I’m not an expert, but my eye gravitates towards placing the pool in the back

Personally for me, privacy is key. Since sun is not the issue, as you get sun no matter where, I opt for the most private.

Also, if they can see you, you can see and hear them too.

Just going by the pictures the right angle to house placement would make pool use a lot more comfortable and convenient. And the pool wouldn't be cutting off the end of the lot. Also if the tree ever drops any small sized debris you want it to be a far as possible from the pool filtration system.

Thanks for responses. The whole side of the yard is a ficus (on left) so either way, tree debris, although neither one sheds much. There would be about 12+ more feet to the right of the pool at the back of the yard, if placed parallel, btw.

I like the idea of a longer pool. I swim laps and it is no fun to constantly be turning off the wall.

Laps were the main reason I wanted the pool besides the kids playing in it, so yes, that is a big consideration!! I was considering the Badu Swim Jets if I put it perpendicular, but it is pricey and maybe doesn't feel the same as normal swimming...

Does your lot have utility easements you need to be mindful of?

The electrical lines are nowhere near my yard, and the five pool contractors I met with (and one I picked) didn't mention any issues with utility issues although they mentioned issues at my friend's yard, so I assume I am ok.

I like the idea of the second picture. It leaves space for a lot of options that will be the view from the house,

We did ours like your last picture as we didn't want the pool taking up most of our backyard and I didn't want to remove a beautiful oak tree.

I wouldn't have to remove the Camphor (according to the arborist). I wish it was an oak! It is actually safer tree root wise in the back than on the side...but I see your point in terms of a designated yard area and a designated pool area (at least that is what my husband argues).

IMO the tree roots will be an issue if the pool is too close so the further from that tree the better or anyother tree that grows tall and wide. i have seen pools completely destroyed by tree roots. I also like easy access from the house to the pool where I do not have to walk on the grass at all.

I like it nearer the house. Carrying drinks/snacks out there. Also easier to see from inside the house. Then you have the whole rest of the yard

Also if you haven’t already done so you should put stakes or flags in the ground to get a feel for each scenario. I think it will feel crowded in the close to house scenario and could pose a hazard for someone falling in by the bottom of the stairs. Stake it out and have your family use the stairs to see where their natural path is.

Patricia Colwell Consulting, Just to clarify, the tree that is the problem is the one on the left/east side adjacent to where the pool would be if perpendicular to the house. The ficus tree looks like a hedge in the photos but it is actually 30' ficus that is spread the along the side of my yard. The Camphor tree on the right/west side is not a problem according to an arborist I consulted.

Lisa Dipiro It is actually easier to see the pool if it is in the back of the yard, as the patio is lower than the house and the main house area is at the top level of the deck, with the bedrooms at the lower level deck (which is still above the patio). So you can only see the shallow end of the pool if on the side if you are on the patio or looking over the railing of the deck.

thinkdesignlive Yes, I've used a tarp both ways. I do feel like 2' is tight - I could make the pool narrower by a foot, but I was concerned that the kids jumping might hit the other side if it is only 11 feet wide. Do you think this is a valid concern?

The yard between the house and the pool in the back would still be 18-20' deep x 45' wide or so (not counting the hedges/plants). So we would still have yard - but is that a weird proportion vs. a 32'x31' square of grass?

I like side yard a lot more, but I would also reposition the steps so that they weren't so close to the pool

Putting it back by the camphor tree would make the entire back yard the pool area. Yet at the same time the pool itself would not be convenient to the house.

I went through the same issue when we built our pool earlier this year. Initially I had it orientated perpendicular to the house but ended up running it parallel so there was a view of it from any angle.
Our house and lot is shaped differently than yours though.

Can you have it parallel to the house but closer to it, off the patio? Then the back half will be lawn to play.

I fear if you put it all the way in the back you will end up adding a paved path and/or extending the patio around it and be left with less lawn anyway.
I think grass is different in California than here in Houston, but I would hate having to walk through grass to get to the pool. You end up dirt and grass on your feet.

Can you reposition the patio steps?

Maybe post some pics of the patio and yard from ground level. It’s hard to envision everything from the aerial.

Presumably this is to be a permanent, in ground pool. This means that where it is possible to access the desired installation site from outside the back yard may be a factor. For instance maybe the concrete can be gotten to the part right behind the house but the far back would be too far for the concrete crane to reach - I don't know.

I do know that where you have the pool shown coming right up to the camphor tree digging out a space for a pool that close to the tree will involve major roots being cut through. And the other things that tend to happen to trees when they are built near. As in maybe the tree could actually be killed by the work. Or made to malinger for years, look homely.

poollivingthedreamnow We can't build it close to the house b/c our kids will eventually be teens who can do crazy stunts like jump off the 2nd story deck into the pool (we had neighbors on our street who used to, and that opened our eyes!). I don't think we'd extend the patio around it b/c we are really in favor of having as much grass as possible, and aren't really lounging type people. Plus we have 2 levels of decks for outdoor lounging. I remeasured and there would actually be 3' at the landing, but we could reposition the bottom few steps to be wrap around if we took out the wood wrapped steel and glass railing (so it would be expensive). I will post a pic soon!

Embothrium Yes, in ground gunite pool. The construction is not an issue either way according to the pool contractor and the arborist. We have access. If built near the Camphor, it would be 10' away from the trunk, and just at edge of canopy. If built by the Ficus, it would be about 5' away from trunk, and the arborist had slight concerns, but he thinks a root barrier should PROBABLY be sufficient, since the main roots have already been going sideways anyhow and are well established.

Here are some yard views

roped out both ways (late in day, probably 6:30 p.m. shade from camphor

view from patio (probably around 9 a.m., that is shade from ficus)

I think you said you face south looking out towards the back yard, right? If correct, then I'd go with parallel to back fence bc it seems then you'd part of the pool in sun & part in shade all day.

Well the trees influences the shade, so there is full shade in the back for an hour and a half late afternoon. But I guess that is less time than on the side...