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Menlo Swim and Sport
Categories: Active Life Swimming Pools Active Life Beaches Active Life Summer Camps Swimming Pools, Beaches, Summer Camps [Edit]
501 Laurel StMenlo Park, CA 94025
(650) 330-2230
- Hours:
Mon-Thu 6 am - 8 pm
Fri 6 am - 7 pm
Sat-Sun 10 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
L P. said: "KSA feels exactly as what it is. A swim place run by a family for families. My 5 year old son has been going to KSA for almost 6 months. The progress I have seen in both his confidence and his technique has been wonderful. The newly…" read more »
27 reviews for Menlo Swim and Sport
27 reviews in English
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Review from Maria K.
San Jose, CA
1/13/2012
This review is for the infant/toddler swim class only.
Pros:
- Nice park/location
- Affordable and decently priced classes
- Clean facilities
- Not overcrowded
- Winter air dome keeps the kids warm
- Ample parking
- Little shop with basic necessities
Cons:
- Need more family restrooms
- Currently under renovation
- Can't choose teacher
The teachers we had were pretty good, though some clearly better at handling babies than others. Student-to-teacher ratio is 6:1 but our class had only 3 of the kids show up regularly (though it was apparently full). -
Review from Sparkely K.
Silicon Valley, CA
Updated - 3/20/2011
My reviews are about aqua aerobics only.
I don't go here much anymore as the dome is up during the winter months. I've been told that the dome is utilized as the children's classes and their open swim is the main revenue for the secondary pool (non lap pool). The dome may keep the kids warm, but the conditions are horrible under the dome physically (hot, humid, eye-burning fog) and audibly (screaming children!!). I walked out of the last nighttime aqua aerobics class as the children were screaming so loudly that we could not hear the instructor. I have to wonder why the instructors allow the horseplay! Enough for me!
The morning aqua aerobics classes (when the dome is off) are wonderful with certain instructors. Sadly, the last few times I've gone, the same instructor has taught the class, and is not a very challenging teacher.
Perhaps when the dome is off I will resume a couple of Sunday AM classes, but overall, I've lost a lot of my enthusiasm for this facility.
I will say, when it's hot outside (and sunny) and it's a morning class, NO pool in the area beats this one.Listed in: Make Me Smile
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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6/26/2009
Update 8.20.09:
I've tried a couple of evening classes (summer hours 7-8 pm) and definitely do NOT… Read more »
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Review from Slartibardfast F.
CA
6/30/2011
This review is only about swim lessons for kids.
I have three kids. Tried a few places for swimming lessons but was not happy with staff at other locations. Here at Menlo Swim and Sport I found the teachers to be super-professional, motivated and enthusiastic every day. I never had an issue or a problem with either the teachers or the business as a whole.
My oldest has been coming here every week year round for 2+ years and loves it. No complaints and I recommend Menlo Swim and Sport. -
Review from Steve Y.
Redwood City, CA
9/12/2011
This place is amazing my family loves all the pools and that's what is great there I something for all of us
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Review from Caitlin E.
San Francisco, CA
8/4/2010
I love this pool! I can't believe that the local community fought NOT to have it (according to a review below). I think it's a real asset to the community.
There are three pools here. There's a baby pool, a children's pool and a lap pool. The children's pool is also used for aquarobics and I understand it's a few degrees warmer than the lap pool though I don't recall the exact temperatures.
I've only used the lap pool so I can't comment on the other pools. Things I like about the lap pool:
Length: It's 25 yards long. The longer the better in my opinion but this isn't too bad.
Temperature: I find the temperature ideal. It's not cold when I get in and it doesn't feel too warm after I've swum a few laps.
Saline: The water is saline so it does have some chlorine but not much. I wear goggles but you could probably get away without them.
Availability: Lap swimming is always available, which is awesome. Depending on what else is on it might be restricted to two lanes. From 8am to 9am it's lap swimming only so there is stacks of space and this is an idea time to swim. I often have a lane to myself at this time but even at other times, I've only ever had to share with two other people.
