Review #1023 2026-093…read more Free Wi-Fi: "City W-Fi" Parking: free event parking in SMC Parking Structures (refer to Review #1022); no parking in staff marked spaces Women's Locker Room: restrooms, showers, open changing area My daughter's swim club had a swim meet at Santa Monica Swim Center: 2026 SCY TSM Season Opener. The swim center was fairly easy to find, located on 16th St. near Pico Blvd. However, I wasn't aware of the parking situation for the event, & found a limited 15-min. metered spot a block away so I could drop-off H. One of the parents said the event's parking is free in the structures, which I confirmed with the swim center's info window. He advised that event parking is free except for the staff marked spaces. Check-In for the swim meet was a bit chaotic since it was our 1st time, & I was wandering around trying to find the check-in desk. There is none... it's with our own club under the ST logoed canopies. I also didn't know that we needed to provide portable chairs if we wanted somewhere to sit. Luckily ST was located on the 2nd floor near the snack station, so there were round tables with chairs available. I was able to grab 2 chairs for us to sit in-between events. There's an app: MeetMobile that allows you to track the events, & check heat & lane assignments. It only worked on day 1 (Saturday), but not on day 2 (Sunday). One of the parents said if swim meet is short staffed, there's a printed schedule posted on the exterior fence near the Fitness Pool. Most of the individual events had several heats consisting of 12 swimmers, up to 9 heats for the more popular 50 YD races. Santa Monica Swim Center is part of the City of Santa Monica Community Aquatics that offers learn-to-swim classes, training programs, water aerobics, lap swim, & fun events for community members. Everyone pays an entrance fee to use the pool, with Santa Monica residents paying a 50% discount. Fees (as of September 2026): Adults: Single Entry: $4.50 (resident); $9.00 (non-resident) 20 Swim Pass: $68.25 (resident); $137.00 (non-resident) Children (free for under 2 YO): Single Entry: $2.00 (resident); $4.00 (non-resident) 20 Swim Pass: $25.00 (resident); $50.00 (non-resident) Family Weekend Day Pass (Fri - Sun for 2 adults & 2 children): $10.25 (resident); $20.50 (non-resident) Seniors (60+ YO) & Students: Single Entry: $2.25 (resident); $4.50 (non-resident) 20 Swim Pass: $37.50 (resident); $75.00 (non-resident) Note: Swim Passes are non-refundable. There's 2 pools: fitness & splash. Fitness Pool, for training & competitions, is 50 meters x 25 yards with depth ranges: 6.7' - 13' & 1 meter & 3 meter diving boards. Splash Pool, for shallow, warm instructions, is 25 meters x 25 yards with depth ranges: 2.5' - 4.5'. The women's locker room was surprisingly clean & well-stocked during the busy swim meet weekend. That's a major plus in my book! According to my teen, the pool was too cool (per website, average temp is 78° - 80°) for her so she was a l'il stiff between events. Considering the unfortunate hit & run en route to the swim meet on Saturday, she managed to hit 3 PBs in all strokes except for her specialty freestyle in her 1st club swim meet. Yay!

I have been swimming at the SMC pool facility since 2019 and feel that there is quite a bit of…read moreconfusion about the reservation policy after 3:00PM Mon-Friday in the 25 yard lap pool. Also the staff is rude and poorly trained to interact professionally with the paying customers. I ran into this problem on Aug 24 2026 at 7:00PM with one of the staff, Misael Bowman who interrupted my swimming in the lap pool demanding that I make a reservation and insisting that I pay twice to continue swimming. However, when I pointed out to him that reservations are encouraged but not mandatory, he still insisted that a reservation was required for the lap pool. Consequently, I went to the splash pool shortly thereafter and asked the life guard on duty if a reservation was required for the splash pool. He replied, "no", but Mr. Bowman then interrupted again and insisted that a reservation was required for the splash pool when there is no mention of this requirement anywhere in the pool policies. I feel this policy is not well understood at all amongst the staff. Also Mr. Bowman was rude and misinformed in trying to enforce them. The purpose of these policies remains unclear as well. I know that they were first implemented in the 2020 Covid era, but some how where never rescinded once the pandemic ended. Also the shut down of the 50meter lanes since that time remains a mystery as well. What is the SMC organization trying to achieve by continuing to enforce these archaic policies that should have been abandoned with the end of the pandemic in 2022?

I had the most pleasant Saturday morning and afternoon here!! I did arrive around 9:30 and there…read morewere only three parking spots left so definitely plan for that. But the bathrooms are clean! And the pool was so nice. Most of the kids stayed in the shallow end so it was really peaceful to read near the deep in and take a dip. 10$ for an all day pass, pretty hard to beat.

Cardboard Yacht Regatta at Annenberg Beach house pool What a…read moredelight. You make a cardboard boat and enter contest race at the pool annually

Great facilities and the staff is friendly, but I don't know what they put into this pool that…read moremakes my teen all sniffly and sneezy after swim. It doesn't happen at any other pool than this one. And it doesn't happen every time either. So weird.

