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About Rinconada Pool
Rinconada Pool is the public swimming pool at 777 Embarcadero Road, on the edge of Rinconada Park in the Community Center neighborhood. Programs at the pool are run by Palo Alto Swim & Sport, which handles lap swim, open swim, swim school, camps and the pool schedule. The facility has a lap pool and a smaller Play Pool. It stays open through the winter.
This is the pool most Palo Alto residents mean when they say "the city pool." It draws early morning lap swimmers, kids in lessons after school and families on summer afternoons. Our guide to swimming in Palo Alto compares it with the YMCA and other options nearby.
The pools
The lap pool is 25 yards long with 14 lanes and is kept at 81°F, according to Palo Alto Swim & Sport. Lap lanes are set aside seven days a week all year, with a lifeguard on duty at all times. The number of lap lanes changes with the program schedule, so look for the yellow cones on deck that mark the lap lanes. Swimmers circle swim when more than two people share a lane.
Open swim uses the Play Pool, which the operator also calls the kiddie pool, along with part of the lap pool. The operator recommends swim shoes because the pool floor is a little rough on bare feet.
Programs
Palo Alto Swim & Sport lists these programs at Rinconada Pool:
- Lap swim: drop-in or monthly. Monthly lap swimmers can also use open swim. A drop-in fee covers both lap and open swim for the whole day.
- Open swim: no registration needed. Visit the front desk for a drop-in wristband or check in with a membership. A family pass is sold for the fall season.
- Swim school: kids lessons, adult lessons and private lessons.
- Fitness and training: Aqua Fit, Masters swimming and technique clinics.
- Camps: summer camps and a spring break camp.
- Clubs and certification: the Palo Alto Swim Club and lifeguard certification courses.
Registration runs through the operator's online system. Prices are posted on each program page and change by season, so check there rather than relying on old figures.
Who the pool suits
Lap swimmers get the most from Rinconada. The pool is heated, the lanes are open every day of the year and drop-in visits work for anyone who does not want a monthly plan. Early risers can be in the water at 6 a.m. on weekdays, before work or before a Caltrain commute from the downtown station about a mile and a half away.
Families use the pool differently. Open swim in the Play Pool suits younger children who are still getting comfortable in the water, while the lesson program gives them a path toward swimming laps. Adults who never learned to swim can join adult lessons. Swimmers who want structure can try Masters workouts or a technique clinic. Visitors staying in town for a week or two can buy drop-in visits, which makes the pool an easy add to a summer camp week or a family trip.
Rules for families
Open swim has clear supervision rules. Children 5 and younger and anyone who cannot swim need a responsible person aged 15 or older in the water, within arm's reach at all times. Children 13 and younger need an adult watching from the pool deck. Swim checks are required for open swimmers. Wristbands must be worn in the open swim area. The full pool rules are posted as a PDF on the operator's site.
Tips for visiting
- Check the schedule before you drive over. The pool posts a daily breakdown by season. The November 2 to December 31, 2026 schedule shows which lanes and pools are open at each hour.
- Plan around closures. The pool is closed November 7 and 8, 2026 for a swim meet hosted by Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics.
- From November 14, weekend hours end at 4 p.m. through the winter.
- Pair a swim with the park. The Junior Museum and Zoo is a short walk away, which makes a good morning with younger kids.
For questions, Palo Alto Swim & Sport customer service answers at 650-463-4914. Our youth sports guide covers swim teams and other sports programs in town.
Location and getting there
Rinconada Pool is at 777 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Crescent Park area of Palo Alto. Our Crescent Park guide covers what else is around.
The nearest train stop is the California Avenue Caltrain station, about 1.0 miles away. That is roughly a 26 minute walk or a short bike ride.
Parking: street spaces or a small lot nearby; check posted limits.
Hours
| Monday to Friday | 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. |
|---|---|
| Saturday and Sunday | 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November 14 (5 p.m. before then) |
Hours from the business's own website, checked October 30, 2026.
What is nearby
- Mary Qian Dental Group, practice, 0.7 mi
- Gentle Dental, practice, 0.7 mi
- Rinconada Park, under 0.1 mi
- Rinconada Library, 0.1 mi
- Lucie Stern Community Center, 0.3 mi
Other fitness, dance and martial arts nearby: Orangetheory Fitness (0.9 mi); Luna Dance Studio (0.9 mi); My Gym Palo Alto (0.9 mi); RockSalt Pilates (0.9 mi). Browse the full fitness, dance and martial arts list.
Before you go
- Many studios offer a first class or trial pass. Ask before you buy a membership.
- Classes at popular times fill up, so book through the studio's app or website where that is offered.
- Bring water and check whether the studio provides mats, towels or rental gear.
About this listing
Checked October 30, 2026 against Palo Alto Swim & Sport; Pool schedule; Lap swim; Open swim. How our listings work. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Rinconada Pool in Palo Alto?
Rinconada Pool is at 777 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA 94301, in the Crescent Park area. The nearest Caltrain stop is the California Avenue Caltrain station, about 1.0 miles away.
Is Rinconada Pool open in winter?
Yes. Lap swimming runs seven days a week all year. From November 14, 2026 the pool closes at 4 p.m. on weekends instead of 5 p.m. until daylight saving time returns in spring.
Do I need to register for open swim at Rinconada Pool?
No. Open swim is drop-in. Buy a drop-in at the front desk or check in with a membership to get a wristband. Open swimmers also need to pass a swim check.
Is Rinconada Pool closed for swim meets?
Sometimes. The pool is closed on Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8, 2026 for a swim meet hosted by Palo Alto Stanford Aquatics. Check the pool schedule page for other closures.
What are Rinconada Pool's hours?
Monday to Friday: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday: 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. from November 14 (5 p.m. before then).