Best Outdoor Swimming Spots In The Bay Area

Antioch's 780-acre Contra Loma Regional Park is home to a reservoir open for fishing year round and swimming in the summertime. The public swim lagoon is open from 11 to 6 every day from May 31 to August 19, and then on weekends and holidays through September 18. The swim area has plenty of amenities including a snack stand, restroom facilities and shaded picnicking areas. Swimmers can hang out along the lagoon's sandy beach, or catch some rays on the grassy lawn. There is a $3 fee per swimmer and parking is $5 per car. Lifeguards are on duty on weekends and select weekdays through the summer.

Located in Monterey County to the south of the Bay Area, Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park is home to a multitude of picturesque campsites among redwood groves. Winding through the park is the Big Sur River which has carved a number of swimming spots into the landscape, the most majestic of which is The Gorge. Situated near the campground, but at the end of an unmaintained trail, getting to The Gorge is half the fun. Adventurous swimmers will delight in crossing boulders and watery obstacles only to arrive at a crystal clear deep and chilly pool of refreshing water. For those more daring, venture upstream to swim and climb a route to a sparkling waterfall and more secluded pools large enough for swimming.

Sandwiched between Pleasanton and Livermore, the Shadow Cliffs Regional Recreation Area is home to an 80-acre lake on the former site of a gravel quarry. The lake now offers a variety of water activities including boating, fishing and swimming. The beach has restrooms and a seasonal refreshment stand. During the summer months lifeguards are on duty, and special beach wheelchairs are available on a first-come first-served basis. Check the park's website for current information on water quality. Park entry is $6 per car.

Located north of San Francisco in Marin County, the Tomales Bay State Park offers four scenic beaches for outdoor swimming. Tucked up against the Inverness Ridge, the park's beaches are sheltered from cold Pacific winds and offer some of the Bay's mildest beach conditions. With warmer water and none of the ocean's waves, swimmers at Tomales Bay can enjoy relaxed wading and swimming in the salt water. Admission to the park is $8 per car, and only card payments are accepted.

Another swimming hole for those with an adventurous spirit, is the Garden of Eden located along the San Lorenzo River in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Located inside Henry Cowell State Park, the Garden of Eden can be found at the end of a steep hike through the woods. At the bottom of the trail, swimmers will find an awe-inspiring pool deep enough to dive into. There is plenty of beach space for relaxing, as well as more than enough room for those looking for a serous swim.