California has hundreds of beaches, which may make it seem like there’s no need to travel any further to find the perfect water park in California — but you’d be wrong! Sure, there are several great water parks in California, but only ten made this list of the top water parks in California that you need to visit on your next epic summer vacation. If you want to know where these are, read on for more information about why these are the best water parks in California and what makes them so special!
1) Aquatica
Aquatica, located at SeaWorld San Diego, is the perfect place to spend a hot day. There are plenty of water rides and family attractions to keep everyone happy all day long. The best part? The park is only open during the spring and summer. Aquatica is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Tickets range from $75-110. Children under three feet tall can get into the park for free with a paying adult! Splashdown: Splashdown, located in Anaheim near Disneyland is perfect for those who want to avoid big crowds during their trip.
2) Cactus Flatts
Cactus Flatts is one of the best water parks in California if you’re looking for a great time with friends and family. From the first-time visitor to the pro water parker, there is something for everyone at Cactus Flatts. The most popular attractions at this park are the Boogie Board Bay and Chutes & Ladders water slides. The Boogie Board Bay has two sections: a calm one and one that’s more challenging where waves crash into each other before they hit you.
3) Knott’s Soak City Orange County
Nestled on the shores of Soak City Orange County. Knott’s Soak City is a great destination to cool off during the warmer months. With over five acres of slides and rides, this water park has something to offer everyone. The park offers a wide variety of rides, from kid-friendly to thrilling, so there’s no need to worry about getting bored.
4) Pacific Park Del Mar
Located on the coast in Del Mar, this water park features over 20 slides and attractions. Including a wave pool, lazy river, tube ride, waterslide, etc. This water park is perfect for those who want to enjoy some time at the beach without actually being at the beach. The waves are created with a machine that moves back and forth in the pool so you can get all of your surfing needs met without ever leaving home!
5) Polar Bear Plunge
Polar Bear Plunge is a water park located in Santa Rosa, CA. It has three major water slides, two of which are open year-round. The park also has attractions such as lazy rivers, wave pools, and tube rides. Each month the park hosts a new themed party with different activities each day. The theme changes monthly so there is always something fun to do!
6) Raging Waters Los Angeles County
Raging Waters Los Angeles County is a water park located in San Dimas, California. It is one of the ten best water parks in California. The kids will love it because they have rides that are suitable for little kids too. It’s also a good place to go if you want to make some new friends because there are so many people that come here to visit and enjoy themselves with their family and friends. There are even lifeguards on duty who keep watch over all the fun activities that take place in this beautiful water park every day!
7) River City Waterpark
River City Waterpark is a family-friendly destination with water slides, wave pools, lazy rivers, and more. You can grab a bite to eat at the River City Food Court before you hit the waves. There are plenty of shaded cabanas if you want to relax or get some shade. This water park also has lifeguards on duty during busy hours and offers daily deals so you can save money.
8) Sesame Place
Sesame Place is a water park based on the Sesame Street television show. The water park has two separate areas, one for children 3 to 6 years old and one for 7 to 12 years old. The best thing about this water park is that it does not require a wristband as all the rides are included with admission and there are no time limits on any of the attractions. A downside is that there are only six major rides at this water park. It can get crowded with long lines during peak hours.
9) Soak City San Diego
Soak City San Diego is the perfect place to cool down and beat the heat, with two wave pools, a lazy river, and more! Plus, it’s conveniently located near SeaWorld San Diego. With lots of fun water slides, Soak City also has lots of shaded areas so you can stay cool all day long. They also have a lot of excellent food options like pizza and burgers.
10) Wild Rivers
Located about two hours north of San Francisco, Wild Rivers is situated next to the Sacramento River. It has a long history of being one of the most popular water parks in Northern California. This is largely due to it being one of the only water parks with wave pools. Its proximity to major cities like Sacramento and San Francisco.