Cull Canyon Regional Recreation Area

Swimming

Before visiting any swim facility, review:
Water Safety Tips
Parks Rules & Regulations - Swimming
Swimming Visitor Rules and Regulations (PDF)
Latest updates on: All Alerts & Closures | Water Quality | Blue-Green Algae

In case of Emergency/Incident in Progress, call 911 or (510) 881-1121 from a cell.
For Non-Emergencies, call (510) 881-1833, or submit a Park Watch Report online.

Swimming Facilities

The East Bay Regional Park District swim facilities include six open-water lakefront beaches, three chlorinated lagoons, two pools, and two bay shoreline beaches.

For OPEN/CLOSED status, swim fees, and lifeguard schedule, click on swim facility links below.

  • Walk-ins for all open locations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis until capacity is reached.
  • Cull Canyon and Don Castro also offer an optional swim entry registration on weekends and holidays to guarantee your admission. Register here.

Parks with Reservable Swimming Facilities

Information regarding Group Swimming Procedures, Baptisms, and Pool/Lagoon Rentals

Swimming Lessons

A Junior Lifeguard program is also offered at several lakes. For information about swimming lessons, junior lifeguards, and other aquatic programs please visit the East Bay Lifeguards website, browse programs at EBParks.org/Register or call 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757).

Accessibility

Beach wheelchairs are available at:

To arrange for use of a Beach wheelchair, call the park office prior to visiting.

The outdoor pools at Roberts in the Oakland hills and Castle Rock in Walnut Creek are heated and disabled accessible.

If you are interested in Adaptive Swim Lessons, please call (510) 690-6625 for more information.

Water Safety Notices

No lifeguard service is provided at bay beaches.

Swimming at your own risk is allowed in designated areas and when lifeguards are off-duty at some parks. These include Del Valle, Lake Anza, Lake Temescal, Quarry Lakes, and Shadow Cliffs,

PLEASE NOTE: All lifeguard service operates depending on weather, water level, water quality, staffing availability, and visitation. When lifeguards are not on duty, swimming is permitted only in a designated area, and at a swimmer's own risk. Children must be supervised by a responsible adult.

Lifeguards initiate a 15 minute swim break at 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 5:00pm each day. Children 15 years and younger must completely exit the water during this time. This is a good time for children to rest, re-warm and use the restroom. Groups should review the Group Swim Procedures page before planning a visit.

Alcoholic beverages, dogs, glass containers, fishing, or barbecues are prohibited at ALL swimming areas. Incontinent individuals are prohibited from water contact activities in non-chlorinated swimming areas. (Ordinance 38). This applies to the swimming areas of Del Valle, Crown Beach, Miller/Knox, Quarry Lakes, Shadow Cliffs, Temescal, and Tilden.

Swimmers must follow all Posted Regulations [PDF]

Special Water Safety Notices for Children

Children 12 years old and under are not permitted in the swimming area unless accompanied by a responsible, actively supervising, individual 16 years old or older. Water Safety Information.

Swimmers at Contra LomaCull CanyonRoberts PoolCastle Rock pool, Don CastroLake TemescalLake Anza, and Quarry Lakes who wish to enter chest deep water, are required to wear an identifying wrist band, issued by the lifeguards. This band indicates you have passed a swim test.

Swim diapers are required at chlorinated swim facilities: Contra Loma, Cull Canyon, Castle RockDon Castro, and Roberts.

Learn more about Water Safety at the official website of the United States Lifesaving Association: USLA.org 

Swimming Facilities Map

This map shows locations of all Park District swim facilities.

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