Temescal Pool

I like this pool. I like that it's saline, and not damaging-all-my-strands-of-hair levels of chlorine like the YMCA. The lifeguards are friendly, and even helped me set up an online account while their internet was offline so I could buy a pass and swim. There was plenty of space in the pool. It's a great place to swim when the sun is out.

My only wish is that this place would make the locker rooms a little nicer. I don't like the shower heads where I have to push every 2 seconds to keep water coming out, and I couldn't find a suitmate.

Very disgusting locker rooms (think gobs of hairballs floating around the shower and mildew in the lockers etc) and the lifeguards are generally pretty awful (kids who are checked out and don't help regulate the lanes at all) but the salt pool is refreshing and there is a chill community vibe there. Except for some of the random bullies in the fast and medium lanes, you will feel a laid back vibe. Also it's body positive, fat-friendly, disability friendly etc. It feels like all sizes, colors etc are welcome. I'm a woman and I have seen penises in the locker room 3 separate times (even though there are signs disallowing this). I'm not trans-phobic but it's sometimes a little bit uncomfortable.

A simple place. But sometimes that's all you need. Good people. Good vibe. Of course for a public pool the facilities are BASIC. Showers are gross. All standard.
I do wish they had chaise lounges but this place is for SWIMMING so I get it.

Love this place!! Pool temp always great and flexible hours (early morning) I this is my favorite pool in Oakland, CA

Love this pool! I normally come for the lap swims during the week or saturdays. Lanes are perfect, the pool is 33 yards i think? Has a shower/locker room area, pretty standard. Staff is pretty cool, younger group of staff. Only thing i wish they would have change onsite, they never seem to have any change bring exact cash or card

Great pool. Unusually acceptable family swim time. Haven't tried lap swim yet. Will return!

I like this pool, even with its 100 ft length...different but kind of a fun change from all of the other standard length pools in other cities. The water seems to be clean, and the locker room is dated. Hence, there's absolutely no reason to linger there, right? I've seen plenty of comments about how competitive the swimmers are in the pool. I have to say that the one Cal Grad and NCAA Champion swimmer who jumped in my lane, wasn't rude at all...just faster than anyone within 20 miles. I still don't know if he took a breath during his entire swim... I was thinking, "Who tossed the Barracuda in the pool, kind of a risky prank"?

I couldn't run as fast as this guy was swimming, and he was just cruising. So I moved to another lane where the swimmers were somewhat slower, actually a lot slower. Was I in reverse? Couldn't be, but I have no other explanation.

Anyway, I really like to swim in this pool, but swimming in any Oakland pool post-Covid, has really been a challenge since they have recently opened. Throngs of swimmers want to dampen their gills after the layoff, and the lap swim hours have been reduced from what they were prior to Covid.

I say give it a little time for the Parks and Rec people to remember what their jobs are, and a little more time to get more lifeguards trained. Should be fun again down the road!

Nice lap pool with a great staff. Schedules for lap swimming has morning, afternoon and early evening choices. Changing rooms have sowers and toilets; being a lock if you want to use a locker. Temescal Pool offers swim tests on Saturday afternoons.

Nice pool, somewhat clean locker rooms, but always crowded. $6 for lap swim - exact cash or credit card only.

Summer swim season 2019 is upon us. Please please please leave your ego and pride at home.

If you are a new swimmer, new to this pool, a triathlete, someone who didn't grow up swimming, please take a minute to educate yourself on lap swim etiquette. Read the signs posted at the pool. Ask the guards and other swimmers. If a guard or other swimmer gives you a suggestion (kick boarding in the fast lane on a busy day...you should probably do this in the slow lane), please be receptive and understand that you are probably holding other swimmers up and or getting in the way.

If a faster swimmer tries to pass you, do not consider this rude. Many new comers and triathletes consider this behavior rude, when in fact, we are just trying to pass you. Get a clue!!

This past weekend was busy.
Saturday 6/22: nine swimmers in one fast lane (seven is the limit). All swimmers knew and followed lap swim etiquette. No problems

Sunday 6/23: seven people in fast lane, six of whom are constantly passing a slower swimmer. Slower swimmer refuses lifeguard and other swimmers' request to move a slower lane. Slower swimmer pushes off in front of other swimmers, causing other swimmers to "pile up" behind her. Please do not be this woman. As I wrote in my first review, leave hour pride and ego at home. Remember that you are not entitled to swim in one particular swimming lane, and that this is a space that is shared.