By Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office

June 1,2023 (San Diego) -- With summer just around the corner, the County of San Diego opened its annual Cool Zones program Thursday to give people free, safe, air-conditioned sanctuaries to escape extreme heat.

The County created the Cool Zone Program two decades ago to give older adults, people with disabilities and those with health concerns that could be complicated by the effects of extreme heat.

The program will run from June 1 through Oct. 31; sites include the County’s 33 branch libraries, community centers and other locations across the county.

A complete list of Cool Zone sites, their hours and locations is located online. The site includes a map feature where people can type in their address to find locations near them. People can also call 2-1-1 to find a location, or, if they cannot get to a Cool Zone, ask for help with free transportation.

By Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office

Video by James Kecskes

June 2, 2022 (San Diego) - The County of San Diego on Wednesday kicked off its 2022 Cool Zones program to help San Diegans beat the heat this summer. Cool Zones are free, air-conditioned locations, available throughout the region, where people can go to escape extreme temperatures.

East County News Service

August 17, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – Cool zones adapted to COVID-19 public health protections have been opened at eight county libraries across San Diego’s inland region during the current extreme heat conditions.  The locations are open from 12 noon to 5 p.m.Mondays through Friday (except the Borrego Springs location, which is also open weekends). 

Masks and social distancing are required by all visitors and staff.  Temperature checks are also required before entering a cool zone and time limits may be imposed due to limited capacity. No animals are permitted, except for service animals. Below is the full list of county cool zones:

By James Kecskes, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 25, 2018 (San Diego) - Having air-conditioned Cool Zones where seniors and others can congregate to beat the heat not only reduces their individual energy costs, but can protect their health.

The Cool Zones program was started by Supervisor Dianne Jacob in 2001. The San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency Aging & Independence Services partners with SDG&E to provide a network of Cool Zone sites for seniors and people with disabilities to escape extreme heat during the summer.

To locate a Cool Zone, call 1-800-339-4661, or visit www.CoolZones.org.

By Andy Tolley, County of San Diego Communications Office

May 8, 2017 (San Diego's East County) - With a hotter than normal summer season expected, it’s important to have a place for seniors to stay cool. That’s where Cool Zones come in.