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14 Water Parks In Los Angeles for Family Fun

Updated for 2023

For many families, it wouldn’t be summer without a visit to a water park. Because you’ll find water parks all around Southern California, you can make a water park visit a day trip or part of a longer summer trip.

Water Parks are such a great part of any kids’ Summer – and we parents love ‘em, too! I mean, we think a Lazy River is just about one of the most relaxing things ever invented! And there is nothing better on a hot, Southern California Summer day than hanging out in a water park and keeping the family cool.

Everyone has been asking “When do Water Parks Open for the Summer?” So we checked them all for you! The Summer 2023 open dates for all the SoCal water parks are right here on our list, so check it out and get ready to have fun!

Always check the park’s website or social media for up-to-the-minute closure information.

Child exiting a slide tube ending in a splash with the words, The Best Water Parks in Southern California, and a crowd at an indoor water park

14 Awesome Water Parks in SoCal for the Whole Family

Buccaneer Bay At Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center
13806 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada, CA 90638

Buccaneer Bay is a family-friendly, pirate-themed water park. It includes water slides, an interactive play structure, spray pad areas, and other fun entertainment. In keeping with the pirate theme, kids can play on a skull rock, a marooned ship, and more. Buccaneer Bay features a flowing river channel, three water slides that enter into a catch pool, a six-lane mat racer, two body slides, a children’s interactive play structure, and more. Plus It’s decorated like Pirates live there! Check the website for hours of operation, food menus, and to purchase admission tickets.

Hotels Near Splash! La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center

Map of Water Parks in SoCal

If you’ve been scratching your head, wondering where are the best water parks near me, we’ve got you covered!

Buccaneer Cove at Castle Park
3500 Polk St., Riverside, CA 92505

Buccaneer Cove boasts of having “four levels of family water play with dozens of interactive water elements.” You won’t stay dry with 5 colorful water slides, spray cannons, cylinder spray fountains, and more. The minimum height requirement is 36 inches, and the thrill level is listed as a “2.” Check the website for updates.  Bonus: Buccaneer Cove is included with your Castle Park Ride Park ticket. 

Great Wolf Lodge water park filled with people
Wave pool at the Great Wolf Lodge SoCal

The Cove Waterpark
4310 Camino Real, Riverside, CA 92509

The Cove, a Caribbean-themed aquatic center, offers a variety of water-based activities for buccaneers of all ages. Captain’s Bay is a centrally located activity pool. Guests can also float along the Ne’er Endin’ River or descend from the 3 slides located at Crow’s Nest. You can also experience the thrill of surfing with FlowRider® in our Riptide Reef. The Lil’ Mate Lagoon is geared toward younger guests and consists of a pirate-themed splash playground.

Hotels Near Castle Park and The Cove

Casitas Water Adventure
11311 Santa Ana Rd., Ventura, CA 93001 

Casitas Water Adventure, or CWA, offers a Lazy River, Splashpad, and a Lagoon for cool summer fun. “For the smallest of tots, a zero-depth pool sprays water from all angles, providing a safe, fun play area.” The Lazy River offers “a cool water ride on inner tubes along a scenic waterway.” Check the website for hours of operation, ticket prices, group rates, and other information about the recreation area including summer movies. Plus there are changes coming for the 2023 season, including a new aquatic play structure, designed for all ages, with water buckets and slides for kids AND adults. And don’t miss their Lazy River, with inner tubes available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Life jackets are available at no extra charge while supplies last.

2024-Los-Angeles-with-Kids-book-ad

Hotels Near Casitas Water Adventure

DryTown Water Park
3850 E. Ave. S., Palmdale, CA 93550

Whether you’re looking for something for little ones or more adventurous bigger kids, DryTown has a variety of attractions on its six acres. But don’t expect to stay dry for long once you get there. Attractions include Devil’s Punchbowl, Dusty’s Mineshaft Racer, Rattlers Revenge, The Wildcatter, and more! Plus Family Glow Nights are coming back this Summer.

