California note
The Richmond Plunge is a pool with a long memory
The Richmond Plunge opened in 1926 as the Municipal Natatorium, later closed for major repairs, and reopened as a restored Point Richmond swim center.
The Richmond Plunge is one of those places where the building is part of the fun. It opened in 1926 as the Municipal Natatorium, which is just the old word for an indoor pool.
The early pool was unusual. It used fresh water from a local well mixed with bay salt water, and the building was meant to feel grand, with observation space and a big open ceiling.
The Plunge had a hard stretch after structural damage tied to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. It eventually reopened in 2010 after a local save-and-restore effort. Inside, the mural and old details help it feel different from a plain recreation pool.
Today it gives Point Richmond a living landmark, not a locked-away one. Check the aquatics schedule before going, because a historic pool still runs on very normal swim-program hours.
Where to see it
Richmond Plunge, 1 East Richmond Avenue in Point Richmond. Check the aquatics schedule before going.
Sources
Sources for this story
Reviewed July 2, 2026
Public sources for the places, events, and details above.
Connected places
Open the local directory
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