Over the years, California’s water parks have gone from simply being summer escapes to adventure-packed destinations. Whatever your intentions are, these parks will meet your expectations without fail. Either you can take it easy with the serene lagoons, or chase adrenaline on roaring wave pools and exhilarating rides. Dining and training choices are here, too, with many water parks mixing fun and games with learning and development. So, if you’re planning road trips around Los Angeles and don’t wanna stick to regular theme parks, there are many water parks tucked around the county with year-round fun for all ages. And they are even more irresistible in the summer heat when you see the colorful slides, glistening wave pools, splash zones, lazy rivers, and VIP cabanas! These 12 water parks in California have gallons of water-filled fun for families, friends, and even solo visitors, cause there’s no room to get bored here.
12 Best Waterparks In California
Top 5 Can’t-Miss
- Zoom through 600-foot flumes at Raging Waters Los Angeles, SoCal’s largest water park, or dare to try out high-speed slides like Aqua Rocket and Bombs Away.
- Head to Wild Rivers Irvine, and race each other down towering slides like the Aquaconda, or be lazy at the laid-back rivers and beachy cabanas, and enjoy tropical bites.
- Have tons of fun with the red and yellow serpents in The Ravine Waterpark in Paso Robles, with its 5-story drops and racing slides filled with wine country sunshine.
- Swim in the 925-foot lazy river or, even better, plunge into the daunting black tubes at DryTown Water Park, an Antelope Valley favorite.
- Splash about in Aqua Adventure Water Park in Fremont, as twisting tube slides or splash pads and Bucket Bay spouts water for families with kids.
Knott’s Soak City
Address: 8200 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
Phone: +1 714‑220‑5200
Everything is fun at Knott’s Soak City, which is Southern California’s favorite splash zone! You can find this water park right next to Knott’s Berry Farm on 15 acres filled with 23 speed, tube, and body slides. From Shore Break, which offers six unique slide experiences, and The Wedge, a multi-rider raft ride, Knott’s Soak City has the most diverse collection of water rides in California. Some more stunning attractions include Tidal Wave Bay, a massive 750,000‑gallon wave pool, and the one‑third‑mile-long not-so-lazy Sunset River. Zoom sideways, and you have the three‑story Beach House, equipped with 200 water guns, sprayers, and other surprises for the little ones. Open selectively from mid-May through early September, Knott’s Soak City requires a separate admission ticket. Soak City tickets start as low as $49 online, with 1‑day, Bring‑A‑Friend, “Good Any Day,” and group deals available.
Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles
Address: 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355
Phone: +1 661‑255‑4100
Summertime Southern California visitors heading to Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles can take advantage of its high-speed slides, relaxing lagoons, and family-friendly splash zones, all right next to Six Flags Magic Mountain. This water park in California is home to the mighty Black Snake Summit and Bonzai Pipelines – towering six stories high and built for thrill-seekers who aren’t joking around. Other epic rides for the calm and chill guests include Lizard Lagoon or the Forgotten Sea Wave Pool. Little ones will love the Castaway Cove, which is a scaled-down paradise for kids under 54 inches tall. There is plenty to do during the summer season, when the park is open, and offering multiple ticketing options. For example, daily admission starts at just $49 online, and military and first responders can get in for as low as $44. If you are a season pass holder instead, you can grab the Bring-A-Friend ticket for $35.
DropZone Waterpark
Address: 2165 Trumble Rd, Perris, CA 92570
Phone: +1 951‑988‑3950
Touted as the ‘community favorite’ in Perris, DropZone Waterpark welcomes families starting from Memorial Day weekend. The park stands out from others as it offers attractions for every age, from The Terminal Velocity Slides being the most thrilling to Jet Stream River for those who are less daring. Don’t miss the Lil’ Jumpers’ Landing, which is perfect for little ones, and FlowRider, which makes your surfing dreams come true. DropZone also hosts swim lessons, aqua fitness classes, and a junior lifeguard program for kids. There’s more to prove why this water park in California is a local favorite. Private cabanas can be reserved for shade and table service, so that you can conveniently beat the heat in Riverside County.