Location: The location is good for me but I think it would be generally good for most people, since it's in a park with the library nearby and there is parking available. It's also about 5-10 minutes walk from Menlo Park Caltrain or 20 minutes walk from Palo Alto.
Pricing: It's $6 for people outside the area or $5 for Menlo Park residents. For regular swimmers, you can pay $40 for unlimited swimming for a whole month (you break even after 8 visits). If you do this online, the payments are automatic but if you think you are likely to go away then you can just pay a one-off $40 at the pool when you know you have a clear month ahead of you. I don't know about kids' prices.
Programs: I've only used it for lap swimming, but I do see people doing aquarobics, Masters club training, and summer camp for kids, so I know there's a whole lot more going on.
Accessibility: It's wheelchair accessible and I've actually see the lift that lets people get in and out of the pool and into their wheelchairs in operation.
Things that are not so good:
Locker rooms: The locker room is a bit cramped and the floors are usually wet throughout. The showers, although hot, only stay on for 10 seconds before you have to reset the button, making it difficult to shampoo and rinse properly. I understand the need to save water but 10 seconds is a bit too limited - 30 seconds would be more reasonable. (Also, the park itself seems to have its lawn watering system on full blast during the hottest part of the day. Different management, sure, but they should do their part!).
Odd thing: The lap pool has its lane dividers strung sideways so you swim from the shallow end to the shallow end on one side of the pool or from the deep end to the deep end on the other. I don't really mind but it's a bit odd. -
Review from David P.
7/8/2009
What a gem of a neighborhood pool!
I've been struggling whether to Yelp about it or just keep it to myself. I never seems especially crowded. My family can usually find space to spread out on the grassy area near the kiddie pool. There is also always space in the grassy area behind the lap pools with picnic tables.
Kiddie pool is compact with a fountain in the middle. Just enough "adventure" for my little one. The only negative is the occasional older sibling splashing around rambunctiously oblivious of others near by.
One of two lap pools has a decent sized section roped off for family play. It can fill up on a sunny weekend afternoon, but it doesn't feel crowded.
Water is kept very warm and uses slightly saline solution instead of chlorine. Instead of irritating my kids' eyes, they almost relish dipping their faces under water.
Sure beats the madhouse at Rinconada! -
Review from Ron S.
8/24/2010
(Children's Pool) = EPIC FAIL!!!
On the hottest day of the year, 98*+... the damn kiddie pool was CLOSED!? WTF! Down for maintenance for a week now! Today was my day to be Super Dad. I wanted to take my 19 mth old son to Burgess Park swimming pool where his Daddy swam when he was little too!
I was stoked to read in my Menlo Park Activity Newsletter/Magazine to check out the many swimming options at Burgess Park. The Kiddie Pool had this cool water fall mushroom thingy that the kids can splash underneath and it was entirely only 1 to 2 feet deep. That gave me peace of mind that my boy wouldn't try to get in the DEEP end.
We had our sunblock 30+ set, new floating jacket from Lolo, swim diaper & trunks ready....I even called a day in advance to check their rates and summer hours...everything was a GO!...I only wished that they had a special message on their telephone recording or website stating that the Kiddie Pool was closed!!!
I can't even describe the disappointment in my son's face when we couldn't swim. In his own words: that was POO POO!!! -
Review from Geoff D.
7/13/2009
We've been on the hunt for a good weekend pool option for our family of five... and I'm giving Menlo Swim a strong 4.5 stars based on our first visit yesterday.
In general I found it to be a far more enjoyable and relaxing experience than Rinconada, though the pools and fountains were less impressive.
Notables:
+ Saline is really nifty... I like the salt water skin and hair feel and the absence of chlorine smell
+ Grass lawn and shade were great for a multi-hour visit
+ Shop sells goggles, ice cream, etc.
