1. Encinal Swim Center

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Alameda, CA

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Encinal Swim Center

4.0 (6 reviews)

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1 year ago

Lovely public pool. Heated to the perfect temperature for doing laps in. $5 for a swim, can't go wrong.

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6 years ago

Helpful 9
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2 years ago

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8 years ago

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7 years ago

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14 years ago

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Lincoln Park Pool

Lincoln Park Pool

3.6(5 reviews)
3.5 mi

The Pool is a fabulous pool with a Park surrounding, Beautiful. Everything about this pool is…read moregreat with the exception of the persons who are power hungry and want to be the Hitler's. I just left the pool after having a person named Kate raise her voice at me, to almost a screaming level telling me my 1 year membership, I paid $645.00 on June 15, was not good for a year, I must now pay $645.00 by Sat. April 18, or I can not swim. My wife had a person, Chris, yell at her about the rules at Lincoln Pool, and now Kate is yelling at me about the membership dues. It appears non of the would be Hitler's know how to speak civil to others. I never raised my voice to her, my wife never raised her voice to Chris, we practice better manners.

I am biased - I admit it. This was the rival pool when I worked at Franklin and even though they…read moreare essentially the same (two pools, "locker" rooms, BBQ area, kid cage, attached to a park), it was an unwritten rule that if you were a Franklin pool kid, you hated the Lincoln pool kids. Call it the swimmers version of West Side Story, I don't know, but that's how it was. I went to Lincoln pool a few times growing up (if you were a member of Franklin, you were of Lincoln as well) and ONLY came here for swim lessons when our favorite instructor switched to this pool. It is literally across town from Franklin, so it's kind of a pain to get over to from my house. The only real difference is Lincoln is set more inside the park while Franklin is right on the street. I give Franklin the extra points on this fact because since we were on the street, when the ice cream man rolled by, you were alllll over it. =)

Franklin Park Pool

Franklin Park Pool

4.0(1 review)
1.6 mi

I grew up at Franklin Park Pool. This is where I truly learned how to swim, took swimming lessons,…read moreparticipated in annual swimming competitions and in the end, became an instructor and life guard. It's not the greatest pool in the world. There are only two pools (the "kids pool" and the "big pool"), the locker rooms are literally just rooms where you can shower and throw your stuff (there are no actual lockers), a minimal BBQ area and there is literally a "cage" where you can stash your kids. BUT since I grew up here, I knew there was nothing better, and it was within walking distance of my house. I always found the people who worked and taught lessons here to be amazing (which was also how I ended up doing the same later on). I don't know if the staff is still up to that standard. The place was a little lame on the rules (you honestly weren't ever supposed to have toys in the pools), but once I was put in charge of summer life guard duty with one of my best friends, we turned that on it's ear. There will never be a better summer job than one where you can get into an all out war with the two guys who ran the park programs by enlisting your afternoon swim class into helping you fill up water balloons and take them down. And I'm sorry, but we started American Idol wayyy back in the day with a boom box, a handful of CDs and impromptu performances with the kids when we would get bored. And yes, I hated "adult swim" when I was a kid and we would get kicked out of the pool for an hour. But I LOVED fire fighter swim hour when I worked there and got paid to sit in the sun and watch beautiful men swim laps, jump out, do a set of push ups and jump back in. Money. Well. Earned. =)

Woody's Private Swim Instruction - When I started teaching

Woody's Private Swim Instruction

4.6(47 reviews)
1.0 mi

My daughter started swim lessons about three years ago. She is 9 now. She liked being in the pool…read morewhen we started although did not know how to swim (though she thought she knew how to swim!) She didn't want to start swim lessons. We wanted the peace of mind that she knew how to swim so we joined the wait list and started as soon as we could. We told her it is a life lesson and she had to do it and thankfully she agreed. Our daughter isn't quick to trust or warm up. I was a little concerned that the teachers wouldn't respect her shyness That was not the case at all. The coaches are all respectful, kind and professional. Now she knows how to swim and more! The picture is of her learning to dive! My husband started taking lessons too because he was inspired to improve his swim technique. Both really enjoyed swimming with the coaches and learned a lot. We highly recommend Woodys swim school!

