I joined Montclair Swim Club because I was looking for an option closer to home and after about a year decided it wasn't really for me. They have good hours and the lifeguards at the front office are super helpful. The pool itself is a bit unusual - one end is quite shallow so it takes a bit of getting used to it for doing flip turns. There are always kids around - and quite often children's swim teams practicing. When I first started swimming there, I kept hear the name "Marco" being yelled repeatedly and thought "This must be the worst game of Marco-Polo ever!" I later found out it was that one guy on the kids' swim team who doesn't hear instructions and keeps swimming when everyone else is stopping. The hot tub is not bad - it's quite big. It's sadly full of people who all seem to want to talk OVER the noise of the jets. I can only imagine what it must be like for the people who live in the canyon all around and have to hear banal conversations, frequently alcohol fueled as there are many people with cans of beer in the hot tub, about personal relationships and compost bins. While parking is plentiful - there are plenty of people who block the road because they can't be bothered to park and walk 20 feet. There are even some rather entitled white male Tesla drivers who will criticize another person's driving despite the fact that they had no problems parking themselves (and the parking lines are many, worn down, and contradictory at best). There's definitely a bit of elitist element among the long time/regulars. Finally, the locker rooms are a horror. They are not kept clean and could do with re-tiling. The lockers are a mess. The toilets are miniscule and not much bigger than what you'd find in an airplane. I do confess that the source of my discontent was a visit to Villa Sport in San Jose last summer -- and the realization that for HALF the money, I could be getting way way more value. Let's not even get into the strange cash-only deposits and lack of policy to suspend membership when out of town or out of commission for long periods of time. It's a really great pool and club for families -- it's got picnic tables, grills, and you can bring the au pair as part of your membership. Two stars for single people without kids who prefer clean lockerooms - but five stars for families with lower standards and more money. read more

I go here five or six days a week, the beautiful location and lack of crowds makes it easy for me to get my laps in. Sure, i wish the pools had been resurfaced in the last twenty years or that the locker rooms felt a little less wet/moist, but tbh it all makes it feel like this is my personal club. I'm basically writing this review to make sure the swim club sticks around for another 100 years, i dunno what i'd do without it read more

I joined the Montclair Swim Club at the very end of the Covid pandemic shutdown. My previous club had some strange rules during the pandemic so i was on the hunt for a new swim club. I love this place!! Nice big, clean pool, where it's always easy to get a free lane. Simple but well lit changing rooms (with inexpensive private lockers). The hot tub is large and a good temp. Best of all, the serene setting in the redwoods really makes swimming here a rejuvenating experience! read more

Great pools in a spectacular setting. The gym is old and rather small but perfectly functional.

you need to cough up some serious money to swim here which is a shame since it looks really nice

This is a wonderful swim club, with a gym. It's not a huge anonymous health club; but a well-maintained 95 year old community treasure. The gym equipment has been updated, is clean and works well. The service team keeps the pools clean and at 81-82 degrees. Baby pool is a little warmer. It's a very warm & casual vibe. Staff are friendly and attentive. Milan, the manager, seems to recognize and have a warm word for everyone. The members, too, are very friendly. Through a cooperative agreement with Piedmont Swim Team, there are excellent swim lessons for all ages. My husband and I took refresher courses from Zoe, who is a truly talented instructor. Lessons are also available to non-members. The downside for some families will be the swim-at-your-own-risk policy: there are no lifeguards. Staff are pretty attentive, but also have other duties. PROs - This is a great club if: - Lap Swimming is your preferred activity; or - You live or work in the area; or - Mid-Day is your preferred Sun bathing period; or - you avoid crowds; or - Your backstroke is improved by watching red-tailed hawks. CONs - If your pod needs a lifeguard, or if historic facilities are not your vibe, you may want to check somewhere else. I heartily recommend this club. Enjoy your swim! read more

I'm new to the area and have been looking for a pool to start my daily swimming routine back up in and I found this place. I looked on their website and was surprised there was no information about price, so I called. As of January 11,2023 there is a one time joining fee for a single person of $2,750 and a monthly fee of $208! Money certainly does buy you access and does a nice job of filtering out common folk as a little side benefit. read more

Am going to join for my sixty-third birthday. The local Emeryville pool is open to six swimmers per session and have not been able to go. Private pool experience is in my future. read more