+ Main kid-friendly pool is nice and warm, so kiddies weren't shivering after 20 minutes
+ Way, way less crowded than Rinconada. Actually not crowded yesterday at all
+ $17 family entry fee is a bargain
- Downside is no diving boards, slides or other fancy features that Rinconada offers
Insider tip: my eyes are a bit bothered today by the saline. I'd suggest goggles if you're going to be under much.
Will be back again soon. Thanks for the find, yelpers.Listed in: Found it on Yelp
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Review from Christina D.
Redwood City, CA
2/28/2011
Menlo Swim and Sport is NOT Burgess Pool. Burgess Pool is owned by the City of Menlo Park and updated by the tax payers of Menlo Park.
Menlo Swim and Sport is a privately run business and for the past 5 years has paid no rent to the City of Menlo Park.
Yes, that means that Menlo Swim and Sport has been running its business off tax payers backs!
Burgess Pool is beautiful and the community needs it and warrants it.
Menlo Swim and Sport on the other hand has a very poor youth program. I will give them that they have a very successful and strong Master's Program.
They only get 2 stars due to the lack of quality youth programs (which is about 80% of recreational pool business), but decent Master's Programs. -
Review from Michelle C.
Belmont, CA
7/6/2009
Sorry but I found this steal of a place thanks for my fellow yelpers, don't hate me because I found your diamond in the ruff. As a non-Menlo Park resident I had to pay $6 for a lap swim, ok with me. The water was super warm. I did like the saline pool, it made me feel more energetic, not nasty afterwards and my hair is very happy right now. The place was packed, I did go on a sunny day in July, go figure. I think that since it does cost me more to swim here, I'll try to go at least once a week to get a really fun work out. Going to the gym can get boring.
Here are some downsides: You have to leave some of the lanes when the master swimmers come out to play, so it does get cramped in the 3 only free lap lanes. The locker rooms are wild, no shower curtains! I'm not the streaking type and a lot of these women are. Whoa did I get mooned! The locker room is cramped as Cecilia said down below. This is rich Menlo Park, why couldn't they've gone the extra mile for more space in the locker room?
Oh this is a great place for kids. I don't have any, almost forgot to mention it. But I saw a lot of happy kids here. They also have a gift shop for the swim things you might need to purchase like a fun noodle, swim cap and so on. -
Review from Lia S.
Claremont, CA
3/31/2010
As an avid lap swimmer, I always need a good pool near my abode so that I can exercise regularly. I love this pool. One summer I went every weekday morning around 8 or 9am to get my swim on. I almost always got a lane to myself. If I had to share, it was never with more than one other person.
Be warned, though. I once missed my morning workout and went closer to 4 or 5 in the afternoon and it was PACKED. Yes, it was August, but I was sharing a lane with maybe 5 other people who I can only assume had just left the office. Go in the mornings! (Or don't and let me keep my lane to myself.)
The $5 lap fee for Menlo Park residents doesn't hurt either. Wish I'd known about the student discount ($1 off) before my last week there, though! -
Review from Jen W.
Redwood City, CA
7/3/2007
I'm torn on my rating. On one hand I know how hard the community and a private group worked to build and develop this pool to meet so many needs - master's swimmers, kids/families and lap swimmers. I also know how hard the Menlo Park community fought NOT to have this pool. They thought it would cause traffic issues Since this pool was funded privately and I believe by the local gov't (not sure if the community helped) they did not have the money to make this place as nice as they could have.
However, with all that said and if I reviewed this for all the different types of people I have the following comments:
1.Friends/family - sorta expensive for the community, lifeguards are not that attentive, and the kiddie pool leaves a little to be desired. However, the pool is large and heated and fun for families and kids. There are no slides for kids- which I remember from my pool days was the BEST part
2. Lap swimmers - during busy hours this is not a good pool. However, lap swimming is open all day - unheard of on the peninsula. If you avoid peak hours it is five stars. They even provide equipment
3. Masters swimming - Top notch and probably one of the best in the peninsula. Experienced swimmers claim the pool is "slow" because of how they designed the drainage. But how can you go wrong with Tim Sheeper running the master's program and over 20 wkouts a week. Tim is one of the most caring coaches on the entire Peninsula and he is friendly to all levels.
