(Inspired by Sharlene, Tina, and Erin)
Updated for Summer 2011
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 spray parks. 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 options if you are looking to get wet this summer:
FREE SPLASH FOUNTAINS:
At Irvine Spectrum (two sets – one by the Food Court and the other near the Vitamin Shoppe)
The Splash Pad in Westminster’s Sigler Park.
There’s a little splash park open during the summer at Pioneer Park.
Harry M. Dotson Park in Stanton has a “Wet Saloon” themed water play area.
Heritage Park in Irvine is one of my personal favorites.
Lemon Park Spray Pool in Fullerton.
Outside the Rancho Santa Margarita Kohl’s (although this one gets bad marks from readers because of the street grime).
PAY:
I’ve never been, but the City of La Mirada Buccaneer Bay (Splash!) gets the best reader comments:
“We visited Splash in La Mirada on Saturday and “OH MY GOODNESS” it was sooo much fun!” (See the rest of Lisa’s experience in the comments section below.)
“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)
Aliso Viejo Aquatic Center and Pool
Knott’s Berry Farm Soak City, Buena Park
BEACH:
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 HERE.
Thanks to Sharlene for scouting around, thanks to Tina for tip on Lemon Park, and thanks to Erin for info on Sigler Park. Please add more places to the comments when you find them!
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve seen the splash fountain at the Cerritos Library but we haven’t played in it because we visited during the cold weather. It looks fun, though!
Hey girls, I hear that Pioneer Park in Tustin also has a splash pad! I’ve been to the park, but not while the splash pad was running. Check it out!
Splash in La Mirada is ONE OF A KIND!! Love it!!!!!!!!
Since we live in RSM, I took my daughter to the fountain in front of the Baja Fresh (near Kohl’s) here in town. It’s right off the road that runs through the shopping plaza, so it is sooo dirty in there! There were cigarette butts and all kinds of debris my poor baby was literally covered with dirt. When we got home she went straight into the bath! Now I know why I rarely see kids playing in there!
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. Thanks for the recommendation.
We visited Splash in La Mirada on Saturday and “OH MY GOODNESS” it was sooo much fun! You see since our kids are little going places like Wild Rivers was just not good for our little one since it’s expensive, crowded and just not as clean as we would like it to be, but The City of La Mirada has absolutely out done themselves. They have the nicest Aquatics Center that includes two lap pools and a small water park that is perfect for little kids. When looking at the web site’s picture it shows the big slides for the bigger kids, but the younger kids play area was in a word awesome! The parking is free, use of Life Jackets and inner tubes are also free and lockers are only $5.00 per day. We were smart to arrive early they open at 10:30 AM and we arrived about 10:00 and were nearly the first people in the place, but let me tell you we were able to get a great place to sit right on the edge of the pool so we had a spot under a nice umbrella and small tables. It was fantastic! I cannot think of enough complimentary words to describe it. What I can tell you is that it’s extremely clean, they have a nice snack bar, they do not allow outside food in the Water Park, but you can keep lunch in the locker or in your car. You can come and go as you please so if you want to leave and return you can do that and just show your wrist band although you will not want to leave once you’ve gotten settled it’s just too much fun. As for activities they have a huge shallow pool with a large play structure in the middle with small slides for the little ones and a nice lazy river where you can relax in an inner tube and float if you choose. For the bigger kids they have much larger water slides, but this park really is great for the little ones. On the Lisa scale of 1 to 10 I give this place a 10+ and will definitely be going again soon.
There is a water/splash park in Orange County! Pioneer park in Tustin has a fun water play area. as well as play equipment, bbq, walking trail, ect. It's a small park but but a lot of un. it's at 10250 Pioneer Rd., Tustin.