Best Water Parks in Los Angeles County for Kids

1. Buccaneer Bay at La Mirada Splash — La Mirada

The park opens to the public on May 25, 2024 

Buccaneer Bay is part of the La Mirada Regional Aquatics Center situated in the heart of greater Los Angeles near the LA/OC county line. A smaller, family-friendly park (with a smaller price!), Buccaneer Bay has three water slides, a lazy river, lots of water play, a zero-depth play structure, and a warm-water spa. Riders must be 48" for most of the slides (the slides at Tower 2 have a 42" height requirement), but the aqua play area is designed with those under 48" in mind.

Children ages 13 and under must be accompanied by an adult. No outside food is permitted in the park, but picnic tables are outside for public use (wristband or hand stamp permits re-entry). Tickets for kids are sold by height, not by age ($70 for anyone over 48" and $60 for anyone under 48" and seniors 60 and over). Speaking of age, kids under the age of 2 enter for free. Parking is free with admission, too. 

 
The Bombs Away ride at Raging Waters is an adventure. Photo courtesy of the park

2. Raging Waters — San Dimas

The park opens on May 18, 2024 

California's largest water park will please everyone in the family. Six rides require riders to be 48", five require 42"; and three 36". Everyone under 48" must wear a life vest in the wave pool—available at no charge. Kid's Kingdom features 30,000 square feet of water fun for those under 48" tall; the tamer Little Dipper area also requires riders to be under 48". If you're not much of a thrill-seeker, relax and float through the Amazon Adventure lazy river. Meal deals are available.

Raging Waters also has two Northern California locations, and a season pass can be used at those parks too. Guests under the age of 3 get free entry. 

3. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor — Santa Clarita 

The park opens on May 25, 2024 

This is an enormous water park, and, as you might expect from Six Flags, Hurricane Harbor has thrill rides that even a grumpy teen will love. There are eight different rides with a minimum height of 48" (and five have multiple slides), and two with a minimum height of 42". A lazy river snakes through the property for relaxing, family fun. 

Teens can hang at Lizard Lagoon or ride while the younger set is at Castaway Cove, which allows only those under 54", or Splash Island, with tamer slides for kiddos between 36" and 40" tall. There are season park passes, and discounts are available for groups of 15 or more.

4. DryTown Water Park — Palmdale

The park opens to the public on May 25, 2024 

You'll feel like you struck gold at this mining town-themed water park in Palmdale. Big kids 42’” and up can grab a tube and head down Dusty’s Mineshaft Racer.

Young 'uns 30” and up can splash around Little Miner’s Camp, which has smaller slides. And teens and tweens 48” and up who like a thrill will have a blast on Devil's Punch Bowl, Wildcatter, and Rattler's Revenge. There’s also a lap pool. 

No outside food or drink (other than water) is allowed in the park. Guests can eat at Dusty’s Grill for basic lunch fare where a few vegetarian and vegan options are available, as well as smoothies. Snacks and supplies are available at the General Store and Wilbur’s Snack Shack. Kids 2 and under receive free admission. 

Best Water Parks for Kids in OC and Riverside County 

5. Knott's Soak City — Buena Park

The park opens on May 18, 2024 

Soak City's Gremmie Lagoon gives younger water fans (under 54") their area to be soaked, squirted, and splashed. Everyone can play on the Beach House, featuring three stories of water play—squirt guns, faucets, a giant dumping bucket, and more—for all, but the slides have a 42" minimum.

There are 23 speed, tube, and body slides, a wave pool, and a one-third-mile Sunset River. There are four slide systems with a 42" minimum height and three with a 48" minimum. Be forewarned: the lines can be long here!

Soak City season passes are good at all three locations. The 15-acre water adventure park is next to Knott's Berry Farm, but a separate admission is required.

6. DropZone Water Park — Perris

The park opens on May 27, 2024 

For Riverside residents who don’t want to drive to the beach, a visit to DropZone is in order. With a surfing pool and a giant sandpit for building sandcastles or playing volleyball, it’s a lot like a day at the beach, plus a whole lot more.

There’s also a lazy river and three big kid slides (an enclosed tunnel, a sunny ride, and a zippy mat slide). While all of those areas are for people 42” and up, there is a whole section (Lil’ Jumpers Landing) for kids as little as 36” and a whole section for water babies (and kids of all ages) called Launch Pad Geysers, which is like a giant splash pad. One of the coolest attractions at DropZone is the Hydroplane FlowRider, a surf simulator available for groms over 42" (for body boarding) or 48" (for surfing).

There’s also an Olympic-sized pool where kids can take swim lessons. Day tickets and season passes are pretty reasonable. You may bring your food here, but there is a fee based on cooler size.

7. Buccaneer Cove at Castle Park — Riverside

The park opens on May 11, 2024 

Buccaneer Cove is included with admission to Castle Park. You can't beat two parks for the price of one. It has five water slides, water tunnels, spray cannons, fountains, a huge splash bucket, and a leafy shade for resting. All slides have a 36" height requirement, though shorter swimmers can use a yellow "multi-lane" slide with an accompanying adult.

Bring a change of clothes and enjoy the Castle Park rides after the Cove closes. With four 18-hole mini golf courses, rides, and an arcade, this smaller park will keep you busy. Check the website for a variety of packages and cabana deals. 

8. Great Wolf Lodge Water Park — Garden Grove

The park is open year-round

Sometimes, it's too hot in Southern California to spend a day baking in the sun, even if you're outside splashing in the water. That's where Great Wolf Lodge, Orange County's indoor water resort, comes in handy.

