Los Baños del Mar Pool - Santa Barbara, CA
Posted by: Groundspeak Premium Member DougK
N 34° 24.472 W 119° 41.617
11S E 252412 N 3810671
Los Baños del Mar is a 50 meter outdoor public swimming pool. The pool has 7 lanes and is 3 1/2' to 10' deep.
Waymark Code: WMF3F4
Location: California, United States
Date Posted: 08/16/2012
Published By:Groundspeak Regular Member GT.US
Views: 2
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An arrangement of eighteen painted 4-inch tiles in a 3x6 rectangle tells the history of the pool:

Los Baños del Mar Pool
Opened April
1939

The present Los Baños del Mar Pool represents the third public
facility to be situated in the Plaza del Mar area. In November
1899, the bathhouse site property was deeded to the Santa Barbara
County Chamber of Commerce through the probate of the
Thomas B. Dibble estate. Among the conditions of the dedication
was that the parcel forever remain a bathhouse site and
bathing resort for the public. In October 1937, after two preceeding
public bathhouse at the site were destroyed by fire and
earthquake, respectively, the design and construction of a new
swimming pool began, funded by a Public Works
Administration grant.

This facility is one of two remaining California coastal area
"plunges." Of the approximately 20 public swimming pools that
were built in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries,
only Santa Barbara's Los Baños del Mar Pool retains the
original character and function of these historic structures.

In April 1992, Los Baños del Mar Pool was designated a
City Landmark by the City Council. The facility was officially
listed on the National Register of Historic Places in December
1992. Today, it remains open for everyone for everyone to enjoy.

This plaque was donated by the Native Sons of the Golden West,
Santa Barbara Parlor #116 and by Friends of the Los Baños del Mar Pool.
June 1997

From Santa Barbara's Wonderful Waterfront web page:

The second Designated City of Santa Barbara Landmark also has the distinction of being listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It's a 50 meter outdoor public swimming pool located directly across the street from Plaza del Mar Park (at the bottom of Castillo Street) and is aptly called Los Banos del Mar. Many old time locals still refer to it as "the Plunge", and other simply call the facility "Los Banos". Originally opened as a public "bath house" in 1899 the first facility was destroyed by fire. Rebuilt and re-opened to the public, the second bath house was a victim of the 1925 earthquake. The present facility, which opened to the public in 1939, has recently undergone significant improvements and renovations thanks largely to the efforts of The Friend of Los Banos, a group of private citizens who have worked collaboratively with the City Parks and Recreation Department to fund and make much-needed improvements. Not only can we recall many days spent at the plunge, we can both recall the times that as very small children we spent days swimming and playing in the nearby "kiddie pool" (which opens every summer).

Cost is residents $5; non-residents: $6.

Phone: (805) 966-6110

Admission Price: 5.00 (listed in local currency)

Season: From: 05/19/2012 To: 09/19/2012

Daily Hours:
Sunrise-10PM

Physical Addess:
401 Shoreline Drive
Santa Barbara, California USA
93109

Web Address: [Web Link]

Handicap Accessible: Not Listed

Concession Stand: Not Listed
Visit Instructions:
We just want to know that you had fun. Take a picture of something interesting at the pool, a water slide, diving boards, you and some friends having fun in the water. whatever you want. Just let us know you were there.
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Recent Visits/Logs:
Date Logged Log User Rating  
DougK visited Los Baños del Mar Pool - Santa Barbara, CA 01/26/2013 DougK visited it