The weather is getting warmer, and it time to head out to your favorite swimming hole. You don’t need to go far to find some great places to swim in the East Bay.

So, drop by the store, grab a picnic, and head to one of our favorite spots:

Lakes
Lake Anza is the big lake in Tilden Park. Surrounded by greenery and fresh air, it sits near the top of the East Bay Hills. The parking area is close to the beach—which gets plenty of sun—and is fairly wind protected. Bring some picnic food out to the lake and snag your spot early or stop at one of the park’s picnic areas and enjoy your eats before or after going for a swim.

Heres’ a great tip: If you want to go for a swim after work, the lifeguard leaves and there are no fees after 5:30 PM. It is quiet and there is still plenty of sunlight.

For more information visit the East Bay Regional Parks website.

Lake Temescal is a small reservoir situated just off Highway 13 in the Oakland Hills. It is a popular swimming spot with a sandy beach. The shores of the lake were a popular camping spot with bohemian artists and writers in the late 1800s. And now it is filled with families and sunbathers.

There is a lifeguard posted at prime swimming times, and the lake is open to swim at your own risk after hours.

Get more information on the East Bay Regional Parks website.

Cull Canyon is a popular Castro Valley swimming lagoon is worth a trip with the family for a day of swimming and hiking in the park. The swim area has a bathhouse, lawns, sandy beaches, and lots of shallow water for kids. The swim area is fenced and a lifeguard is on duty when the area is open.

For details go to the East Bay Regional Parks website.

Pools
Roberts Pool at Robert’s Regional Recreation Area features a baseball field, playfields, and a sand volleyball court. It is near hiking trails and hosts its very own grove of redwood trees.

The Roberts Pool complex features a 25 yard, heated swimming pool with a depth of from 3 feet to 8.5 feet (no diving board), vending machines and lawn areas. In addition, the complex is fully accessible to individuals with disabilities, including the bathhouse and an accessible lift into the pool.

The pool is open to the public from mid-April through the end of September. It is a great place for kid’s swim lessons.

Get the details about swim hours at the Roberts Pool.

Temescal Pool is located at Oakland Technical High School, adjacent to Studio One Arts Center. Pool use includes swimming classes and lessons for tiny tots, children, and adults, swim team practice, recreational swim and much more.

Get all the details on the City of Oakland website.

The El Cerrito Swim Center keeps winning Best of the East Bay for pools. They have two pools plus a kiddie splash pad. And, there are all kinds of swimming programs and lifeguard training.

Learn more on the City of El Cerrito website.