10 Water Parks in California That Will Make a Splash With the Whole Family
With warm weather most of the year and miles of sandy beaches that kids just love to play in, it’s no wonder California has become one of the top tourist destinations in the country. Kids are especially fond of water parks, so it’s not surprising to see several family-friendly water parks scattered throughout the state – including in some very unexpected places! Here are 10 water parks in California that are guaranteed to make your summer vacation as memorable as possible.
1) CAUTION: The following article contains SPOILERS
1. Race with an inner tube on one of Wild Rivers’ three slides for an adrenaline rush. 2. Splash-N-Dash will leave you and your kids drenched in this wetland adventure that offers live entertainment, food and merchandise along with tons of pools and attractions. 3. If you’re near Lancaster, give this water park a go! 4. Located 45 minutes south of Los Angeles, The Wave is one of southern California’s only inland water parks that caters to small children as well as their adult companions. 5. Spend some time trying out the Surf Simulator at WaterWorks Park in Redding or head up north to Lake Tahoe for summertime fun at Lake Tahoe Outdoor Resort . 6.
2) The best way to get from SeaWorld San Diego to Aquatica
Aquatica is less than 10 miles from SeaWorld San Diego. The drive takes about 15 minutes. Just leave SeaWorld San Diego and head south on Interstate 5 until you get to off ramp Taylor Street. From there, continue heading east for two miles. You’ll see sign for Aquatica Waterpark and Animal Attractions Park on your left just before the I-5 ramps up to the southbound freeway so be sure to turn left at this point!
3) What you’ll see at Legoland waterpark
Legoland has something for everyone! Located just 15 minutes away from sunny San Diego, it provides youngsters and their parents with slides, zip lines, and playgrounds galore. Kids can enjoy both water slides and dry attractions such as Lego rides and build-it-yourself areas. A perfect destination for families looking to spend some quality time together.
4) How do I get there?
Splash-N-Dash offers various water park adventures for all ages, from kids to adults. To get there, just head north on Highway 70 until you see the signs for Highway 29, then go south and east. The water park is about 1/2 an hour north of San Diego and 1 hour south of Anaheim. The facility offers some unusual water park adventures that your family is sure to enjoy.
5) Tips for visiting Legoland and its waterpark
When heading to Legoland or its waterpark, make sure to come prepared. If you’re not looking for souvenirs, you’ll need cash or cards for paying for waterpark admission, food, snacks and rides. Plus don’t forget to bring along sunscreen and hats if it’s sunny out! You should also wear sturdy shoes if you want to do any of the outdoor activities like climbing rocks and rivers that are only found outside of the waterpark area.
6) Aquatica – Animal Instincts
Aquatica is one of California’s most popular water parks, largely due to its variety of slides. They have large, twisting body slides that offer stomach-churning drops and black-hole style vortex tunnels; they also have long and short water slides for different tastes. And if you’ve always wanted to try surfing or skydiving–without actually jumping off an airplane–you can do so by riding their Double Wave Slide. Aquatica is home to some of the most well known water park rides in the country, like Storm Slides and Riptide Racers.
7) Shark Reef at Discovery Cove- There are few things on earth as cool as scuba diving with Great White Sharks!
Diving into an underwater cage with one of nature’s most ferocious animals sounds like something from a sci-fi thriller. But there are few things on earth as cool as scuba diving with Great White Sharks! Visitors at Discovery Cove get to do just that, and it’s so great for the ego. It also doubles as one of the best ways to gain perspective about how insignificant we really are. Diving at Shark Reef is a truly life-changing experience!
8) Where can you see sharks if you don’t have Discovery Cove?
If you’re not a resident of Florida, you might have never known that Discovery Cove was even possible. But once you find out about it, one can see how cool it would be to swim with sharks, touch stingrays and dolphins or take care of sea turtles. It is worth mentioning that tickets are steep–they run around $300 per person for a day pass. Just to get there will also cost about $190 round-trip for airfare from LAX to Orlando International Airport and then another $95 for transportation via bus or shuttle to reach the cove itself. But if you want some unique vacation memories that you won’t forget anytime soon, booking an adventure to Discovery Cove is well worth it.
9) Where can you swim with manatees?
The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is home to some of Florida’s most well-known water activities. Swim with manatees and experience an intimate encounter with these gentle giants by volunteering for this great cause! Located about 30 minutes outside of downtown Tampa, the aquarium offers interactive experiences with no matter what your age. Bring your kids for some exciting wildlife adventure at Clearwater Marine Aquarium. The best time to visit is at sunset when there are feedings, but even if you miss it, there’s still plenty to do all day long. In addition to amazing animals and swimming opportunities, they also offer educational tours through their state-of-the-art sea lab that can be tailored for kids or adults. There’s really something for everyone!
10) Create Your Own Scavenger Hunt For Kids At Legoland California Water Park
-As you enter the water park, cross the bridge over to Sesame Street Bay and start at Bert and Ernie’s Confectionary!
-Walk over to The Little Mermaid Boats for some fun rides down by Mermaid Lagoon! -Don’t forget to visit Uncle Alfredo’s Pizza Corner for one of their kid-sized pizzas before heading back on the street!
-On your way back on Street, stop by Dumbo Dippin’ Dots for a tasty frozen treat!
What is California’s biggest water park?
As water parks go, Legoland California is one of the few that can claim to be part of an amusement park. Located just outside of San Diego and near Anaheim, it is about a half an hour’s drive from either city on I-5 and I-15 respectively. The 30-acre attraction offers a full day’s worth of fun for children and their parents with more than 70 rides, shows, restaurants, and educational exhibits. But if you’re looking for something more unusual than conventional slides, there are water slides designed for younger children as well as thrill rides for older kids and adults like Whitecap Racers® which reach speeds up to 50 mph.