If there are two things that set a summer in the Inland Empire apart from LA, OC and SD, it is the heat and lack of a nearby ocean to jump in to! However, Riverside and San Bernardino counties are home to (or close to) some of the best water parks and slides that will cool you off in no time with the 2012 water park season ahead of us!
Water Parks, Slides and Pools in the Inland Empire
- Raging Watersin San Dimas
- The only world-renowned water park in Southern California is in our back yard! See below for a full review.
- Knott’s Soak City in Palm Springs
- A great place to get out of the sun above in the Coachella Valley. Check out our full review of Knott’s Soak City in Palm Springs!
- Splash Kingdom Water Park (formerly Pharaohs Lost Kingdom) in Redlands (near San Bernardino)
- Full water park with some of the world’s largest slides. New wave pool opens in 2012! Check out our full review of Pharaoh’s!
- The Covein Jurupa/Rubidoux (Riverside)
- Just opened in 2012! Check out our full review of The Cove!
- Fiesta Villagein Colton (San Bernardino)
- An Inland Empire classic.
- Boomers! in Upland
- Splashtopia at Rancho Las Palmas Spa & Resort in Rancho Mirage (Palm Springs/Coachella Valley)
- Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Parkin Rancho Cucamonga
- Inexpensive and very popular! County operated facility.
- Fontana Parks Aquatics Center in Fontana – City operated facility
- Jerry Lewis Family Swim Center (Perris Hill Water Park) in San Bernardino – Includes pool and one slide.
- Dry Town in Palmdale – City operated facility
- City operated facility with three slides and a lazy river.
- Alpine Slide at Magic Mountain in Big Bear
- Lake Gregory Regional Park in Crestline (between San Bernardino and Lake Arrowhead)
- Yucaipa Regional Park – Dual flume water slides, swim lagoon and sandy beach.
- Glen Helen Regional Park – Includes swim lagoon, double flume water slides and zero depth water play park.
- Rancho Jurupa Park in Riverside – Lake and kids water playground. County operated facility.
- Mulligansin Murrieta
- Just constructed in Summer 2011. Check out this new kid-friendly park.
- Castle Park – Buccaneer Covein Riverside
- Children’s slides. Opened in 2011!
Other Water Parks in Southern California (outside of the Inland Empire)
- The Wave Waterpark in Vista (North County San Diego)
- Knott’s Soak City Orange County in Buena Park
- Knott’s Soak City in San Diego
- Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Valencia
- Lego Land Water Park – Carlsbad (North County San Diego)
Wild Rivers in Irvine (Orange County) is now closed. Will they reopen at a new location? Only time will tell!
Best Water Parks in the Inland Empire for 2012:
Raging Waters in San Dimas
Southern California’s largest water park happens to be right in our backyard. Raging Waters is located in the western Los Angeles County city of San Dimas near the Fairplex in Pomona. The park will open in May 2012. Be sure to check the calendar if you plan to go before June 10 (or after August 28), as the park is not open daily before or after those dates.
The rides are what really set Raging Waters apart. Not only are there enough rides to keep you thrilled for an entire day, the slides come in every variety, including group rides, dark slides, wave pools, kiddie pools, fast slides, scary drops and even lazy river when you want to do absolutely nothing. Check out a full list of attractions on the park’s website.
Raging Waters Map
The unique setting of Raging Waters, hidden in the hills near Puddingstone Reservoir, means that most of the slides are built into real hills, not man-made steel risers. This means you’ll be surrounded by beautiful treas, natural landscaping and shade in much of the park.
Tickets and passes can be quite inexpensive if you plan correctly. Last year, season passes are as low as $49.95 if you buy two (parking not included). Single day tickets for adults are $36.99. Junior Admission (under 48″) is 22.99.
For more information, check out Wikipedia, the Raging Waters Facebook page or ragingwaters.com.
Knott’s Soak City Palm Springs
-Tidal Wave Tower – Two 7 stories high gravity-defying speed slides.
-Surf Rider Rapids – One (1) 60 foot Multi-rider open raft ride
-Sea Snake – One 50 foot dark slithering tube slide.
-Tide Reef – 800,000 gallon Wave Pool.
-Pipeline Point – A hill consisting of three slides: An open body slide, and open tube slide, and an enclosed body slide (Pipeline, Undertow, Wipeout).
Tidalwave
-Pacific Spin- Two to four person raft ride on a 132-foot long tunnel that drops 60 feet into a 70 foot funnel that culminates in a waterfall curtain
-Sunset River – 600 ft. long Lazy River.
There are also some slides for the kids. Last year, full day regular tickets for those ages 12 and up $26.99. Full Day Juniors and Seniors are just $21.99. Season passes are $54.99 for adults.
Depending on where you are in the Inland Empire, you may be closer to a Knott’s Soak City water park in Orange County and San Diego, both great choices to stay cool this summer.
[...] Check out our Water Parks in the Inland Empire 2012! [...]