Secret six-figure side hustle that has Angelenos swimming in money

As summer hits full swing and many Angelenos are struggling with high housing costs and tight budgets, a growing number of homeowners have discovered a lucrative side hustle hiding in their own backyards: Renting out their swimming pools by the hour.

On platforms like Swimply, some Los Angeles hosts are pulling in serious cash — with a few top earners clearing well into the six figures.

Standout LA-area pools have become local legends on the app, each generating impressive income from hourly rentals.

The Orange Pool in the Hollywood Hills (famous for TV appearances on “Good Day LA” and FOX 11), hosted by Natalie and Alex Bykov, has netted the owners $264,772 so far.

Dino’s Hollywood Hills Oasis, hosted by Dino Baglioni, has earned $276,295 with its epic views and relaxed vibe.

And the Disney+ Dive-In Theater pool, hosted by Amit Janweja and themed around “Camp Rock” (even featured by Disney+), leads the pack with $299,395 in earnings.

These aren’t full-time businesses. Nope, for most hosts, it’s merely a smart side hustle — turning an oftentimes underused backyard asset into meaningful extra income without much daily effort.

Pool owners set their own rates (typically $50–$150+ per hour depending on the property and amenities), handle bookings through the app, and often provide extras like lounge chairs, grills, themed setups and options to bring your dog. The platform handles payments and some insurance, making it relatively hands-off after the initial setup.

Not every pool is a six-figure earner, of course. Success depends on location, photos, reviews, and how well hosts market their space. But for those with beautiful, well-maintained pools in desirable neighborhoods, the income potential is significant.

And yes — you don’t even have to be a homeowner. Renters are getting in on the action, too, as long as they get their landlord’s explicit written approval.

“If the Swimply host is a renter they would need proof of permission whether its a signed note, email, etc. We also double check with the homeowner in these cases,” Swimply co-founder Bunim Laskin told The California Post.

The concept isn’t new. Back in 2022, CNBC highlighted how Swimply hosts across the USA were already turning their pools into lucrative money spinners, with some hosts making more in a single summer than they did at their full-time jobs.

“I love to say that [the pool] has paid for itself and more,” Jim Battan, of West Linn, Oregon, told CNBC. “I built a man cave last year, and also credit that to my Swimply pool.”

However, Battan does warn that while he loves the extra income, “unless you’re retired or don’t have a day job, it takes a lot of time to learn about pool chemistry and management. It’s not good enough to just rely on a once-a-week service to come out look at your stuff. I look at my pool chemicals probably five to 10 times a day.”

Regardless of the upkeep and initial expense of installing an in-ground pool (Battan said his cost $110,000 to build), in 2026 the trend is thriving in SoCal. Demand remains strong from families, friend groups, influencers looking for that perfect summer backdrop and small corporate gatherings looking for affordable private outdoor spaces.

With LA’s year-round near-perfect weather and growing demand for private summer haunts far from the masses, this quirky side hustle is catching on fast. For some homeowners, that backyard pool isn’t just a luxury anymore — it’s becoming one of the most profitable parts of their property.

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