We love the pool in Culver City. It is outdoor and there is very little place to find shade so…read morebring your sunscreen. During the summer it is filled with kid, but they do have times for lap swimming, just look at their website site. It is always clean, the lifeguards are super nice. The price is fair and you can be there all day. They have a diving board and it is just fun. It has been there forever, I went there as a kid when it was 25 cents. The pool is huge and you will love it. Parking is easy in the lot for the playground which is a bit behind it. Have fun.

Today was our first time going there after trying to go to Stone Park and they were filled to…read morecapacity wouldn't let anybody else in. We decide to go eight minutes away to this pool. We've been to the park before but never the pool. It was fine. it wasn't packed and they even had a diving board. We had a great time. The staff was very friendly. The water wasn't that cold and the pool wasn't crowded. Plenty areas to set up your chairs and sit down in the shade too.

Great place great workers. I don't know why anyone would give this place a bad review. The pool was…read moreclean. Everything was great. Nice environment.

A fantastic open water swimming workout for all levels and abilities…read more Loops around a buoy so no fear of being left behind. You're never off the back...you're just way ahead. We get everyone from top ITU pros and elite ocean swimmers to totall n00bs. Hit us up on Facebook (Ocean Speed Circuit) and join us from April through end of September, every year since 2002!

This is an ad-hoc event that occurs every Wednesday 6:30AM to about 7:30am from April to end of…read moreSept. lead by LA Triathlon Club. During those months, many triathletes and open water swimmers make this their weekly ritual. At times hundreds of people show up to swim! Whenever I go to this event, it just makes my day and I almost feel like being on a beach holiday. The meeting location is at the lifeguard tower 26, very close to Barnard Way and Ocean Park Blvd. Parking is available on street and also in lot (payment required). It's also very close to some outdoor showers and bathrooms so you can rinse down and change before going home (or work!). One key thing is that no lifeguard is on duty at the time so you should be a proficient swimmer before considering going into the water. Wetsuits are not required, but highly recommended.

CASH ONLY. CALL AHEAD. ADULTS MUST HAVE SWIM SUIT…read more Went to Stoner Park pool twice this week with the kids I babysit. Cash only, no exceptions. Very affordable. It was $4 for adult and $1 for each kid. They are extremely strict on swim suits. Both times I went they asked if I was wearing a swim suit and I said yes and both times I was asked to lift my shirt and pull down shorts to show that I was actually wearing it. I understand they are strict with swim suits, but they definitely don't take your word for it though. Depending on your child's age they will have you go inside and be arms length from them the entire time. The hours show up differently on different online platforms. As we were leaving, one of the lifeguards recommended calling each time before coming to ensure correct hours + she said oftentimes they close due to chemical issues in the pool. The slide was closed both times, and I hear it is closed often. Overall it was a good experience. The kids really enjoyed the size and different water features.

We took our daughter to Stoner Park Pool off Sawtelle to meet up with her cousins, and once we…read morefigured everything out, we had a great time. A few things I wish we had known before we went. They only accept cash, so don't show up expecting to pay with a card like we did. Also, babies have to wear a swim diaper even if they aren't getting in the water, so be sure to pack one. There are no chairs or seating, so plan to bring your own if you don't want to stand the whole time. We also packed our own towels, snacks, and drinks, which definitely came in handy. One thing I appreciated was that parents are required to stay with their children in the water at all times. It made the pool feel safe, especially with so many little ones swimming. Now that we know what to bring, our next visit will be even easier. Overall, it was a fun, inexpensive way to spend the day with the family, and we'll definitely be back.

This is, hands down, the best LA Fitness in the city. What makes this gym particularly notable is…read moreits friendly, hard-working, and ubiquitous manager, Prince, who has impressed upon guests a shared ethic or, in his words, a "club culture" that maintains everything organized, in its proper place, and clean. The only downside is that it can get a bit crowded during the early morning rush. Also, the parking situation is a bit of a hellscape in the morning, since it's valet and cars are parked in tandem due to limited space.

