Winterizing options for a small pool in non-freezing climate (California)

[notilas]

Hi,
This is the first year with a house with swimming pool.
I have a small size swimming pool, but it is still hard for me to properly manage it.
The type of pool is inground, plaster, oval shape, 6000 gallon.
I read lots of article related to winterizing swimming pool, but most of them were related to the areas with freezing temperature.

My question (consider that it never drop below freezing temperature in my area)

#1. Can I drain the water until next season? some people say it may damage the wall due to the pressure from soil around the pool. But the size of my pool is small and not deep (5ft max), so it could be OK.

#2. If I NO drain, and NO cover, should I maintain the pool in the same way that I did during the summer?
Filtering 2 hours/day, chlorine, algaecide, and other chemicals, and brushing, skimming......(Ahh.. no way)

#3. Is it more convenient and saving money to use cover during winter? In this case, If I cover the pool, I only need to use winterizing chemicals and forget it until the next season.

#4. Because the size of pool is small, How about just close it without any maintenance until next summer, then drain water and refill the pool in the next season, which may save more money to me. But I am concerned about the plaster walls might be damaged due to algae and chemicals.

Which one would be the best option for me? or is there any option other than this?

[PoolDoc]

+ Leaving a pool uncovered and empty can result in all sorts of damage. The plaster surface is not really an all weather surface. It's durable under water, but not during freeze/thaw cycles OR wet/dry cycles. Leaves and debris (dust!) can leave permanent stains, and so forth.

+ Pool maintenance requirements drop as water temps drop. Once temps are under 60 degrees, 1x per week maintenance should be fine.

+ Using a cover reduces maintenance requirements, BUT if you use a solid cover, you end up with a 'pond' on top of the cover, unless you faithfully keep it pumped off.

+ Winterizing chemicals = 'summerizing' chemicals, but with a different label.

+ Algaecide is only rarely needed, and usually makes things worse, summer or winter.

+ Without valid test results (= Taylor K2006 test kit, NOT strips!) I can't really advise you on chemicals. If you want to get the kit, there's a link to an info page, and Amazon order links, in my blue signature block.