Baby, it’s cool outside––but your little fishies need an aquatic fix to set their wiggles free. Since we San Diegans love to swim (even in the winter) put on those bathing suits and head indoors for a little splish-splash fun. From warm, inviting pools and splash pads to an epic indoor water park, read on to see where to take a dip inside this season.
UCSD Natorium
Ready, set, swim! Grab your goggles and take the plunge at this indoor pool at a local college. The pool temperature is 80-83 degrees so that little swimmers can stay warm while they float, swim or splash. By and large the best part is you feel outdoors (when indoors) due to the glass walls and skylights.
Hours: Family Swim, Sat. & Sun., 3-4 p.m.
Cost: $10/person
9500 Gilman Dr.
La Jolla, Ca
858-822-4815
Online: recreation.ucsd.edu
Kroc Center Indoor Pool
Water fun! This giant indoor sports complex offers everything from skateboarding, ice skating and (of course) an indoor and outdoor swimming pool. The indoor pool is a spa therapy pool, so it's nice and toasty––which is perfect for little guppies who like to stay warm. Afterward, you can grab snacks and such at the Mission Brew Coffee (in the complex).
Time: Family Swim, Sundays, 2 p.m. (plus check calendar for additional swim times)
Cost: Day pass, $6/adult; $4/child
Kroc Center
6845 University Ave.
San Diego, Ca
619-287-5762
Online: sd.krocc
Indoor Pool at the Embassy Suites La Jolla
Fancy a one-night staycation? Looking to shop and eat and then swim in a warm indoor pool? Then head to the Embassy Suites in La Jolla, right across the street from the University Town Center. Your kids can frolic in the water and you can warm up in the spa whirlpool. Nearby there are plenty of restaurants and shopping at UTC. Check out our reviews of the newly opened Shake Shack and Sugarfina, both at UTC Mall.
Cost: $120 plus/night
Embassy Suites
4550 La Village Dr.
La Jolla, Ca
Online: embassysuites.com/la-jolla
Waterpark Great Wolf Lodge
Pool party! Worth the drive (and stay over), Great Wolf Lodge is tons of fun for all ages. You'll find water slides, leap pads, rope swings, a wave pool, a huge water splash bucket, wave machine and more. Additionally, there's a separate tot swim zone for the littles. Plus, there are tons of other activities from bowling and a Harry Potter wand scavenger hunt to an arcade room and story time.
Great Wolf Lodge
12681 Harbor Blvd.
Garden Grove, Ca
888-960-9653
Online: greatwolf.com/southern-california
Waterworks Indoor Swimming
Learn to swim! If your little fish loves warm water, then these two indoor pools set to 88-99 degrees are a good place to swim. Although there are no open swim times, you can sign-up for private or semi-private lessons. Moreover, there are warm showers to jump into when you're done with your dip.
2704 Gateway Rd.
Carlsbad, Ca
760-603-9400
Online: waterworksswim.com/carlsbad
Indoor Pools at the Y
Swim like a fish at any one of the YMCA's indoor pools around the San Diego area. Not only are there attentive lifeguards and warm water but also, there are (usually) floaties and some with an indoor splash pad or water slide. Hence there's plenty of activities to keep little guppies entertained. At the present time, you can take a free trial day twice-a-year.
Copley-Price YMCA
4300 El Cajon Blvd.
San Diego, Ca
619-280-9662
Online: ymca.org/copley-price
Eastlake YMCA
2311 Boswell Road, Ste. 7
Chula Vista, Ca
619-421-9622
Online: ymca.org/eastlake
Magdalena Ecke Family YMCA
200 Saxony Rd.
Encinitas, Ca
760-942-9622
Online: ymca.org/lmagdalena-ecke
McGrath Family YMCA
12006 Campo Rd.
Spring Valley, Ca
619-462-9622
Online: ymca.org/mcgrath
Mission Valley YMCA
5505 Friars Rd.
San Diego, Ca
619-298-3576
Online: ymca.org/mission-valley
Toby Wells YMCA
105 Overland Ave.
San Diego, Ca
858-496-9622
Online: ymca.org/toby-wells
Rancho Family YMCA
9410 Fairgrove Lane
San Diego, Ca
858-484-8788
Online: ymca.org/locations/rancho
Where do you swim indoors? Let us know in the comment section below.
––Nikki Walsh
