🌊 Slides & wave pools
SoCal water parks
Curated by Simir Shah
8 spots across Southern California — add your zip or city to sort by what's closest to you
Wild Rivers
Irvine · Water park
A modern 20+ acre park at the Great Park with a water coaster, wave pool, and lazy river — great for mixed-age families.
🗓️ Seasonal; May–September
💵 Paid admission — see site
Great Wolf Lodge Southern California
Garden Grove · Water park
A year-round indoor water park — a reliable rainy-day or off-season option that's especially strong for toddlers and young kids.
🗓️ Year-round (indoor, climate-controlled)
💵 Day passes (book ahead) or hotel packages — see site
Knott's Soak City
Buena Park · Water park
A classic OC water park with the Tidal Wave Bay wave pool, a lazy river, and a big interactive kids' beach house.
🗓️ Seasonal; ~mid-May–early Sept
💵 Paid admission (separate from Knott's) — see site
DropZone Waterpark
Perris · Water park
A smaller, affordable Inland Empire park with slides and a FlowRider surf simulator — an easy local day for younger families.
🗓️ Seasonal; ~Memorial Day–September
💵 Budget-friendly municipal pricing — see site
Raging Waters Los Angeles
San Dimas · Water park
California's largest water park, with a huge slide lineup for thrill-seeking older kids and teens.
🗓️ Seasonal; roughly May–September
💵 Paid admission — see site
Lake Gregory Aqua Park
Crestline · Water park
A mountain-lake setting with a big floating inflatable obstacle course, water slides, a splash pad, and a beach.
🗓️ Seasonal; Memorial Day–Labor Day
💵 All-Access Day Pass — see site
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Los Angeles
Valencia · Water park
A slide-heavy park next to Magic Mountain — ideal for thrill-loving families wanting a coaster-and-water combo trip.
🗓️ Seasonal; roughly June–September
💵 Paid admission; often bundled with Magic Mountain — see site
Sesame Place San Diego
Chula Vista · Water park
A Sesame Street-themed combined theme/water park (the former Aquatica San Diego) geared toward younger kids and toddlers.
🗓️ Theme park spring–fall; water rides seasonal
💵 Paid admission — see site
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best water parks in Southern California?
Wild Rivers in Irvine is the newest big OC park; Knott's Soak City (Buena Park), Raging Waters (San Dimas — California's largest) and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor (Valencia) are the major slide parks. For year-round, Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove has an indoor water park, and Sesame Place in Chula Vista is best for little kids.
Is there an indoor water park in SoCal?
Yes — Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove has a large indoor, climate-controlled water park that's open year-round, which makes it a great rainy-day or off-season option (and especially good for toddlers). Day passes for non-hotel guests are limited, so book ahead.
When are SoCal water parks open?
Most outdoor water parks run seasonally — roughly May through September, with weekend-only operation in the shoulder months. Great Wolf's indoor park is the year-round exception. Hours and opening dates change yearly, so confirm on each park's site before you go.
What's the difference between a water park and a splash pad?
Splash pads are free, shallow, no-swim water-play areas for little kids (we have a separate splash pads guide). Water parks are paid attractions with slides, wave pools and lazy rivers for the whole family. On a hot day, also see our beat-the-heat guide.