The Great Escape: Welcome Summer, Poolside

By now, children are out of school and the torrential rains have given way to typical June heat. In all likelihood, swimming pools all around the Bay are heating up.

But taking kids to a pool? No. That's about as relaxing as electro convulsive therapy. Not relaxing at all. For this week's Great Escape, Patch is suggesting you head down to the local pool alone to get some sun and swim in peace.

If your area has a private pool — tremendous. Make it a date with you, your sunblock and a cold drink. Add a trashy novel if you're feeling ambitious.

There may not be a private pool near your home, but many public pools have off-hours for adults to lap swim, an exercise that helps you to escape from the pressures of home. Check the early morning hours, or try weeknights around dinner time to get away from other people's families too.

Try the Pinole Swim Center, or in Hercules, the public pool at the community center.

In Benicia, the has separate pools, one with a gigantic slide that is particularly a hit with the kids. Stay away from that and head for the lap swim, weekdays starting in the summer at 7 a.m. going to 12:30 p.m., closing for half an hour and  on again in the evenings until 7:30 p.m. Adult admission is $3.75, $2 for 55 and older.

Dive in!