How to Reserve a Lap Swim Lane at the Santa Monica Swim Center

All lap swimming will be 25-yards and will accommodate up to 4 swimmers per lane. Exception, lane #1 ADA/Aqua jogging, which accommodates up to 6 guests. All guests may sign up for a 55-minute timeslot, every hour on the hour. Reserved space is forfeited after 10 minutes past the hour if not present. Reservations are only needed Monday - Friday in the afternoon.


Swim Center Lap Swim Online Reservation Guide:
* While online, navigate to: Santa Monica Reserve
* Select the pool (Splash or Fitness) you would like to reserve. For Splash Pool, at the top banner, click to scroll over and find the Splash Pool Lanes.
   (Reservation groups are listed in alphabetical order).
* Sign-in and: 
  1. Select who the reservation is for (myself or another in household)
  2. Select the date for reservations (same day reservations not available). 
      Whitespace shows what is available. Gray space shows what is not available. 
 3. Select the time and lane you wish to reserve by clicking into the white box pertaining to such. 
     A blue box withe the time will appear in the white box selected. 
 4. Select Add an event name to the reservation (ex. lap swimmer or first and last name).
 5. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click "confirm booking".
 6. A confirmation of your booking will be generated and a receipt number provided. 


Pool Specifics:

  • Lap swimming is 25-yard short course in both Splash and Fitness Pool.

  • . Fitness Pool lane #1 is specifically reserved for ADA/Aqua jogging and will accommodate up to 6 swimmers.

When are Reservations required for lap swimming?

  • Required - Afternoon through Evening Swimming , Mondays - Fridays, 3:00pm - Close.
    On Mondays through Fridays at 3:00pm until close, lap swimming STARTS on top of the hour and runs for 55 minutes.
    With youth focus programming using multiple lanes between 3:00pm - 6:00pm, reservations are strongly encouraged to guarantee a lane.

  • Not Required - Morning Swim, Monday through Fridays, 5:30am - 12:30pm on, and Saturdays and Sundays all day!
    On these days and during these hours, there is OPEN swim, so swimmers can come at any time and stay as long as they want. No reservations required.

Guidelines for reserved lanes:

  • Sign-up and Time Slots: Lap swimmers are required to sign up for a 55-minute time slot, beginning at the top of the hour Monday through Thursday 3:00pm - Close.

  • Timeliness: Reserved spaces will be forfeited if the reserved party is not present within 10 minutes past the hour. Please ensure you arrive on time for your reservation to guarantee your lane.

  • Forfeiture and Fees: Lap swimmers not checked in by 10 minutes after the start of their reservation will forfeit their lane and be charged the entrance fee.

  • Availability for Drop-In Swimmers: Available spaces will be released to drop-in swimmers 10 minutes after the start of all reservations.

  • Additional Swim: If you wish to swim for an additional hour outside of your designated 55-minute reservation, you can be accommodated based on availability. This will be considered a stand-by arrangement. Notify the front desk staff and they will debit your swim pass or charge you appropriately.


Due to the large number of swimmers wanting to make reservations, the following modifications have been made to give priority to Santa Monica residents:


How soon in advance can reservations be made?

  • Santa Monica residents may book lap lane reservations 4 days in advance, starting at 8:00 pm.

  • Non Santa Monica Residents can make reservations 3 days in advance, starting at 8:00 pm.

  • Online reservation must be made at least one day in advance & cannot be made on the same day.

  • Same day call in reservations are available between the hours of 8:15 am-10:00 am Monday-Friday. Please call 310-458-8700 for same day reservations.
    Phone reservation payments must be made at time of entrance, swim pass is not required.

  • The Swim Center will continue to hold a maximum of 2 lanes in each pool, which are available for same day, phone in reservations, for both residents and non-resident swimmers.

Lane Reservation Guidelines:

  • Lane reservations can be made online at smgov.net/reserve or by phone at 310-458-8700

  • Valid Swim Center memberships are required for swimmers to make an online reservation. The following passes are accepted for reservations: Adult 20 Swim Pass, Senior 20 Swim Pass, Student 20 Swim Pass.

  • Youth under the age of 18 with a “Splash Pass” (youth 20 swim pass) looking to make reservations must first pass a swim test of 25 yards of front crawl stroke.
    Please call 310-458-8700 or email aquatics.mailbox@santamonica.gov to schedule a Swim Test and your first lane reservation.

Cancellations: · All no shows will be charged a swim on your pass – no exceptions.

  • If you no longer plan to visit the Swim Center at the time of your reservation, please cancel via email or phone prior to your reservation so your space may be released to another swimmer.

  • Cancellations must be received by the Swim Center before the close of the previous business day. Late cancellations or no shows will result in your membership being charged for that swim. Send an email to aquatics.mailbox@santamonica.gov, and include “Cancellation” in the subject line.

  • Cancellations by phone must be received during the business hours posted above to cancel the following day.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we strive to provide the best swimming experience for all our visitors. For any further inquiries, please contact us through the provided contact information.

Santa Monica Swim Center Pool Rules   

Continue the Process:

Must already have an account and a valid membership to reserve a lane at  www.smgov.net/reserve

  1. Click on the sign-in on the right-hand corner on the reserve website.

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  2. Sign into your account. Please make sure you click the “I am not a robot” before you login.

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  3. After you are logged in. Click on the reservations on the top of the page.

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  4. Under Reservation Groups scroll to the right and select swimming pool.

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  5. Choose facility (Fitness Pool or Splash Pool) & choose (up to four days in advance for SM residents and up to three for non-residents) date for reservation. Click “Check Availability” when done.

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  6. Choose desired lane. Please check white box with desired time. The box will turn blue when selected .

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  7. On the upper right hand corner type in name or initials where it says "event name". Scroll to the bottom and select reserve now. Read and check off disclaimer. Select reserve now one more time, and then an email should be sent with our confirmation.

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Join us during our open lap swimming hours, all day Saturday - Sunday as well as weekday's before 12:30 pm 

In person drop in strongly not recommended during reservation times. Reservation is only granted, if the reserved spaced is forfeited.

  1. Check with the front desk personnel.

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  2. Let them know you are interested in swimming for the next hour.

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  3. Wait by the standby line and wait to be called according to your number.

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  4. Pay for your swim by scanning your valid membership card, cash, check, or credit card.

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Not able to reserve online due to lack of valid membership no problem. Call and find what might still be available. 

  1. Call between 8:15 to 10:00am Monday - Friday

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  2. Let staff know you are interested in reserving a lap lane

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  3. Tell us your preferred pool

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  4. Give us your name, time and if you have a membership

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  5. Staff will confirm your reservation

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  6. show up 5 minutes prior to your reservation time and wait in line

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  7. Pay for your swim by scanning your valid membership card, cash, check, or credit card.

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