Although the Bay Area has fairly mild summers, heat waves are not uncommon in many of our areas. When it gets hot, families often search for places to beat the heat, and luckily, there are quite a few splash pads (in addition to our awesome local beaches) where kids can cool down—some are even free! Some of the area’s best splash pads (we’re talking geysers, spray tunnels and fountains) are located outside of San Francisco, but, trust us, these are totally worth the drive.
Where: 40500 Paseo Padre Parkway, Fremont, CA
While Aqua Adventure has lots of opportunity for swimming, there are also lots of opportunities for splashing! The big splash zone is Bucket Bay which was designed for little water lovers in mind. Kids will love it when the huge red bucket douses them with cool water.
Where: 7007 Moeser Lane, El Cerrito, CA
Berkeley and Oakland families will find their closest splash pad just up I-80 in the city of El Cerrito. El Cerrito’s Aquatic Center has several pools and water slides in addition to the splash pad area that is separately enclosed for extra safety for toddlers and young kids. Keep an eye out for Tot Splash play times where only children (and their adults) ages 6 and under can enjoy the pool.
3. Seven Seas Park in Sunnyvale
Where: 1010 Morse Ave, Sunnyvale, CA
If you have pirate-loving kiddos, set sail for the town of Sunnyvale in the South Bay. This pirate-themed park includes a small splash and play area with several water spouts and a dump bucket to cool off little landlubbers.
4. Castro Valley Community Park
Where: 18988 Lake Chabot Rd, Castro Valley, CA
Where: Another East Bay splash pad can be found not far off of I-580 in Castro Valley. This splash pad is located in a park with several playgrounds for dry play. It features geysers and giant sprayers that sends water sky high. And the best part? Kids can turn on the water feature themselves by pressing the big red button!,
5. Rancho San Ramon Community Park
Where: 2000 Rancho Park Loop Rd, San Ramon, CA
This splash pad in the East Bay suburbs (located at 2000 Rancho Park Loop Rd) has one of the largest footprints of all the splash pads in the Bay Area. You’ll find geysers, spray tunnels and more on a safe rubberized surface for little ones to play. There’s also an impressive playground next to the splash and play area providing more excitement for kids!
6. Morgan Hill Aquatics Center
Where: 16200 Condit Rd, Morgan Hill, CA
Morgan Hill’s Aquatic Center offers tons of water fun with its full-size pools and water slides. But younger kids will most enjoy its spray ground—a splash pad with misters, fountains and geysers. There’s also a downtown splash pad at the Community and Cultural Center worth visiting!
7. Maria B. Freitas Park in San Rafael
Where: 618 B Street, San Rafael, CA
Marin County dwellers should make a beeline for this San Rafael water play area on hot days. Kids can control the water by placing their hand on a start button which sends water through four rings and ultimately up through a geyser in the park.
Where: 4201 Central Pkwy, Dublin, CA
This Dublin water feature hosts a number of play structures perfect for the younger set. Kids will love climbing on the natural rock, running under rainbow arches while being sprayed with water and crawling through a green tunnel. There are also nearby trails and art installations to enjoy post-splashing.
