Group Swimming

Group Swim Requests

• Before making your plans, check the Swimming page for swim facilities OPEN/CLOSED status.
• Group swim requests are for organized groups such as day camps and school groups. Individual and/or families do not need to submit a group swim request.
• Group swim is available at Contra Loma, Cull Canyon, Del Valle, Diablo Foothills, Don Castro, and Roberts. Check the Swimming page for swim facilities OPEN/CLOSED status.
• Group swim requests are not being accepted at this time. Please check back in April 2023 for updates.
• Requests are processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Capacity limits apply. A request does not guarantee admission and payment is due on-site on the day of the swim.
• Alcohol, glass containers, fires, and dogs are prohibited at ALL swimming areas.

Swimming Lessons

For more information about swimming lessons, junior lifeguards, and other aquatic programs please visit the East Bay Lifeguards website.

Accessibility

Check the Swimming page for swim facilities OPEN/CLOSED status. 
Beach wheelchairs are available at Contra Loma in Antioch, Del Valle in Livermore, Don Castro in Castro Valley, Quarry Lakes in Fremont, Shadow Cliffs in Pleasanton, Lake Temescal in Oakland and Crown Beach in Alameda and Tilden's Lake Anza in Berkeley. To arrange for use of a chair, call the park office prior to visiting. The outdoor pool at Roberts in the Oakland hills and Castle Rock in Walnut Creek is heated and is disabled accessible.

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

Lifeguard Service

• No lifeguard service is provided at all 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, Shadow Cliffs, Lake Anza, Quarry Lakes, and Lake Temescal. Swim lessons for children are offered at Contra Loma and Roberts Pool. A Junior Lifeguard program is also offered at several lakes. For information, browse our Aquatic Programs at http://www.ebparks.org/Register or call 1-888-EBPARKS (1-888-327-2757).
• Swimmers must follow all Posted Regulations [PDF]

Special Safety Notices

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 Loma, Cull Canyon, Roberts Pool, Castle Rock pool, Don Castro, Lake Temescal, Lake 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 Rock, Don Castro, and Roberts.

Baptisms

Before making your plans, please check the Swimming page for swim facilities OPEN/CLOSED status and the Water Quality page.

Water baptisms are not permitted at any of the gated facilities (Contra Loma , Cull Canyon, Castle Rock, Don Castro, Roberts, Lake Temescal, Tilden's Lake Anza, and Quarry Lakes)
At non-gated facilities (Del Valle and Shadow Cliffs) the following is required:

• Baptisms require a picnic reservation and an approved Group Swim Notification form (link to form).
• To make a picnic reservation, call 1-888-327-2757, option 2 at least 3 business days prior to your baptism. For Saturday or Sunday reservations, the last day to call is the prior Wednesday. Picnic sites are subject to availability. It is strongly recommended that you make a reservation as soon as possible.
• If the baptism is scheduled before 11am or after 6pm, lifeguards will NOT be on duty and it will be considered “swim at your own risk”. Your group must stay within the designated swim area.
• If your group comprises more than 30 people, a Special Event Permit (link to special event permit page) is required.
• Baptisms are not permitted on holidays or weekends leading into a holiday.