September 22, between approximately 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM, my shoes were stolen from the men's locker…read moreroom. I entered the locker room, left my shoes next to my locker, and went to the sauna. When I returned, the shoes were gone. I have attached a photo of the shoes for identification. I would appreciate it if you could also inform your members that anyone who witnessed anything or has information regarding the incident should report it to the front desk. I am formally requesting that management investigate this incident and review all available security camera footage from the relevant time period, particularly footage covering entrances, exits, hallways, and other areas surrounding the men's locker room. I also strongly recommend that the staff receive appropriate training on how to respond to reports of theft. When I informed the front desk employees about what had happened, I was very disappointed by their response. I was left with the impression that they did not take the incident seriously and were largely indifferent to the situation. This was extremely frustrating and inappropriate given the circumstances. I have already filed a police report. I expect that the police may contact your facility within approximately one week regarding this incident. Please preserve any relevant surveillance footage from September 22 between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM so that it is available for review and can be provided to law enforcement if requested. I am asking management to resolve this matter appropriately. I propose that the gym either reimburse me for the cost of the stolen shoes or provide a comparable pair of original-quality tennis shoes. If this matter is not addressed appropriately, I intend to share my experience through reviews on relevant platforms and inform other members about what happened, including both the theft and the response I received from the front desk staff. This situation is extremely unpleasant, and I am particularly disappointed by the way it was handled after I reported it. I would appreciate a prompt response from management regarding the investigation and how you intend to address this matter. UPDATE! WARNING! THESE DAYS, THIS GYM IS NOT A SAFE PLACE FOR YOUR PERSONAL BELONGINGS! Things are literally being stolen inside this gym, and the staff simply does not care. They act as if this situation is completely normal.After my belongings were stolen, I left a note at the front desk asking the manager to call me. The staff assured me that the manager would look into the situation and contact me. Nobody ever called.Two days later, I called the gym myself and asked the manager to investigate what happened. Again, nobody did anything. Four days after the theft, I came back to the gym, asked whether there were any updates, and requested to speak with the manager. A Black man came out, introduced himself as the manager, and told me that if my belongings were stolen at the gym, it was my responsibility and that they did not care. I was extremely surprised by this response because they had done absolutely nothing: no announcements over the PA system, no apparent review of security cameras, and no meaningful attempt to address the situation. When I asked why this was happening and whether they considered it normal that the gym currently feels unsafe because there are apparently thieves among the people using the facility, I received no meaningful response. Shame on the management of this gym! On top of this, management has failed to address two other major ongoing problems: the parking situation and the constant bad smell in the free-weight area. A competent manager could at least take meaningful steps to address these issues, yet this management team appears to do nothing and simply smiles when members raise concerns. In my opinion, a location like this deserves qualified, professional employees who take members' concerns seriously. Instead, the current management is damaging the reputation and rating of this gym day after day, while apparently asking people they know to leave positive reviews. Members should be aware of the situation and take extra precautions with their personal belongings.

I first became aware of SCAQ while investigating a potential ocean swimming clinic for our beginner…read moretriathletes that were preparing for the Malibu 2XU triathlon in September. I was unable to attend the clinic that SCAQ put together as I was travelling abroad but heard great positive feedback from the team how the sessions at VSNO were very helpful. Coach Clay Evans shared with us a wealth of experience and keen insights on ocean swimming. I was offered to come tryout a workout once I returned. A few tips and video critiques on my stroke later, I was hooked. I am a very experienced swimmer - competed in high school and swum with a top national team back in the day - I was astonished at how the SCAQ team had managed to rekindle my love of swimming after many years of training but neglecting technique. Coach Chappie DeHaven was assigned to help our swimmers get comfortable swimming in those unpredictable Zuma beach waters. As an experienced LA lifeguard, Chappie knows the ins and outs of the tides and currents along the coastlines better than anyone. His experience, genuine concern and patience were crucial for our new members to gain the confidence they needed to complete the swim leg this year. I look forward to next season as we continue our quest to master the ocean and perfect our technique. SCAQ exceeds expectations and this crew knows how to have fun!

Anyone else get creepy vibes from Coach Clay? I recently moved to L.A. and wanted to meet new…read morepeople. I swam competitively in college so I decided to try SCAQ. Within a few weeks, Coach Clay invited me to his house nearby after a workout to meet his daughter and her husband who were my age and their baby. He said he thought we would get along. I thought it would be fine because he couldn't stop talking about his grandson and showing me pictures so I thought he was just a nice old grandpa. When I got there, it was only him. He kept saying that his daughter was "running late" from a art show or something like that and kept offering me some cocktail that he mixed up. I didn't touch it. He seemed pretty smashed by the time I got there anyway, red nose, slurring, you know the type. He kept pressuring me to drink and then started making inappropriate comments, like he was trying to pick up on me and showing me really suggestive artwork. He kept say we're all adults here. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. I felt stupid. I know better. Needless to say, I never went back. Be careful Ladies. Protect yourself

LA Surf & Swim has been amazing! Our son, Sebastian, has been coming since he was 18 months old,…read moreand now at 3 years old, his confidence in the water is incredible. A special shoutout to Coach Brandon--our family's "Baby Whisperer!" His patience and ability to teach toddlers is truly impressive. Thanks to him, Sebastian is confidently jumping into the pool and swimming underwater across it. If you have a baby or toddler you want to teach to swim, ask for Coach Brandon. You won't regret it!

Can't say enough good things about LA surf and Swim! Both are boys learned to swim here and…read morereceived lessons for five years from their instructions. Each instructor was great with our boys and they really enjoyed their lessons. Also the team has great communication for any last minute changes.