Ravine Waterpark
Address: 2301 Airport Rd, Paso Robles, CA 93446
Phone: +1 805‑237‑8500
This seasonal Central Coast water park never fails to impress with its laid-back Californian vibe. Ravine Waterpark in Paso Robles is ranked as one of the best waterparks in California – a favorite for locals as well as those coming from all over the state. Sitting on a fun mix of wild and family-friendly zones, it offers several attractions like Thunder Run, a five-story plunge ending in a 75-foot lagoon; the Anaconda and Viper, which offer 325 feet filled with twists and turns; or Quadzilla, which pits four racers head-to-head down five stories. We saved the best one for the last. Sidewinder, the fast and smooth predator! Kickback Kreek is perfect for those who come here to relax. It’s a lazy river that drifts under bridges and soaks in the sun. Admission starts at just $42.55 for regular day passes, and there are plenty of discounts for juniors and seniors. Season passes are also available.
Island Waterpark
Address: 6099 W Barstow Ave, Fresno, CA 93723
Phone: +1 559‑277‑6800
A prime example of California water parks is Island Waterpark in the heart of Fresno. It brings to life a tropical oasis in California’s Central Valley, complete with colorful cabanas, bamboo-themed lounges, and slides, lots of them. And if you’re planning a staycation outside of L.A, then this park has all the amenities for you, such as themed zones like Bamboo Bay and BBQ Cove, and shaded areas for lounging between rides, etc. For extreme thrill, you can race down Bora Bora Racers or brace yourself for Nature’s Furies and Tsunami. Families or their little visitors can drift along Waimea River or splash at the ‘Ohana Bay. The wave pool, Tidal Wave, is also a great attraction, and during the Island Family Nights, the park reopens from 6 pm to 10 pm with extended hours.
Wild Rivers Waterpark
Address: 10000 Great Park Blvd, Irvine, CA 92618
Phone: +1 949‑749‑1900
While you’re looking for underrated waterparks in California, head to Wild Rivers Waterpark which is uniquely themed with tropical flair and thrilling water rides for all ages. This waterpark seems to be smack dab in the middle of Irvine and the Great Park. It features all the cool rides you have imaged in your wildest dreams, like the looping Aquaconda, the Bora Bora Boomerang, and the Castaway River. The park features a slew of families that Cook’s Cove, and also head to The Pacific Grille or Island Sweets for cheesesteaks, chicken tenders, pineapple DOLE Soft Serve, cinnamon churros and many other delicious items. So, while you’re diving into Fiji Falls or floating along, Wild Rivers offers a full day of entertainment. Day passes start at around $74.99, but the real deal is the season passes – Gold, Silver, or Platinum – that offer perks like drink refills, dining discounts, and Bring-a-Friend days.
Palm Desert Aquatic Center
Address: 73751 Magnesia Falls Dr, Palm Desert, CA 92260
Phone: +1 760‑565‑7467
Palm Desert Aquatic Center offers something a little different than other waterparks in California. Nested in the Coachella Valley, it opts for a community-centered vibe. Located in Civic Center Park, Palm Desert Aquatic Center is an open-air space which is also a year-round splash zone for recreation, fitness, and fun. Thrilling water slides, a floating obstacle course, rope swings, and diving boards are all part of this waterpark of California, and for adults, there are plenty of shaded loungers, lap swim sessions, and aquatic fitness classes. Other amenities like the Hot Spot Café, resident rates and free parking, make it a very convenient getaway, one that urges visitors to come back again and again.
