Splash, Slide, and Swim at the Hamilton Community Pool in Novato
When the weather turns warm, almost everyone loves going to the pool for a day of splashing and swimming in the sun. One of my family's favorite Marin public pools is the one in Novato's Hamilton neighborhood, which opens Monday, May 30, 2022.
My kids love Hamilton Community Pool especially for the shallow kids' pool with its play structure, water slide, and water sprayers. It's a blast for kids of all ages. There's also a larger more traditional pool for more serious swimming and water play.
The remodeled and renovated Hamilton Community Pool opened in 2010 after a long construction process. We used to go to the old pool, which was left over from the old air force base and dated from the 1930s. The new pool and the surrounding facilities are a real improvement on the somewhat dilapidated old ones. The whole area is clean, modern, well kept up, and definitely worth a visit or two (or more) this summer.
You'll also find a large grassy area on the hill behind the pool that's perfect for spreading out your beach towels and picnic blankets. There are also plenty of picnic tables, some with charcoal BBQ grills, so bring your lunch and hang out for the whole day if you want. There's another grassy area on the other side of the pool with some picnic tables and large shade structures (spots in the shade here get claimed pretty quickly, so get here early if you want to stake out a shady spot).
Picnic sites can be reserved for parties. Each site includes two picnic tables under a shade structure. Rentals cost $42 per hour for residents and $48 per hour for non-residents and there's a two-hour minimum.
If You Go
This season, the Hamilton Community Pool is open beginning May 30, 2022. Recreational swim sessions cost $7 for Novato resident adults and $10 for non-residents. Admission for resident youth is $5 and $8 for non-residents. You can get a 15-swim punch card for $64/$104 youth and $91/$130. Season passes are $100/$120 youth and $140/$160.
Proof of residency required for Novato resident rates. Non-residents who work in Novato also pay resident rates (proof of employment required). Advance reservations are not required this year.
The Hamilton Community Pool is located at 203 El Bonito Drive in Novato's Hamilton area. To get there, take Highway 101 to the Ignacio Boulevard/Bel Marin Keys Boulevard exit. Go to the east side of the freeway and take Nave Drive south to Main Gate Road. Follow Main Gate Road to South Palm Drive, then turn right on Hamilton Parkway. Turn right on San Pablo Avenue, and turn left at the traffic circle onto Sunset Drive. Follow Sunset and turn left onto El Bonito Drive. Plenty of parking is available in the lot behind the pool.
The Hamilton Community Pool also offers private swim leasons with registration beginning May 24. For more information, call (415) 485-3344 or visit their website.
