Why Choose a Splash Pad as Your Summer Outing?

Yes, the OC is not far from fantastic beaches. So, why are we talking about splash pads? There are many reasons I could sing the praises of splash pads in the OC. 

For starters, they don't come with sand. Splash pads are generally good, clean fun, free of mud, sand, grime, lakewater, or saltwater. Additionally, they don't require loads of accessories. You don't need to lug your camping chairs, cooler, and a basket of beach toys to the shore. A few towels and some sunscreen in your bag will do the trick. So, load the kids up, swing through Starbucks for an iced coffee, and head to one of these amazing splash pads for some free summer fun! 

Making the Most of Your OC Splash Pad Adventure

Before your splash pad adventure, make sure everyone has a swimsuit or at least an additional change of clothes. Some of these splash parks require swimwear, so make sure to double-check before heading out! 

Waterproof shoes or water shoes are a great idea, as surfaces can be slippery. Talk with the kiddos about keeping water out of their mouths. Many splash pads recirculate their water, and drinking it could cause illness. Towels, sunglasses, and sunscreen are all essentials. I've tried to note which of these splash pads are in the shade and which are in direct sun. 

You may want to pack some snacks and water. All that running and splashing can work up a thirst and appetite! Call the splash pad prior to visiting as some have odd hours, or "cleaning breaks" where the splash pad is out of use during the day. Most splash pads have close-proximity parking. I've tried my best to note where parking is available for each location. 

Free Splash Pads

1. Heritage Park – Irvine

This beloved park is an OC favorite, and it has a small splash pad that's perfect for cooling off on a warm summer day! The Fine Arts Center and the Irvine Heritage Library are in the same area, in case you want to maximize your visit. There is also a community center with clean bathrooms inside. 

Price: Free
Hours: 10am - 6pm, Daily (open Memorial Day through Labor Day)
Age Range: 2 through 10 
Special Features: This simple splash pad is an easy place to run and play. It is not fenced in, and may lure playground goers, so make sure you are prepared with towels and a change of clothes if you visit Heritage Park! 
Insider Tips: Give the park management office at call at (949) 724-6750 to make sure that the splash pad is up and running before you head out. There is easy access parking not far from the splash pad, and additional bathrooms past the basketball courts. 

2. Splash Pad at The District – Tustin

 This "sprayground" at the mall is the perfect place to play while Mom sips on an iced drink from Cafe 86 after an afternoon of shopping! 

Price: Free
Hours: 12pm - 5pm (Call for daily hours)
Age Range: 3 through 10 
Special Features: Grab a burger at the nearby In-N-Out, or catch a flick before splashing at the AMC movie theater. When it is working, this fountain is a total win! There is easy seating around the splash fountain, so parents can take a load off while this kids keep burning off that endless energy. 
Insider Tips: The interactive fountain is located on the Promenade between Activate Games and Rakkan Ramen. At the time of this article update, the sprayground is closed for repairs. Give the mall a call at (714) 259-9090 before you visit to see if it is back open! Parking at the mall is easy, strollers are welcome, and there are plenty of eateries to grab a quick bite before or after splashing. If you don't want to bother with the hassle of finding a parking spot, valet service is only $5 per car. 

3. Pioneer Road Park – Tustin

Like its name, this park was designed to transport you back to the pioneer days, with its log cabin and covered wagons augmenting its large playground area. Pioneer Park is probably best known for its water play features in the summer. The water area is pretty spacious, with several pop-up fountains and water cannons to spray.

Price: Free
Hours: 10am - 4pm, Daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day
Age Range: 18 months through 10 years 
Special Features: This park has plenty of picnic tables, so feel free to pack a lunch. The wide open splash pad has a low retaining wall around the perimeter, making it a great spot for parents to supervise from a small distance. 
Insider Tips: Give the Parks department a call at (714) 573-3000 to make sure that the splash fountain is on before heading over. There is a parking lot at the park, but it is small and can fill up quickly on busy days. Additional street parking is available. 

