You’re reading the Essential California newsletter <\/p>\n
Sign up to start every day with California’s most important stories.<\/p>\n
By continuing, you agree to our Terms of Service<\/a>, which include arbitration and a class action waiver. You agree that we and our third-party vendors may collect and use your information, including through cookies, pixels and similar technologies, for the purposes set forth in our Privacy Policy<\/a> such as personalizing your experience and ads. <\/p>\n L.A. may conjure visions of personal kidney-shaped pools splashed across every backyard, but in reality, most of us need to get in the car and find a pool that works.<\/p>\n Especially this week as temperatures soar across Southern California, there\u2019s an extreme heat warning<\/a> in effect and monsoon moisture<\/a> has brought sticky humidity.<\/p>\n Reporters for The Times spent months researching trek-worthy affordable pools for swim and play across L.A. County. They stretched on lounge chairs in the Valley, splashed with toddlers near the Sawtelle-area, glided in the water at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, swam laps oceanside in Long Beach and even tried out a aqua workout class in Burbank.<\/p>\n The reporters also did the legwork to compile details on parking, pool size and activities. One major finding? Pool hours vary widely. Call ahead, or check the facilities\u2019 website, before you toss a towel over your shoulder.<\/p>\n Dive in<\/p>\n Here\u2019s some standout pools from the list \u2014 no gate-crashing required \u2014 to start planning your next dip:<\/p>\n Some call it the crown jewel of the Westside: The Annenberg Community Beach House pool<\/a> is what California dreams are made of with its stunning marble-lined, beachside pool. Parents and kiddos also love the nearby splash pad. It\u2019s absolutely worth an across-town visit. The rooftop pool at West Hollywood Aquatics Center<\/a> overlooking the sweeping Hollywood Hills feels more like a resort than a public pool with its vintage-inspired sun deck, pop soundtrack blaring and beckoning turquoise waters.The lap-swimmer\u2019s favorite, shiny new facilities at Hilda Solis Aquatic Center<\/a> in the San Gabriel Valley include wafting notes of lavender and sage from a nearby indigenous garden. One of the largest pools in the country is in the Valley, the sprawling Hansen Dam Aquatic Center<\/a> features a 1.5 acre pool that is surrounded by a strip of sand that makes swimmers feel like they\u2019re at the beach. Nab a free pool pass from the library<\/p>\n One extra tip: The Los Angeles Public Library is handing out free, one-day family pool passes as part of its \u201cSummer with the Library\u201d <\/a>program. Each pass covers up to four people and is good at any L.A. City Parks pool<\/a> until Sept. 7.<\/p>\n Some city favorites from our guide include the mid-century-inspired Hollywood Pool<\/a>, Expo Center\u2019s John C. Argue Swim Stadium\u2019s<\/a> palm tree and lounge chair setup, and neighborhood favorite Lincoln Park Pool<\/a>. You can pick up a pass at a local library branch, but we\u2019re told supplies are limited.<\/p>\n Stay cool, L.A. Maybe we\u2019ll see you in the deep end.<\/p>\n Today\u2019s top stories Seen through a magazine, Christin Evans is photographed at her bookstore, the Booksmith, in San Francisco. Evans says health insurance costs have leaped 17% this year, forcing her to cut staff hours.<\/p>\n (Josh Edelson \/ For The Times)<\/p>\n Rising costs for California employer health premiumsCalifornia employers face the steepest health premium jump in 16 years<\/a>, pushing average family coverage above $30,000 in 2027.Rising costs are fueled by powerful hospital systems, expensive cancer and obesity drugs, and a new insurance tax to fund Medi-Cal, driving premiums faster than inflation for millions.Inside the states\u2019 case to block the Paramount-Warner Bros. mergerCalifornia Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta is leading 12 states into a high-stakes court fight<\/a> to halt Paramount\u2019s $111-billion takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, alleging it violates antitrust laws.The litigation poses a major headache for David Ellison, who wants to wrap up the deal by September.How to eat safely amid outbreak of diarrhea-causing cyclosporiasisExperts urge Californians and other Americans to keep eating produce but step up safety:<\/a> wash hands, rinse and scrub fruits and vegetables, discard outer leaves and cook greens when possible.If your produce comes in a package that says \u201cpre-rinsed,\u201d experts say you should still take the time to rinse it yourself.What else is going onCommentary and opinionsThis morning\u2019s must-readOther must-readsFor your downtime Noche de Cumbia at the Ford, Sept. 21, 2024.<\/p>\n (Farah Sosa)<\/p>\n Going outStaying inA question for you: As temperatures rise in SoCal, how do you stay cool?<\/p>\n Email us at essentialcalifornia@latimes.com<\/a>, and your response might appear in the newsletter this week.<\/p>\n And finally … your photo of the day Artist Betye Saar at her home in Laurel Canyon a month before her 100th birthday.<\/p>\n (Christina House \/ Los Angeles Times)<\/p>\n Today\u2019s great photo is from Times photographer Christina House at the home of pioneering L.A. assemblage artist Betye Saar, who is getting ready to mark her 100th birthday.<\/a> <\/p>\n Have a great day, from the Essential California team<\/p>\n Hailey Branson-Potts, staff writer How can we make this newsletter more useful? Send comments to essentialcalifornia@latimes.com<\/a>. Check our top stories<\/a>, topics<\/a> and the latest articles<\/a> on latimes.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"I once found relief from a brutal L.A. heatwave by sneaking into a chic hotel pool. 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Hugo Mart\u00edn, assistant editor, fast break desk
Kevinisha Walker, multiplatform editor
Andrew Campa, weekend writer
Karim Doumar, head of newsletters<\/p>\n