Rancho Arbolitos offers family-friendly activities

Looking for a family-oriented place to swim and play tennis? Rancho Arbolitos is the place for you.

Rancho Arbolitos Swim and Tennis Club, at 14343 Silverset Street in Poway, is a private swim and tennis club with memberships that are open to the public.

Since opening in 1983, Rancho Arbolitos has been offering swim lessons and tennis lessons, ranging from beginner to masters level.

It also hosts swim and tennis camps during spring break and summer, as is home to the Pacific Swim team.

Members can also enjoy access to the club’s full-circuit gym and the pavilion, which includes a kitchen for hosting parties.

The club is owned by Di Molenaar, who purchased it in 2001. Molenaar is no stranger to Rancho Arbolitos, however, as she began working there in 1986 teaching swim lessons.

Molenaar said the club is perfect for families because it has a relaxed atmosphere, a family-friendly environment and the family dues are “very reasonable,” she said.

The club has two pools, a main pool and a lesson pool, which are kept heated year-round, so members can enjoy swimming even in the winter chill. The main pool is kept at 82 degrees Fahrenheit and the lesson pool is kept at 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

Rancho Arbolitos offers swim and tennis camps from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. during spring break and during the summer, allowing kids to enjoy swim and tennis lessons while mom and dad work. Extended hours also available before 9 a.m. and after 2 p.m. on camp days to further help out working parents.

Swim and tennis lessons are available for members ranging from absolute beginners to those playing on a competitive level.

Children as young as 2 can begin to learn to swim at Rancho Arbolitos from the highly experienced and professional staff.

“Our staff are all professionals in their field and are part of the USA Swimming Organization or US Tennis Association,” said Molenaar. “They’re all professionals at what they do.”

Tennis courts can be reserved by members for day or evening, and on-site tennis coaches offer coaching for all ages and abilities, including private and semi-private lessons and workouts. Rancho Arbolitos also has a popular Junior Tennis Academy program.

The club also has men’s and women’s tennis leagues, said Molenaar.

The club’s year-round pavilion includes a kitchen, making hosting parties, celebrations or events a breeze for members.

Membership fees are normally $350 for family initiations with $115 monthly fees and $250 for single initiation and $85 monthly fees, but currently Rancho Arbolitos is running a special where new members can join with no initiation fees.

For more information on what Rancho Arbolitios has to offer, visit www.ranchoarbolitos.com.