The Awesome Guide to Bay Area Splash Pads: Best Spots to Cool Off with Kids

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Bay Area’s Best Splash Pads

Looking for a fun and refreshing way to beat the summer heat with kids in the Bay Area? Splash pads are a fantastic option! These interactive water playgrounds offer a safe and exciting outdoor play experience for children of all ages. Whether you’re planning a weekend outing or looking for a spontaneous way to cool off, splash pads are a perfect choice for summer fun.

Here’s your guide to some of the best splash pads across the Bay Area. Don’t forget to pack a towel and a change of clothes—your little ones will get soaked!

San Francisco

  • Mission Playground, children and families love the newly upgraded play area and water play feature. (map)

  • 24th & York Mini Park has a splash pad area, murals covered walls and the ornate snake statue that kids climb on. (map)

  • The Outpost Playground, kids can explore the inside of a giant fallen tree, scale the Woodland Wall and play with water features inspired by historic water channels. (map)

Peninsula

Palo Alto

  • Mitchell Park, intentionally and mindfully designed to meet the needs of everyone, including the 1-in-4 of us living with visible or invisible disabilities. (map)

  • The Shumway Fountain, also known as the red hoop fountain, is a popular spot for fountain hopping at Stanford University located in front of the Green Library, near Coupa Café.

  • Rinconada Pool, 19-acre multipurpose park offers a variety of recreational activities among treasured live oaks and majestic redwoods.  Home of Palo Alto’s municipal swimming pool.  On the north side of the park is the Lucie Stern Community Center and the Junior Museum and Zoo. (map)

Redwood City

  • Maddux Park, Frog Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm. It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm. (map)

  • Stulsaft Park, Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm.
    It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm. (map)

  • Stafford Park, Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm.
    It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm. (map)

  • Magical Bridge Playground, inside Red Morton Park. (map)

  • Andrew Spinas Park, Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm. It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm. (map)

  • Fleishman Park, Water feature operates May – October from 11am-7pm. It turns off from 12-1pm & 3-4pm. (map)

San Carlos

  • Laureola Park, Family-friendly, 2.6-acre park boasting sports facilities, a spray pad & playground & a picnic area. Splash pad runs May-September. (map)

  • Burton Park, Tons of fun and exciting attractions for babies, toddlers, and kids of all ages! (map)

San Mateo

  • Ryder Park, check with the City of San Mateo to make sure the splash pad is operational. (map)

South Bay

Campbell

  • Jack Fischer Park, Water features are now on from Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm. (map)

  • John D. Morgan Park, Water features are now on from Monday through Friday from 10 am to 5 pm and Saturday and Sundays from 10 am to 6 pm. (map)

  • Campbell Park, The water feature at Campbell Park is now open. (map)

Gilroy

  • Water Oasis at Gilroy Gardens, Plants and trees need water to grow—and so do kids! Explore popular water play areas at Gilroy Gardens and other places to cool off on a hot summer day. Note that all water attractions are included with regular park admission. (map)

Morgan Hill

  • Downtown Splash! is located at the Community & Cultural Center and open during the summer season. Access to the Spray Pad is free and open to all. (map)

San Jose

  • Hellyer Park, this 178-acre urban park in the heart of Santa Clara County's regional park system. (map)

  • Plaza de Cesar Chavez, A stroll through the park is complemented by beautiful water fountains, flower beds, and even an open-air theater. (map)

  • Calibunga, You won’t find a more diverse selection of water rides in Northern California than at CaliBunga Waterpark in San Jose! (map)

Santa Clara

  • South Bay Shores at Great America, Slide, splash, relax and play at South Bay Shores waterpark, located inside California’s Great America! (map)

Sunnyvale

  • Seven Seas, Ocean-themed Seven Seas Park features a pirate ship play structure, half basketball court, tennis courts and a multi-use field. Picnic areas are available on a first-come, first-served basis; taping or roping off tables is not allowed. Specialized equipment such as inflatable slides or bounce houses cannot be used at this park. (map)

  • Ortega Park, Park with basketball & tennis courts, a cricket pitch & more, plus lots of kids' play equipment. (map)

  • Lakewood Park, Lakewood Park features an outer space theme and includes a basketball court, two reservable ballfields, two horseshoe pits, skateboard ramps, two playgrounds, two tennis courts, two handball or racquetball courts and access to the John W. Christian Greenbelt pathway. (map)

  • Braly Park, Japanese-themed Braly Park has three picnic sites with electrical outlets, two horseshoe pit, playground, shuffleboard, two tennis courts, and sand volleyball court (no nets). Basketball courts, jogging path and a reservable sports field available on adjacent school property when school is not in session. (map)

  • Serra Park, A babbling brook runs through this riverboat-themed park, which includes four reservable picnic sites with electrical outlets. Reservable multi-use sports fields, two reservable ballfields, four tennis courts and basketball courts available on adjacent school property when school is not in session. (map)

