Gotta Get Wet!!!
by Deana Saenz

When I think of summertime I picture sun, sweat, and a nice refreshing swim to keep cool. But not everyone is fortunate enough to have their own backyard pool, myself included. So here are a few places to check out if you’re desperate to bear the coming hot August nights, and days.

Gilroy
408-846-0460
The Summer Aquatics Program in Gilroy offers recreational swim until August 8. The hours at GHS are 1:30-3:30pm, and at SVMS, 1-3:30pm Monday thru Friday. The drop-in fee for both pools is $2 per person.

Hollister
831-636-4390
The city’s great swimming program is in full swing and the last session will be end August 1. Lessons will be held at San Benito High School. All staff will be Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certified, which means they will have gone through 36 hours of training focusing solely on swimming and instruction techniques.

Morgan Hill Aquatics Center
16200 Condit Road • Morgan Hill • 408.782.2134
www.mhaquaticscenter.com
The Morgan Hill Aquatics Center is truly a summer destination spot. The many different water features, which include water slides, play structure, diving boards and more, make the Aquatics Center the perfect place to cool down on a hot summer day. Summer parties are also a hit at the Aquatics Center, where you can host a small birthday party for kids or rent the entire Center for larger events. The Aquatics Center provides the opportunity for all ages to learn to swim, with both private and group lessons available throughout the summer months. Year round the Aquatics Center offers water aerobics classes, lap swimming, and water polo programs.

Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center Interactive Fountain
(spray ground) 17000 Monterey Road • Morgan Hill • 408.782.0008
www.mhcommunitycenter.com
The Interactive Fountain at the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center offers hours of fun water play all for FREE. Children love to follow the creative ground designs of the fountain and guess where the water will spray next. Plenty of nearby grass and shade offer a comfortable place to take a break or just observe the fun. The Interactive Fountain is operational daily, from 12 noon to 4pm, April through September.

Centennial Recreation Center Indoor Pool
171 West Edmundson
Morgan Hill • 408.782.2128
www.mhcrc.com
The indoor pool at the Centennial Recreation Center offers the opportunity
for year round swimming lessons (both private and group), recreational
swimming, water aerobics, and lap swimming in a climate controlled
atmosphere. The indoor pool is a fun place for year round water play with a
water slide, play structure, spray features and beach entry. Comfortable
poolside seating is always available.

Salinas
831-758-7301
The City of Salinas Recreation-Park Department offers a variety of swim lessons, as well as other pool-related courses throughout the summer at their municipal pool located at 920 N. Main Street. The aquatics program runs through August 21.
Also available at the municipal pool are water aerobics, lifeguard training, and water safety instructor training. The pool open swim hours are M-F 1:30-3:30pm and MWF 7:30-9:15pm thru mid August. Adult/$3, Children/$2.

Miller’s Lodge
46325 Arroyo Seco Road, Greenfield
831-674-5795
Tent camping is available for $35 per night, for up to four people. The Arroy-Seco River runs through this scenic area, where guests can take a dip in the river and go swimming, but this summer the water is very low, so call for details. Fishing is not allowed at the river. Millers’ Lodge boasts an old time steak house right on the river with a bar and decor going back to the ‘40s and an outdoor dance floor. It gets busy in the summer, so you will need reservations.

Thousand Trails
12895 Uvas Rd., Morgan Hill
408-778-1143 • www.1000trails.com
This membership-only camping destination offers 298 power and water only, overflow sites, 20 rental trailers and 2 getaway cabins surrounded by 66 acres of rolling hills. More than 20 wineries and vineyards inhabit the local area. Uvas Creek flows through the campgrounds. If you enjoy swimming, there is an Olympic-sized pool. Other member amenities include hiking trails, horseshoe pits, mini-golf, shuffleboard, snack bar, sport courts and Wi-Fi.

San Benito Thousand Trails
16225 Cienega Rd., Paicines
831 389-4477
The preserve offers 435 full hook-up campsites, 75 power and water only, no overflow sites and 25 rental trailers. About 14 miles south of Hollister, facilities include full hook-up campsites, two swimming pools, nature trails, a store and food service. There are many natural attractions and activities such as the Pinnacles National Monument, fresh- and salt-water fishing and golf courses. A few member amenities include a basketball court, mini-golf, nature trail, playgrounds, shuffleboard, spa and swimming pool.