The lockers are horrible. Cramped, and by cramped I mean you are lucky not to touch another person when you are changing during peak hours. -
Review from vickie j.
San Francisco, CA
2/11/2010
Actually this is a chlorinated pool.
Low marks since I'm allergic to chlorine, if you're a normal human it might be fine for you. -
Review from Sophally S.
Menlo Park, CA
8/24/2010
I can only speak for the lap pool here, but I've had great experiences. If you come regularly, the staff get to know you and transactions are quick and painless. If you're a member, you can cut the line, give them your name, and that's it!
I've gone at all times of the day (including twice today, the hottest day of the year by far!!) and I've never had to share a lane with more than one other person. They also have a detailed schedule on their website so I can tell when the most lap lanes are open.
The pool is beautiful and new and clean. Best of all, they use part bromine, which I find that much less irritating or harsh than other pools.
I also love that it's outdoors. Beats the Y and the JCC. -
Review from Suzanne G.
Menlo Park, CA
9/7/2011
Took my seven year old and twin five year olds here for about four months. We found the quality of instruction to be really minimal. There didn't seem to be a strategy behind how to teach kids to swim. My son was learning crawl, so they would tell him to swim that stroke out in to the pool. He couldn't do it right, so then they would correct him and send him back to the wall. What about learning how to kick properly, using props to teach him how to use his arms, etc.? We were hoping to find a school closer to home since we live in Menlo Park, but ended up canceling here and continue to drive to Cupertino where they attend DACA. Still looking for a closer option!
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Review from Carolina A.
Palo Alto, CA
6/30/2011
My kids love taking classes here. Age 7, 5 and 16 months. I saw a huge progress in their swimming abillities in just a short time. The instructors are knowledgable, attentive, patient and friendly. They have a ribbon system for each level. My kids LOVE it. I can't write enough good things about the swim school. I am soooo happy to have found this pool.
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Review from Markus J.
Mountain View, CA
9/29/2010
These guys know how to motivate kids to learn to swim. Small classes, nice instructors, warm water. Great place!
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Review from Kristin S.
Palo Alto, CA
6/24/2011
We love having these pools near our home especially in the summer time. The rate for open swim seems very reasonable. Drop in rate is 5 bucks for Menlo Park residents (I think 6 for non-residents) and it's only about 130 for a pass for the whole summer (per person, discounts for families). I think this is a great deal. The pools are clean and they have good policies for lap swimmers. Lap swim times are extremely good as well as the open swim times. There is a great masters swim club as well as a triathalon club should you want to join it. The dome is a little gross but the other option is that they close down in winter which is what many outdoor pools do. Anyway I am totally thumbs up about this pool. Unclear on the distinction between Menlo Swim & Sport & Burgess Pool though. Couldn't find a place to review Burgess Pool so this seems to be a review for the pool and some of the programs related to it. I should note that I don't have kids so I'm not using this for youth swimming programs which might be bad.
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Review from beth m.
Menlo Park, CA
Updated - 6/7/2010 1 photo
A saline pool is not a chlorine-free pool, just one that uses salts (as used in home water softeners) in a 'chlorine generator' to make chlorine. This means the pool is not over or under-chlorinated (which causes that nasty 'over-chlorinated' smell). The water is salty, but not like the ocean, and the experience for the swimmer is very nice.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/22/2008
The awesomest lap pool ever. No one yet mentioned that the pool is saline, which is so much more… Read more »
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Review from Fro S.
San Carlos, CA
4/25/2010
i love the warm pool for playing with the kids, and the cool pool for real swimming but the locker rooms are cramped, and the showers not hot.
The rec swim hours are pretty limited during the week, but better on the weekends. We tried the swim lessons, but they use a fairly forceful approach that didn't work with my kids.