Raging Waters Los Angeles
Address: 111 Raging Waters Dr, San Dimas, CA 91773
Phone: +1 909‑802‑2200
In between exploring all the cool waterparks in California, don’t forget the iconic Raging Waters. Known as ‘California’s largest water park’, Raging Waters looms above all the other parks in its vicinity. It is tucked in San Dimas where LA, OC, and the Inland Empire collide, and it beckons daring guests to its more than 50 attractions across a lush, hillside setting. The Aqua Rocket is a hydromagnetic water coaster, serving up adrenaline with its rollercoaster-style drops and cool sprays at every turn. Bombs Away, High Extreme, Speed Slides, and many other exciting rides overflow with free-fall sensations. If you are with little ones, you can cruise down the Amazon Adventure lazy river or let the kids play at Kid’s Kingdom. Raging Waters is also known for its Ragin’ Racer or the Dark Hole, which is definitely not for the faint of heart. Seasonal passes offer perks, while day tickets often go on sale online.
Aqua Adventure Water Park
Address: 40500 Paseo Padre Pkwy, Fremont, CA 94538
Phone: +1 510‑494‑4426
Tucked within Fremont’s Central Park, get a little Californian sun at the Aqua Adventure Water Park, which is a family-friendly destination without the theme park chaos. The Round About River feels like a real tropical paradise, while the Oasis Pool gives water galore and room for everyone to swim. The interactive Lil Squirts splash pad, along with the massive 800-gallon tipping bucket at Bucket Bay is also the park’s centerpiece, perfect for kids aged 3-7. For those seeking a scream-inducing drop slide, the Fortress of Fun towers is perfect. It is four stories high, with both body and tube slides designed for single or double riders. Admission is affordable, too, with discounted rates for Fremont residents and tickets starting at just $19.99 for juniors.
WaterWorks Park
Address: 151 N Boulder Dr, Redding, CA 96003
Phone: +1 530‑246‑9550
WaterWorks Park draws thrill-seeking guests to Redding. This locally loved water adventure park in Northern California is packed during summer heat, partly due to its thrilling rides and partially due to its family-friendly pricing. Parkgoers eagerly look forward to The Dragon, which is a pitch-black, fully enclosed tube slide that has surprise lighting effects and 350-foot-long heart-racing twists. For something more unique, they take the Ride of a Lifetime, which is a five-story drop into a 40-foot bowl, before spiraling through a vortex and then finally splashing into a waterfall. For younger kids or grandparents, there are calm and gentle spaces too. Kids under 2 are always free and twilight admission discounts start at 3 pm. Sundays in July bring Family Nights, hence admission plus a meal drops down to just $16.95.
The Wave Waterpark
Address: 101 Wave Dr, Vista, CA 92083
Phone: +1 760‑940‑9283
The Wave Waterpark is in Vista, offering dramatic San Diego vibes with chill spots for families, where you can zoom through the Slide Tower, which has four routes, including the open-tube Salsa Twist and the dark body slide Slam Dunk, all throwing you in a 3.5-foot splash pool. You can even chill and drift down El Rio Loco, which is a lazy river. Or maybe you can challenge your friends to see who can balance themselves against The Flow Rider’s continuous surf wave. Little ones get their own space in the colorful Splash Pad. The temperature-controlled Competition Pool makes this waterpark even more of a favorite of locals, as swim lessons and lounging gets very comfortable and convenient. For gastronomic thrill-seekers, The Wave also serves up hot dogs and burgers off the grill.
DryTown Water Park
Address: 3850-B E Avenue S, Palmdale, CA 93550
Phone: +1 661‑267‑6161
Just an hour north of L.A., DryTown Water Park stands out as one of the best waterparks in California. It is in the Antelope Valley, cascading over six acres. Open seasonally, this Palmdale gem is an ultimate summer destination with thrilling rides, like the enclosed flumes of Devil’s Punch Bowl and Rattler’s Revenge, or The Wildcatter’s 360-degree turns. If you’re just here to beat the heat, drift along the 925-foot Big Rock River, which loops around all the main attractions in the park. Kids get their own water playground, while their parents or caretakers can enjoy some burgers or wings from Dusty’s Grill, or maybe avocado-topped signature sandwiches. There are plenty of vegan options and shareable meal bundles as well. DryTown’s All Access Season Pass gives locals and visitors unlimited summertime access, including night events.
