The largest swimming pool in the U.S. is reopening in L.A. this weekend

If the thought of battling Memorial Day traffic to reach the beach already has you sweating, here's a much easier solution: head to the Valley instead.

The Hansen Dam Aquatic Center in Lake View Terrace is reopening for the summer season on Saturday, bringing back what is widely recognized as the largest public swimming pool in the United States. The massive 1.5-acre swim lagoon can hold roughly 3,000 swimmers at once—and admission costs just $4 for adults and $1 for kids under 17. Not too bad for a place that's basically a beach day without the parking headaches, rogue waves or inevitable seagull theft.

Part of a sprawling 40-acre recreational complex in the northeastern San Fernando Valley, Hansen Dam's signature attraction is its enormous chlorinated swimming lake, which first opened in 1999. Unlike a traditional pool, the lagoon features a gradual, beach-style entry, giving it a more resort-like feel than your average neighborhood swim spot.

From above, the pool looks less like a municipal facility and more like a miniature tropical lagoon dropped into the Valley. And there's plenty more to do than float around. The aquatic center includes two giant waterslides, sand volleyball courts, picnic areas with barbecue pits, pedal boats and shaded canopies available for rent. Right next door, visitors will also find a separate nine-acre recreation lake dedicated to fishing and non-motorized boating, complete with a half-mile walking path around the shoreline.

The reopening couldn't come at a better time. Lake View Terrace and neighboring Pacoima routinely rank among the hottest areas in Los Angeles County, making the giant swim lagoon one of the region's most popular warm-weather escapes.

The pool will initially operate on weekends only from May 23 through June 13, then switch to daily operations for the remainder of the summer. Hours are 11 am to 6 pm. A few important notes before you grab your swimsuit: admission is cash only and those bargain prices—$4 for adults, $1 for kids and free for children under 4—remain one of the best deals in Los Angeles.