As the weather heats up, you can cool down, chill out and splash around at one of San Diego’s year-round pools! Dive into a fun-filled day at these cool swimming pools with great views and the best of vibes. So many local pools offer a swimmingly good time — here are just a few of our favorite hotspots!
Splashy Slides & Water Rides
TOWN & COUNTRY RESORT
Where: 500 Hotel Circle N., San Diego, CA 92108
Region: Mission Valley & Old Town
Price: Free for hotel guests. Day pass is $30 for adults, $15 for children, free for infants.
This recently renovated, 22,000-square-foot pool-deck mecca includes San Diego’s longest hotel water slide: the four-story, 150-foot, looping Twister! As the kids (and kids at heart) zip down Twister time and time again, you can relax and soak up the sun, take a dip in one of the three pools and enjoy poolside food & beverage service. Upgrade your poolside experience with one of the luxurious daybeds and cabanas!
SESAME PLACE
Where: 2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista, CA 91911
Region: South Bay
Price: Single-day tickets start at $84.99. Children 23 months and younger are free.
Entering its second summer as Sesame Place, the family theme and water park has lots of H2O to keep you afloat during a day of play. Find eight water areas, including Elmo’s Silly Splashy Slides, the 1,000-foot waterway known as Big Bird’s Rambling River and the 10,000-square-foot wave pool aptly named Teeny Tiny Tidal Wave. After you’re done splashing around, enjoy the dry rides and say hi to Elmo and friends on Sesame Street!
LEGOLAND® WATER PARK
Where: 1 Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
Region: North Coastal
Price: Single-day water park hopper ticket starts at $119.99.
Not only is LEGOLAND a theme park, it’s also a water park! You can enjoy the waves all day with over 15 certified splash zones at this attraction located within the park. You can even test your LEGO skills at Build-a-Raft River, where you construct a LEGO raft before heading down the lazy river! There are plenty of places not only to chill out, but to feel the thrill! Ride the Orange Rush, Pirate Reef or Splash Out for some extra fun.
THE PLUNGE
Where: 3115, Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109
Region: Mission Bay & Beaches
Price: Available for $25 day passes, hourly sessions or monthly membership.
Originally built in 1925, this beachfront indoor pool keeps the good times going without having to worry about reapplying sunscreen. The Plunge is located within Belmont Park and is one of Southern California’s largest heated pools. This family-friendly pool is loved by children, especially because of the massive inflatable obstacle course! Kids can splash and slide on the course from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., seven days a week. If laps are more your thing, there are seven 25-yard lap lanes to get your workout in.
Rooftop Vibin’
THE PENDRY
Where: 550 J St, San Diego, CA 92101
Region: Gaslamp Quarter
Price: Free for hotel guests. The Pool House is open Sunday-Friday to the public, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; table reservations are recommended for dining.
Welcome to the Pool House, the Pendry Hotel’s third-floor rooftop outdoor oasis. Relax from day to night with the bar in sight, and cool down as the pool transforms into “summer nights” with live DJs and Gaslamp ambiance! Dive into the excitement on Fridays and Saturdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to sunset. All day every day, enjoy delicious bites including small plates, salads, entrees and fruity, flavorful cocktails!
MARGARITAVILLE HOTEL SAN DIEGO GASLAMP QUARTER
Where: 435 Sixth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
Region: Gaslamp Quarter
Price: Free for hotel guests. All are welcome!
Welcome to Island Time on San Diego’s largest rooftop pool within the 7,500-square-foot terrace at the new Margaritaville Hotel San Diego. The exclusive and elevated urban oasis is perfect to sip and chase the day or night away at the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar! Enjoy live entertainment from music, to comedy and magic as you splash into good times.
HARD ROCK HOTEL
Where: 207 Fifth Ave., San Diego, CA 92101
Region: Gaslamp Quarter
Price: Free for hotel guests. Liquid Sunshine events require tickets for anyone who is not a guest.
This pool truly rocks! Sip, splash and feel the festive atmosphere of the Gaslamp Quarter as you order a drink at FLOAT, the bar with panoramic views and fire pits to keep the fun going all day long. Rent a cabana for some privacy and sink into a rocking good time on this rooftop! And while you can lounge poolside in the sunshine daily, stop by on a Saturday from 12 to 6 p.m. for the award-winning Liquid Sunshine Day Club.
Film & Swim
PEARL HOTEL
Where: 1410 Rosecrans St., San Diego, CA 92106
Region: Point Loma
Price: Free for hotel guests. Day pass is $25.
How often do you dive into a movie? At The Pearl Hotel, you can watch a flick on the 10-by-13-foot projection screen overlooking the vintage, oyster-shaped pool. This unique experience also offers delicious bites and sparkling lights, making for an Old Hollywood poolside vibe. Memorable movies from past to present are shown on Wednesdays at 8 p.m. – get there early if you’d prefer to stay dry on the patio!
THE LAFAYETTE HOTEL AND CLUB
Where: 2223 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego, CA 92104
Region: North Park & South Park
Price: Free for hotel guests. The public can attend between 10AM-Dusk with a $46 per person pre-paid reservation for a full day of swimming. The pass does not include poolside seating, as that is prioritized for hotel guests, but feel free to bring a towel to lay out and enjoy the sunshine!
Not only is The Lafayette a historic San Diego hotel, but it’s also a historic swim club! For seven decades this pool has been the definition of a pool party, boasting fun all year long during pool parties and even periodic fun flicks by the water! Complete with floaties, bevies and bites, this unique deck has much to offer.
Strictly Sun & Relaxing Fun
LA VALENCIA HOTEL
Where: 1132 Prospect St., La Jolla, CA 92037
Region: La Jolla
Price: Free for hotel guests. Day pass is $75 for adults, $35 for children, free for infants.
This is truly the definition of a pool with a view. Nestled in the heart of La Jolla, the La Valencia Hotel pool is an outdoor oasis of palm trees and Pacific Ocean vistas. This heated pool is the ultimate place to relax, with full poolside dining from breakfast to dinner, plus refreshing beverages. Sip on a margarita while you dip in this relaxing paradise and listen to the waves.
PARADISE POINT
Where: 1404 Vacation Rd., San Diego, CA 92109
Region: Mission Bay & Beaches
Price: Free for hotel guests. Day pass is $30 for adults, $15 for children, free for infants.
Spend the whole day having fun in the sun at Paradise Point’s Mission Bay island resort, where you can find five unique pools throughout the 44-acre property. Adults can find the perfect retreat within the Adult Lagoon Pool, while families can splash all day at the Main Pool (don’t worry — it’s next to the Tropics Cantina bar for a frosty beverage). You can even build a sand castle or enjoy a game of volleyball, as the pools are surrounded by a sandy beach. When the sun begins to set over the bay, head to the Lagoon Pool to stay toasty by the fire and roast s’mores!