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Splash Parks and Water Play in Orange County

Orange County Splash Parks and Water Play (including Free Fountains, Splash Pads, Waterslides, and Hotels with Water Features)

Always check official sources for Summer 2025 to see if the splash park you want to visit is open. Reservations may be required!

One of Fun Orange County Parks' regular readers asked about local "spray parks" for water play - and even gave some suggestions herself. 

I keep hearing that Southern California, especially OC, lacks splash pads. My only explanation is our proximity to the beach and the good weather which allows us to make our own splash parks at home with sprinklers.

Here are links to a few splash pad options if you are looking to get wet this summer:

FREE SPLASH FOUNTAINS

Look for these splash pads and spray parks to open for summer around Memorial Day. I will make note if they are open more year-round.

Splash Parks and Water Play in Orange County

To start let's look at this list of FREE splash fountains.

Heritage Park in Irvine with Water Play Fountains

One of my personal favorites for how simple it is. Open more year-round than other splash pads.

Crown Valley Park Splash Pad

It's a park and and splash pad or "sprayground" across from the YMCA in Laguna Niguel. Open on May 26th, 2025. Will be open daily 10am-4pm.

Splashy Play at Irvine Spectrum

This one is more year-round and conveniently located near the Target.

Veterans Sports Park at Tustin Legacy

This one usually runs 11am-5pm daily during the summer months starting Memorial Day through Labor Day weekend. Push the blue button to get it running.

Stanton Central Park and Splash Pad

This awesome splash pad opened in June 2016 with a water play area and railroad themed playground. Should be open Noon-5pm starting Memorial Day weekend for Summer 2025.

Call ahead to make sure it's running before you go. Here is the official website.

Brio Park and Splash Pad in La Habra

Brio Park splash pad in La Habra is right across the street from the Children's Museum at La Habra. It's nice and shaded with some whimsical and colorful features. Opening Memorial Day weekend. The hours are 11am-6pm, seven days per week. (You can even rent them from 10am-11am and 6pm-7pm for $75 per time slot.)

Splash Pad outside Cerritos Library

I always include Cerritos Library in my lists because even though it is in LA County, it is really close for North OC families to visit. There is a small water play fountain that I love outside the library where the kids can get splashy with dolphins.

Irvine Adventure Playground at University Park

Not an official splash pad, but there is water play from a little fountain at Irvine Adventure Playground.

Pioneer Road Park in Tustin

This park has a very small splash park that's on during the summer. It's right off the parking lot in a small walled off area. Open for summer starting Memorial Day from 11am-5pm.

More FREE splash pads not featured on this blog:

Other splash pads:

  • Atlantis Play Center in Garden Grove - Splash pad usually open during summer except for the weeks when they are running summer camp inside the park. It was open for Summer 2024 and costs $2 to get in. There is a notation on the website that says: "*Please note, the splash pad may be closed intermittently for unforeseen maintenance work. If you would like to confirm operation before you arrive, please call us at (714) 892-6015 once the park is open to check the status of the splash pad for that day."
  • Yorba Linda Adventure Playground opened in April 2023 and it has a splash pad, plus waterslide. I have not promoted this a lot because the hours are pretty complicated and unpredictable when it comes to figuring out the splash pad vs. the waterslide + weekdays vs. weekends + reservations needed vs. no reservations needed and whether you are a resident (can reserve a week ahead) or non-resident can only reserve 2 days ahead.
    • It's really important to check the official Yorba Linda Adventure Playground website for exact hours and procedures for reservations for residents and non-residents.
    • A spring weekday when no reservations are needed is probably your best bet for playing at the splash pad (but the waterslide will be closed).
    • Pay special attention to days where there may be Modified Hours of Operation or Closures for the site. Right now, these are the closures listed:
      • Saturday, May 17: CLOSE AT 3 P.M.
      • Monday, May 26: CLOSED
      • Sunday, June 1: CLOSED
      • Monday, June 9 through Friday, June 13: CLOSED 
      • Friday, July 4: CLOSED
    • Reservations are required during summer for VERY limited hours during summer months (historically, there used to be NO summer access for the times when summer camp was in session so this is actually an improvement to access).
    • For June 17th through August 11th -- Adventure Playground Summer Camp will utilize the entire site Monday to Friday until 5 p.m. which means no public access during those hours.
  • Harry M. Dotson Park in Stanton - I haven't been promoting this option since there was a tragic shooting midday on a Saturday in Spring 2023 right outside the park that resulted in the death of a father of five. But in case you are familiar and local, this could be an option if you are comfortable going? It is scheduled to be open 12pm-5pm as of July 2024.