We have been members at the Montclair Swim Club for a few years. It is a nice, practical swim club. Nothing fancy. Since it is in our neighborhood, it makes sense for us to enjoy it. Our daughter loves to hang out at the pool and it is worth our membership fee for her to have access to this spot all year long. The water is heated. It is great during the winter to see the steam rising from the surface. It is so inviting. In the summer it is a great place to have fun. My husband loves the gym ... and he admits it is terribly outdated. They need some new and updated equipment for sure. However ... there are a lot of people ... especially those over 60 ... keeping healthy at this venue. Some of the ones in the best condition have been coming here for decades and are well into their 80s. It is quite an incentive to see how dedicated they are ... and they are in excellent shape. It is true ... my husband lowers the average age considerably. He likes it anyway. He goes three times a week like clock work. It is nice to spend a sunny afternoon at the pool enjoying the kids and a picnic. Montclair is such a jewel. read more

The good: NIce water, a little cold in the winter, but overall easy to get a lane for lap swimmers. Shaded, which is good for pale folks. Members are generally nice, with a large group of elderly, which is really nice, even for the younger. Upstairs gym area OK, although gets very hot in summer. The bad: Horrible locker rooms- mildew/ slimy showers (bad enough to slip) smelly-, no janitorial service (seriously) and unheated, so very cold in winter. Various infestations in locker room: most recently dying flies (dozens per day) following repeated skunk sprays of the previous month. And so on. The stairs down to pool are slick and slippery,; they collect scum due to angle the water . Staff poorly trained and managed- one even smokes right outside entrance, and smoke wafts over the pool while trying to swim. Pool vacuum is often left in pool with poles and hoses arranged haphazardly during swim hours- a real tripping hazard. . Hot tub gets gross and smelly. The ugly: Back to staff training: Recently a kid vomited in the pool. No instructions for staff re how to deal with this- or anything else of similar matter. Women's locker room zero privacy in showers, and often school age boys use locker room during the summer months, despite a sign indicating no boys 5 and up. Staff does not enforce rules about that, so you can't take your clothes off without risking flashing an 8 or even 9 year old boy. Owner is very hostile, and does not take suggestions in a kind way. He is known to kick people out for minor or strange reasons. Refuses to hire professional cleaners. Manager (Milan) will back up owner no matter how ridiculous the situation. If you can keep clear of of owner and stay on good side of manager (read: do not complain about Anything, including serious hazards) and you can deal with locker room/ general anarchy, you can have a very nice time. lap swimming available long hours, which is terrific. It used to be an economical alternative, and perhaps worth the bad points, but membership rates approach that of much nicer clubs. read more

This is a very acceptable neighborhood pool and health club tucked into the hills of Montclair. The club is actually nestled into a canyon and is surrounded by a forest of Eucalyptus that shields it from wind ... makes is a very pleasant spot on those cool sunny days of fall. The pool is a bit oddly shaped -- teardrop like and sectioned by bulkheads into three separate zones. There's a small section for toddlers (1 ft deep), a middle section for kids to play and swim (4 ft. deep) and there's a lap pool section. The lap pool has seven lanes and there is rarely ever a time when a lane is not free. The shallow end of the lap pool is a bit too shallow, but I have learned to work with it by sticking with freestyle flip turns. The deck space for hanging out is extremely limited, though there is an upper deck area with tables, chairs, and an area with built in bar-b-ques. There is also a hot tub that seats roughly 8 people on the upper deck ... a nice addition. The gym portion of the club is well-equipped, but is far from the standards of the modern health clubs. Nonetheless, one can easily get a good workout in. The gym, as well, is rarely crowded. If there was an area that needs immediate attention, it would be the locker rooms. They are well kept and clean, but severely antiquated. Lockers are available for rent. The cost of membership -- $1,500 membership fee (transferable/salable) plus $153/mo. -- is quite reasonable. For us the cost and location are ideal. I am somewhat of a pool snob, so I dinged my star rating by one. If you're not too particular, then this is a great uncrowded pool and health club. read more

Members only. This would be fine, if the guy on the phone would have mentioned that when I called, asking, trying to find a place to bring my toddler swimming on a hot afternoon. Instead I had to give the bad news after we had walked up and he got his poor hopes up, after I found out about the members only part, and don't forget the fact that this membership 1k+. Typical, that one of the only later open pools in the Bay Area would be so exclusive to price out any "average" families. read more

The Montclair Swim Club is truly a Diamond in the Rough. This is a Swim Club with many extras. Great Outdoor pool that's heated just right in the winter. and perfectly refreshing in the summer. The owner and staff have done a wonderful job maintaining, improving, and updating the facility while keeping it's time tested history, and tastefully blending into it's surroundings. The club has never looked better. The staff is always friendly, and the club reflects a true pride of ownership. read more

