Beat The Heat: Several 'Cool Zones' Open In San Diego County

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA — Several "Cool Zones" opened Monday in San Diego County to provide San Diegans much-needed relief from soaring temperatures.

The seven Cool Zones are air-conditioned and located throughout the hottest areas of the county. The locations are:

• Borrego Springs Library: 2580 Country Club Road
• Fallbrook Community Center: 341 Heald Lane
• Lakeside Community Center: 9841 Vine St.
• Potrero Branch Library: 24883 Potrero Valley Road
• Santa Ysabel Nature Center: 22135 Highway 79
• Spring Valley Community Center: 8735 Jamacha Blvd.
• Valley Center Branch Library: 29200 Cole Grade Road

The sites will be open from noon to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Animals are not allowed at the locations, except for service animals. Library services will not be offered at the libraries that serve as Cool Zones.

Safety measures will be in place to protect the health of Cool Zone visitors and staff during the coronavirus pandemic.

All visitors and staff will have their temperature taken, according to the county. Everyone must also wear face coverings and practice social distancing.

"Although we need to take steps to keep seniors safe, it still remains important to also keep them cool," Supervisor Dianne Jacob said. "Cool Zones provide a refuge during the hot summer months, so it's helpful the county has developed a plan to get them open."

The Cool Zones program is offered in partnership with the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency Aging and Independence Services as well as San Diego Gas and Electric. Jacob started the program in 2001 to allow seniors and people with disabilities to escape extreme heat during the summer.