I was so excited to take swim lessons here. Unfortunately, I won't be able to. I inquired and…read morespecifically asked was the pool heated, the response was an enthusiastic, "Yes!" I show up to my lesson and before I even finish removing my sweatpants, the instructor, Shani states that the pool is Chilly. I respond, "I thought the pool was heated?" He states it is but it's chilly today and they only rent space so they can't control the temperature. He also states he is under the weather and wouldn't even be getting in the pool unless I really wanted him to. Why would I want someone who is sick being hands on during my lesson? And why would an instructor not just reschedule if something that should be hands on, like a swim lesson, is required if they were sick. Long story short, I couldn't do the lesson and was refused a refund. Wonderful! If you like cold pools and the instructor watching you flail on the sidelines, then go for it!

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Woody's Private Swim Instruction
Woody's Private Swim Instruction
Woody's Private Swim Instruction - Learning to dive

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Learning to dive

Harbor Bay Club - Hallway to locker room with healing vibes

Harbor Bay Club

3.0(146 reviews)
3.3 mi
•$$$

I'd especially like to give a shout out to the wonderful massage program at the HBC spa…read more Nonmembers, when booked for a massage, can also have access to use the locker room, women's private indoor hot tub, steam sauna, dry sauna, as well as the private women's sun deck after the massage. What an awesome spa treatment! I've been a member for two years and love the pool and the yoga classes. The staff are very helpful and friendly. Two years ago I booked an introductory tour and swim reservation, and I was immediately impressed and hooked! Parking is plentiful and the setting is very spacious and peaceful overlooking the water.

Rude staff that are clueless and never able to answer any questions…read more Their private swim lessons are taught by amateur high school graduates who dont have any teaching techniques. Thats $50 for half an hour. I would not pay for the membership here. There just arent better options nearby. Response to manager's comment: I have called and also asked the front desk various questions in the past and all seemed to have limited knowledge about the club / undertrained. However the main problem is they are also very unfriendly. Exception: The new gentleman who handles new member inquiries was very friendly and professional. To be fair. Regarding swimming "private lessons", at $100 / hour rate, please hire someone who is a professional or at least have some training at teaching swimming effectively. I could understand if its a $20 lesson at community center. For a club that charges premium rates, please provide services that are in line with the pricing.

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Harbor Bay Club - Weight lifting machines

Weight lifting machines

Harbor Bay Club - One of the weight lifting rooms

One of the weight lifting rooms

Harbor Bay Club - Night swim ‍

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Night swim ‍

Bladium Sports & Fitness Club - Bladium's Open Gym Days (Free Entry)

Bladium Sports & Fitness Club

3.4(377 reviews)
0.8 mi

I have been a member since ~2018. I love this club because it is gigantic and it is almost…read moreliterally across the street from my warehouse loft. If you go to the Crunch Gym in Alameda and then the Bladium -- you'll have a new appreciation for space and room to breathe. The remodeled men's locker room is cool -- most importantly -- it is clean and does not stink. I only use the facility for cardio and free weights. The machines and free weights are probably 30+ years old (seriously), but they work and I like the old school steel plates. The entire facility has been under construction and it looks like they're going to make the facility like something on par with the NFL Combine's fitness facilities. I learned during the pandemic that new weights and weight machines cost a fortune, but I'm hopeful they will update the equipment. Most importantly, I hope they extend the hours of operation on the weekends. Indeed, their hours of operation should be 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. (minimum) every day. Oh, there is always free/available parking and the gym manager is extremely responsive/professional. Bottom line: this gym has the space and location to become the best fitness facility on the East Bay -- but they must extend their hours and spend a small fortune on new weights/weight machines. The images I have included with this review are dated, but they give you a good idea of the size of this place and show the degree to which they are re-doing the place!

I grew up playing at The Bladium since I was 4 years old with lil kickers. I played with the Bay…read moreOaks and SJND for indoor footie and played with my AAU basketball team in this facility. So many memories, like winning a state championship and rock climbing with my friends. The Bladium was an experience: to drink, to play sports, to work out, to have fun. I recently came back after finishing college, just to find the main football field and a majority of the weight room gone to pickleball. At first, I did not mind, however, it feels like the only people who come in are pickleball players. Its sad to see my friend's old family business being made into a pickleball center. Even the new company's logo shows where their priority is at. Heartbreaking to see. I will always remember the sounds the floorboards made.

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Bladium Sports & Fitness Club
Bladium Sports & Fitness Club - Tiempo al tiempo

Tiempo al tiempo

Bladium Sports & Fitness Club - Outdoor view

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Outdoor view

Encinal Swim Center - swimmingpools - Updated October 2026

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