Holidays
2023 Orange County Splash Parks and Water Play
We’re here with a list of Orange County splash pads because Summer vacation is almost here and we need to keep the kids entertained – which is basically a parents most dreaded task. We also have an amazing list of waterparks in Southern California, but those are more like day trips? We’re keeping things simple here with just a quick splash pad visit.
As soon as I open my eyes my kids are asking “Mom, what are we doing today?” It makes me miss the morning chaos of school drop-offs.
One thing my kids do love is getting wet. If we don’t want to deal with the beach, sand, and crowds, then a splash pad is our go-to.
We have some splash pads in Orange County, and best part is most are free. Splash Pads are an easier option with picnic tables, easy parking and bathrooms that are easily accessible. Bring towels, sunscreen, and a picnic, and you are set.
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Orange County splash pads
ANAHEIM
Splash pads in Anaheim
FREE Ponderosa Park
2100 S Haster Street | (714) 765-5155
Opened in 2018 and is very popular. It has many fun water features like gun squirters, tall water spouts and floor water sprayers. There is a playground and skate board park right next to it. There’s a large shaded area with picnic tables but arrive early since they get full quickly.
Open: May 27 – October 2
Hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
FREE Walnut Grove Park
905 S Anaheim Blvd | (714) 765-5155
This small community park is great to take kids to playground and just cool off. In the center of park there is a tall water fountain which spouts water out. Water is regurgitated, so no new water coming out. No water spouts or big sprayers. Just enough water to get kids cooled off from playing or wet their feet. Large old school playground with swings, small slides and climbing features. There’s a shaded picnic area and restrooms near by.
Open: Fountain currently off
Hours: Fountain currently off
FREE Miraloma Park
2600 E. Miraloma Way | (714) 765-5155
One of Anaheim’s newest parks, this 2-acre site includes a family resource center and several unique amenities.
Open: May 27 – October 2
Hours: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Public pools in Anaheim
FREE Pearson Park Pool
400 North Harbor Blvd | (714) 765-5155
Open for swim lessons on the weekends. Also open for weekday swim lessons. Free swim is also available by reservation only. YMCA lifeguards on duty.
Open: Weekend swim lessons with Anaheim Family YMCA begin June 4, weekday lessons begin June 6
Hours: Free swim hours and days are June 18-October 9, 2:00pm-3:30pm and 3:30pm-5pm, see YMCA website for reservations.
BUENA PARK
Splash pads in Buena Park
FREE Carol Brenner Park
97373 San Rafael, Buena Park | (714) 562-3860
Brenner wading pool is only open for toddlers and parents. It is 25 feet long and 1-2 feet deep making it great for little ones. Only kids six and under are allowed in water.
Open: Closed at this time
Hours: Closed at this time
Public pools in Buena Park
$1.50 Adults / $1.00 Youth Peak Park Pool
7225 El Dorado Dr. | (714) 562-3874
Recreational swim open to all.
Open: June 9 – August 7
Hours: Daily – 12:30-2:15pm | 2:45-4:30pm
Tues & Thurs – 6:30-7:30pm
Open: August 8 – September 5
Hours: Daily – 2:45-4:30pm
Sat & Sun ONLY – 12:30-2:15pm
Mon-Fri – 5:00-7:00pm
$1.50 Adults / $1.00 Youth Boisseranc Park Pool
7520 Dale St. | (714) 562-3874
Recreational swim open to all.
Open: May 30 – August 7
Hours: Daily – 12:30-2:15pm | 2:45-4:30pm
Wednesday (June 29 – Aug 3) -5:00-7:00pm
Open: August 8 – September 5
Hours: Daily – 2:45-4:30pm
Sat & Sun ONLY – 12:30-2:15pm
Hotels with splash pads in Buena Park
Open to hotel guests only Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel
97373 San Rafael, Buena Park | (714) 562-3860
The Knott’s hotel has a splash pad area next to its pool and it’s open year-round. Admission is included with your reservation.
Open: year long
Hours: pool hours
FULLERTON
Splash pads in Fullerton
FREE Adlena Park
300 N. Adlena Drive | (714) 738-6575
A great park with many amenities. The spray pad has tall spouts that drop water and many floor sprayers. The playground is right next to splash pad plus parking is close by. Splash pad area is gated and has benches for parents. There are picnic tables next to gated splash pad area making it great for a picnic.
Open: May 31 – August 7 (daily) / August 8 – September 25 (weekends only)
Hours: 1:00pm – 5:00pm
FREE Valencia Park
2425 W. Valencia Drive | (714) 738-6575
A great park built for the community by the community. It has picnic tables, playground and splash pad. This is a smaller splash pad but also less crowded.
Open: June 2-Sept 30 (weekends only)
Hours: Saturday/Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
FREE Lemon Park
701 S. Lemon | (714) 738-6575
With its large picnic area and athletic fields, the park is perfect for mid-sized group activities.The playground is next to splash pad. The splash pad area is gated making a bit safer. There are benches around exterior edge for parents who don’t wish to get wet. There is one large water sprayer in middle and a couple smaller ones on edges. They require proper bathing suit to play in water.