With summer comes the water at Crown Valley. Photo courtesy of Crown Valley Sprayground/City of Laguna Niguel

4. Frontier Park – Tustin

It's "into the wild frontier" at this western-themed park with a rootin'-tootin' summer playground. Tustin built the water-play splash pad at this park in 2014 but had to shut it down soon after opening because of drought restrictions. Now, it is back up and running for the 2025 summer season. 

Price: Free 
Hours: 10am - 4pm, Daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day
Age range: Ages 2 through 10
Special Features: Frontier Park has a great western-themed playground, plenty of picnic tables, bathrooms, and some metal benches near the splash pad for parents who need a rest. Keep in mind that the benches are metal and are not shaded- you may want to bring a few towels along to sit on. 
Insider Tips: Give the Parks and Recreation department a call at (714) 573-3000 to confirm that the splash pad is splashing before you visit. Frontier Park is also known for it's disc golf course, in case you want to add some competition to your outing. 

5. Lemon Park Spray Pool – Fullerton

Lemon Park houses a splash pad with multiple features and endless opportunities to get sopping wet. The water area is gated with high-shooting fountains to cover the entire pad. 

Price: Free
Hours: 12pm - 5pm, Daily from Labor Day to Memorial Day
Age range: 18 months and up
Special Features: I love that this splash park is gated, making it easy to keep track of "runners". The fountains here really have a lot of water pressure- your kids will be completely soaked. 
Insider Tips: Bathing suits are required at this splash pad, so make sure to pack them! All toddlers and babies must wear a swim diaper to play. You can reach the Fullerton parks department at (714) 738-6575 if you want to check on splash pad operations or have additional questions. 

6. Fullerton Downtown Fountain – Fullerton

Located next to the Fullerton Museum Center, this playful and interactive fountain is open for the summer for easy play. Wander around and appreciate the colorful banners, outdoor stage, and decorative paving while your little one gets wet. 

Price: Free
Hours: 12pm - 5pm, Daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day 
Age range: 2 and up
Special Features: This splash pad is not in a public park, but a public plaza in the Fullerton Downtown area. It's the perfect reward after a day of errands in the city. There are benches around the open fountain for holding your bags or providing a rest. 
Insider Tips: This fountain is in direct sunlight, so hats and sunscreen are a must. If the farmers market is taking place, the splash fountain is turned off during the event. It is not gated and is in a busy public spot, so if your child is a runner, I would skip this one. The fountains are on pavement, so make sure to bring water shoes or waterproof shoes along to prevent slipping. 

7. Sigler Park Splash Pad – Westminster

This splash pad has continuous fountains that sprinkle, shoot, pour, and spray for a water-packed fun day. The adorable features are designed with bright colors and funny characters to add extra appeal. This park also has a playground for young and older kids. 

Price: Free
Hours: 12pm - 5pm, Daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Typically the splash pad is only open on weekends in May
Age range: 18 months through 10
Special features: This is one of the most colorful splash pads in the county. It's also spacious and gated, perfect for larger playgroups. There are picnic tables in the splash pad area for resting. The best thing about this splash pad are the supervisors, who make sure kids stay safe when playing. Parents are not permitted to drop off their children, but it is helpful to have extra sets of eyes to maintain safety (and minimize horseplay) inside. 
Insider Tips: There are clean bathrooms in the splash pad. Food and drink are not allowed inside. There are supervisors by the front entrance to ensure compliance. The water here can be quite chilly, so go on a day when the kids are eager to cool off! Give the park a call at (714) 895-2860 with any additional questions. 

8. Stanton Central Park Splash Pad – Stanton

All aboard at this train-themed splash park that is a top 5 in my book! It has a train theme, like the rest of the park, and there's a train engine that has a slide and sprinkles water out its sides, as well as several other water features. 

Price: Free
Hours: 12pm - 5pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day 
Age range: 2 through 10
Special Features: The park itself has a skate park, butterfly garden and large playground area. This splash pad is shaded, so you won't have to obsess over the sunscreen here. This is one of the few themed splash pads in the area. Little locomotive lovers will absolutely love it! 
Insider tips: The Stanton Central Park Splash Pad is adorable, and it can also be quite crowded. Be prepared for a lot of people, or try to visit on a weekday. There is a dedicated parking lot right behind the fence near the playground, and easily accessible bathrooms that are open all day. If you have further questions, call (714) 890-4268 to speak to a representative at the park. 