The salt water (sodium chloride) in the pool is converted into chlorine, so the pool water contains both, doesn't feel overchlorinated like some public pools from the chloramines.
Overall a nice pool, and helpful friendly staff. -
Review from K R.
Palo Alto, CA
5/16/2011
I used to swim before they had the renovation and now the place is really nice. My kids take swim lesson there and they love it!
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Review from Cecilia M.
Menlo Park, CA
8/4/2006
The pools are beautiful. I love that they're heated and that the hours are good for lap swimming (M-F 6 am-8 pm, Weekends 10 am- 6 pm). My kids love the toddler pool. Caution: some of the life guards aren't very good (don't pay attention to the pool and the kids in it) so you need to be extra vigilant with your kids. The locker rooms are an unfortunate contrast to the pools: the lockers are all cramped into a tiny area, there is no swimsuit drier, no hooks for stuff (hmmm...a decent architect would have helped! oh well).
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Review from Dave F.
Atherton, CA
7/1/2009
This is a pretty good pool since they rebuilt it a couple of years ago. I used to swim regularly in the old one. You're right the locker room is the Worst Ever!
Just one other thing... I do not believe it is a salt water pool (as in the ocean). Yes, it probably does taste "salty". Let's put it this way; it gets a LOT of Use. Swimmers, swimming hard exert themselves; yes, that's right they do "sweat", even while swimming. You want to taste some really rank water, check out the pool at Belarmine Prep School; ..like margarita mix!
And the kiddie classes, well, I think you can guess how they might contribute "salts" of various ilk. Plus, many of the kiddies, swim in disposable diapers, even though they aren't supposed to, those also contribute various chemicals, that can impart a "taste" like salt. They were smart to put in dedicated kiddie pool; or the problem would be worse. Not sure if the filtration systems for the two pools are separate or not... -
Review from Gary a.
Stateline, NV
3/13/2007
One of the best pools I have been to. Two pools, one is 12 lanes as the temperature is 80 degrees, and a narrow pool mostly for lessons and kids, but also has some lap swim, set to 85 degrees. Usually the lap swim is wide open in the morning and early afternoon. very enjoyable. The changing rooms are barely adequate.
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Review from Leon C.
Union City, CA
saline filtration system in the main lap pool is a big plus.....that means the chlorine levels are perfectly balanced and will not wreak havoc on your skin.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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6/6/2008
this is my pool of choice for lap swimming and i come all the way out from the fremont area. it's… Read more »
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Review from L R.
Silicon Valley
3/7/2008
Great pool for lap swimming. I have to go during the off-lunchtime hours (before noon or after 1 PM) to get my own lane or split a lane with one other swimmer in the 'competitive' pool. Of course, that changes as the season change.
The pools are clean, even during the high times in the summertime. I do not recall them being cloudy.
I have used their kick boards and other equipment, as they are available to use.
The women's locker room is quite small, especially after classes. Bring your own lock or bring your bag out to the deck while you swim. I've seen other women leave their belongs in an unlocked locker - I guess I am just paranoid or something.
Other than that, I will definitely visit and swim there, again and again. -
Review from David J.
San Francisco, CA
5/9/2010
We brought our 4 year old for swimming lessons here and had all his past swimming accomplishments erased in about 5 minutes. Our son was on the verge of being able to swim to the side of the pool on his own after jumping in. We brought him here to complete this process. Even after being told clearly his level of swimming and that he was not able to swim on his own, the instructor told him to swim to the side and pushed him under water. He frantically tried to get to the surface, gasping, choking and crying until my wife got him out of the pool. Ever since this experience, he has been so scared of the water, he won't even let us hold him while he makes swimming motions in the pool. We are back before square one, because our son was never scared of the pool before. This sort of "throw the kid in the pool and let him figure it out" training style is not effective for a 4 year old. We could have tried that ourselves and didn't need an "expert" for that. We would have done much better giving our own lessons than taking him to this place.