Open: May 31 – August 7 (daily) / August 8 – September 25 (weekends only)
Hours: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
FREE Downtown Fullerton
125 E. Wilshire Ave. | (714) 738-6575
Fullerton Downtown Plaza is a space surrounding the Fullerton Museum Center. The plaza has a celebratory feel with its entry monuments and arches and playful fountain. There are a few water spouts just enough to cool off during hot days.
Open: April-October
Hours: 10:00 am – dusk
GARDEN GROVE
Splash pads in Garden Grove
$2 (3 years old and up) Atlantis Play Area
13630 Atlantis Way | (714) 892-6015
This gated park has an entrance fee but it is well worth it. They don’t allow adults without children to enter. The splash pad has floor water features, movable animal squirt guns, tall water droppers and an area for toddlers. Benches are limited so bring your own chairs or blanket. Once done with splash pad explore the rest of parks animal slides and Atlantis themed playgrounds.
Splash Pad is currently closed for maintenance.
Open: Year Round
Hours: Monday – Friday: CLOSED | Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
IRVINE
Splash pads in Irvine
FREE Spectrum Pop Up Fountain
670 Spectrum Center Drive | (949) 790-4871
Irvine Spectrum has great shopping and food options plus a small water area. After doing some shopping stop by the water spouts in front of Target for kids to cool off. There are tables with umbrellas and chairs around the water area. It’s a good idea to bring water shoes since floor is cement and tends to be slippery. Restrooms are near for a quick change for before and after. Arrive early since it’s a popular spot with shoppers. After they get wet kids can also enjoy the Luckey Climber a three dimensional climbing structure with 75 platforms.
Open: Year Round
Hours: Mon-Sun 10am-9pm, Fri-Sat 10am-10pm
FREE Heritage Community Park
14301 Yale Ave. | (949) 724-6750
Heritage park has a small circular area with floor water spouts. There are about eight water spouts. The playground is adjacent to water spouts. Playground is shaded and shaded picnic area. There is also a lake next to playground making it great to walk around looking at ducks.
Open: Year Round
Hours: 6:00 am – 10pm
LA HABRA
Splash pads in La Habra
FREE Brio Park Splash Pad
300 S. Euclid St. | (562) 383-4200
The Brio splash pad features a train-themed play area due to its proximity to the historic train depot.
Splash pad rules include: Children who are not potty trained must wear swim diapers. Regular diapers are not allowed. Parents or chaperones are responsible for the behavior their children and enforcing all safety rules in effect. Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult. Persons older than 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Water shoes are highly recommended.
Open: May 27, 2023
Hours: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
FREE Oeste Park Splash Pad
2300 W Lambert Rd | (562) 383-4200
The Oeste splash pad features a rocket ship-themed play area in keeping with the old “space” theme at the park.
Splash pad rules include: Children who are not potty trained must wear swim diapers. Regular diapers are not allowed. Parents or chaperones are responsible for the behavior their children and enforcing all safety rules in effect. Children under the age of 12 must be supervised by an adult. Persons older than 14 must be accompanied by an adult. Water shoes are highly recommended.
Open: opens May 27, 2023
Hours: 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
LADERA RANCH
Splash pads in Ladera Ranch
FREE (OPEN TO LADERA RANCH RESIDENTS ONLY) Terramor Aquatic Park
26281 O’Neill Drive | (949) 388-8300
Open to Ladera Ranch residents and guests only. Access card required for entry, and Reservations are available for the Terramor Aquatic Park Picnic Area during operating hours. Splash pad play area 18″ wader pool with wet play structure plus three reservable picnic areas. Outdoor showers and restrooms are available.
Open: May 29 – September 6
Hours: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Open: September 11 – October 10 (Weekends Only)
Hours: 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.
LAGUNA NIGUEL
Splash pads in Laguna Niguel
FREE Crown Valley Park
29751 Crown Valley Parkway | (949) 425-5100
The new Sprayground is located adjacent to the playground at Crown Valley Park. It is gated and requires proper bathing suit attire. There are tons of water features like movable sprayers, tall spouts, floor sprayers and arches for kids to walk under.
There is no food allowed inside water area but right outside gates you can find benches and tables. Recommended to bring own chairs since space is limited. After kids dry off, walk through The Laguna Niguel Labyrinth and Niguel Botanical Preserve in same park.
Open: June 15, 2022
Hours: Sunday-Saturday, 10AM-4PM
MISSION VIEJO
Splash pads in Mission Viejo
FREE for members | $15/hour/family for non-members Montanoso Splash Pad
25800 Montanoso Drive | (949) 859-4348
Recreation center members can make a reservation to enjoy the aquatic play area. Non-members can call for availability during operating hours.
The 1-hour splash pad reservations will allow the City to provide a fun family activity for one family (up to eight people) per hour.
