Dive into Fun at Simpkins Family Swim Center: A Local Treasure in Santa Cruz

Key takeaways

Simpkins Family Swim Center is a Santa Cruz County Parks facility at 979 17th Avenue in Live Oak, open year-round since 1998, with an outdoor 50-meter lap pool kept at about 78°F and a warm water pool heated to about 88°F.

Both pools are outdoors and heated all year. The locker rooms, showers, and restrooms are indoors, but there’s no indoor pool.

Programs include lap swim, open swim, group and private swim lessons, the Simpkins Shark Swim Club for ages 5 to 15, Little Guards and Junior Guards camps, water aerobics, coached adult fitness swims, and Red Cross lifeguard training.

It’s one of the most accessible pools in the county, with a zero-depth ramp, ADA pool lifts, a water wheelchair, an accessible changing room, weekly low-stimulation swim hours, discounted senior admission, and free entry for caregivers assisting a guest with a disability.

Hours and fees change by season, so check the county’s current schedule and fee sheet before you go.

Summary: Simpkins Family Swim Center in Live Oak is Santa Cruz County’s main public aquatic center, offering a 50-meter lap pool, an 88°F warm water pool with a spray zone, swim lessons, youth and adult programs, and excellent accessibility for older adults, all at modest public-pool prices.

If you live in Santa Cruz County, or you’re visiting family here, the Simpkins Family Swim Center is one of the best public pools on the Central Coast. It’s run by Santa Cruz County Parks, it’s been open to the public since the summer of 1998, and it has something for just about everyone, from toddlers taking their first lesson to lap swimmers who show up at 6 a.m. to older adults looking for warm water that’s easy on the joints. It’s also one of the amenities that makes Live Oak such a practical place to live, which is something I talk about a lot with buyers and longtime homeowners.

Where It Is and How to Get There

The swim center sits at 979 17th Avenue, in the unincorporated Live Oak area between the city of Santa Cruz and Capitola. The mailing address says Santa Cruz, but it’s county territory, which is why this is a County Parks facility rather than a city pool. The same site also houses the main offices of Santa Cruz County Parks.

Getting there is easy. It’s a few minutes from Highway 1, and Twin Lakes State Beach and East Cliff Drive are only about a mile away, so plenty of families pair a morning swim with a beach walk. If you’d rather not drive, Santa Cruz METRO buses serve Live Oak, and their trip planner will show you the closest stop. It’s also an easy outing for longtime Bay Area homeowners who come over the hill to visit kids and grandkids on this side of the county.

The Pools and Facilities

Simpkins has two main pools, and both are outdoors and heated year-round. That surprises people who expect an indoor pool for winter swimming. The locker rooms, showers, and restrooms are indoors, but you’ll be swimming under the open sky no matter the season, which on a clear winter morning in Santa Cruz is a pretty great way to start the day.

50-Meter Lap Pool

The main pool is a 50-meter pool set up with 17 lanes that run 25 yards across. It’s kept at about 78°F and ranges from 3.5 to 8 feet deep, and four of the lanes are shallow (roughly 3.5 to 4.5 feet), which helps newer swimmers and anyone doing water walking. Kickboards and pull buoys are available on deck, and groups of more than 10 swimmers need to reserve lanes in advance.

Warm Water Pool and Spray Zone

The warm water pool is the one I’d point most families and older adults toward. It measures 18 by 10 yards, it’s heated to about 88°F all year, and it has a zero-depth entry with a ramp that slopes gently down to 4 feet. Little kids love it because it connects to a spray zone play area, and adults love it because you can walk right in without climbing down a ladder.

Deck, Food Court, and Picnic Area

Around the pools you’ll find a sunny deck with lounge chairs, a food court with picnic tables and a lawn, and a covered picnic area you can reserve for gatherings. Towels and swim gear are sold at the front desk if you forget yours. The Visit Santa Cruz County listing also mentions a 150-foot water slide, but it isn’t on the county’s current published schedule, so call ahead if the slide is the main reason for your trip.

Swim Lessons and Programs

Swim Lessons for Kids and Adults

The county offers group lessons, where students are placed by swim level, along with private and semi-private lessons for ages 3 and up. Independent contract instructors also teach at Simpkins, and they work with kids of all abilities as well as nervous adult beginners and experienced swimmers who want stroke refinement. Sessions usually run four to six 30-minute lessons, and missed group or private staff lessons can’t be made up, so pick a session that fits your calendar. Registration is online through ActiveNet, and you’ll find the details on the county’s swim lessons page or by calling lesson registration at (831) 454-7953.

Youth Programs

For kids who catch the swimming bug, the Simpkins Shark Swim Club is a recreational swim team for ages 5 to 15. Summer aquatic camps include Little Guards for ages 5 and 6 and Junior Guards for ages 7 to 13, which mix water safety skills with a lot of time having fun in the pool. The center hosts a water polo program too.

Adult Fitness and Water Aerobics

Adults have two good options. The Adult Fitness program is a coached lap swim workout where coaches give feedback on your stroke and put you in a lane with swimmers at a similar level. It’s drop-in, and multi-entry passes are available. Water aerobics is the lower-intensity choice, and it’s popular with people who want a real workout without the pounding of running or a gym floor. Check the aquatic fitness page for the current class schedule.

Lifeguard Training

Teens and adults can earn American Red Cross lifeguard certification at Simpkins. It’s a solid path to a first summer job for high schoolers, and a useful skill for any adult who spends a lot of time around the water with kids or grandkids.