Unfortunately, swimming and wading is not permitted in Santa Clara County parks because of water quality issues. Much of the water in these reservoirs feed directly into water treatment plants and is distributed to the various users. Bacteria introduced by people can only be treated through the introduction of anti-bacterial chemicals, which are costly and increase the risk of other health hazards. Therefore, to reduce the use of significant anti-bacterial chemicals to treat our water supply, body contact with water is prohibited. Wildlife and other animals do contribute to the introduction of bacteria to the water as well, however, that contact is not as significant as introducing hundreds of people to the water sources.
Powerboats are not 100 percent clean either, but the hydrocarbons they distribute in the water are much easier to filter out of water sources than bacteria. As far as water skiing and wakeboarding is concerned, it is considered that the incidental contact with the water for these activities is not significant as compared to people swimming, wading and bathing in the water.
That being said, where can you go if you just have to get wet? Here are a few more suggestions to help you cool off.

Harvey West Park
326 Evergreen St., Santa Cruz
A 50-acre municipal park located just off the intersection of Highways 1, 9, and 17 is truly Santa Cruz’s most complete central park complex. The park includes hiking trails, ball fields, play equipment, and three pools, a large pool, medium-sized pool and a baby pool. Through the summer the pools are open seven days a week from 1:30 to 4:30pm Fees: $3 for children and $3.75 for adults! The pool has dressing rooms, a training pool, and a wading pool, is great for lap swimming and a first swimming lesson.

Ben Lomond Park/Dam
9525 Mill St., Ben Lomond
831- 462-8333
A historical creek side park offers seasonal swimming, picnic/barbecue areas, playground, basketball court, horseshoe pit, and nature area. Sunrise to sunset.

Loch Lomond Recreation Area
100 Loch Lomond Wy., Felton
831- 335-7424
Loch Lomond offers picnicking, hiking, a nature center and interpretive walks with rangers. Row boat and electric motorboat are available to rent. Bait, tackle, fishing licenses, food and sundry items are also available. Open daily until September 15 from 6am to 8pm

Camp Evers Fishing Park
1/2 mi. from Mt. Hermon Rd. on Glen Canyon Rd., Scotts Valley
831- 438-3251.
An ideal fishing hole for young people, it is stocked with native steelhead. Free seasonal fishing May-September for 15 years of age and under.

Siltanen Park
127 Vine Hill School Rd. Scotts Valley
831-438-3251
Stiltanen features BBQ pits, softball fields, a soccer field, horseshoe pits, and a pool. Open 1pm-4pm during the summer.

Schwann Lagoon
East Cliff Dr. by Twin lakes Beach.
831-479-2850
Canoe or kayak into the lagoon, a peaceful refuge for many wild birds, or reach it by following the railroad tracks from 7th Avenue. Open sunrise to sunset.

Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve
1700 Elkhorn Rd., Watsonville
831-728-2822
Five miles of hiking trails through oak woodlands, grasslands, fresh and saltwater marshes, seasonal viewing of sharks, shore-birds, nesting herons, egrets and many other species.

Simpkins Family Swim Center
979 17th Avenue, Santa Cruz
831-454-7900
The 50 meter 18 lane lap pool is the largest in Santa Cruz County, holding nearly 600k gallons of water. This pool is used for lap swimming, water polo and water aerobics. The water temperature is 78 degrees. The 43k gallon warm water pool is used for therapy and recreational swimming, the temperature is kept at 86 degrees. There is a zero depth entry ramp for easy wheel chair access. The Splash-Down pool is used to catch kids ‘and adults’ at the bottom of the two story cork screw slide. The fourth pool is the Wading Pool, with its mushroom fountain and one foot depth it is perfect for tots. www.scparks.com/parkfac/simpkins.shtml.

San Luis Reservoir
Pacheco Pass Hwy, Los Banos
209-826-1196
The Reservoir is noted for boating, sailing, board sailing, camping and fishing. Known for its windy days, the San Luis Reservoir O’Neil Forebay is often seen filled with windsurfers enjoying the thrill of catching a wave. During the summer months water seekers will find a place to water ski, jet ski, swim, or enjoy an afternoon on a relaxing sailboat. This large lake features something for everyone, including those who wish to enjoy the ATV and off-road motorcycle trials or equestrian trails.
Both of these lakes provide camping and picnicking areas, boat ramps and more. Please call (209) 826-1196 for more information.

Power Boat Lakes
Most of the lakes and reservoirs allow boating, as you have seen in the list so far. Santa Clara County is a bit limited in this area. However, power boating is allowed at a few of the lakes. Before hooking up the trailer and calling all your friends, make sure the lake is open for power boats by calling:
Calero Park Office 408 268-3883
Calero Reservoir Entrance 408 268-5240
Anderson Lake Entrance 408 779-5084
Coyote Lake Entrance 408 842-7800

If you know of some great water spots, please email us (outabout@garlic.com) so we can add them to our website.