As the Bay Area heats up, enjoy summer fun with your kids and visit some of the region's numerous water parks. Of course, you can hit up one of the mammoth water parks, like WaterWorld in Concord, or Raging Waters in San Jose or Sacramento, but for the little kiddos, a trip to your local water park will surely make them jump for joy. From the South Bay to the East Bay and the North Bay, we have the list that is sure to elicit squeals of summer happiness.
South Bay
John D. Morgan Park
540 W. Rincon Avenue, Campbell
The city’s largest park is located along San Tomas Expressway. Morgan Park includes 2 playgrounds on the park's opposite ends. While the tall, 2-story play structure lies on the Budd Avenue side of the park, the water fun area is located on the Rincon Avenue side. The water flows down a long ramp leading to small pools for children to enjoy puddle jumping fun. The fountain's summer hours are 10am through 6pm.
Cali Mill Plaza & Fountains
Corner of Stevens Creek Boulevard and De Anza Boulevard, Cupertino
Adjacent to the Cypress Hotel, this park features a giant stainless steel sculpture that appears to shift as one walks around it. There are two interactive fountains designed with lights and jets in a grid pattern emitting spurts of 4 foot high water. While your kids take part in some summer water fun, you can enjoy the park's sunny weather and artistic architecture.
Lakewood Park
680 Lakechime Drive, Sunnyvale
In addition to a swimming pool, this 11-acre park has a "water entertainment area" perfect for young children. Lakewood Park is also home to a skate area, a basketball court, bike paths, horseshoe pits, and an area for bonfires. Much like Las Palmas, this regularly maintained park is enjoyed by locals, young and old alike.
Lincoln Glen Park
Lincoln and Curtner Avenues, San Jose
This modest little park boasts a children's interactive fountain and a play structure. There's also a gazebo and a big grassy area. The park also has various public art installations on display.
Peninsula
Frontierland Playground
Yosemite Dr & Humboldt Ct, Pacifica
Designed by the families of Pacifica and hand built by the community, Frontierland Playground is one of the Bay Area's hidden gems. The large, enclosed play area makes it easy for parents to keep an eye on kids running loose. The playground includes a small climbing wall, musical areas made out of metal pipes, and a well/dungeon made out of tires perfect for climbing. There are slides, swings, and a tot area with a train depot for pretend play. When temperatures soar, the water misting area helps little ones cool down. Adjacent to the play area, picnic tables and a large grassy area perfect for picnicking, kicking a ball or flying a kite.
Ryder Court Park
1801 J. Hart Clinton Drive, San Mateo
When the coastal fog rolls in thick, head on over to sunny San Mateo. The water fountains spring unpredictably from the ground keeping you on your toes. The park's well manicured lawn is perfect for picnicking and the playground is not too far from the BBQ area. While reveling in some water fun, the kids can work up an appetite as dad grills up some burgers and hotdogs. The park also has a paved bike path, which takes you on a fantastic ride along the shoreline. For the airplane enthusiast, there's a good view of planes landing at SFO.
Rinconada Park Pool
777 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto
Recently remodeled, the Palo Alto facility's kiddie pool appears in the shape of a five-petal flower. Each petal has its own swimming, water fun area. For older swimmers, there's a 3 lane lap pool and a diving board for practicing your swan dive. Admission is $5 for adults (ages 18 - 59), $3 for seniors (60+), $4 for children (ages 3 - 7), and $1 for infants (2 and younger). Recreation swim membership is also available for Palo Alto residents and non-residents. Street parking only.
East Bay
Hap McGee Ranch Park
1025 La Gonda Way, Danville
Hap McGee Ranch Park sports a kid-friendly water park made of metal tubes forming a tunnel with water spraying inside. As youngsters run through the structure, a motion sensor activates and water sprays up from the ground raising squeals of joy. This 17-acre park also has walking trails, separate play areas for younger and older children, picnic areas, and a dog park. The fountain operates from 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends.
Osage Station Park (closed for renovation)
816 Brookside Drive, Danville
Deemed the splash spot in Danville, Osage Station Park is located off Sycamore Valley Road. It has a fountain area and a river which leads into a wading pool. Plenty of trees provide some shaded respite during those hot summer days. In addition, an abundance of play structures allow kids to let off some steam.
Fremont Central Park
40000 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont
This picturesque park has it all: a lake, a wading stream, and a full-fledged water park. Lake Elizabeth is great for free range swimming or taking your boat out for a spin. Fremon Central Park also has a shallow stream where kids can wade barefoot while digging up rocks, sailing little toy boats and throwing rocks off a little bridge. For some watery fun, head over to Aqua Adventure. This small water park (which replaced the old lagoon) comes complete with water slides, a lazy river, and an aqua jungle gym. Outside food and drinks are not allowed. Picnic areas are outside the water park, but you can obtain a wristband for re-entry.
Robert Livermore Community Center Pool (pictured)
4444 East Avenue, Livermore
This amazing facility is certainly the most elaborate of public pools within the San Francisco Bay Area. As a sense of excitement pervades the pool's atmosphere, the main attraction is a 22-foot high single-chute yellow spiral slide. Although the slide is probably not for the 6 and under crowd, it can be some fun for mom and dad. There are two pool areas that include a toddler friendly beach-entry pool hosting an interactive play structure, water spouting cannons, a water slide and a lap pool available for recreational and lap swimming. Hours are 1pm - 8:30pm, Saturday and Sunday; 11am - 6pm Monday through Friday. $4 for ages 5 and above and $2 for ages 2-4. Free admission for kids under 2.
Marin & North Bay
Maria B. Freitas Park
Montecillo Road (at Trellis Drive), San Rafael
Swings and slides are not the main attraction at this park. Instead, this unique playground uses water as it’s entertainment. Press the hand on the red pipe, and a slow trickle of water emerges from a row of three giant rings. Thereafter, a small,gentle geyser, resembling Old Faithful, sprouts up from the ground. It later disappears and pops across on the other side. As the water performance slowly continues, children get less and less intimidated. The water show evenutally builds to a crescendo blasting from all the rings at once. While giggling and getting soaked, kids can run through, under and around the crescendo. Do not drink the water since it is reclaimed.
Terra Linda Community Pool
670 Del Ganado Road, San Rafael
Marin County's newest outdoor public cement pond features a zero-depth design kiddie pool complete with three fountains. The children's pool and the adjacent lap pool are always heated to a relaxing 80 degrees. Starting June 22, the pool will host $5 Family Fridays every Friday during the summer. Bring the family and something to barbecue. Helpful pool staff will take care of firing up several grills for your use. San Rafael residents 15 and under pay $4 (non-residents $7). $5 (non-residents $9) for the 16 and older crowd. No extra resident fee for Family Fridays.
