It’s Summer time in SoCal so we are looking to hit the water as much as possible. July is an awesome month here in Los Angeles, it’s sunny, beautiful and also hot, especially if you live near the Valley area. This post is all about cooling off in some in one of the fun ways possible with a visit to one of the water parks near LA
We are very fortunate we don’t have to jump on a plane to get to these awesome places that many visitors from colder places, that typically don’t have water parks, come from all over to check out.
Keep your cool Angelinos, and head over to all of these amazing parks with this list of some of our favorites!
1 – Soak City
Description:
This is one of the most popular water parks in California! If you grew up in SoCal, I am sure you have stories about coming here in the summer as a kid and having a blast with your family and friends. Now it is your turn to come back as an adult and show your date or your kids how fun this place is.
Do you remember any one ever telling you, do not go head down first on the slide? Well, here at Soak City you do go down the 41 foot high water slides called Banzai Falls, head first on your belly! Riders must be at least 42 inches, perfect for the whole family to race down the thrilling slides.
Many other exciting rides include Laguna Storm Watch, Malibu Run, and Shore Break in which you will board an aqua launch chamber and then you will be send on a high speed free fall down a 60 foot drop and exciting loops.
Soak city is also super fun for the younger ones. The whole family can hang out at the 1,780 foot long lazy river. wave pool, raft water slide, and the super fun beach house with tons of fun water toys including a 500 gallon water bucket that will pour on anyone below.
There are limited seats with shade in the park so our #1 hack is to always arrive about a 1/2 hour before opening and immediately snag up one of those coveted shaded spots.
Location: 8200 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
Pic Credit: @ sahmtalk
2 – Hurricane Harbor
Description:
Have some teenagers or pre-teens to entertain this summer? Don’t worry because Hurricane Harbor is the place to drop them off for a guaranteed good time. This massive water park has some of the most intense water rides that exist!
Explore Tiki Falls, this is a dark enclosed tube ride in which you will be rafting at high speed through a turbulent path. Next head over to Tornado, this is a mega intense draft ride that will shoot you down from a 75 foot height, a crazy body twister.
Want more thrilling rides? You can scream for dear life at Lightning Falls, Python Plunge, and Taboo Tower. Then take a relaxing break cruising down a lazy river. There are also plenty of food options for everyone craving burgers, pizza, salads and ice cream. And for the parents keeping up with all the teens, there is an escape for drinks at Pirate’s Pub. Have fun!
Location: 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355
PIC Credit: @sixflagsmagicmountain
3 – Raging Waters
Description:
This water park is a great choice for people looking for a wide variety of thrills with over 50 water slides! Raging Waters says they are the biggest water park in Southern California and if you have ever wandered the 50acres from attraction to attraction you have no reason to doubt that.
Raging Waters has some crazy slides but it’s also a great place for the whole family to hang out, and kiddos can have a blast at attractions like Volcano Fantasea and the smaller Shipwreck slides. There is also a lazy river and a tide pool both popular with all ages.
If you need a break from the mellow kids rides and want to step it up, head over where the action is and try going down the thrilling Aqua Rocket, High Extreme and the newest addition to the park Bombs Away.
Location: 111 Raging Waters Dr, San Dimas, CA 91773
PIC Credit: @raginwatersla
4 – Great Wolf Lodge
Description:
I love staycations, don’t you? Get to take a break from it all for a day or two. I bet your kids feel the same way too. Take your pack to the Great Wolf Lodge and spend the night at this popular mostly indoor water park that is also a full service hotel.
Must people think of Great Wolf as a winter destination to go down a water slide while it’s chili outside since its all indoors and heated. But the truth is that when the heat is close to 100 degrees outside, an 84 degree indoor water park is the way to go.
The entire family will have a blast with all the water fun including a water tree house, wave pool, lazy river, fun water slides and raft slides. Thrilling rides for the adventurous like Howlin’ Tornado, and also plenty of easy on the little ones attractions.
Don’t want to stay over night? No problem, you can now purchase a 1 day pass for all day fun that includes all the rides, and most of the other perks. Feeling hungry? Make sure to check out Lodge Wood Fire Grill, Loose Moose Family Kitchen, or Grizzly Jack’s Bar and Grill for delicious options. There are also plenty of your favorite burgers, pizzas, and sweet treats. And once the kids have had enough of the water they can check out the arcade, mini bowling alley and other fun entertainment. We love the Lodge, Awooooo!!
Location: 12681 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840
PIC Credit: @ greatwolflodge
5 – Legoland Water Park
Description:
If you want to hang out at a water park but you worry about melting under 100 plus degree weather, then you want to head to San Diego to hang out at Legoland Water Park. Yes that’s right! Next to the popular amusement park Lego Land is a full water park! Make it a day trip to San Diego and visit this full of fun spot water park and your little ones will love it.
Since Legos are about building of course you get the opportunity with Build-a-raft-river! This is our first recommendation. This is a lazy river type of raft, but what makes it more fun is that you have to use your Lego building skills before embarking on the raft. You could call it a “not so lazy” river. Super fun for your little Lego aficionados.
Have any Legends of Chima fans in your household? Your little one will love to visit Cragger’s swamp and Crug’s Run! Also as part of the Chima theme check out Crooler’s Twist, where kids will slide through the mouth of a crocodile. This park also has tons of splashing areas for kids younger than 6 years old. And yes, there are also fast slides where you can take a break from the splash pads.
Last but not least is Sesame Street Place. This is the newest theme park in Southern California and only the second Sesame Place in the country. Although not as big in size as the rest of the parks on our list, the rides here are super fun!
Although there are roller coasters and other amusement rides the majority of entertainment here are water rides. Try the spaghetti slides for a fast in the dark experience. Cookie Monster’s Mixer is a 6-story family raft and sends you down swirling, swishing, and splashing. Then it drops you through a giant funnel before the final splash.
Many more super fun rides here to explore both water and non water, so make sure to add it to the Summer checklist and have a great time!
Location: 2052 Entertainment Cir, Chula Vista, CA 91911
PIC Credit: @ heart_kita
Do you agree with our list or did we miss an obvious one? Let us know by commenting below!