The Best San Jose Water Parks For All Ages!
When summer heats up in San Jose, escaping to a local water park is a refreshing way to have fun in the sun. From massive theme parks to small aquatic centers, there are lots of ways to make a splash. Let’s dive into the best water parks, pools and slides around San Jose California!
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1. Raging Waters
Raging Waters is hands down one of the best water parks in San Jose. This hugely popular water park can be found right off Highway 101 in South San Jose. With over 50 acres and 36 rides and slides, Raging Waters is Northern California’s largest water park.
Pricing at Raging Waters varies based on date, height, and age. General admission ranges from $32.99 for kids under 42 inches up to $52.99 for adults over 48 inches tall. Parking costs $15 per car. Season passes and other ticket deals are available as well.
Raging Waters has rides and attractions suitable for all ages. Kids under 48 inches must be accompanied by an adult. Some of the tallest slides like Python Plunge have a 48 inch height requirement. But there are gentle options for toddlers too plus a lazy river with inner tubes, and a 350,000-gallon wave pool to splash around in.
Parking is available in their large on-site lot to accommodate all guests. The park also offers preferred parking spots closer to the entrance for $30. Lockers, cabanas, and tube rentals are available for additional fees inside the park.
Guests can bring drinks, outside food and coolers but cannot bring glass bottles or alcohol into the park. There is a grassy area to relax at and we’ve seen guests bring folding chairs out to enjoy this popular San Jose water park.
With exciting slides for thrill seekers, kiddie areas for little ones, dining options, and convenient parking, Raging Waters San Jose is the best place to enjoy water park fun for the whole family.
Address: 2333 S White Rd San Jose, CA 95148
2. Emerald Hills Golfland Water Slides
Emerald Hills Golfland is located at 945 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA 95123. It can be found off Almaden Road in the southern part of San Jose, near the intersection with Blossom Hill Road.
The water slides and other attractions at Emerald Hills Golfland provide lots of affordable family fun in this Almaden Valley location. Riders can enjoy tube slides, body slides, and closed flumes ranging from 18 to 40 feet tall.
Other activities include miniature golf and arcade games but you will probably want to splash around in the summer heat in their slides and pool.
Pricing starts at around $15 for kids under 42 inches and goes up to $25 for adults. Season passes and discounts are available too. Parking in the large lot is free, but it fills up quickly on a hot summer afternoon.
With its convenient location off Almaden Road, exciting water slides for the entire family, fun mini golf courses, and entertaining birthday parties, Emerald Hills Golfland is a top destination for water slide fun in San Jose.
Address: 976 Blossom Hill Rd, San Jose, CA 95123
Phone: (408) 225-1533
3. Hellyer Park San Jose
Hellyer Park in San Jose has a small splash pad that is perfect for younger children and has zero admission fee. This fun water play zone is situated in Hellyer County Park on the southeast side of San Jose near Highway 101.
Admission to the splash pad is free for all ages, making it an affordable option for cooling off in the summer. There are no height requirements so it’s suitable for toddlers to bigger kids. Adult supervision is recommended.
The splash pad features ground sprays, buckets that fill and dump water, mini water slides, and more wet fun. The adjacent Hellyer Park also has picnic areas, playgrounds, tennis, and trails to enjoy.
Parking at Hellyer County Park is $6. The lot is large enough to accommodate visitors coming to enjoy the splash pad and other park amenities. Overflow parking is also available along the streets if needed. If you bring young kids to the splash pad and , be sure to bring towels and extra clothes/diapers/water shoes.
With its free access, kid-friendly features, parking, and ideal location in Hellyer Park, the Hellyer splash pad offers easy summertime fun for San Jose families. Kids of all ages can splash safely while parents supervise. It’s a top spot to cool off without spending money or needing tickets.
Address: 985 Hellyer Ave, San Jose, CA 95111
Phone: (408) 225-0225
4. California’s Great America South Bay Shores (Formerly Boomerang Bay)
If you don’t mind a 10-minute drive outside of San Jose, then Santa Clara’s new South Bay Shores (formerly Boomerang Bay water park) is a good place to visit. Great America in Santa Clara has a great water park during the summer.
Great America’s water park features fun zones for all ages. We really enjoy the activity pool with the water features and the wave pool. Little ones love the zero-depth area and tipping buckets.
