About Open Swim
Open Swim is held in our Play Pool (Kiddie Pool) and our Lap Swim pool.
Lifeguards are on duty at all times during open swim. No registration required, just drop in.
Non-swimmers must be accompanied in the water by a parent within arm’s reach.
Children 5 years and younger must have a parent/guardian (18+) in the pool, within arm’s reach at all times.
Children 6 – 12 years must have a parent/guardian (18+) on the pool deck supervising them, unless they are attending a registered class or program.
What to Bring
We highly recommend wearing swim-shoes when participating in Open Swim in either our Lap Pool or Play Pool. The pool floor is a bit rough on bare feet and we want to make sure you’re comfortable!
Pool Rules
Please view and adhere to all of the pool rules while visiting Rinconada Pool. Thank you.
Pool Rules (updated 5/20/23)
Schedule & Pricing for Recreation Open Swim
Fall/Winter Schedule
There is no Open Swim for the remainder of 2024.
Play Pool
CLOSED for the remainder of the 2024 season.
Pricing
Palo Alto Resident
Adult: $9 per day
Youth (17 and under): $5 per day
Family (up to 5 immediate family members from the same household, 2 adults maximum): $24 per day
Spectator Fee: $4 per day
Non-Resident
Adult: $10 per day
Youth (17 and under): $6 per day
Family (up to 5 immediate family members from the same household, 2 adults maximum): $28 per day
Spectator Fee: $5 per day
Drop-In anytime!
Policies
Conduct Safety
Please help ensure a great experience for everyone. Before you send your young swimmers to the pool, be aware that we wish to maintain high standards for conduct with emphasis on safety. We encourage behavior that is respectful and mature, and our guards will enforce safety rules with regard to running on deck, roughhousing and courtesy.
Children
Children 5 years and under must have a parent/guardian (18+) in the pool, within arm’s reach at all times.
Children 6 – 12 years must have a parent/guardian (18+) on the pool deck supervising them, unless they are attending a registered class or program.
Summer Open Swim Family Pass
- Pass is good for up to 5 members of the same family.
- Children 1 years old & under enter for free
- Children under the age of 14 must have a parent or guardian (18+) in attendance
- Summer open swim family pass does not guarantee access if pool is at capacity
- Pass is good during Open Swim hours only (see Schedule & Pricing tab)
- Passes are not transferable.
- All pool rules must be followed while enjoying the pool.
Diaper policy: Double up
Help us keep the pools open by using both a disposable swim diaper and reusable diaper cover for your children who are not fully toilet-trained.
Lap Swimming during Open Swim
Adults who pay for Open Swim are welcome to swim laps during Open Swim times without paying extra fees. Alternatively, you can register and pay for Lap Swim membership on a monthly basis which automatically gives you all day access to the pools.
Pool Rules
Please view and adhere to all of the pool rules while visiting Rinconada Pool. Thank you.
Pool Rules (updated 5/20/23)
Pool Rules
General Pool Rules
- No swimming allowed unless a lifeguard is on duty.
- Children ages fourteen (14) and under must be supervised by an adult (18+) at all times while at the pool facility.
- Children 5 years and under must have a parent/guardian (18+) in the pool, within arm’s reach at all times.
- Roughhousing, shoving, and dunking are not allowed. No pushing or pulling into the pool, hitting with noodles or other objects.
- No spins, flips, belly flops, back dives, or back jumps.
- No long breath holding, hyperventilating, or extended underwater swimming is allowed.
- No playing, swinging, jumping, or diving on stairs, ladders, or railings.
- No diving into the Instructional Pool. Jump in feet first, facing forward only.
- Water wings and other inflatable devices are not allowed. Only Coast Guard approved flotation devices are permissible and must be provided by the patron.
- Non-toilet trained children must adhere to the double diaper policy. They must wear a water-proof diaper and a diaper cover; a swim suit over the diaper counts as a diaper cover.
- Swimmers must wear proper swim attire at all times.
- No glass or ceramic containers are allowed anywhere in the facility.
- No running or skipping on deck. Walk at all times to avoid accidents.
- No unauthorized swim lessons or coaching.
- Please do not visit with or distract the lifeguards. If you have questions, inquire inside at the Front Desk.
- Only lifeguards who are properly trained are allowed on lifeguard chairs.
- No sitting on, pushing down, or swimming over lane lines.
- Kickboards, pull buoys and fins provided by Palo Alto Swim and Sport are for lap swimming only. They are not allowed in open swim areas.
- Starting blocks are for use by competitive programs only when directly supervised by a qualified coach.
- No smoking (including electronic cigarettes), alcohol, or drugs allowed in the facility.
- No food or drink on the pool deck. Eating is permitted at tables, benches and grassy areas.
- Bicycles, skateboards, in-line skates, scooters and other vehicles are not allowed to be operated in the pool area and must be walked while on deck.
- No dogs or other pets are allowed in the facility except service animals.
- Persons currently having active diarrhea or who have had active diarrhea within the previous 14 days shall not be allowed to enter the pool water.
- Changing clothes on deck is not allowed.
- In the event of an emergency, follow directions from the staff.
- Any action or behavior that is deemed unsafe or inappropriate by the aquatics staff will not be allowed. All aquatics staff have full authority over guests using the pool area and as situations warrant, they may enforce rules not listed.
- The Pool Manager on Duty may close the entire pool complex or any portion(s) of the pool complex, for any safety or maintenance reason.
- Please respect the rights of others to feel safe and secure.
- Please refrain from using profanity or offensive language, loud conversations or music, inappropriate public display of affection, or any other disruptive behavior
- Admission price is for one entry only. No in and out privileges.
- Palo Alto Swim and Sport, Team Sheeper, Inc. and City of Palo Alto are not responsible for any lost or stolen personal items and assume no liability for the loss or theft of a patron’s personal belongings.
- Lockers are provided to secure personal belongings. They are for day use only and will be emptied at the end of the day.
Facility Rules
- Locker rooms will close 20 minutes after the pool closes.
- Emergency doors are to remain closed and be used in case of emergency only.
- Emergency doors, facility doors, storage areas, and safety equipment are not to be blocked by guests or objects.
- Please dispose of all trash in receptacles provided.
- Restrooms and locker rooms may not be used for loitering or other unintended uses. Cell phone use in locker rooms is prohibited
- Offices and areas marked as “Employees Only” are not for use by the general public unless approved by staff.
Diving Board
- Diving boards are for Open Swim use only.
- Only one person on the board at a time.
- Second person in line must have both feet on the cement waiting their turn. They may not start their dive until the previous diver has cleared the cone zone.
- The dive must be face front and forward off the board. No side or back or spin jumps.
- One bounce only.
- When resurfacing after the dive, the diver must return to the wall immediately but 8 feet away from the board (on the other side of the cone) and on the right side of the right board and on the left side of the left board.
- Ladders are to remain clear unless being used to exit/enter the pool.
Slide
- Slide may be used ONLY when a lifeguard is standing next to it.
- Slide is for children’s use who are shorter than the height of the slide.
- Slides are to be done sitting down only; no standing nor belly slides.
- Second person in line must wait with both feet on the cement.
- After completing a slide, the slider must clear the slide drop area immediately.
- A swimmer may exit the pool near the slide with a three tile clearance of the slide.
- The pool ladders may be used for entering and exiting the pool only. No standing on the railing.
Ramp
- The ADA ramp is for use by physically challenged swimmers only. The railing in this area is to have five feet of clearance at all times.