  • Magical Bridge Playground, Magical Bridge Playground in Sunnyvale’s Fair Oaks Park is free and open to the public from 6:00am to 9:00pm, seven days a week. With thousands of guests visiting our all-inclusive playground monthly, we ask that you are kind and respectful to ALL so we can keep the playground safe and open. (map)

East Bay

Castro Valley

  • Castro Valley Park Splash Pad, The Castro Valley splash pad is open, but will be undergoing brief maintenance this summer. Check here for updates to plan your visit. (map)

Brentwood

  • Blue Goose Park, Blue Goose Park is located at 1765 Adams Lane (at the corner of O'Hara Avenue and Adams Lane). (map)

  • Brentwood City Park, Beat the heat with the water play area in City Park!  City Park is located at 710 Second Street in downtown Brentwood. (map)

  • Rainbow Ends Park, Rainbows End Park, located at 1626 Marina Way, has a small splash pad water play feature to help keep cool during the hot months in Brentwood. (map)

Concord

  • Meadow Homes Spray Park, The spray park includes play areas for tots, tweens and teens. Also located at Meadow Homes Park are multi-use sports fields and two group picnic/barbecue areas which can be reserved. Both group areas are shaded and one is located inside the spray park. (map)

  • Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, There is no better place for pint-sized adventurers to splash and play. (map)

Danville

  • Hap Magee Ranch Park, water feature is a combination of metal tubes that form a tunnel with water spraying inside as kids run through, and water spraying up from the ground. (map)

Dublin

  • Emerald Glen Park, water play features are open annually from Memorial Day weekend to the second weekend in September between 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (map)

  • Shannon Park, Bring the kids, wear your sunscreen, and get ready to cool off with some summer fun! (map)

  • Devany Square, Devany Square is located at Chancery Lane and Finnian Road. It is located on two acres of land and includes a labyrinth and a water play area, among other features. (map)

  • The Wave Don't miss opening day at The Wave Waterpark (4201 Central Parkway, Dublin) on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (map)

El Cerrito

  • El Cerrito Splash Park, Family fun at the Splash Park is a great way to get wet and have fun playing in the water. An assortment of spray features will create hours of fun. This is a non-lifeguarded area with no pool access. (map)

Fremont

  • Always Dream Play Park at Lake Elizabeth (map)

  • Aqua Adventures Splash into summer and get ready for water-filled fun and unforgettable memories with your family and friends! (map)

Hayward

San Ramon

  • Central Park, A beautiful 40.8 acre community park that is one of San Ramon's favorites. This popular park has fields, grassy areas, picnic tables and more! (map)

  • Rancho San Ramon Community Park, A 22.89 acre park with a a large variety of amenities for all to enjoy! This park has lighted fields, a splash pad and much more! (map)

  • City Center Fountain in Alexander Square. Did you know? The fountain in Alexander Square isn’t just a beautiful centerpiece—it’s also a timekeeper! Every hour, on the hour, it comes to life with a soft mist that lasts for about 10 minutes, creating a mesmerizing moment in the heart of City Center. Next time you’re here, take a pause and enjoy the magic! (map)

Walnut Creek

  • Larkey Sprayground, The spray park has a maximum capacity of 60 users as mandated by the county. Capacities are enforced and participants arriving after capacity has been reached will be put on a waiting list and must remain in Larkey Park. (map)

North Bay

Marin

  • Hamilton Community Pool in Novato The renovated facility was transformed in 2010 from its weathered 1930s era condition, to a state-of-the-art pool that's perfect for swim instruction, deep water exercise, and recreational use. The Hamilton Pool site is also home to an exciting water play structure with a slide and lots of water spray, great for even our youngest residents on those hot summer days. (map)

  • Maria B. Freitas Park in San Rafael offers a water play feature, amphitheater seating, picnic tables and a playground. Due to the drought, the water feature will not be turned on this season. (map)

Santa Rosa

  • Prince Memorial Greenway When the temps heat up, the cool water spraying down feels just right for kids and adults too! It's free to enjoy this beat-the-heat option at Santa Rosa's Prince Gateway Park located near downtown. (map)

Solano County

Fairfield

  • Allan Witt Park Aquatics Complex, Playland Lagoon - an outside shallow play area for kids including slides, climbing structures, water dumping toys and water spray features adjacent to a grass area for families to lounge and enjoy the sunshine. (map)

  • Gary Falati Neighborhood Park, Splash Play Area (The area is scheduled to operate mid-April to mid-October, pending drought conditions.) (map)

  • Mankas Park plash Play Area (The area is scheduled to operate from mid-April to mid-October, pending drought conditions.) (map)

Vacaville

  • Magnolia Park The park features an amphitheater, playgrounds for children of all ages, a picnic area, and water features. (map)

  • Walter Graham Aquatic Center is ideal for family celebrations, birthday parties, swim meets, practices, or open swim. Enjoy the water slides, diving boards, and the water play area. (map)