My daughter has been on the Montclair Swim Team for 4 years and it has been an absolutely fantastic experience. The coach, Bill Aden, very patiently and creatively teaches proper technique in all four strokes. This attention to detail leads to great technique and a great foundation for success. Swim teams are about more than the swimmers though. Since the sport takes up so much of your kids and your life, it's important that there is a community within the team. From day one, we have felt welcomed and comfortable with this team and look forward to many more years. I would recommend the Montclair Swim Team to anyone looking for a competitive fun year round team for their children. read more

I can't believe this place is still in business. I remember my parents had a membership and we used to go swimming all the time. Things seemed to go down hill later on though. They didn't keep the place up very well, some of the staff there were incompetent at best, and excuse my language but the owner is a real @$$hole. I remember one time in Jr High me and my friends got blamed for supposedly trashing the place. We went up there one day and were told we were no longer welcomed there. The owner...I think his name is Jim Scalise (or something close to that) proceeded to call my dad up and inform him that me and my friends had wrecked the place the night before based on the testimony of one of the worthless life guards who was there. Of course we had NOTHING to do with it, but that didn't stop this douche from saying he was certain that it was us who had done it and that he was calling the police. However, about two or three weeks later the same thing happened and again we got a call from this guy...and again he said that he had a witness that it was me and my friends who did it....only problem was that I was on vacation when it happened. Of course, instead of just being an adult and admitting he was wrong, he just back tracked all over the place and said he didn't owe us an apology because he had never accused us in the first place...yea right. If you want to get your money's worth, go to the hills swim club up the street, it's a MUCH better club than Montclair's. read more

I cannot comment on this place as a swim club as we never have used it. My review is based on their business practices, which have been frustrating and infuriating. Over a year ago, we purchased two Groupons for swim lessons at the Montclair Swim Club. The Groupon instructions were that we should phone the club and arrange a schedule for the lessons. I called immediately after getting the Groupon and left a message on their Swim Lessons line, but did not hear back from them at all. A few weeks later, I tried again. Then again, some time later, Then again. Finally, after leaving about 7 or 8 messages, someone called back and said that they were fully booked up; no new students. They said I should call back in a few months, which I did. Again and again. This time, I never heard back from them. Yesterday, I got an email from Groupon saying that they were sorry, but the lessons were no longer available and they would refund us our investment. This is extremely enangering as we had told our sons and they wound up being disappointed and I wound up investing a lot of time in trying to work with this place. Indeed, it was our intention to join the club if the lessons went well. Needless to say, we will not be doing that as our experience indicates to us that the way this place is managed is a real problem. I would hope that if their management reads this review, it will serve to remind them that when they make an offer, they should honor it without causing complication or disappointment. read more

Most of the other reviews are very old and so now out if date. This is an excellent club both for families and for swimmers and fitness folk. The exercise facility has been greatly improved over the past few years as well as much of the out door space. The personal trainer and manager is a fantastic guy. All in all a wonderful neighborhood gem. read more

I am a long-term member- a lifer, you might say. My son learned to swim here, many moons ago. My husband and I are ageing into the old guard here. We swim pretty much every day, year-round. it is such a pleasure to be a part of the community here- and it really does feel that way. The owner and the manager have hired very pleasant and hard-working staff. The place is sparkling. I wouldn't think of swimming anywhere else. read more

I think this neighborhood club deserves a better rating. -Great outdoor pool (surrounded by trees) featuring a toddler section, a middle play area for older kids, a deeper area of lanes for laps. Great place to spend the day with the kids. -Hot tub for adults only (could be cleaner, yes) -Gym that overlooks the pool and trees -Barbecue area -Ping pong tables -Snack window (hot dogs, ice cream, etc.) -Affordable I have never had trouble with the staff and have not met the owner in 14 year of coming here. My kids love it. read more

I love this pool! I first started swimming here when I was a child and after taking a leave of absence out of state, I am happy to be back to give my children the same opportunity to swim in such a fantastic place. The quality of the water in this pool is top-notch!! If you are looking for water to swim in that does not burn your eyes or make you stink of chlorine, then this is the place. The water temperature is consistent year round and is a fantastic temp for swimming (even in the winter). The clear blue water is always inviting to dive into! The scenery around the pool is unbeatable. It sits in the Montclair hills completely surrounded by eucalyptus and redwood trees. There is spacious multi-level decking with plenty of sun (and shady spots). This pool has a unique layout and shape, clubhouse with workout area, outdoor hot tub, large BBQ area, snack bar and locker rooms. This Club has a lot of history, and the few renovations that have been done over the years continue to add to its beauty. It is tasteful, architecturally interesting, clean, inviting and never crowded. I know that I will always find a comfortable place for me and my family. It is not just a pool, it is a retreat. What makes this pool truly unique is the membership of people. Many of the members have been there for years and it is one of those places where you can be around healthy, friendly people that know your name (yes, like Norm from Cheers). I have made many long-lasting friendships with people from there with people of all ages. It is a place where I am comfortable with my children swimming and exploring. There is an amazing sense of community here. read more

