In San Diego, a pool is often the heart of the backyard—used for weekday decompression, weekend entertaining, and year-round outdoor living. That’s why homeowners are choosing features that improve comfort, usability, and visual impact rather than focusing only on size. If you’re planning a new pool, the best features are the ones that match how you actually live and make the pool easier (and more enjoyable) to own.
Below are the most popular pool features homeowners are choosing today, along with tips on how to decide what’s worth it for your project.
1) Baja Shelves and Comfortable Entry
A Baja shelf (also called a tanning ledge) is one of the most frequently requested upgrades because it creates a shallow in-water lounge area. It’s ideal for kids, for relaxing with a chair in the water, and for socializing without fully swimming. Wide steps, benches, and handholds also make pools feel safer and more comfortable for everyday use.
These features work best when planned at the start of the custom pool design process so the shelf size and circulation are integrated into the layout.
2) Integrated Spas and Spillover Effects
A spa expands your backyard experience into evenings and cooler months. Many homeowners love being able to heat a spa for relaxation after dinner or on a windy day. A raised spillover spa adds motion and sound while creating a resort-style focal point.
If you’re considering this upgrade, reviewing custom spas and hot tubs early helps you choose the right seating, jet layout, and heating approach.
3) LED Lighting for Safety and Ambiance
Lighting is one of the easiest ways to make a pool feel high-end. It also improves safety by illuminating steps, benches, and shallow areas at night. Modern LED systems are energy-efficient, long-lasting, and can create different scenes for entertaining or quiet evenings.
4) Water Features for Sound, Privacy, and Style
Sheer descents, scuppers, and waterfalls add movement and create a soothing sound that can soften nearby neighborhood noise. The key is selecting a style that matches your home’s architecture so it feels intentional rather than tacked on.
5) Automation and Smart Controls
Automation systems allow you to control pump schedules, lighting, water features, and spa temperature from your phone. For many homeowners, this reduces daily friction and helps optimize energy use by preventing equipment from running longer than necessary.
6) Outdoor Living Integration (The Real Multiplier)
The features around the pool often determine how frequently you use the backyard. Comfortable seating, shade, fire elements, and lighting turn the pool area into a true gathering space.
Designing your project as a complete outdoor living space helps everything feel cohesive, while coordinated landscaping improves privacy and softens hard edges.
Final Takeaway
Choose features that improve how you’ll use the pool every day: comfortable entry and seating, lighting, automation, and a backyard layout that supports real outdoor living. A smart feature plan creates a pool that isn’t just impressive—it’s genuinely enjoyable to own.