California Water parks are fun! But sometimes when you don’t live in California, it can be hard to find good waterparks to visit. Fortunately, California has some of the best waterparks in the world, from the giant and famous Wet ‘n Wild California water parks (in southern) up to the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains where Ski Apache Ski Resort offers cool mountain waters on hot summer days and even winter skiing on New Year’s Eve if you’re brave enough! Here are 5 of the best California water parks that you may not have known existed.
- Paradise Cove Waterpark – Laguna Beach, CA
- Six Flags Hurricane Harbor – Los Angeles, CA
- Knott’s Berry Farm Soak City Water Park – Buena Park, CA
- Concordia University Splash Pad – Irvine, CA
- The Wave Aquatics Center at Rocklin YMCA – Rocklin, CA.
1) Awesome Parks
There are plenty of California water parks to visit, but there are also several water parks that have just as much fun waiting for you. From the beach towns of Southern California to the snow-covered mountains of Northern California, these five water parks offer something for everyone. They’re perfect for a fun day with the family on vacation or an afternoon with friends when you need some sunshine and relaxation.
With its proximity to San Francisco, Yosemite National Park, Lake Tahoe, and Reno, it’s no wonder why Rocklin is such a popular destination for travelers from all over the country. With 18 different pools including water slides, lazy river rides, and therapeutic warm water pools, Wave Aquatics Center offers something for everyone! Plus the affordable price point makes it easy on your wallet too!
AquaZone Indoor Waterpark – Pleasanton, CA.
The only downside about this place? It only opens seasonally from October through April. But hey- it’s indoor so at least you don’t have to worry about the weather!
2) Cool Parks
If you’re looking for a fun way to cool off this summer, here are five water parks and amusement parks in California that may be worth checking out.
1) The Wild Rivers Waterpark, Irvine: This is the only water park on this list located within the boundaries of Orange County. It features 26 acres of water slides, pools, and children’s play areas. If you’re looking for thrills, try the Tidal Wave Pool or slides like Summit Plummet, which will thrill even the most daring waterpark goers. Open from April through September.
2) Six Flags Hurricane Harbor: You can find this theme park in both Valencia and Sacramento.
3) Hidden Gems
- Water parks are a great place to cool off during the hot summer months. And, who doesn’t love water slides? They’re thrilling, and fun and there’s always something new to try out. Here are 5 California water parks that you might not have known about (or forgotten about).
- 1) Noah’s Ark: Located in Arcadia, this water park is for those looking for some old-school fun. The kiddie area features 4 pools, fountains, sandboxes, paddle boats, and waterfalls. The main attraction of this park is the 250-foot tall waterslide tower that has 6 twisting tubes; each with its unique drop sequence. One tube goes upside down 3 times! What more could one ask for? Noah’s Ark is open Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. The admission price varies by day but children under 2 years old are free!
4) What Makes a Great Park?
I’ve been to the California water parks, and these are my opinions: The first thing that makes a park great is the rides. Without good rides, it’s not worth going to. The second thing is what separates each water park: how many waters slides they have if they have any other activities like a lazy river or wave pool, etc. A third factor is what separates them from other parks: whether they’re family-friendly or more of an adult-only park. And lastly, there has to be some kind of food available. If you know anything about me, you know I love eating all day long! So most of the time when I go to amusement parks in California, one thing that impresses me is the variety of food options. California water parks always have some pretty stellar choices too.
5) Final Thoughts
I hope you have found this list of California water parks helpful. Planning a vacation to the Golden State? Make sure to pack your bathing suit and head over to these fun places. If you can’t make it out West, don’t worry! There are amusement parks in California where you can ride roller coasters and soak up all that sun! Theme parks in California also exist, but they are a bit different. They contain rides and other attractions themed after movies or TV shows such as Six Flags Magic Mountain or Universal Studios Hollywood. Now that you know what’s available in California, there is no excuse not to go on vacation!