I've been a member since 1998. Until 2005 or so, I was a frequent lap swimmer; since then, I've generally used the gym for workouts. Either way - swimmers almost never have to share lanes, and I never have to wait for the equipment I want to work out on. A lot of the day to day managmement is done by Milan, who trains most of the day-to-day staff, and he offers encouragement to all of the regulars, too. The pool and parts of the lockerrooms are quite old, but they get refurbbed every so often; it's part of the charm of the place. The "baby" pool is great for parents with tots; the shallow end is perhaps just a foot deep. read more

I am new to the club and LOVE it. I always get a lane to myself, I love listening to the birds sing and watching the sunrise above the trees while I backstroke, and I think they do an excellent job keeping the temperature constant for such a " mature" pool. I came from a pool right next to a freeway, so I also appreciate getting through the workout without coughing from pollution! It's totally a chill experience and staff is accommodating and welcoming. read more

The Montclair Swim Club is a fantastic swim club in a secluded nook in the Oakland Hills. The big pool is GREAT for lap swimming and the smaller pools are perfect for the kids to play around in. There are plenty of places to hang out in the sun or in the shade. There is a gym available with aerobic as well as weight training machines. There is a wall of windows to watch the swimmers as you work out. In the summer they open it up to keep it cool. The locker rooms are very typical swim club locker rooms. There are places to lock up your belongings, benches, showers, etc. I find that the staff keeps them clean and I have never seen any bugs. I also have never had any issues with adolescent boys being where they shouldn't. I have always found the staff (and especially the owner) to be exceptionally pleasant and open to suggestions. They are very eager to please and go out of their way to ensure that everyone has what they need. The members are very friendly and you will end up seeing a lot of familiar faces each time you go. Overall a great place to hang out, play, and get fit! read more

This is a lovely swim club; I couldn't be happier with it! It's fantastic for lap swimming, since the lanes are often open -- particularly for a lunchtime swim in the middle of a weekday. I see many families enjoying the kids' and toddlers' pools. The workout room is very well equipped. I'm a huge fan -- it's well worth every penny! read more

Simple and straightforward facility. Friendly people, racially mixed, unpretentious, always have lanes available in the pool, gym and equipment, beautiful surroundings, wind free. Been going there for 30 years and would never trade for another. read more

Love this place. We've been members for about a year and just love it. Great family-friendly place and not too crowded, even on hot days. This is the beauty of this jewel! Staff super friendly and love the laid back vibe of this club. Thank you Montclair Swim Club! read more

Being a bit nostalgic with memories from my Wisconsin swim club (circa 1965). I think how similar the Montclair Swim Club is....... Life guards who know my name, snack bar, friendly staff, and clean. A place where I can feel good about taking my kids, and enjoy a beautiful setting. I feel thankful that a place like this is still part of our culture. read more

I'm with tp. This pool is one of the East Bay's best kept secrets. It's very clean (a hard thing to find in many pools), the water quality is great, the lanes are wide, there's always a lane available. Lots of kickboards and pull bouys. And the scenery with the trees and sky is spectacular. The shallow end takes a little getting used to, but I've never seen anyone not complete a flip turn successfully. I use the pool for lap swimming, but it seems like it's a great family facility as well. And on that note, as a lap swimmer, the separation between the pools ensures that I'm not swimming into or around kids playing etc, which can be a problem in many family-style pools. I don't use the hot tub or gym, so I can't comment on that. The locker rooms are basic, but they are always clean and have what you need. I have always found the staff to be friendly and helpful, and have never had any issues with the owner. read more

Been coming here with my wife and little girl for a couple years now and really enjoy this swim club. I love the location with all the trees and vegetation surrounding the pool. I'm mostly interested in getting an aerobic workout and love the lanes, but my wife loves to tan and watch our girl splash in the kiddy pool. Our girl also learned to swim here which has been awesome with the swimming instructor! Talked to the manager and owner on occasion and never had a problem. Some people complain about water temperature which can be an area of preference (I like to swim hard so I prefer little cooler water than others) so this can be subjective. In my opinion Montclair Swim Club is a great swim club for the area and love swimming here with my family. read more

