Water Parks in Southern California

ByMonique McArthur Updated

Explore Southern California water parks, from indoor family attractions to outdoor slides, wave pools and lazy rivers. This guide also includes aquatic centers, splash play and hotels with water features. Most outdoor water parks operate seasonally, so confirm operating dates, admission requirements and hours before visiting.

Water Parks In Southern California

Jump to: Orange County | Los Angeles | San Bernardino | Ventura | Water park hotels | Other California parks

Which Orange County Water Park Should You Choose?

  • Indoor, year-round water play: Great Wolf Lodge in Garden Grove, with overnight stays and day passes when available.
  • Classic outdoor slides and lazy river: Knott's Soak City in Buena Park, typically open on select dates from May into early September.
  • Large outdoor water park: Wild Rivers in Irvine, with slides and family water attractions during its seasonal operating period.

Planning tip: Check each park's official calendar, ticket and parking policies, slide height requirements and weather-related closures before you go. Hotel water amenities may be reserved for registered guests or require a separate day pass.

Orange County Water Parks

Find paid and free splash parks in Orange County.

Los Angeles County Water Parks

Also in Los Angeles County: Splash! Buccaneer Bay (La Mirada) is a seasonal family water park with slides, a lazy river and children's water play. It is in Los Angeles County, not Orange County.

Riverside Water Parks

Palm Springs Water Parks

Below are four surf parks planned the Palm Springs/Coachella Valley area with all four anticipated to be open by 2025.

  • Coral Mountain - Opening TBA (La Quinta, CA): A development using Kelly Slater wave technology similar to Surf Ranch.
  • DSRT Surf - Opening 2026 (Palm Desert, CA)
  • Palm Springs Surf Club - Now Open! (Palm Springs, CA): The site of this future location was the now closed Wet'n'Wild Palm Springs aka Knott's Soak City, Oasis Water Park.
  • Thermal Beach Club - Opening TBA (Coachella, CA): A residential development described as a “private paradise” featuring a beach for club members, a 22-acre lagoon with wavemaking technology for surfing and water recreation.

San Diego Water Parks

San Bernardino County Water Parks

Closed: Splash Kingdom Waterpark

Ventura County Water Parks

Other California Water Parks (Beyond Southern California)

Hotels with Water Slides, Lazy Rivers and Splash Play

Live local and want to use the pools? Learn how to get a hotel day pass.

Orange County Hotels

Los Angeles Hotels

Palm Springs Hotels

San Diego Hotels

Wild Rivers
OC Parks With Splash Pads
Ways To Experience Orange County By Water
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina
Best Beaches In Orange County
Best Swim Spots In Orange County

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Monique McArthur

Monique McArthur is a writer, recipe creator and mom of two who covers Orange County's street fairs, festivals, Fourth of July shows and weekend events. She checks out attractions, restaurants and trails herself, on her own and with her family, so her guides cover grown-up outings as well as kid-friendly ones. Meet the rest of our writers on the About Enjoy OC page.