FRIDAY FIVE
For most of the country, September marks the end of summer and the beginning of scarf season. Temperatures drop. Winter is only a few months away.
But here in San Francisco, it’s the beginning of our favorite hot season—finally. After surviving the frigid fog of summer and being forced to watch our friends enjoy hot weather on Instagram, September brings sunshine, far less fog, and real summer temperatures.
Still, what’s a San Franciscan to do when the heat is dialed up too high? Go to the pool, of course. Here are our favorite spots:
1. Mission Pool
Located at Linda and Valencia Streets, Mission Pool is the only outdoor pool operated by the City of San Francisco. In other words, it’s as rare as the rarest gem, and it costs only $6 to enter for the day—so yes, definitely an oddity in the city. If you’re shocked to find out that there’s a pool in the Mission, don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s not the most obvious pool, as it’s tucked away on a Mission side street, hidden behind trees. From the outside, it looks like nothing. But inside, it’s a little slice of summer heaven filled with Mission hipsters and yuppie families. The hours when the pool is open to the public vary, but on Saturdays, there’s a recreational swim from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., and on Sundays, the swim is from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.
101 Linda Street (Mission) | sfrecpark.org
2. UCSF Mission Bay Outdoor Pool
If you want to lounge at a rooftop pool on a hot, sunny day and feel like you’re living the high life in Vegas for a California minute, this is your spot. Located at UCSF’s Bakar Fitness & Recreation Center in Mission Bay, this outdoor pool not only provides you with peak pool summer vibes but also comes with an amazing view of the city. The caveat? It costs $25 for a day pass. Make sure to check the schedule; there are often swim classes going on. However, the pool is usually open from 5:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekdays and from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on weekends.
1675 Owens Street (Mission Bay) | campuslifeservices.ucsf.edu
3. Charlie Sava Pool
Named for a legendary San Francisco swim director and coach, this Parkside pool offers eight 25-yard lanes for casual and serious lap swimmers alike. And thanks to a $17 million renovation in 2009, the public facility is not your average, slightly smelly, and janky indoor pool. Instead, this spot is often described as “modern” and “swanky,” with natural light filtering in through a wall of windows facing south. Since it’s part of SF Recreation & Parks, it’s open daily for a reasonable drop-in fee of $6, but check the schedule to make sure there aren’t any swimming lessons when you plan to go.
2695 19th Avenue (Parkside) | sfrecpark.org
4. Hotel Nikko
This is the pool for those who want to seriously relish in luxury. Located in the Tenderloin, the heated Hotel Nikko pool is one of the city’s most Instagram-worthy thanks to its calming white deck and trendy lounge chairs. Although it’s an indoor pool, the solarium ceiling will make you feel as though you’re outdoors. Since it’s a hotel pool, one must either be a guest or pay a $25 fee for a day pass. If you choose the latter, you can also have access to the hot tub and sauna — cheaper than a spa.
222 Mason Street (Tenderloin) | hotelnikkosf.com
5. Phoenix Hotel
Forget about going to Palm Springs—all you need is a pool party at the Phoenix Hotel. Located in the Tenderloin, this pool always makes for a good time, and certain rock stars have been known to frequent the spot when they’re in town. Again, since this is located in a hotel, you have to be a guest to enjoy this adorably fun and trendy pool. However, there are often pool parties or yoga classes on weekends that give you access afterward. (Eventbrite will be your best bet for staying in the loop with these activities.)
601 Eddy Street (Tenderloin) | phoenixsf.com