This has been an Oakland (Montclair) institution for a very long time. The swim club is in a beautiful setting tucked under beneath trees, and you truly feel like you have left the madness of life and entered an oasis. The staff is super friendly and treat you like family. The kids truly love going there and getting some snacks at the snack shop. They have swim classes...which is great for those who either want to get in shape or just master their craft.They do have a fitness facility and I've personally taken personal training lessons from Milan and I think he is very knowledgeable. I think their memberships are limited, but if you can get in and or already a member...I think you will be very happy here. Highly recommend for families and singles. Great Montclair establishment! read more

I am an out of towner who visits the bay area a few times per year. A few years ago I discovered the Montclair Swim Club as a guest of a friend. I fell in love with the can do attitude of the young staff, as well as, the beautiful surroundings. I find the gym more than adequate, and the swimming particularly refreshing. The membership is very friendly and appear to be very happy with the place. When I inquired about the cost of a full time membership, I was rather surprised at the value compared to my hometown membership. I look forward to my Montclair Swim visits, and working out with some very in shape elders who are there almost every time I am there. It reminds me that there is a correlation between longevity and activity. read more

I've been a member since childhood (40 yrs), and I'll never leave this place. The pool caters to children, the elderly, and everyone in between. The water in the big pool is kept perfect for lap swimming, and the water is kept warmer in the other pools where the kids play and take lessons. The water is crystal clear even on the busiest of days due to the clever and effective filter design. The owner and staff are some of the friendliest people in Montclair, and they all have a genuine love of swimming. Maybe that's why the members usually share the same traits. In my 40 years, safety has never been an issue. They're prepared for the occasional bee sting, and the boy who scraped his elbow wasn't supposed to be running anyway. There has never been a drowning, or any serious injury. The Montclair Swim Club is definitely worth a visit, you just have to see the setting for yourself. It's one of a kind. -steve read more

I agree with the other reviews that the swim club has one of the best outdoor pools around. But after twenty years we ended our membership because the ownership is very difficult and unpleasant and charges more than is warranted. So if you go and don't make waves, there are no problems. But if you complain about anything such as water temperature, locker room heat, broken gym machines, or the cleanliness of the jacuzzi, watch out! read more

I have been a member of this pool for many years. The pool itself is a jewel, nestled in a quiet neighborhood, and surrounded by trees. There is also a nice jaccouzi and a decent gym. This pool would receive five stars from me if the women's locker room was more comfortable and especially cleaner. This is the biggest gripe of many women who use the pool and some have left for cleaner pastures, or rather, swimming pools. The owner, Jim, is unresponsive in this matter, and in general does not understand that women's concerns should be listened to and taken seriously. He also tends to be short tempered so that many members do not wish to take their concerns to him, since in the past members have been asked to leave. The current manager, Milan, is an excellent trainer as well as a pleasant and polite presence at the pool. Recently wifi was added in the gym, but it does not work well, a great disappointment to members who would love to use it while on the treadmill. All in all, the pool itself is a jewel and I keep hoping Jim will make some improvements, like having the showers (including the walls!) scrubbed regularly and installing wifi that really works. Oh yes, and being able to listen to members without getting mad so that we could talk to him instead of writing Yelp reviews. read more

My family have been members for over 25 years. I love the solitude of the setting and the proximity to our home. Milan, the manager, is a gem and professional. He attends to every aspect of the club: the maintenance, personnel and character. The water temperature of the pool is always maintained at a perfect spot. My only recommendation is that the landscaping could be improved ie more weeding and esthetic planting. It is definitively a hidden gem in our Oakland Hills neighborhood. read more

The wife and I have been members for about 7 years. She uses the place more than I do, but every time I make it up there I enjoy it. One complaint, the locker room is a bit dingy. But outside the place and the pool are beautiful. read more

I am a 25 year member of the club and love the wooded setting. However each year there has been less and less responsiveness by the owner. He ignores issues when brought up and then threatens to "kick members out". The bathrooms are still a mess....so those who say those reviews are old, there has been no change. In an effort to appease young families after closing down for more than a month (that we had to pay for), he reposted the hot-tub to allow children (all ages). After seeing children in diapers in the hot tub I complained and was totally ignored. Today, two young children were swimming in the hot tub. This is a serious health issue as fecal matter can quickly multiply and make people very ill - even can cause death to young, old, or those with tentative health. After 25 years I am leaving....non-responsiveness to health issues whether it be bathroom, hot tub, pool, or workout room is not acceptable for the price in membership and dues. read more