Hotels Near DryTown Water Park

DropZone Waterpark
2165 Trumble Rd., Perris, CA 92570

DropZone Waterpark offers lots of opportunities for water fun! Attractions include the Jet Stream River, the Hydroplane Flowrider, and Lil’ Jumper’s Landing, among others. Each attraction has different height requirements, though you’ll find something for even the youngest members of your family including Launch Pad Geysers, which are suitable for all ages and heights. Additional details are available online. 

people enjoying the indoor water slides and lazy river at Great Wolf Lodge water park in Garden Grove, CA
Indoor Water Slides and Lazy River at Great Wolf Lodge

Hotels Near DropZone Water Park

Great Wolf Lodge — Open Year-Round
12681 Harbor Blvd., Garden Grove, CA 92840

If you’re looking for an out-of-town-but-not-really kind of trip, then a stay at Great Wolf Lodge may be just the thing for your family. Hotel guests have access to the 105,000-square-foot water park. You’ll find 14 water slides, offering a mix of thrills for daredevils as well as little ones that need something gentler, a multi-level play structure, and so much more. Currently, day passes are available, but they also offer great deals and discounts in addition to vacation packages. Check the website for additional information and to purchase day passes or vacation packages.

Related: Great Wolf Lodge Southern California Family Staycation

Person on a raft exiting the Laguna Storm Watch Tower Tornado water tube at Knott's Berry Farm's Soak City water park — in  the Los Angeles area
Soak City’s Laguna Storm Watch Tower water tubes

Knott’s Soak City Waterpark
8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park, CA 90620

Adjacent to Knott’s Berry Farm, you’ll find Knott’s Soak City Waterpark. Soak City, Orange County’s largest water park, offers: 23 speed, tube, and body slides; an interactive kids area; a giant wave pool; and much more on its 15 acres. Attractions include Banzai Falls, the Beach House, Slides, Laguna Storm Watch Tower slides, Malibu Run, and more.

Hotels in Buena Park/Anaheim Near Knott’s Soak City

kids on a Raft ride at Raging Waters Photo used with permission.
This Raft ride at Raging Waters looks super fun! Photo used with permission.

Raging Waters
111 Raging Waters Dr., San Dimas, CA 91773

Raging Waters is considered to be the largest water park in California. You’ll find 50 acres of slides, rides, attractions, and a sand beach all set for family fun. Parents will feel comfortable knowing that young children have their own fun area including Kid’s Kingdom and Splash Island Adventure. Attractions include – brand new for 2023: The Bombs Away, plus the Volcano Fantasea, Amazon Adventure, Aqua Rocket, Bermuda Triangle, and more. Use our affiliate link to get tickets!

People floating in the lazy river at the LEGOLAND Water Park
Legoland Water Park Lazy River

Hotels Near Raging Waters

LEGOLAND Water Park
1 LEGOLAND Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92008

Get ready for bright, colorful, wet fun at LEGOLAND Water Park. Families can build rafts, ride slides, and more. Younger family members will enjoy DUPLO Splash Safari and Imagination Station. And at Joker Soaker, everyone gets soaking wet! Attractions include Build-a-Raft River, Cragger’s Swamp, Crooler’s Twist, Eglor’s Build-a-Boat, and more. Get Legoland Park Hopper tickets with our affiliate link.

Legoland Hotel, One Legoland Dr., Carlsbad, CA 92008

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy., Valencia, CA 91355

You may have a hard time deciding what to do first at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. You’ll find family-friendly rides, rides most appropriate for young visitors, thrill rides — described as “some of the tallest, fastest, wettest, craziest water rides in the country”, and more. Attractions include water rides for all thrill levels, from Kiddos to daredevils, like Lightning Falls, Bonzai Pipelines, Python Plunge, Lost Temple Rapids, River Cruise, and more.

Hotels Near Six Flags Magic Mountain

family-friendly water slide is one of the many awesome activities at Raging Waters, photo used with permission.
This family-friendly water slide is one of the many awesome activities at Raging Waters, photo used with permission.

