16. McDonald's Swim Stadium

The other day I went swimming during my lunch break. It broke up the monotony of an 8 hour work-day, while also filling up on vitamin-d and exercise. Sitting all day, hunched over a desk, typing on a computer in an office with one tiny window far away from my cubicle, can be very draining. Fortunately for me, the McDonald's Swim Stadium on the USC campus is just a 10 minute walk away.

I packed my bathing suit, a towel, my student ID, and some snacks. I paid the $25 fee in order to be a member over the summer, and I have access to the pool which is open from 11AM - 6PM Mon-Fri and 11AM-4PM Sat.

I got to the Lyons Center, changed in the Women's Locker Room and set up on a lounge chair. I wished the pool was surrounded by grass or had a grassy area, but instead it's surrounded by cement. Nonetheless, I got some sun, watched some young divers have a diving instruction (kind of interesting actually...), did a few laps in the pool, and relaxed.

The pool was a bit salty, which was strange. I did like that the lanes were single though, so most swimmers had a lane to themselves. And in the case of multiple swimmers, there's no room for passing.  But it was fairly empty, so I'm not sure if multiple swimmers per lane is a problem here. The temperature was also refreshing, and not too cold. The recreational pool/ the one on the left  is kept warmer than the pool on the right, said the lifeguard. I should mention, there are two pools, both the same except slight difference in temperatures and the cooler one closes an hour earlier to the public.

If you are a USC student or have access to the USC Lyon's Center, I'd highly recommend taking a dip in the pool, especially during the summer, and especially on a lunch break! It was just the pick me up I needed. Unfortunately the women's showers were out of order, so I had to go back to work a bit chlorine-y, but it was definitely worth it.

If you don't have access to these kind of amenities, I still recommend going outside or doing something active during a one hour lunch break, if possible. It makes the day so much more enjoyable!

Learn more about USC's McDonald's Swim Stadium here: http://sait.usc.edu/Recsports/facilities/aquatics/mcdonalds-swim-stadium

P.S. There is also a jacuzzi! Which in my 6 years of attendance at the school never knew existed! Would have really liked to know that after a long, rough, or chilly day, I could have relaxed in a jacuzzi! And it's right there.