Top 15 Best Water Parks to Visit in California

If you’re seeking ways to escape the heat, consider the Water Parks of California.

From exhilarating attractions designed to delight thrill enthusiasts to adventurous rafting experiences in semi-darkness, gravity-defying half-pipes, lazy rivers, expansive wave pools, and designated areas for young children, each park delivers unique and engaging experiences.

Prepare for your visit by putting on your swimsuit, as you will want to experience several of these remarkable destinations.

1. Boomerang Bay, Santa Clara

Access to Boomerang Bay is included with the entry fee to California’s Great America. Therefore, if you are searching for thrilling rides or wish to enjoy some shows prior to making a splash, Boomerang Bay represents a superb value.

Ensure you experience the Didgeridoo Falls, a rafting ride designed for four riders that rises fifty-four feet.

Other noteworthy rides include the Tasmanian Typhoon and the Screamin’ Wombat.

For those seeking relaxation, drifting down the Castaway Creek lazy river is a perfect choice.

Young visitors will find numerous attractions, including Jackaroo Landing, which boasts rope ladders, slides, and a water-dumping bucket.

2. LEGOLAND Water Park, Carlsbad

LEGOLAND Water Park presents an exceptional experience and is a must-visit! For younger swimmers, the Duplo Splash Safari awaits.

Don’t forget to visit Eglor’s Build-A-Boat, where you can design your own LEGO vessel and send it afloat amidst existing scenes and buildings.

The Pirate Reef should also not be overlooked. Select your preferred ship and engage in water battles using water guns. Additionally, enjoy a wave and splash pool.

When you’re ready to dry off, take the time to explore the wonders of LEGOLAND itself.

Consider staying at the adventurous LEGOLAND hotel, and if time allows, the Sea Life Aquarium is also worth exploring!

3. Raging Waters, Sacramento

With over twenty-five attractions that include thrilling slides, stunning pools, and areas designed for children, Raging Waters in Sacramento is truly a water enthusiast’s paradise.

Adventurers should brave the Dragon’s Den.

Venture through five stories of darkness before plunging into a misty abyss below.

Challenge the Cliffhanger or Great White slides for more excitement.

The Honolulu Half Pipe, complete with massive waves, alongside the Hurricane Bay Slide, a six-story dark ride, are additional attractions not to miss.

The park also features volleyball courts, tidal waves at Break Beach, and a scenic lazy river.

The slides and areas dedicated to younger visitors are sure to provide hours of amusement!

4. Waterworld California, Concord

For an excellent value, consider the reasonably priced season passes available for Waterworld California.

Waterworld provides a diverse array of attractions suitable for everyone, from experienced riders to children’s pools.

Experience the thrill of the Break Point Plunge if you are adventurous.

This ride exceeds six stories in height, featuring an enclosed launch capsule and spans two hundred and seventy feet of excitement.

Numerous other thrilling slides await.

Explore raft slides and tube rides for additional adventure.

If you prefer a more leisurely experience, enjoy the tranquil rivers and wave pools.

The park also includes playgrounds and splash areas for children.

Food and beverages are conveniently available throughout the venue.

5. WaterWorks Park, Redding

Offering exciting rides and innovative children’s areas, WaterWorks ensures a plethora of aquatic enjoyment.

Visit the website for updates on promotions and features! Test your courage with The Beast.

This ride extends over three hundred and fifty feet of exhilarating, pitch-black thrills, twists, turns, and drops.

Marketed as “the ride of a lifetime,” venture down The Cyclone.

Experience a five-story drop that lands you in a giant bowl before quickly being whisked down another enclosed slide.

A cascading waterfall completes the journey.

The Awesome Avalanche propels you down four stories into a canyon, quickly shooting you up the sides.

When you seek a moment of relaxation, let the gentle currents of the lazy river take you past swaying palm trees and cascading waterfalls.

The area for children features a pool, slides, and a fountain.

6. Raging Waters, San Dimas

The park offers attractive rates for group visits; thus, it’s an excellent choice for family reunions, school excursions, or birthday celebrations, allowing you to maximize your budget! Features include the Aqua Rocket, a water coaster that provides a thrilling experience on a four-person raft.

Test out the Bermuda Triangle for an exhilarating mix of twists and high-speed turns.

Experience the Black Hole, renowned as the nation’s first two-person rafting adventure through darkness.

This site also features the Dragon’s Den, consistent with other Raging Waters locations.

Neptune’s Fury is bound to impress even the most ardent thrill seekers.

This six hundred-foot-long ride takes a four-person raft plunging down a sixty-foot drop at thirty miles per hour, all while completely enveloped in darkness! If competitive rides interest you, take a ride on the Ragin’ Racer’s eight lanes.

The park includes many other exciting rides and slides, as well as more tranquil wave pools and lazy rivers.

The zones designed for younger visitors are excellent as well!

7. Splash Kingdom Waterpark, Redlands

The immense Egyptian head adorned with sunglasses at the entrance distinguishes this park.

