Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club — Attraction in Rancho Santa Margarita

So much potential hampered by far too strict policies. New management could turn this amazing and unique pool experience around overnight. It’s a very large swimming pool with a gradual sloping entrance on most sides and sand along the edges and about 10 ft into the pool. The rest seems to be plaster in the middle. It’s about 5 ft deep at the very deepest spot. The water temp is fantastic, the location is beautiful, the amenities are great. It could go for a larger parking lot as it’s almost always full. But the reason every other pool is better, is because of fun. This pool simply is not fun. The management and overbearing rules seem to allow you to do one thing and one thing only. Sit or stand in the water. I saw lifeguards aggressively yelling at people often for activities that are perfectly fine at other pools. There’s no balls, no bodyboards, no pool toys no matter how many people are in the massive pool and I’m sure a bunch of other things you’ll find out are new rules when the lifeguards yell at you for not falling in line. The overall vibe from the staff is much more interested in following a set of confusing rules than being helpful, or kind. This vague set of rules has replaced their brain that would have been able to otherwise see real time problems and come up with solutions that make sense for real humans. For example, instead of saying no bodyboards (at a “beach” club I might ad) maybe allow them until the pool gets too full of people or only on weekdays for something that makes sense. Yes it would be harder for the lifeguards to tell people that because it’s the weekend you can’t bring these things but are you there to serve the people or serve the lifeguards? I used to be a lifeguard, it’s the easiest job on the planet, they’ll be fine. You get the sense that liability and fear from a private equity group are what run this place instead of real humans. Hopefully some day this will change and my kids will want to go back because it is a really cool place with lots...

I was a DJ at a friend of a friend's party tonight at Lago Santa Margarita Beach Club. I got there early because I had lots of stuff and did not want to be rushed. The manager allowed me to stack my equipment by the door to save time till the friend of the friend showed up. Then she let me in so I could wait in air conditioning. This was much appreciated. The manager was very accommodating, professional, yet friendly. She saved me some time. The place is not a huge room, but it's not small either. The party group was not a very large group either. They easily found plenty of room to dance. The place was clean, the rules (I overheard) were reasonable. The party went well. Everyone was happy. At the end, a police Marshal came to lock up. He patiently waited while we all gathered our stuff. He was not pushy, even helped me get my cart over a hump. All in all, this was a good experience and the professional staff were part of that. Again, very much...

Small parking area near the Club. There is a second area further down and right to park another 35 cars so both parking is small. The private Club is currently closed. However many people come here to walk, bring their dogs, sit on the many benches available here, enjoy the lake, roller skate, scooter, and go fishing. There is a shopping center and restaurants along the walk near Antonio Parkway. There is a small outdoor public amphitheatre for sitting/relaxing and enjoying the lake view. Many geese out here, turtles, ducks and floating plants. It is very quiet here despite many people who may frequent this place. A great place to bring your kids and grandparents. A lot of grass areas along the route. It is very picturesque here so there are many photo opportunities. The mountains and housing community surround the lake. No bbq pits. No picnic tables. A great place for a...