Open: Monday, Wednesday, Friday
Hours: 1:00pm – 2:00pm | 2:30pm – 3:30 pm | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Open: Tuesday and Thursday
Hours: 10:00am – 11:00am | 11:30am – 12:30 pm | 1:00 – 2:00pm | 2:30pm – 3:30 pm | 4:00pm – 5:00pm
Open: Saturday
Hours: 10:00am – 11:00am | 11:30am – 12:30 pm | 1:00 – 2:00pm
SAN CLEMENTE
Public Pools in San Clemente
$2 Kids & $4 Adults (residents); $6 Kids & $8 Adults (non-resident) Vista Hermosa Sports Park
987 Avenida Vista Hermosa | (949) 429-8797
The aquatics center has many swimming activities through out the year. They close during the winter months of December and January. A favorite of families with small children is the the play structure which has water spouts, sprayers and slides. There is also a lap pool for older kids. The cost is for a days use of pool facilities.
You must self-reserve a Recreation Swim time in advance online. No drop-ins or onsite reservations will be accepted.
Open: June 14, 2021- August 15, 2021 | Monday – Friday
Hours: 10:30 am – 12:30 pm (playstructure available on Fridays)
Open: Saturday – Sunday
Hours: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm (playstructure available)
STANTON
Splash pads in Stanton
FREE Stanton Central Park
10660 Western Ave. | (714) 890-4268
A beautiful facility, sitting on more than 11.5 acres of parkland, in the center of the city, filled with endless opportunities for active play. The interactive water play area is next to bathroom and playground structure.
Open: Daily
The water play area operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Hours: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
FREE Harry M Dotson Park
10350 Fern Ave. | (714) 379-9222 ext. 270
This public park with a playground, picnic areas & lawns also features a seasonal water spray area. Western themed water spray area with tables and shades. When done with splash pad check out the pirate themed playground structure.
Open: Daily
The water play area operates from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Hours: 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
TUSTIN
Splash pads in Tustin
FREE Pioneer Park
10250 Pioneer Road | (714) 573-3326
Pioneer Water Park has a great small splash pad perfect for little ones. A few floor water spouts, gun sprayers and a wall with water sprayers. The pioneer themed playground with wagon climbers are great for after splash pad fun. Well maintained bathrooms and park facilities.
Open: May 27, 2023
Hours: 11am – 5pm
FREE Frontier Park
1400 Mitchell Avenue | (714) 573-3326
Western themed playground that has a small water feature play area. A few floor water spouts plus two water droppers. There are benches around water area and the playground is adjacent.
Open: May 27, 2023
Hours: 11am – 5pm
FREE The District Shopping Center- Pop Jet
2437 Park Avenue | (714) 259-9090
The District has floor water spouts in the center of shopping center near Bowlmor Lanes. During the hot summer days perfect way to cool down the kids, then grab lunch or snack at the many shops at The District.
Open: Temporarily closed for safety precautions.
Hours: Temporarily closed for safety precautions.
FREE Veterans Sports Park at Tustin Legacy
1645 Valencia Ave | (714) 426-2450
Veterans Sports Park is located on Valencia Avenue, between Tustin Ranch Road and Red Hill Avenue; it is the newest edition to the development of Tustin Legacy. Veterans Sports Park spans over 32 acres, making it the biggest park in the city.
Open: May 27, 2023
Hours: 11am – 5pm
WESTMINSTER
Splash pads in Westminster
FREE Sigler Park Splash Pad
7200 Plaza St. | (714) 895-2860
One of the best splash pads in Orange County thanks to its gated and bathrooms inside its gated facility. There are city workers that make sure everyone is following splash pads rules. It has tons of floor water spouts, gun sprayers, and water droppers.
For additional information, please visit: www.westminster-ca.gov/splash-pad
Open: Daily: June 18, 2022 – September 5, 2022
Hours: 12:00pm – 5:00pm
Bonus Water Parks:
$4 per child Adventure Playground in Huntington Beach
7111 Talbert Ave, Huntington Beach (look for signs indicating location)
Adventure Playground is a one of a kind water play area with mud slide, raft floats and nail and hammer building area. Expect kids to get dirty as they slide down while getting wet with old school water hose. The rafts float on a 3ft deep man made pond. Close toed shoes are must and bring extra clothes. Limited amount of benches so bring chairs. Best for kids ages 5-12.
Open: Closed this year due to the drought
Hours: Currently closed
$13/hour Newport Dunes Water Park
1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach | (949) 999-3100
A secluded bay with large inflatables plus watercraft rentals. They also have fire pits so take your smore’s goodies. During the summer they have outodoor movies every Friday and Saturday. There is a fee for use of inflatables.
Open: Summer: May 28, 2022 – Labor Day
Hours: 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Parking: $20 daily
$30 general entry (ages 6+) Adventure Lagoon
3255 E Miraloma Ave, Anaheim| (949) 999-3100
The water that makes the 9 acre lake is a recharging basin that belongs to the Orange County Water District. It features large inflatable obstacle course plus watercraft rentals. Admission only grants entry into the park. Additional costs for activities.
Open: Seven days a week – all summer long (May 28-September 30)
Hours: 10:30 am – 6 pm
Parking: FREE
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Originally published on April 28, 2023. Last Updated on May 22, 2023 by Pattie Cordova
