Vernal pools and swales are seasonally-inundated, depressional wetlands with perched water tables due to low permeability of soil horizons or geologic deposits. These wetlands are found in Mediterranean-type climates of the world, and in California provide important habitat for endemic biota. Less than 30% of California's original vernal pools remain and several mitigation efforts are attempting to create or enhance vernal pool habitat. In spite of their importance, few studies have examined the role of soil-hydrologic interactions occurring on vernal pool landscapes. This study examined soil-hydrologic interactions of two common vernal pool soil types found in the Central Valley, California: clay-rich and duripan perching layers. Vernal pools formed in alluvium from marine sedimentary rocks were underlain by a claypan (Aquic Natrixeralfs). In contrast, pools formed in alluvium from crystalline bedrock were underlain by a silica-cemented duripan (Abruptic Durixeralfs). The vernal pools on clay-rich soils responded rapidly to rainfall with surface runoff being the primary source of pool waters. Soil saturation was limited to the upper few centimeters, indicating little groundwater recharge potential. The primary loss of pool water was evapotranspiration, which resulted in accumulation of salts. High sodium concentrations contributed to clay dispersion and high turbidity, which reduced pool water primary productivity due to light attenuation. In contrast, vernal pool filling in the duripan soils responded more slowly to rainfall. Rainfall infiltrated in the uplands, perched on the duripans, and flowed slowly through the vernal pools, discharging at the up-gradient ends and recharging at the down-gradient ends. Groundwater flow provided a source of fresh water that limited evapoconcentration and salt accumulation. Low turbidity allowed for higher primary productivity with algal mat formation common within the pools. Contrasting soil types strongly affect hydrologic conditions in these two types of vernal pools, which in turn affect pool water biogeochemistry and primary productivity.