Description

There are two public pools in Mountain View, and Rengstorff Pool is one of them. (The other is Eagle Pool.) The hours are seasonal, but somewhat confusing. Pool hours are identified as either "lap swim" or "recreational swim"; as of this writing there are NO recreational swim hours on weekdays.

There's some question about whether Rengstorff Pool is open year-round.  The pool web site lists it as being "CLOSED FOR THE SEASON" as of September 8.  However, the holiday schedule on the same web site suggests that it's open at least some holidays during the fall and winter.

When Rengstorff Pool is open, it appears to be open 7days a week.  Assuming it's open at all during the fall and winter, it's probably open different hours than in the summer.

Anyone who can figure out a simple explanation of which pools are open when and for what is invited to add that here.

The pool rules are pretty conventional, with a few notable exceptions. Items with metal zippers, snaps, buckles, or buttons are prohibited. T-shirts are not permitted in the pool (so if you burn easily, bring sunscreen). No toys, no masks, no fins, no inflatable devices (water wings and inflatable tubes are specifically prohibited, but that 7-foot tall inflatable Godzilla you've been showing off in your dorm room probably isn't going to go over well, either). A full list of rules can be found here.

There is a fee to swim in the pool, and it's no simpler than the pool schedule. If you're a resident, it's cheaper, but you have to show proof of residency (like a driver's license, or an envelope addressed to you in Mountain View). Instead of getting a day pass, you can buy "bulk" cards that will let you in 25 times.

Main Web Site

www.mountainview.gov/city_hall/comm_services/recreation_programs_and_services/aquatics/default.asp

Location

201 South Rengstorff Avenue (this is the same address as the Mountain View Community Center)

Mountain View, CA

It's on the Google Map.

Drive Time

from Ames (per Google maps):  10 minutes

Public Transit

Hours

Hours vary seasonally, and the pool may close seasonally. Also, during some parts of the day, the pool is open for laps only, while during other parts of the day it's open for recreational swimming.  Holiday hours also differ from normal hours.

During the 2008/2009 "off season", and prior to the September 8 closure (if that's even correct), the hours are as follows.

Monday - Friday

10:30 AM to 1:30 PM - lap swim

1:30 PM to 6 PM - CLOSED

6 - 8 PM - lap swim

(note that there are NO recreational swim hours on weekdays)

Saturday - Sunday

9 AM to 11:45 AM - lap swim

12 PM to 5 PM - recreational swim

Cost

Recreational Swim Day Pass, Residents: $1.25 for children (ages 3 - 17), $3 adults, $5.75 families, $1.25 spectators (non-swimming)

Recreational Swim Day Pass, Non-Residents: $3 for children (ages 3 - 17), $4 adults, $14 families, $1.25 spectators (non-swimming)

Lap Swim Day Pass, Residents: $2.75

Lap Swim Day Pass, Non-Residents: $3.75

25 Lap Swim Card, Resident: $50.25

25 Lap Swim Card, Non-Resident: $61

25 Lap Swim Card, Resident Senior: $14.25

25 Lap Swim Card, Non-Resident Senior: $25

Full details on pricing can be found here.