Our story
We build the pool. You fill it with life.
A legacy of integrity. A tradition of excellence. Crafting memories since 1952.
Est. 1952
Crafting memories since day one
Our founder
Wayne Steimle: a promise that became a company.
Every company has a beginning, but California Pools started with something more personal than a business plan. It started with a promise inside a family home.
On Christmas morning in 1951, Wayne Steimle, a high school physics teacher in Southern California, placed a single pool light under the Christmas tree. It was not just a gift. It was a commitment to his family that by the following summer, they would have a swimming pool in their backyard.
When summer arrived, Wayne quickly discovered that building a pool was not simple. There were very few pool builders in Southern California at the time. Instead of giving up, he leaned into what he knew - as a physics teacher, he was used to solving problems step by step. He brought together a few of his students and built the pool himself.
That summer of 1952 became the foundation of California Pools. Neighbors noticed the finished pool and started asking for one of their own. Wayne eventually left teaching and founded the company, believing simply that families deserved a beautiful backyard where they could spend time together.
"We are California Pools. We build the pools. You fill them with life. Jump in. The water's calling."
Our Logo
A mark that moves like water.
A logo is more than a name. It is a symbol of who we are and what we stand for. The California Pools mark has evolved alongside the company, but its heart has never changed: a tribute to our home state and to the water that defines our craft.
We have minimized the California state bear down to its more simplistic form and stylized it in a way that is reminiscent of a Ripcurl wave. Aside from the bear being the state animal, the symbolism associated with it is courage, strength, and family. The overall form of the icon is forward-leaning and holds the core arched shape of an ocean wave. The finer details in the mark, such as the negative space in the legs/lower body and the neck, also share the wave arch. These qualities allow us to achieve the positive emotions associated with the imagery of a wave without having to show it explicitly.
Courage, strength, and family. Forward motion, shaped like a wave. It is a small mark that carries seventy years of promise, and every backyard we have ever built.
Our history
Our history is told through backyards across the country.
From a single pool light under a Christmas tree in 1951 to 29 locations across six states today - and a future built on the same promise that started it all.
A Pool Born From a Promise
On Christmas morning 1951, Wayne Steimle - a high school physics teacher - placed a single pool light under the tree, promising his family a pool by summer. When he couldn't find a builder, he enlisted his students and built it himself. By 1952, California Pools was founded.
Read the full 1950s storyThe Pool Becomes the American Dream
As suburban families invested in their homes, the backyard pool shifted from luxury to middle-class aspiration. Gunite construction made pools stronger and more affordable, and California Pools grew alongside a cultural shift that made the pool a centerpiece of California living.
Read the full 1960s storyThe Backyard at the Center of Culture
Pool parties, outdoor speakers, and long summer afternoons defined suburban life. Custom pools became outdoor architecture - homeowners wanted designs that reflected their personality, and California Pools answered with increasingly creative, craftsmanship-driven builds.
Read the full 1970s storyA New Generation Steps In
Leadership passed from founder Wayne Steimle to his son Doug, a civil engineer who had worked in every role from digging to design. Doug expanded across the western U.S. while protecting the company's core values, and outdoor living became an essential part of home design.
Read the full 1980s storyStandards, Identity, and the Making of a Brand
California Pools formally registered its name, evolving from family business to recognized brand. With nearly fifty years of refinement, the company built long-term trust through clear communication, reliable service, and high-quality construction while competitors came and went.
Read the full 1990s storyThe Third Generation Answers the Call
After a tribute event honoring his grandfather Wayne, Ryder Steimle joined the company. He worked through every role, eventually taking over from his father Doug, bringing a structured business mindset while respecting the craftsmanship-driven roots that defined the family legacy.
Read the full 2000s storyFrom Television to Texas
Appearances on HGTV and DIY Network's Pool Kings introduced millions to the custom pool building process. To meet surging Sunbelt demand, California Pools introduced a franchise model - local owners operating under the company's training, standards, and systems.
Read the full 2010s storySeventy Years Strong and Still Growing
In 2022, California Pools celebrated 70 years and 80,000+ pools built. With franchise locations across the Sunbelt and beyond, the company continues evolving with new technology, improved project management, and innovations in pool safety - all while staying true to the original promise.
Read the full 2020s storyBuilding the Next Generation of Backyards
As outdoor living expands into full backyard environments - kitchens, fire features, smart automation, and sustainable technology - California Pools is investing in the next 70 years. New franchise territories, advanced 3D design tools, and a growing national footprint mean more families will experience the craftsmanship that started with a single pool light in 1952.
As seen on TV
Our craft, on national television.
The 2010s brought national visibility to California Pools in a way the company had never experienced before. Through appearances on HGTV and DIY Network series such as Pool Kings, Landscapers Challenge, Flipping the Block, and Supersize My Pool, millions of viewers were introduced to the custom pool building process from start to finish.
The shows showcased not only the final product but also the craftsmanship, design process, and customer experience behind each project - giving families across the country a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into a California Pools backyard.
Frequently asked
About California Pools
When was California Pools founded?
California Pools was founded in 1952 by Wayne Steimle, a high school physics teacher in Southern California who built his first pool for his own family after promising them one for Christmas.
How many pools has California Pools built?
California Pools has built more than 80,000 custom swimming pools since 1952, making it one of the most established names in custom pool construction nationwide.
How many California Pools locations are there?
California Pools operates 29 locally-owned franchise locations across six states - California, Texas, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, and Pennsylvania - each bringing national expertise with neighbor-like care.
Is California Pools on TV?
Yes. California Pools has been featured on HGTV and DIY Network series including Pool Kings, Landscapers Challenge, Flipping the Block, and Supersize My Pool, each showcasing the custom pool building process from design to completion.
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70+ years of craftsmanship. 80,000+ pools built. One promise: we build the pool, you fill it with life.