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Why Simpkins Works So Well for Older Adults

Since most of my work is with longtime homeowners and older adults, I pay attention to which local amenities make it easier to stay active and independent, and Simpkins is near the top of my list in Santa Cruz County. The 88°F warm water pool is the big draw. Warm water and buoyancy take a lot of stress off hips, knees, and backs, which is why so many people with stiff joints prefer exercising in a pool, although it’s always smart to check with your doctor about what’s right for you.

Access is handled well here too. The warm water pool has a zero-depth ramp, the center has both stationary and mobile ADA-compliant pool lifts, and there’s a water wheelchair you can use to roll down the ramp. There’s also a gender-inclusive accessible bathroom with an ADA shower, a changing bed, and a locker, which makes life a lot easier for anyone who swims with a spouse or caregiver. Caregivers assisting a guest with a disability get in free, seniors 65 and over pay a discounted rate, and the center sets aside low-stimulation swim hours every week for people who do better with a calmer pool.

If you’re weighing aging in place against downsizing closer to family in Santa Cruz County, amenities like this deserve a spot on your checklist. Being five minutes from a warm, accessible pool is the kind of detail that shapes how well a home works for you ten years from now, not just on move-in day.

Hours, Admission, and Passes

Hours change by season, so always check the county’s Simpkins page for the current schedule before you go. For reference, the fall 2026 schedule (September 1 through October 25) has lap swim running weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open swim runs on weekends from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on several weekday afternoons, the warm water pool has its own blocks of time, and low-stimulation swim is on Thursday afternoons. The front desk number is (831) 454-7960.

Admission is reasonable for what you get. Under the county’s current admission fee sheet, a single adult entry runs about $9 to $10 depending on whether it’s lap swim or open swim, seniors 65 and over pay about $6, and infants 3 and under swim free during open swim. If you’ll go often, 10, 30, and 50 entry passes bring the per-visit cost down and are good for a year. Keep in mind that open swim passes can’t be used for adult lap swim, unused passes aren’t refundable, and the county offers limited financial assistance to qualifying community members. Prices do change, so double-check the fee sheet before you buy a pass.

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Parties, Rentals, and Group Visits

Simpkins is a popular spot for birthday parties. You can reserve part or all of the pools for a private party with at least 30 days’ notice, and the covered picnic area can be booked up to a year ahead with at least 7 days’ notice. Organizations such as camps and daycares can book group entries on summer weekday afternoons, and schools can reserve two-hour end-of-year pool parties. Details and request forms are on the county’s pool parties and rentals page, or you can call (831) 454-7960.

Tips for a Great Day at Simpkins

Pack a swimsuit, towel, sunscreen, water, and a hat for the deck, since everything here is outdoors. Summer weekends and warm afternoons fill up, so arriving right at opening is the easiest way to grab a good spot. Take a minute to read the pool rules before your first visit, and keep a close eye on little ones even with lifeguards on duty.

After your swim, you’re close to some of the best parts of the county. Twin Lakes State Beach and the Santa Cruz Harbor are a short hop away, East Cliff Drive is great for a walk, and the surf breaks at Pleasure Point are just a few minutes east. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and downtown Santa Cruz are about a ten-minute drive if you want to make a full day of it.

Living Near Simpkins: Why Live Oak Appeals to So Many Buyers

Live Oak doesn’t get the same attention as Capitola or the Westside, but it’s one of the most practical places to live in Santa Cruz County. You’re close to the beaches and the harbor, you have quick access to Highway 1, and amenities like Simpkins, neighborhood parks, and the 41st Avenue shopping corridor are all nearby. For young families that means easy swim lessons and summer camps, and for older adults it means a warm pool and an active community a few minutes from home. You can learn more on my Live Oak neighborhood page, and if you want to see what homes are selling for right now, take a look at my Santa Cruz home prices page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Simpkins Family Swim Center?

It’s at 979 17th Avenue in the Live Oak area of Santa Cruz County, between the city of Santa Cruz and Capitola. The address says Santa Cruz, CA 95062, but the pool is run by Santa Cruz County Parks rather than the city.

Is the pool at Simpkins indoors?

No. Both the 50-meter lap pool and the warm water pool are outdoors, but they’re heated and open year-round. The locker rooms, showers, and restrooms are indoors.

How warm are the pools?

The 50-meter lap pool is kept at about 78°F, and the warm water pool is heated to about 88°F all year.

How much does it cost to swim at Simpkins?

Under the county’s current fee sheet, a single adult entry is about $9 to $10, seniors 65 and over pay about $6, and infants 3 and under swim free during open swim. Multi-entry passes of 10, 30, or 50 visits lower the per-visit cost. Fees change, so check the county’s fee sheet for current prices.

Is Simpkins a good pool for seniors or people with limited mobility?

Yes. The 88°F warm water pool has a zero-depth ramp entry, and the center has stationary and mobile ADA pool lifts, a water wheelchair, and an accessible changing room with an ADA shower and changing bed. Seniors 65 and over get discounted admission, and caregivers assisting a guest with a disability enter free.

How do I sign up for swim lessons?

Lessons are booked online through the county’s ActiveNet registration system. Group lessons are open to all ages, and private and semi-private lessons start at age 3. You can also call lesson registration at (831) 454-7953.

Can I host a birthday party at Simpkins?

Yes. Private pool parties can be booked with at least 30 days’ notice, and the covered picnic area can be reserved up to a year in advance with at least 7 days’ notice. Request forms are on the county’s pool parties and rentals page.

Does Simpkins have a water slide?

Visit Santa Cruz County lists a 150-foot water slide at Simpkins, but it doesn’t appear on the county’s current published schedule. Call the front desk at (831) 454-7960 to check whether it’s running before you go.

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