$100k, remove and replace

Even in lower cost FL, you are looking at $100K minimum for a basic pool, so good chance it will be more in CA. In your case you will also have to pay for demolition and material removal of the old pool and patio. There isn't an easy way to make an existing pool smaller.

That seems expensive but I do not live in FLA. I think you will need to speak to pool builders to get even an idea at all about the cost

This is a bad idea.

Another thing to check is the current zoning rules and lot setbacks for your town/county. Hillside zoning might also come into play. The location of your current pool is grandfathered in, but any changes might mean that a new pool has to go in a different location.

I think it depends on a lot of factors. where in Ca are you located? How glitzy or basic do you want the remodel to be? Have you talked to anyone about prices? A few years ago i replaced tile, coping and deco seal and the price was about what i expected. i had googled “ average prices” for my area and I came upon some websites thar were pretty accurate for pool reno prices by zip code. Angi has a site that does it also though i’m not recommending them but it i think they were decent at giving ballpark figures.

I’d be curious to see what your actual figure is as I think if you keep it simple you might be closer to 50K

Find 3 or more local contractors for estimates. Prices will differ region to region.

Is this a crazy idea? Would allow for more usable space in the yard at a much lower cost.
https://www.angi.com/articles/phoenix-contractor-builds-decks-over-pools.htm

Continued: all or part of the pool can be covered with decking. Call me crazy.

So the pool is in good condition ... and you're fine with your current maintenance ... you just want it to be smaller. The goal being to get more living space in the back yard.

What you're talking about doing is ripping out a perfectly good pool and installing a new one. That's a LOT of money.

Two crazy ideas -- and I'm not saying these are great ideas:

- Is it possible that the neighbors have large lots and would be willing to sell a portion of it so you could enlarge your yard?

- Is it possible to build a raised deck over one end of the pool ... like a second-story deck on a house, but not attached to the house?

Deck over pool seems dangerous to me, as a parent. I want to be able to see all the water, when I'm watching a pool with kids in it....even my adult kids...

I read the article that flopsycat1 linked to--the option is to drain the pool and then cover the entire pool with a deck, not just part of it. It would be less expensive than removing the pool, but it's an all or nothing decision. Never was it mentioned to only cover the pool partway.

Well if you did cover it part way I suppose there's a way to install a barrier in the water so no one could get under the decking. Bottom line you don't 'make it smaller' you rip it out, regrade the yard and start new. I can't imagine the expense that would be.

Why can’t this be done again? It looks like a cement pool, and I’ve seen hot tubs get added to the interiors of existing cement pools. I would ask a pool contractor what’s possible in terms of filling a portion of your existing pool in with cement. And, if you didn’t want to mess with your existing coping, see if you could structure any infill in way that you could put wood decking (flush with your existing coping) on top of the area you are trying to fill in (or maybe a sunken patio of sorts?).

That is an interesting idea Jenn

Check with your city building department that issues permits. Obviously the pool will need to be drained but with all the water restrictions that California has, will they let you fill it back kind of up after construction of the new, smaller pool? I would find this out first. I have a friend that lives in Orange County and there is a moratorium on pool building.

Don’t know why or how “kind of” ended up in my sentence

Ever see the old movie "It's a Wonderful Life"? Maybe try a moving patio cover.....

I think this will be expensive and will probably involve a pemrit. Can you post the lot plans? Maybe someone will have an innovative idea how to get you the pool house and patio you want While keeping the pool. It’’s a nice looking pool.

So the intention is to make the pool smaller to add in a pool house and a grassy area in the newly reclaimed 200 square feet? WIll they both be 10x10 spaces or ? I'm not sure how that will fit and/or feel? Is the pool house a must-have? Or can the functionality be included in the changes to the house? (include some kind of backroom inside the house w/o a separate pool house?) In theory, you could always build up to the house to gain square footage if needed. Including the gut remodel of the house I wonder if it would be cheaper/easier to move?

The newly reclaimed 200 square feet will only be the "BBQ / sitting area." The pool house area will be left of the pool (not pictured).

Could fill the whole thing in and get an above ground swim spa. Much more useable (can swim laps in it). Endless Pools has some nice ones that can go slow enough for a four year old or fast enough so the US men’s Olympic team cannot keep up for long.

Just saw your last paragraph. Weird flex but OK.