9. Harry M. Dotson Park – Stanton

Arrrgh, Mateys. This park and splash pad will have little buccaneers shouting "A Pirate's Life for Me" with the pirate theme running through both the playground and a western theme at the "spray ground."

Price: Free
Hours: 12pm to 5pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day 
Age range: 2 years through 10
Special Features: This splash pad has nearby bathrooms, picnic tables, and drinking fountains. 
Insider Tips:  This park was the unfortunate site of a tragic crime in 2023. While the park is open and the city of Fullerton strives to keep residents safe, it's good to keep aware and keep safety in mind. Report any suspicious activity. While parking is limited, it's free. 

10. Crown Valley Park – Laguna Niguel

This colorful, fun, and creative splash pad is great for the littler set- walking babies will love the fun animal spray features here! 

Price: Free
Hours: 10am - 4pm, Daily from May 24 - September 1. 
Age range: 1 - 7 
Special Features:  This happy little splash park is packed with colordul fountains and creative critters.. The softplay animals give this splash pad a toddler-friendly vibe. This splash park is frequently supervised by local lifeguards for extra safety! The splash park is gated, so runners will be safe here. 
Insider Tips: Children under the age of 10 must be supervised by an adult. The concrete can be slippery, water shoes are reccomended here! Al babies must be in swim diapers. The water at this splash park (and many others) is recirculated so make sure to instruct kiddos not to drink it! 

RELATED: Best Splash Pads, Splash Parks, and Water Playgrounds in Los Angeles

 
Brio Splash Park photo courtesy of the City of La Habra

11. Brio Splash Park – La Habra 

All aboard the choo choo train to splash junction at this locomotive themed splash park in the northwest corner of Orange County. This one is shaded, so save your sunscreen for your next beach trip! 

Price: Free
Hours: 11am - 6pm, Daily Labor Day to Memorial Day
Age range: 2 - 10 
Special features: This one is a must-visit! It's shaded, gated, and filled with fun and creative fountains. Plus, it's right across the way from the Children's Museum at La Habra. 
Insider Tips: Persons under 14 must be supervisd by an adult in the splash zone. Water shoes are recommended, and non-potty trained kiddos are required to wear swim diapers (regular diapers are not permitted). Horseplay is not permitted in the splash zone. 

If you want to pay for water play:

12. Atlantis Play Center – Garden Grove

The cost is minimal at this ocean-themed park with a fun splash pad. 

Price: $2 per child (2 and under free) Cash Only
Hours:Tuesday– Saturday 10am–4pm; Sunday 12pm–4pm closed Mondays
Age range: 1 - 10 
Special features: This classic splash park has been a Garden Grove gem for generations. 
Insider Tips: Toddlers that are not potty-trained are required to wear swim diapers- regular diapers are not permitted in the splash area. Shoes, food, and water are not permitted in the splash zone. When the water area is crowded, the city may impose lines and time limits on play. All kids must be wearing swimsuits ( no play clothes allowed). Kids 5 and under must be actively supervised by an adult over 18. 

13. Newport Dunes Water Playground – Newport Beach

A different kind of water park, this resort has a day use area featuring inflatable play structures on the waters of the Back Bay lagoon with no waves.

Price: $21 per person for park visitors; $16 for resort guests
Hours: Check the website for hours, which vary. Reservations must be booked in advance online. 
Age range: 5 and up (kids under 5 are not allowed on the inflatables for safety reasons)
Special features: This unique park is great for bigger kids and teens. There are more than 30 oversized inflatables including a 17-foot mega slide, floating trampolines, monkey bars, and more. 
Insider Tips: Hourly sessions include a life jacket, and it is required at all times when out on the water. There are lifeguards our on the inflatables to ensure safety. 

Originally published August 1, 2014