*Boomer's Buccaneer Cove, at the end of that video, is no longer in operation.

Always check the city or original source to make sure the parks are open. Sometimes they turn off the water without notice.

lemon park spray pool fullerton
Lemon Park Spray Pool

PAY FOR WATER PLAY

I've never been, but the City of La Mirada Buccaneer Bay (Splash!) is open for Summer 2025 beginning Memorial Day weekend on May 17th (for season passholders) and May 24th for the rest of the public. It gets the best reader comments:

"We visited Splash in La Mirada on Saturday and “OH MY GOODNESS” it was sooo much fun!"  (-Lisa)

"We visited La Mirada (all the way from Lake Forest) today – there’s nowhere we won’t drive! It was definitely worth it. The ‘common pool’ area in the middle is free, parking is free, my 2 year old son was free. That’s a bargain in exchange for the cost of gas. I like that locker rental only cost 50 cents and that you can swim for free or enter Buccaneer Bay for a fee. I thought that cost of the Bay was reasonable for all they had to offer. Can’t wait to go again sometime." (-Heather)

Season passes are $60-$70 and day tickets are $22/$27.

Newport Dunes Inflatable Water Playground & Water Sport Rentals - Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day (May 23rd through September 7th). For Summer 2025 - a reservation system is in place and your admission is valid for "One Hour Only, No Full Day access!" Price is $16-$21 per person per hour. Walk-ins are still allowed, but they warn that time slots will sell out. This is also recommended for kids over 5 years old. Here is the 2025 price sheet.

The Adventure Lagoon Anaheim Water Park just came on the scene in Summer 2021. It's open for the summer season as of May 23rd, 2025 through September 28th, 2025.

Other Southern California Water Theme Parks:

SMALLER SCALE WATER PLAY FOR LOCALS

More Info on Community Pools and Public Swim Programs

There are a number of cities with aquatics programs and some have community pools and public swim or "rec swim" programs - either year-round or summer only. You will need to consult these city websites for official information.

Again, you may have to pay a non-resident fee vs. the resident fee if you don't have to live in the city where you'd like to participate in the activities.

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA HOTELS WITH WATER PLAY

It's useful to remember that this list is ONLY waterslides or water parks AT hotels — meaning (in most cases) you must be a registered guest and staying at the hotel to enjoy the amenities.

ResortPass is one way to gain access to some hotels by paying for the day without having to pay for an overnight stay. See if the hotel you have in mind is listed!

What did I miss? Please help me keep this list up-to-date. I've been maintaining it every summer SINCE 2008!

BEACHES:

Don't forget the BEACH! Kids can splash in the surf without going all the way in the water. Hold their hands and cool your toes, too. I have a ton of suggestions with details under my Beach category. And I wrote about the Best Toddler Beaches with no waves.

Originally published in Summer 2008.

More Water Play Outdoors

About Michele Whiteaker

Writer mom and nature guide promoting play and empowering families to prioritize outside time since 2008. Park information gathered through my personal experiences and provided as a FREE community resource to millions of Orange County families over the past 17 years via blog and social media. Subscribe to my FREE weekly email inspiring you with park tips and play ideas.