About
Outdoor, heated pool featuring lanes and clear water at a community-run facility.
The pool at Bud Kearns Memorial Swimming Pool is heated. While specific daily temperatures may vary, public heated pools in San Diego typically maintain temperatures around 80-82 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 26-28 degrees Celsius) for comfortable year-round use.
What are people saying (AI review summary)? This historic public swimming facility, often described as the oldest and best-maintained in San Diego with a beautiful early 20th-century building, receives praise for its friendly and welcoming staff, affordability, and modernized pool. It's a popular spot for lap swimming and relaxation, with lifeguards consistently on duty, and is surrounded by an astonishing park. However, it is frequently criticized for being extremely busy and grossly undersized for the high demand, leading to overcrowding with lessons, polo games, and public swimmers. Parking can be a challenge, and while the building is historic, the shower area is a significant drawback, described as having no roof and lacking privacy, which is considered very weird and outdated given the city's budget. Changing rooms are also noted as not being modern.
Location
Gallery
Amenities
-
Good for Children
-
Accessible Entrance
Reviews
Listing Reviews
September 16th, 2025Annalee Sasahara
I love this pool so much! I come weekly with friends during the summer for lap swimming and relaxing. Staff is very nice and always makes me feel very welcome. It’s affordable to enter and they offer great deals on punch passes to make it even more affordable.
October 26th, 2024Rafael Guizar Perez
Most oldest, but best taken care of swimming pool in SD. Also most beautiful building. Also, sexiest swimmers in the area but I shouldn't say that hope won't be banned. Lifesavers always on duty, not one, but two of them. Park surrounding is also an astonishing place for a walk after swimming. ⭐⭐🌟⭐⭐
August 1st, 2023Klint Johnson
A very Busy public swimming facility in Balboa park. Is not very large, based upon demand I’d say it’s grossly undersized for the neighborhood. Parking is a challenge, but we somehow still find a spot. The facility appears quite old, but the pool appears modernized. Gets very busy with lessons, Polo games and public swimmers. Needs to be larger, much larger.
October 24th, 2024World CitizenW
The pool was built after WW2. Pool itself is decent but the shower 🚿 area is just 4 walls, no roof, everyone can see you shower, very weird 😔 imagine trying to change in the winter open air. The city has the budget but don't upgrade it to 2024 standard.
June 24th, 2024International “Scout II” Harvester
When you enter the building you're walking into an early 20th century structure but the pool itself has been renovated. Not the most modern changing rooms but the pool is what matters. I've dealt with friendly city employees in person and on the phone. Plenty of parking and in a nice neighborhood.
Leave a review
Opening Hours
| Sunday | Closed |
|---|---|
| Monday | 3:00 – 7:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:15 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Wednesday | 3:00 – 7:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:15 AM – 8:30 PM |
| Friday | 3:00 – 7:00 PM |
| Saturday | 10:15 AM – 12:45 PM, 1:30 – 3:00 PM |
Drop Us a Line