This summer seems to be the summer of travel for lots of my friends. Many people are leaving the sweltering heat of the Valley for cooler places around California. I even have some friends traveling to different states! Good thing for Facebook, as I can live vicariously through them, since this summer is the summer for staying local for me and my family.
So, if you have to stay here locally, what do you do when it’s super hot out? Swim!! (Well, and visit other places that have A/C. Perhaps that will be another post.) Thankfully, I have a pool at my apartment complex. I’m pretty sure we’ve swam every day since school has been out. My kids love swimming, and if you take one look at how tan they are, you’ll believe it! We are very lucky to have a pool where we live, but that has not always been the case. I also realize that not every FresYes resident has a pool in their backyard. So what do you do when it’s a million degrees outside and all you want to do is take a quick dip? Well, you make friends with someone who has a pool! 😉 Or, you visit one of the local places around town. (That might be easier, eh?) Wait, you don’t know of any public swimming facilities? Well, let me help you with that! I know this is not a full list, but I wanted to share with you some of my family’s favorite places.
1. Wild Water Adventure Park
11413 East Shaw Avenue, Clovis, CA 93619
Does anyone remember when this was called Clovis Lakes? I still call it that, and I can tell who grew up here and who didn’t by the look they give me. Anyway, I’ve always enjoyed going to Wild Water. As a teenager, I loved going with friends and going on every slide over and over. I also remember burning my feet. Kids these days walk around with water shoes on-that’s not how we did it back in the old days! 😉 When I was a teen my favorite ride was The Black Hole or The Rampage. As an adult, I now love the The Blue Wave, and I can often be found in the kiddie area. Funny how I went from adventurous rides to more mellow ones.
Another thing I love about Wild Water is that there is a lot of shade, and I mean a lot. I love the old trees. I love the shade along the walkway that leads in and out of the park. I think I also enjoy that walk because it brings back so many memories for me. I have lots of fond memories of visiting Wild Water as a child, that each time I go back, I hope my children will make some of their own memories as well.
If you get the chance to go on a Friday, Wild Water has Friday Family Fun Night. This is where they leave the rides open a bit later than usual, show a movie, and offer a meal. Check out their site for movie titles, dinner menu, and prices. Also check their calendar for their Fireworks on the Lake schedule.
Some important info:
It will cost you to park. ($3.00)
Hours:
Monday-Thursday: 11am-7pm
Friday: 11am-8pm
Saturday: 10am-8:30pm
Sunday: 11am-8pm
The week of August 10th the park closes at 6pm, and then the week of August 17th it closes at 5pm.
August 21st is the last week day the park is open.
September 7th is the last day of the season.
Cost:
General Admission (48” and taller) $31.99
Junior Admission (under 48”) $23.99
Senior Admission (62 years and better) $16.99
Children under 2 are FREE
After 4pm, all guests are $19.99
If you go and want to spend the whole day out there, you’re allowed to take in food for picnics and/or a bbq. (Just no glass containers.) However, there is a snack area where you can get pizza, hamburgers, fries, or other snacks. Oh, they even have funnel cakes (one of my favorites)! If you get there early enough you can find a pretty good spot in the shade or next to a picnic area. However, you can rent a cabana, or other spaces next to the lake. Check out their webpage for more information about that.
Oh, and check out their Facebook page too! They are always having contests where you can win all day passes. You just never know, it could be you sometime!
2. The Island Waterpark
6099 West Barstow Ave. Fresno, CA 93723
The thing I love most about The Island Waterpark is that it’s pretty close to where live. The thing my kids love most about The Island? They have Dippin Dots. For reals. Since we live so close the The Island Waterpark we usually buy season passes. The year we didn’t, and I’m kind of sad about that. It was always a nice change of scenery from our apartment pool.
The Island Waterpark has a ride that is pretty unique to itself-the Waimea Lazy River. The Lazy River is a river like giant pool that flows around a specific part of the park. Once you get on, it’s so relaxing to just float on an inner tube, and let the current (not very strong) take you around. If you don’t rent an inner tube, you can still float or swim along with others. My kids love the Lazy River. We go around it over and over, go to a different ride, and then go back to it. It’s a calming type of fun, which is right up my alley. The other ride we frequent is the Bondi Beach Wave Pool. My daughter has other favorite slides that she’s been on, but I usually don’t go with her on those. I’m mostly with the kiddos, so I haven’t really ventured out to other areas. But, I know that my daughter loves going with her friends and riding the rides.
