Embarcadero YMCA — Attraction in San Francisco

Embarcadero YMCA The Embarcadero YMCA (“Barcadero Y”), used to be called the “Army and Navy” YMCA, is the City’s historic landmark that was built in 1924 around the same time when another City’s historic landmark: Chinatown YMCA was completed. (Note: The YMCA of San Francisco in fact was founded in 1853 in Chinatown’s Portsmouth’s Square, with the first official Chinatown YMCA founded in 1871 followed by The Army Navy YMCA - now the Embarcadero YMCA - in 1908.) The building is a 10-story building with a unique Spanish Colonial Revival clay brick and terra cotta, used to be a 400-room residence (now “Harbor Court Hotel”) housing soldiers returning from war in WWII and Korean War maybe even Nam. [Note: The City is known for her patriotism in its glorious past remember the debate over renaming Army Street to Cezar Chavez in the 90s? Army imhv should have remained while Cesar be added between Sanchez and Valencia.] On 2nd Floor located the all gender pool and jacuzzi with separate locker rooms for male and female. The pool is nice but lanes are narrow, water is not deep similar to Chinatown Y. However, don't expect accommodations of four, five or six swimmers simultaneously in one lane like “Stones Y” (Presidio Y has biggest pool imhv) although there are neither “whales” 🤭 (who splashing water all over you by deliberately doing butterfly or simply enjoying virgorously splashing) nor “sharks” 🤭 racing against you in the "medium slow" lane. Also on the 2nd floor are communal jacuzzi and sauna rooms (with an additional steam room), however, are separated in male and female locker rooms. Jacuzzi is square-shaped but probably is the biggest among other YMCAs in the City. Sauna rooms unlike “Stones Y” everyone is communal are quite daunting because some of gentle people albeit nicely freshly showered are completely naked sitting next to you with their weenies hanging in front of you. Don’t get me wrong there is no such thing called "sauna room naked d_ck syndrome" 🤭but proper dress code imhv should be at least subject for debate regardless of gender preference or sexual orientation. In the past the weight room used to be right above men’s sauna room so it is annoying while you are in sauna hearing weights dropping on the third floor above you making "Johnsons" more trembling. PS There's a vending machine with snacks and sodas located at the lobby. The "Perry’s" Embarcadero next door is also a good place to grab a bite or brewski. Not sure about the Japanese place as I am skeptical about the trend of unauthenticity in the City. Enjoy the...

I wasn’t sure, 10 years ago, if I’d adapt well to this Y after the Central Y closed its pool. I worried that the vibe might be too aggressive, with harried Financial District and tech employees scrambling to get in a workout before their train/ferry/bus leaves. I was wrong: the swimmers are generally very easygoing yet respectful of appropriate lane speed and etiquette. The aspect of swimming with windows and daylight (the old Central Y pool was in a basement) was refreshing, and since you can look out one the frolicking dolphins sculpted on the Art Deco building across the street, you never feel alone in the pool. The hours are great - I can always get laps in, between 5:30 am and 9:45 pm: there’s always a few lanes open even when the swim team or lessons take one or two lanes.

The lifeguards make it all work, though. They have a great way of keeping the area safe and positive, politely helping people of different abilities find the best lane, and keeping it all flowing so everyone gets what they want from a pool. Guards like Mike, Tom, Hailey, Sofia, Lise, Miguel, Juan, Emily, Nina, Kareem and Evan are only a few of the crew I know by name and face that manage the facility so well: Jimmy (and Mohammed and Colby before him) have overseen a great team.

I swim so regularly now that it’s hard to imagine someone knowing the pool better than I do...and hard to imagine a facility that works as well for what I need...

I love this gym and very much disagree with recent comments regarding price and work out space. To begin with, I lived in Monterey for over 15 years and the Monterey Sports Center 5 or so years ago was more expensive then at that time than this "Y" is now, and the Embarcadero Y is very comparable in every way, including a pool. In terms of location, granted, if you don't live in the City, it will be, like most any other place here, a bit of a challenge in terms of commute and parking. But if you live here, it's located in an excellent location with more than several transportation options, for example the 5 bus stops at Spear and Mission which is about 3 blocks from the Y, and the 6, 21 buses stop on Steuart, again within a block of the facility. You can also take the "F" train that stops as well within a block of the facility, and the 38 bus stops near Main a few blocks from the facility "...bad location...seriously?"...go to LA if you think this is tough. For a city of around 800K....you can't beat this. I very much recommend this facility.

In terms of space, I never feel cramped or crowded and the free weights areas are plenty roomy, and all the equipment (as well as the facility) are well maintained, current, and very clean. I have been to gyms in LA, Seattle, and here in SF, and in terms of value, location, quality of equipment, maintenance, cleanliness...for the price....truly...