main draw. Parking is limited, but I had no trouble finding a spot during recreational swim hours.
No. 1 Echo Park Indoor Pool
1419 Colton St., Los Angeles
Neighborhood: Echo Park
Best for: Making an afternoon of it
This indoor pool has individual shower stalls, good lighting and is open until 9 p.m.
Its location is the real draw. A Good Used Book, LaSorted’s Books, Laveta Coffee and Vista Hermosa Natural Park are all nearby. Play tennis, grab food, find a book and finish the day with a swim.