The nice thing about The Island is that I’ve never really had any trouble getting a good spot. Having said that, I don’t typically go on the weekends, so keep that in mind. There are spaces you can rent for parties, or even just for the day. (You can call them at 559-277-6800 for more information.) There is a snack bar, but you can also bring in your own food. Oh, and if you need help with anything, they are super friendly! One year we had to get some assistance from the First Aid staff and they were so happy to help us. The woman took very good care of us all. It helped to make our ordeal a little less stressful.
This year The Island Waterpark is also offering Movie nights and summer concerts. What a nice way to end a full day of swimming fun, right?
Some important info:
It will cost you to park. ($3.00)
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 11am-7pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10:30pm-8pm
August 8th the weekend hours change to 10:30am-7pm.
August 22nd the weekend hours change to 11am-6pm.
August 14th is the last week day the park is open.
September 7th is the last day of the season.
Cost:
General Admission (48” and taller) $31.99
Junior Admission (Under 48”) $21.99
Senior Admission (62 years and better) $18.99
Children 2 and younger are FREE
Season Parking Pass $10.00
3. Central Unified Aquatics Complex (East Campus)
3535 N. Cornelia Ave, Fresno CA 93722
I discovered the Central High pool about 5 or so years ago. I actually graduated from Central High (go Grizzlies), but from the West Campus, because the East Campus wasn’t open yet. (Yes, I’m that old.) So, I didn’t realize that Central had a pool until a handful of years ago. Each summer it’s opened to the public for swimming. It’s nice because it’s not just a swimming pool-they also have slides! (Must be 48” to ride the slides.) We have really loved visiting here over the years. If you go to swim, bring some chairs, as there is not always a place to sit (unless you don’t mind the ground). You can also reserve a space for parties (outside of regular swim hours). Just email Kelli Cisneros at Kcisneros@centralusd.k12.ca.us If you stay for a long time, bring some food and drinks. You can also buy from their snack area, but it’s pretty basic. (Candy, soda, ice cream and hot dogs.)
Some important info:
They only accept cash and checks-no cards.
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 11am-7:30pm
Saturday: 11am-5pm
Closed Sundays
Saturdays August 1st is the last day the pool is open to the public.
Cost:
General admission is $6.00. Cost is the same even if you are not swimming.
4. City of Fresno Public Pools
If water parks are not your thing then please enjoy this list of some public pools to help you stay cool. Fresno is a very diverse city that has many different parts to it. I know of some people who do not have a car, so they have to walk or take the bus. I also know of some people who cannot afford to pay for an all-day pass to one of the waterparks. (This summer-myself included.) The nice thing about our city is that it has pools around town open to the public. I have a few part time jobs, and one of them is located at the Mosqueda Center. There is a public pool there, and I’ve seen neighborhood children enjoying the cool water on these hot summer days. What I love about this pool (and this may be true of other City pools, I’m not sure) is that when the outside temperature is 105 or higher, the pool is open for free. (Then Mosqueda becomes a cooling center as well.) All other days children 17 and younger are $1.00, and adults 18 and over are $2.00. The Mosqueda swimming pool is open daily, from 1pm-5pm, through August 15th.
Here is a list of the other sites. I’m not sure of the cost, but I’m betting they are the same price as Mosqueda, as they are all run by the City. For more information, call 559-621-6600, or visit their website. (The City of Fresno Parks & Recreation also offers swim lessons-check out their Facebook page for more info!)
Mosqueda Pool:
4670 E. Butler (Maple & Butler)
Recreation Swimming open to the public
Monday through Sunday
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Frank H. Ball Pool:
760 Mayor St. (Ventura & A St)
Recreation Swimming open to the public
Monday through Sunday
1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Mary Ella Brown Pool:
1350 E. Annadale (Elm & Annadale)
Recreation Swimming open to the public
Monday through Sunday
1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Airways Pool:
5440 E. Shields (Shields & Clovis)
Recreation Swimming open to the public
Monday through Friday
1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Saturday 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
So there you have it! Fun places to swim around Fresno! Again, I know this is not a full list, but these are places I’m familiar with. Feel free to share with us the places you know about. And, if you’ve been to any of these places and want to share pictures with us, please do! I always love hearing about experiences you guys have had at places I’ve written about. 🙂
(*Photo credits go to Denise McFarland and Jen Dote. Thank you!!)
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