When the water park and hotel first opened, water park access was only available to hotel guests. Since the opening, that policy has changed, and day passes are available. Kids will have a blast using the surf simulators, racing down the mat slides, bobbing in the lazy river, hooping it up in the basketball pool, and (of course) rocketing down plenty of slides that range from tame to thrilling. Four slides (and the Slap Tail Pond wave pool) have a 48" height requirement, and five attractions have a 42" height requirement. There is plenty of splashy fun for smaller cubs, with the Bigfoot Pass water obstacle course, the Cub Paw Pool, the Crooke Creek lazy river, and the tiny Whooping Hollow slides. 

9. Wild Rivers Water Park — Irvine

The park opens on May 11, 2024 

This family-friendly spot in Irvine still has that new water park cleanliness since it recently opened in 2022. There's something for every age, from a kids' area with rain fortresses to a lazy river. There is also a wave pool and tons of water slides that range from slow to speedy. Parents can sneak away for a cocktail at the Mustang Bar, and kids can enjoy ice cream from Island Sweets. Six of the most epic slides at Wild Rivers have a 48" height requirement, and six have a 42" requirement. One slower slide has a 40" height requirement, and the colorful and splash-packed Cook's Cove will also have a 40" height requirement when it opens. 

10. Newport Dunes Inflatable Water Park - Newport Beach  

The park opens on May 26, 2024 

Not your average water park, the Newport Dunes Inflatable Water Park balloons out of the saltwater on the Newport coast. Kids and teens can climb a giant iceberg, scale a jungle gym, jump on a floating trampoline, and more. All participants are given a life jacket to borrow (you must use theirs and can't bring in your own). The water park is $20 per person for a 60-minute session. Kids under 5 are not allowed to swim, as this water park is geared towards "bigger" kiddos, and all kids must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. It is important to reserve your time slot ahead of your visit and arrive with plenty of time to spare, as staff stick to their schedule and will have to push your visit to a later time if you arrive too late. 

Keep your eye on the soon-to-open Kontiki Cove—water slides and a kiddie pool specifically for toddlers and younger kids. Free life jackets are provided to all children. 

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The Count's Splash Castle at Sesame Place San Diego is fun you can count on! Photo courtesy of the park

Best Water Parks in San Diego for Families

11. Sesame Place San Diego — San Diego 

The park is open year-round

Walk down Sesame Street with Elmo and friends, and enjoy the plethora of family-friendly rides and splashing fun with your little puppet fan. Catch a wave on Big Bird's Beach or slip over to Elmo's Silly Sand slides—six gentle slides that make for hours of soaking fun! Then tube down Big Bird's Rambling River for an unforgettable water-filled adventure. New this year, the Count's Splash Castle is the perfect place to get water-logged. 

If your child is under 42'', bring a life vest, and off you go to enjoy some wet and wild fun!

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Build while you splash. Photo courtesy of Legoland Water Park

12. Legoland Water Park — Carlsbad

The water park is open every day in the summer and on weekends only in September & October. Closed November & December. Many attractions don't open until June 15, 2024. 

Legoland's Water Park requires a park hopper ticket, so you will also have Legoland admission; you must visit both parks on the same day as the water park is located inside Legoland. 

Legoland has water features, but be sure to bring a change of clothes, as swimsuits are not permitted on Legoland's rides! In the water park, kids more than 42" tall can ride all the rides (though non-swimmers are not recommended on the water slides).

The Splash Zoo water feature area is just for kids ages 1-3, and Kid Creek is for those under 42" (must be accompanied by an adult). In addition to the larger tube and open slides, there is Splash Safari, which has smaller slides. Cabana rentals are available; early-purchase discount tickets are available online. Check the water park calendar to confirm if the park is open or not during non-summer seasons. 

13. The Wave Waterpark - Vista 

This park opens to the public on May 25, 2024 

Surf's up at this quaint water park in Vista, where everyone can get caught in a (safe) riptide on the Riptide Slide, surf the Flow Rider, and bob around the El Rio Loco. A large slide tower holds four slides (three tube slides and one body slide) with a 42" height requirement. Kids must be 42" for the Flow Rider and Riptide Slide. Little swimmers can enjoy The Wave's splash pad as long as they are under 48" tall. Pricing at The Wave is by height—persons over 42" cost $24, under 42" are $19. Seniors 60 and over pay $14, and spectator admission is $24. Littles 2 and under enter for free. A local tip: The Wave offers "happy hour" for the last two hours of the day, with a discounted admission of $11. Parking is free, and lockers are available on-site. 

Best Water Park in Ventura County for Families

14. Lake Casitas Water Adventure — Ventura

The park opens in May 2024 (dates TBA) 

Water Adventure is a mellower, family-oriented small park on the grounds of the Lake Casitas camping and recreation area. While toddlers can enjoy the zero-depth play area with lots of water spray, climbing-age kids can play in the multi-level structure with slides, bridges, waterfalls, and more.

The lazy river allows for a relaxing ride past jet sprays and waterfalls. You can't bring food inside, but there is a picnic area just outside the gate. This spot is best for kids ages 8 and under, as there aren't any large slides. 

Tips To Know Before You Visit One of These Water Parks

Bring towels, water, hats, a suit for yourself (depending on your children's ages, you may be required to accompany them on slides), and plenty of sunblock. Most parks don't permit outside food or drinks. 

Water parks encourage and may enforce swimsuits with no buckles or other metal parts (including exposed zippers, buckles, and grommets). Some prohibit T-shirts and wet suits. 

Bring a stash of swim diapers with you if you have a baby or toddler who is not potty-trained. Some parks require life jackets for kids under 48" in deeper pools.

Most of these parks offer lockers and cabanas at an additional charge. 

Originally published July 1, 2012

Additional reporting by Ana Belibasis