Noonan Family Swim School

Splish-splash in the warm water during these lessons that are truly a beginner's best bet for swim and water safety. For wee ones, try the Splash Babies program. For toddlers and older, there are six levels. Little swimmers feel a sense of accomplishment jumping to the different levels. Further, there's a play area to keep little hands busy before swim time and a parent watch deck inside with chairs for you. More still, swim-themed birthday parties are available too.

Cost: group swim, $94-$160 per month
858-451-0794
Online: noonanfamilyswimschool.com

4S Ranch
10710 Thornmint Rd.
San Diego, CA

Carlsbad
6070 Avenida Encinas
Carlsbad, CA

Linda Vista
2230 E. Jewett St.
San Diego, CA

Alga Norte Aquatic Center Carlsbad

Ready, set, go to the parent-and-me class for ages six months to three years. In this class, parents learn water safety tips while in the water with their little one. For older kids, coaches teach at five different levels to ensure that everyone is at about the same level in a class. Further, kids learn in an outdoor, very warm instructional pool in 30-minute classes. After class, utilize the showers and a fun spray zone.

Cost: four lessons, $50-$57 per kid

Alga Norte Aquatic Center
6565 Alicante Rd.
Carlsbad, CA
760-268-4777
Online: www.carlsbadca.gov

Waterworks Swim School

Kick it out at this aquatic center that teaches all levels of swimmers. You'll find swim camps and private lessons all the way to junior lifeguard training taught here. Even more, parents notice that the special attention in the private lessons helps their little one grow by leaps and bounds. Further, you'll find that not only are the instructors professional but they're fun too.

Cost: 8 semi-private lessons, $181 per kid

2704 Gateway Rd.
Carlsbad, CA
760-603-9400
Online: waterworks.com

Callan Swim School

Bubble-up in the 93-degree custom teaching pool. Teachers let little swimmers learn at their own pace and have a soft-touch and no-fear style. Truly a great place for beginners. Group classes are 30-minutes and max out at three students. Also, half-pints rotate instructors for better learning.

Good to know: They require two classes per week, and encourage three, for best results.

Bonus: This is the only Hall of Fame Swim School in San Diego.

Cost: 8 classes, $170 per kid

Pacific Beach Neighborhood
1012 Law St.
San Diego, CA
858-273-7946
Online: murraycallanswimschools.com

Lomas Santa Fe Country Club

Warm-up little guppies three years and older in this heated pool between 88 and 91 degrees. Further, with only four students per swim teacher, your kid gets personal attention. Also, instructors teach all levels from blowing bubbles to stroke improvement. Joanne McDonald leads this team of seasoned pros. Lastly, parents pull up a chair to watch, while littles jump into the outdoor pool.

Good to know: They expanded their adult/tot classes to prepare kids under age 3 for the group lessons.

Cost: 10 classes, $152 per kid

1580 Sun Valley Rd.
Solana Beach, CA
858-755-4173
Online: lsfswim.com

SwimLabs

Little fishies learn to swim in a tank that has a swirl current to provide water resistance. The cool thing is that tiny swimmers learn in small spaces that include bars and other safety devices that make for a secure feeling. Originally developed to perfect the strokes of water polo players and Olympic swimmers, this technology works just as well for developing basic ability in young novices.

Cost: 4 weeks group lesson, $100 per kid

519 Encinitas Blvd., Ste. 100
Encinitas, CA
760-230-2500
Online: swimlabs.com

Floaties Swim School

Safety first is the main goal of a swim class that teaches kids how to pull themselves out of life-threatening situations. Swimming skills are honed in on later. The facility is an impressive 6,000 square feet with a playroom, outdoor patio and huge observation hallway. Games, toys and races help kids to enjoy lessons even more than they already do. Three kids per class are taught by CPR/AED certified instructors. Floaties offers birthday parties and classes for little swimmers with special needs, adult classes and water aerobics.

Cost: four group lessons, $94 per kid

13180 Poway Rd.
Poway, CA

Eastlake
851 Showroom Pl., Ste. 102
Eastlake, CA
877-277-7946
Online: floatiesswimschool.com

YMCA Swim Lessons

Swim lessons for all ages that teach good strokes, water safety and water rescue. You're in good hands at the YMCA––after all, this is where Olympic gold medalists learned how to swim. Teachers promote a healthy spirit, mind and body. Class sizes can be larger, with four to six kids per group. And you'll find different skill levels. Once your little one passes a class, they move to the next level.

Cost: varies, check website
Locations throughout San Diego County.
Online: ymca.org

Lawrence Family JCC

Kids ages 4 and older will enjoy splashing into swim lessons at this local JCC which offers private, semi-private and group lessons with certified, highly qualified instructors. The student to teacher ratio is one-to-five or six for group lessons and one-to-two or three for semi-private lessons. More still, kids learn in the shallow end of the heated Olympic pool swimming where Olympians and the Barracuda Swim Team also make a splash.

Good to know: There are locker rooms to change in.

Cost: group lessons $130/month

4126 Executive Dr.
La Jolla, CA
858-457-3030
Online: lfjcc.org