No Pool? No Problem if You’re in the Greater Sacramento Region

It’s been said that August is the Sunday of summer, when the endless sunshine and carefree days are marred by the inevitable return to dreary days. But the reality is, there’s lots of sunshine left on the horizon and plenty of ways to seek out some summer fun.

The end of summer has plenty of days when the mercury will reach well above 100. In fact, the greater Sacramento area has some of the warmest weather during the month of August, leaving locals scrambling to find ways to cool off. If you’re not lucky enough to have your own pool, you can always take a dip in a nearby lake or river (even bringing along your dog for a swim), or you may seek out a refreshing swimming hole near Sacramento.

But if you prefer a pool over a natural body of water, there are other options too. You can purchase day passes for hotel pools, rent out private pools, or even hit up community pools. Following are some tips on how to do so.

Resort Pass

Photo courtesy Kimpton Sawyer

Resort Pass allows you to take a poolside “daycation” at hotels across the country, including right here in the Sacramento area. You purchase a pass for full access to their pools, spas, and other amenities, such as onsite gyms or saunas. Locally, you can hang out in a poolside cabana at the Kimpton Sawyer Hotel in downtown Sacramento, which comes with a stocked mini-fridge, sofa seating and dedicated cabana service. Or, you can hang out in your own cabana at Thunder Valley Resort in Lincoln, with poolside service, a flat-screen TV, and complimentary snacks. Further afield, there are passes available at hotel pools in Napa, Sonoma, San Francisco, and beyond.

Swimply

Photo courtesy Swimply

Swimply is best described as the Airbnb of pools. Local homeowners offer up their pools and spas by the hour. Some include amenities like floaties, fire pits, outdoor showers and sound systems. Some hosts even have luxury amenities like outdoor kitchens, saunas, and fireplaces. Sometimes hosts are away, but often they are onsite, but guests often have a dedicated restroom for use. Oh, and many also offer the use of their backyards or sports courts, such as pickleball or tennis!

Some awesome spots to consider include this oasis in Newcastle, which has a pool, waterfall and views of Folsom Lake. It also has an outdoor kitchen with a gas BBQ and a daybed. In El Dorado Hills, this oak-canopied compound has not one but three naturally designed pools with diving rocks, waterslides and a cave!

Community Pools & Swim Centers

Photo courtesy Steve Miklos Aquatic Center

Another great place to go swimming if you don’t have a pool is one of the many community pools or swim centers in the greater Sacramento area. Most municipalities in the region have public pools, including Sacramento, El Dorado Hills, Davis, Auburn and more. Check with your local recreation district for details. Meantime, some of the best aquatic centers in the area include the following:

• Steve Milkos Aquatic Center. Located in Folsom, this city-operated swimming complex offers more than just a basic pool. They have inflatable obstacles, waterslides, a kid’s splash zone, and a snack bar.
• Elk Grove Aquatics Center. This aquatics complex in Elk Grove has everything you need for a fun day in the sun. There are swimming pools, yes, but there are also several water slides, a zero-entry activity pool, a lazy river, diving boards, and inflatables. Nearby Wackford Aquatic Complex also has slides and inflatables as well as a kids’ splash zone.
• Roseville Aquatics Complex. Roseville also has an aquatics center, which features an Olympic-sized competition pool, a zero-entry beach pool, a kids’ interactive spray ground and play area, and waterslides. They also offer night swims and pool parties.
• West Sacramento Recreation Center. Another good place for a dip is this public pool in West Sacramento. In addition to lap swim and lessons, they also have several winding waterslides, a family leisure pool, a diving board, and a lazy river.
• North Natomas Aquatics Complex. This massive aquatics complex in Natomas is also a good bet if you’re looking for a day in the water. It has a zero-depth entry splash pool with a play structure, spiral waterslides, shaded picnic tables and cabanas. Plus there’s a very cool flip-flop sculpture, great for photo ops.

No matter where you end up, you can’t go wrong with a summer day spent beside a sparkling swimming pool. And while there are plenty of options out there for those who don’t have their own pool, perhaps you may consider having your own private pool. If so, search for homes for sale with a pool today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does having a pool increase my home’s value? Yes! Nationally, a home with a private pool will have an increased value of 7%, according to HomeAdvisor. In the Sacramento Region, our hot temperatures make owning a pool more desirable!

Will buying a home with an in-ground pool cost more money? Well, that depends on many other factors, including location and home size. To get more information regarding pricing, contact a Lyon agent and they can help you find a home in your budget – with or without a pool!

How much does it cost to add a pool to my home? According to Pool Builders of Sacramento, adding a pool to your home here can range from around $40,000 to over $100,000 depending on materials, size, and shape.

Where can I swim near Sacramento if I don’t have a pool? Just take a look at this blog post to find tons of options!