Roseville Aquatics Complex

There are a few of these water complexes in our area, which can be categorized somewhere between a public swimming pool (like Memorial Park Pool) and an expensive water park (Sunsplash comes to mind).

All of these places are great if you're looking for something a little more interesting than a basic pool but not as pricey as a water park. The Roseville Aquatics Complex is definitely a good option, but there are a couple of reasons why I don't recommend it for Grass Valley residents over Gauche Aquatics Center, which is in Yuba City.

Specs Type: Swimming, Distance: Short Drive Area: Roseville Ages: All Ages Cost: $ Address: 3051 Woodcreek Oaks Blvd, Roseville Information: www.roseville.ca.us

First, it's a longer drive. But that may not bother you, especially if you're going to be in the Roseville area anyway. Second, the spray pool isn't very good. Now if you have older kids you may not care about the spray pool, so that's something to keep in mind. But little ones like the spray features and the smaller water slides since the large ones are generally closed to anyone less than 48 inches tall. RAC's spray pool is small, has limited spray features and only one slide--and there isn't even any water going down it.

RAC does have a couple of things going for it though: they have a big water slide (though Gauche does, too) and they have a very large, shallow pool with a beach entrance. This is really nice for sort of medium-sized kids, who may not be terrific swimmers but aren't really interested in the spray pool. RAC also has free life-vest usage when those little ones get tired or for kids who aren't strong swimmers.

Don't misunderstand me, this is a great, inexpensive aquatics complex and if you're in the Roseville area it's probably the one to pick. But if you're going to be a little further out, choose the Folsom Aquatic Center instead, which has a superior spray pool. Or if you're taking a trip from Grass Valley just to visit an aquatics center, choose Gauche, which is closer and has plenty on site to satisfy every kid in your family--and you, too.