After splashing on the various slides and pools refuel at one of the park’s many dining spots. Great America delivers on all your amusement park wishes in one place. It’s perfectly set up for an entire day or weekend stay.
Parking isn’t an issue at Great America because there is a huge lot dedicated to visitors. Prices start at $65 per ticket but Groupon offers a great deal for almost half off the tickets! A regular ticket also includes entrance to South Bay Shores.
Address: 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054
5. Cesar Chavez Park Fountains
The Plaza de Cesar Chavez is situated on over two acres in Downtown San Jose. This park sits right in downtown San Jose near San Jose State University, several San jose museums and the Convention Center.
The fountains at Cesar Chavez Park make the perfect spot for kids to play and cool off in the summer heat. The shallow fountains feature many jets spraying arcs of water in an open plaza area.
This urban water play zone is best suited for younger kids under age 10. Parents will want to supervise closely since the fountains are not a contained splash pad. The fountains operate daily from May to October.
Parking can be challenging downtown, but there are nearby city garages that serve Cesar Chavez Park. The Convention Center garage across the street offers affordable rates. Street parking is also available if you’re lucky enough to find an open meter.
With its central downtown location surrounded by restaurants and museums, Cesar Chavez Park fountains give families a fun way to splash and enjoy San Jose’s urban core. The dancing fountains provide free summertime entertainment for parents and kids.
Address: 1 Paseo de San Antonio, San Jose, CA 95113
6. Morgan Hill Aquatic Center
Another water park that is about 15-20 minutes from San Jose is the Morgan Hill Aquatic Center. This recreational pool facility is lots of fun and is situated on the southeast side of Morgan Hill off Highway 101.
The Aquatics Center features an outdoor pool and large water playground that is open seasonally. There is a shallow beach-style entry for young kids as well as lap lanes and a waterslide. The Aquatic Center also has a small splash zone for preschoolers.
This pool facility is great place for families with children of all ages. Kids under 14 must be accompanied by an adult. The center offers recreational swimming, swim lessons, aquatic camps, and more.
Parking is available in the adjacent lot which can accommodate approximately 100 vehicles. Additional overflow parking is available along Condit Road when needed. The Morgan Hill Aquatic Center sells food like chicken tenders and snacks and they do not allow guests to bring outside food.
With its easy highway access, family-friendly pool environment, and range of programs, the Morgan Hill Aquatics Center is a wonderful place for kids and adults to swim and have summer fun. It provides the community with a hub for water activities and swimming lessons close to home.
Address: 16200 Condit Rd, Morgan Hill, CA 95037
Phone: (408) 782-2134
7. San Jose Public Pools
If swimming if your goal, consider visiting a San Jose pool! The City of San José has several public pools that are free to use. There are Lap Swim sessions and recreational swimming.
The minimum age to swim during Lap Swim is 14 years old. Mature teens at least 14 years of age may also swim, if accompanied by an adult 18 years or older for the duration of use.
Lap Swim is on a first-come, first-serve basis. You can purchase your Punch Pass or Daily Pass at the front desk to Lap Swim Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. If the front desk is closed, you can also buy a pass with your Debit/Credit Card at the pool deck if the manager is on-site. A punch pass for Lap Swim is a physical card with 10 visits + 1 free bonus visit. Each visit is marked off with a hole puncher.
Lifeguards will always be on duty at pools at the City of San José Aquatic Centers. Recreational Swim is free at
Camden Pool is located in Camden Community Center. This pool offers summer Swim Lessons. This is an outdoor single-pool facility with a shade structure.
Fair Swim Center is a multi-pool facility and features zero depth entry pool for toddlers, a slide pool with three water features, and a large lap pool with a depth of 3.5 feet to 12 feet. The swim center also features a large grass field, picnic area, a kitchen with serving doors to the pool deck, and multiple shade structures. It’s the perfect location for pool parties.
This is a single heated pool 25 yards by 20 yards and has a varying depth from 3 feet to 8 feet. Located on the grounds of the Mayfair Community Center, the facility includes a water spray playground, community park and skate park. The Mayfair pool is operated by the Citywide Aquatics Program during the Summer seasons. During the months of June – August, the pool is available to rent.
Rotary Ryland is a single-pool facility. Located in Ryland Park, the pool was designed with San Jose’s youngest swimmers in mind. It is circular and with a depth of 4 feet in the center of the pool.