Featuring the Tower of Kings, which is the nation’s tallest freestanding waterslide tower, a plethora of other adrenaline-pumping slides, a lazy river, a wave pool, a wave simulator, fountains, splash parks, and recreational areas, Splash Kingdom is a true joy.

However, this is not the entirety of the experience.

The park also includes the Big Air Trampoline Park! Should you visit in October, the park transforms into Scream Kingdom, offering exhilarating and spine-tingling mazes and scare zones.

Indulge your appetite with a variety of delicious food options available throughout the park.

8. Knott’s Soak City, Buena Park

Knott’s Soak City, located in Buena Park, provides heart-pounding slides, rafting options, tidal wave bays, lazy rivers, and mat racers that cater to every preference.

The Toyota Beach House features three stories of water-based enjoyment, including a giant bucket that empties onto anyone caught below.

The park also offers great dining, sweet treats, and shopping options.

For one inclusive price, visitors can purchase a ride and slide ticket that grants access to both Knott’s Berry Farm and Soak City.

For pricing, schedules, and additional details, visit the website!

9. Wild Water Adventure Park, Clovis

From exhilarating rides to children’s pools, Wild Water Adventure Park in Clovis has something for everyone.

For the adventurous, the GhostSlider, the park’s most extreme ride, is waiting.

Race down the slide into a super bowl before splashing into the cool water below.

Experience the Sidewinder, a half-pipe style tube ride, descend the Black Hole slide, or tackle the dark tube rides of Vortex & Vertigo.

The park also boasts The Blue Wave, California’s largest wave pool, encompassing thirty thousand square feet.

For competitive fun, check out the Kings River Waterworks, a four-lane mat slide.

For younger visitors, Adventure Bay stands out as California’s largest kiddie area, featuring a fifteen thousand square foot expanse complete with a tropical garden, vibrant sea creatures, and numerous slides and activities.

Uniquely, Wild Water Adventures also provides three fishing lakes.

Bring your pole (license fee is included in the admission) and fish for Bass, Crappie, Catfish, and Bluegill.

Visit the website for details on fishing and equipment to bring.

10. Raging Waters, San Jose

This twenty-three-acre park in San Jose is Northern California’s largest water park, offering a wide variety of rides, slides, rivers, wave pools, and areas dedicated to children.

The newly introduced Sidewinder is the first inside-outside headfirst quad racer. Experience the exhilarating Bombs Away ride, which features over two hundred feet of thrilling twists and turns.

The Raging Waters location also includes the Dragon’s Den, an enigmatic and shadowy ride featuring a misty void.

Plastic water bottles are permissible within the park; however, no other outside food or beverages are allowed. Be sure to explore the numerous dining options available inside, including funnel cakes and cotton candy!

11. Six Flags Hurricane Harbour, Valencia

For an entire day filled with aquatic excitement, look no further than Six Flags.

Experience the Black Snake Summit or the Taboo Tower, if you’re feeling daring.

Raft down the Tornado or Lost Temple Rapids.

Experience the leisurely lazy River Cruise or unwind within the Forgotten Sea Wave Pool.

Cool off in the Lizard Lagoon or enjoy attractions like Splash Island and Castaway Cove designated for younger children.

Participate in Dive-In movies or indulge in a variety of delightful meals and snacks.

The park also features unique shopping experiences.

12. The Wave Waterpark, Vista

In addition to thrilling rides and endless aquatic fun, the park provides swimming lessons, splash camps, and various other programs.

For special events, particularly on select Friday nights, take advantage of the Friday Nite Splash Events.

Experience exhilarating slides, simulated waves, a captivating lazy river, and a competition pool that offers lane swimming and lessons.

Don’t miss Rippity’s Rainforest, catering specifically to younger children.

Be sure to visit the concession stands, including the Sugar Shack cart, for delightful treats!

13. Dry Town Waterpark, Palmdale

Once a thriving town with a population of ten thousand due to the gold mines of California’s gold rush, Drytown in Palmdale stands as a notable California Historical Landmark.

The Dry Town Waterpark features rides inspired by historic gold mining themes, making it a true treasure of aquatic enjoyment.

If you’re up for a challenge, test your skills on Dusty’s Mineshaft Racer, a high-speed mat race laden with 360-degree turns and forty-foot drops.

The Devil’s Punch Bowl guarantees to deliver excitement.

Zoom down an enclosed slide into the bowl, where you will spin before sliding down to the pool below.

Conquer the dark plunge of Rattler’s Revenge or venture on the Wildcatter.

The park also includes the Big Rock River, a nine hundred and twenty-five-foot long lazy river, along with the Little Miner’s Camp area, featuring spray cannons and a large tipping water bucket.

14. Island Waterpark, Fresno

Situated in Fresno, Central California, Island Waterpark presents a broad spectrum of attractions suitable for individuals of all ages.

Adventurous slides, free-fall plunges, and enjoyable kiddie areas combine to make this park an exhilarating destination.

Be sure to examine the calendar and event schedule on the website for special occurrences hosted by the park.