Updated for 2022
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.
13 Best Water Parks in SoCal for the Whole Family
1. Sesame Place San Diego
(formerly Aquatica 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.
Note: Blockout dates do apply to tickets but not season passes.
2. 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.
The water park opened for the 2022 season on May 28th. Check the website for hours of operation, food menus, and to purchase admission tickets.
3. 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.
4. 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.”
The CWA opened for the season on May 28, 2022. Check the website for hours of operation, ticket prices, group rates, and other information about the recreation area including summer movies — TBA.
5. 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.
DryTown opened on May 28th. To maintain limited capacity, advance tickets are required and are available online. Dusty’s Grill is the on-site eatery. If you’re in the Antelope Valley, then plan to visit DryTown Water Park.
6. 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. DropZone Waterpark opened May 28th. Additional details are available online.
7. Great Wolf Lodge
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 purchases day passes or vacation packages.
Related: Great Wolf Lodge Southern California Family Staycation
8. 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.
You can find descriptions of each attraction on the website, including height restrictions (if any), thrill level, and ride rules. Soak City is open now through September 18th. Day Passes and Season Passes are available online.
9. 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!
There’s lots to do and explore here. Check the website for hours, ticket information, and height requirements.
Related: The Best Splash Pads in SoCal
10. 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.
A variety of eateries are on-site as well, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options available at select dining locations. Opening day is Saturday, May 21st. Attendance is limited each day; advance reservations are required and are available online.
11. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
26101 Magic Mountain Parkway, 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.
The park opened on May 28th for weekends and will be open daily beginning June 11th. Tickets and reservations are available online. And don’t forget, children 2 and under are free.
12. 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.
The Wave opened over Memorial Weekend and is open June 2nd and June 5th but will be open daily starting June 7th. Check the website for ticket pricing and further information.
13. Wild Rivers
10000 Great Park Blvd., Irvine 92618
Southern California’s newest water park is back after a long hiatus. With over 20 acres decorated like the 1940’s South Pacific, Wild Rivers has multiple rides and attractions and is sure to keep you cool on a hot Summer day.
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).
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.