The Wave Waterpark
101 Wave Dr., Vista, CA 92083

If you feel like going for a bit of a drive, The Wave Waterpark is a fun waterpark to check out. You’ll find a variety of rides and attractions guaranteed to have every family member laughing — and getting wet! There is also an on-site eatery. Attractions include The Slide Tower, El Rio Loco, the Flow Rider, Riptide Slide, and more.

Hotels Near The Wave Waterpark

Wild Rivers
10000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine, CA 92618

Southern California’s newest water park is back after a long hiatus. With over 20 acres decorated like the 1940s South Pacific, Wild Rivers has multiple rides and attractions and is sure to keep you cool on a hot Summer day. Attractions include the Aquaconda, the Bora Bora Boomerang, Cook’s Cove, Pelican Plunge, and more.

Hotels Near Wild Rivers Irvine

Sesame Place San Diego
2052 Entertainment Circle, Chula Vista, CA 91911

If you’re planning a trip to the San Diego area, make plans to visit the water rides and slides at Sesame Place San Diego. Your family will enjoy a variety of attractions including rides, slides, rivers, and more. After closing in the fall of 2021, Aquatica San Diego was transformed into Sesame Place. The park reopened in March 2022 with a new name and a new look, but it still offers great deals on tickets, group pricing, and season passes. Check the website for more information, including park hours. Water features include: The Count’s Splash Castle, Big Bird’s Beach, Big Bird’s Rambling River, Elmo’s Silly Sand Slides, and more!

Hotels Near Sesame Place in San Diego

Water Park FAQs

I need the basics: What’s a water park?

A water park is an amusement park that features water-based attractions such as water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and other water-based activities. Perfect for a hot, Summer day.

What are the age requirements for water parks?

Most water parks have no age restrictions, but some rides and attractions may have height requirements for safety reasons. Some parks require kids under a certain age to be accompanied by an adult. Be sure to check with each park for their rules.

What should we all wear to a water park?

It’s bathing suit time! You should totally wear a swimsuit or comfortable clothing that can get wet. And you’ll want to have a cover-up for when the sun starts to take a toll on your skin. Water shoes are an option and bring some towels! Some water parks may have dress codes that prohibit certain types of swimwear.

Can I bring my own food and drinks into the water park?

Most water parks will say No, but some do allow guests to bring in their own food and drinks. Check the park’s policies first.

Are there lifeguards at water parks?

Yes, most water parks have trained lifeguards stationed at various locations throughout the park to ensure guest safety. Water Safety is super important!

What’s the best time to visit a water park?

The best time to visit a water park is typically during the hottest Summer months. However, this will also be the busiest time of year, so plan accordingly. One pro tip is to get there before they open so you can be one of the first ones in the park. You’ll get a prime lounging spot, plus you’ll have more time with smaller crowds.

Are there discounts available for families?

Some water parks offer discounts for families, such as group rates or season passes. Plus most seem to offer season pass discounts. Check the park’s website or contact them directly for more information.

What should I bring with me to a water park?

You must bring sunscreen – for sure! Plus, you’ll need a bag with supplies like, towels, water shoes, and any necessary medications, a change of clothes (or a couple for the kids), swim diapers if you have little ones, hats, flip flops, water wings, and floaties (if the park allows it), and check if the park has life jackets available to borrow or rent.

What if it rains during my visit to the water park?

Southern California rarely gets rain in the Summer, but you never know! Most water parks will remain open during a rainstorm but may close certain attractions for safety reasons. Check the park’s policies regarding inclement weather before visiting. And find out their refund policy ahead of time.

Have Fun at a Water Park This Summer!

Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website WendyKennar.com where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).

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Disclaimer: MomsLA has made every effort to confirm the information in this article; however, things can often change. Therefore, MomsLA makes no representations or warranties about the accuracy of the information published here. MomsLA strongly urges you to confirm any event details, like date, time, location, and admission, with the third party hosting the event. You assume the sole risk of relying on any of the information in our list. MomsLA is in no way responsible for any injuries or damages you sustain while attending any third-party event posted on our website. Please read our Terms of Use which you have agreed to based on your continued use of this website. Some events have paid to be listed on MomsLA.

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Gracy Vijay

Thursday 27th of July 2023

Nice!

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