There’s no better way to beat the summer heat than a trip to your local splash pad or community pool. From the South Bay to the Valley, these are some of our favorite places to cool down this summer.
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South Bay Splash Pads
Holly Glen Park, Hawthorne
The small wading pool at Holly Glen Park is just a few inches deep, but it’s all you need to get those tiny toes splashing and cooling off in the water. The exact hours can vary, so be sure to prep your kids that it may not be open when you go.
Alondra Aquatic Center, Lawndale
The splash pad at this 53-acre park is open each summer, seven days a week, from May 1 to Sep. 30.
South Bay Pools
The Hawthorne Pool has men’s and women’s locker rooms, heated showers, and private changing rooms. The facility has two pools: a lap pool and a baby pool. Both pools are heated to 80 degrees F.
This public swimming pool in Manhattan Beach offers open swim year round, swim lessons, and pre-team/ team swim during the summer.
Urho Saari Swim Stadium, El Segundo
The Urho Saari Swim Stadium, a.k.a. “The Plunge,” is open year-round to provide the community with quality aquatics programs.
Victor E Benstead Plunge, Torrance
A venerable Olympic-size outdoor aquatic center offering swimming lessons & recreational hours.
You’ll enjoy lap swimming, family swim time, water aerobics, swim classes, and more in the indoor heated pool. Membership is required to use the facility.
Servicing the entire South Bay, South Bay Aquatics provides an indoor, climate-controlled facility, maintaining a comfortable 90° water temperature and 80° air temperature on the pool deck year round.
Alondra Aquatic Center, Lawndale
This public rec center swimming pool is open each summer from Jun. 18 to Aug. 20 for open swim. In addition to the pool, this massive park offers splash pads and a fishing lake.
Westside Splash Pads
Stoner Park Splash Pool, West LA
Though technically a pool, this popular spot is perfect for young non-swimmers in the splash zone area. The pool itself is only 4.5 feet at its deepest, making it a great place overall for water newbies. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Annenberg Community Beach House, Santa Monica
Whether you can’t get a spot at the pool or just want to let the kids run and splash while you relax, the Annenberg splash pad is an excellent place to cool off. You can check out the ocean view while the kids have a blast. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tongva Park is always a unique place to explore, and the naturally designed splash pad area fits right in with the aesthetic and is an added bonus on a hot day. The water features run daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Westside Pools
Annenberg Community Beach House, Santa Monica
Not up for a day of splashing in the waves? Then how about a dip in a swimming pool with the beach in the background. The Annenberg Beach House is open seven days a week from June 19 to Sep. 5. Admission is required to enter ($10/ adult and $4/ kids 1 – 17) and can only be purchased at the window up to an hour in advance. And, keep in mind that kids under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult in the water.
This public pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and is just $1 for kids and $4 for adults. You can also purchase a summer youth pass that allows entry all summer for just $10.
Another LA Parks and Rec Pool run pool set in the idyllic, tree-lined Rustic Canyon park. The pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and is just $1 for kids and $4 for adults. A summer youth pass allows entry all summer for just $10.
Valley Splash Pads
Mason Park features a large splash pad area, but keep in mind that it’s in full sun, so you’ll want to bring plenty of sunscreen and water shoes. Daily hours can vary, but the splash pad is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Oak Canyon Park
It’s a bit of a trek, but well worth it to enjoy this massive splash pad surrounded by shaded, grassy hills perfect for having a snack or picnic while you keep cool. Open Memorial Day through the end of September from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
Valley Pools
This outdoor heated pool is perfect for staying cool in the Valley heat. The pool is open for recreational swim from June 6 to Labor Day. The Rec Center offers swim lessons, a swim-themed summer camp, a swim team, and even a junior lifeguard training program.
This 1.5-acre swim lake features two water slides and sand along the sides. It is wade-in style and only 4.5 feet at its deepest, making it perfect for families with young kids.
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