RV trip planner: Whether you live in California or are looking to plan a family vacation to California, there are lots of possibilities for your RV adventure. California’s weather makes this a year round destination and there are plenty of RVs out there if you need a rental.

The summers in California are amazing. Besides lakes, beaches, national & state parks, be sure to add a note in your RV road trip planner to include waterparks in your RV Adventure. Alternatively, you could reach out to a RV trip planner such as RV Adventure-USA to help you.

When bringing along kids, including teenagers, sometimes you need more than beaches or lakes to keep your kids enticed. They are only wowed for so long in a national or state park. So step up the fun a bit and include water parks in your RV trip planner. A day of playing in waterslides or floating on a lazy river …can’t be beat.

Popular attractions within water parks include water slides, splash pools, wave pools, and much more. Some water parks are standalone parks (not part of a theme park), a waterpark combined within a theme park, or floating water parks simplified with smaller attractions to fit their location.

What is a Floating Water Park? It is a series of inflatable slides, runways, jumping pillows and bouncers all connected together and floating in a large, clean and refreshing lake. They usually feature swings, ramps, jumps, ladders, a trampoline, a slide, wiggle bridges and so much more.

The history of water parks is extensive and begins in the early 1900’s and has since grown into a massive industry. There aren’t too many kids who will say “no” to a waterpark day. Most Parks are open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Be sure to check each water parks website for hours of operation so that you can plan a relaxing day at the water park while on your RV adventure.

We’ve listed a few waterparks that have great RV campgrounds nearby:

Redding –Waterworks Park https://www.waterworkspark.com/

This park features a large number of water slides and rides, pools, lounge chairs, cabanas, and more. Popular rides include the Cyclone, Avalanche, Raging River, Dragon and three giant serpentine water slides, and the Cowabunga Beach wave pool. Want to just float around – check out the large lazy lagoon. For younger kids, this Park also offers a kiddy water playground with water features and mini slides.

While in the area, don’t forget to check out Turtle Exploration Park, Sundial Bridge, Lake Shasta Caverns, Shasta State Historic Park and take a day trip to Lassen Volcanic National Park.

Sacramento – Raging Waters https://www.rwsac.com/

Located in the heart of the California Expo, this Park features 25 family-friendly attractions including 20 water slides, an 800-foot lazy river, and one of the first wave pools ever built in the Golden State.

Other sites in the area include Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park, Fairytale Town, and the Railroad Museum.

Fresno– Island Waterpark https://www.islandwaterpark.com/

Visitors recommend renting a cabana for the day! The Park offers more than 40 rides and attractions to cool off from the summer heat. There are rides available for all ages. The park’s collection of waterslides includes body slides, tube slides and mat slides. Friends can race each other on the Bora Bora Racers four-lane, forward facing racing mat slides or hop in a raft together for an exciting time on the Tsunami ride. There’s also a multi-level, interactive water play structure with four slides for all ages, but is designed for younger kids. Don’t forget to take a ride on the lazy river.

Stop for the night in Fresno to visit this waterpark before continuing to Sequoia National Park, Bryce Canyon National Park, Yosemite National Park or your next planned destination.

Visalia– Sequoia Springs Splash Zone https://adventurepark.com/sequoia-springs/ (just a 30 mile drive from Sequoia National Park)

This waterpark, open only on weekends, is part of Adventure Park which also includes go-karts, arcade, batting cages and mini golf. With 80 water-play features on the structure itself as well as another 45 water features on the ground you

are sure to have a splash! If that doesn’t get you wet, the 900-Gallon and the 350-Gallon buckets of water will!

San Diego – Sesame Place Aquatica waterpark https://sesameplace.com/san-diego/theme-park-attractions/ – this waterpark opened in 2022.

From your child’s first roller coaster to exciting water slides, there will be plenty of whirls, twirls, splishes, and splashes to experience together. Enjoy exciting body slides, tube slides, a family raft slide, a lazy river, a family-friendly wave pool, and multiple splash pads. Kids of all ages will be splashing all day long!

Of course you can’t forget to include a visit SeaWorld, San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park and Seaport Village!

Buena Park – Knotts Soak City – https://www.knotts.com/soak-city .

If you are planning a themed park weekend, include Knotts Soak City, located next to Knotts Berry Farm and a short drive from Disneyland. Soak City boasts 23 speed, tube and body slides including Shore Break featuring 6 different waterslide experiences and a thrilling family raft ride, The Wedge; the 750,000-gallon Tidal Wave Bay wavepool; a one third mile Sunset River; and the three story Beach House, featuring 200 water guns, nozzles, sprayers and other interactive surprises. Have young children with you? No problem, the main area for small kids is called the Gemmie Lagoon. It has water features, small water slides and shallow water that is less than knee high. 

Anaheim – The Adventure Lagoon – https://www.theadventurelagoon.com/

Enjoy the ultimate lake experience with an abundance of water activities. The Adventure Lagoon is home to one of the largest floating aqua parks sitting on top of its crystal clear lake that stays 74 to 78 degrees year round. Come float in the Lazy Lagoon, grab a paddle board, kayak or paddle boat and explore the excitement of The Adventure Lagoon.

Try to conquer all the obstacles with your friends and family or get a good laugh watching them wipeout!

This unusual water park is located near Knotts Berry Farm and Disneyland.

Santa Clarita – Six Flags Hurricane Harbor – https://www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharborla

This water park boasts steep slides, a lazy river, wave pool & kids’ area and is located inside Six Flags Amusement Park.

Paso Robles – The Ravine Water Park – https://ravinewaterpark.com/

Set squarely in the midst of vineyards and wineries, here’s a family-friendly water park with private cabana rentals, wave pool, winding lazy river & variety of slides built for all ages.

Of course after giving the kids their play day, don’t forget an adult day checking out the local wineries and tasting rooms.

Pleasant Grove – Wake Island Waterpark – https://wakeislandwaterpark.com/

This waterpark is known as the largest waterpark resort on the West Coast and whether you are interested in cable (boatless) wakeboarding, a “floating” obstacle course, Ziplining, human hamster wheels, there’s something for the whole family. Relax on the sandy beach, grab a bite from their Island Grill and enjoy a relaxing day.

Snelling – Splash-N-Dash – https://mysplashndash.com/

This Park bobs on top of Lake McSwain in Merced County with inflatable slides and bridges. It is designed to ensure every guest has an amazing experience and is the perfect attraction for those seeking over-the-top adventures, mind-blowing acrobatic thrills and safe, yet fun, athletic challenges. Recommended for age 7 and up.

Thanks in part to California’s 840 miles of coastline and year-round sunshine, California excels at splashy vacations and a RV road trip is just the ticket to exploring these California sites. Add in the watery fun, which doesn’t stop at the beaches or Lake Tahoe, you just can’t beat an RV adventure that includes a waterpark or two.