Ultimate Guide to San Diego's Splash Parks for Kids (2024)
(updated 6/8/24)
Splash Pads are one of our favorite summertime activities because most are FREE, some have playgrounds, bathrooms or snack bars & shops nearby. Just BYO lunch, towels & sunscreen and the kids will have an hour or two of a splashing good time. ☀️💦
*DISCLAIMERS:
Each venue might have their own rules & requirements that are not noted below, so you are advised to contact each place before you go to understand them.
*INFO BELOW IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE & BREAK DOWNS - MAY NOT BE WORKING WHEN YOU GO. Call/check websites first.
Contents:
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NORTH COUNTY SPLASH PADS
INLAND
💦 TEMECULA
💦 SAN MARCOS
💦 ESCONDIDO
💦 POWAY
💦 RANCHO PENASQUITOS
💦 CARMEL VALLEY
COASTAL
💦 OCEANSIDE
💦 CARLSBAD
💦 ENCINITAS
💦 DEL MAR
- TEMECULA -
MARGARITA COMMUNITY PARK (aka Michael "Mike" Naggar Park)
29119 Margarita Rd., Temecula, CA 92591
Free
(photos via Yelp)
Splash pad with a dry playground nearby. Other Features: ADA Accessible, Dog Park, Lit Baseball Fields, Lit Football/Soccer Field, Restrooms, Roller Hockey Rink, Tennis.
Hours: Mon-Sun, 9am-6pm for the splashpad. The playground is open from dawn-dusk. (dates/hours subject to change, please let me know). Call to confirm before you go.
Cost: Free
Bathrooms: Yes
TEMECULA CHAPAREL HIGH SCHOOL POOL
27215 Nicolas Rd., Temecula, CA 92591
951-308-6396
$ call for cost
(photo via Temecula Aquatics)
This pool has a splash pad with a zero depth spray play area. It is shared between the School District and the city, so it's only available for public use during the summer. The pool is located within the Chaparral High School and is located on the far side of the parking lot. Features: ADA Accessible, Diving Board, Dressing Rooms/Lockers (Locks Not Provided), Indoor/Outdoor Showers, Shaded Seating Area, Swimming Pool, Zero Depth Spray Play Area
Hours: Call for hours. Summers only when the high school is out.
Cost: Call for cost
Bathrooms: Yes
- SAN MARCOS -
CERRO DE LAS POSAS
1387 W Borden Rd., San Marcos, CA 92069
760-599-9783
$4
(photos via San Marcos Aquatics)
Las Posas Pool features a 25 yard recreational lap pool, splash pad and a picnic area. It is heated all year long but may close preemptively due to attendance or weather. Current or anticipated closures will be posted at the pool or call.
Hours: Call for hours
Cost: $4
SUNSET PARK
909 Puesta Del Sol, San Maracos, CA 92078
760-744-9000
Free
(Photos via City of San Marcos & Yelp)
CURRENTLY CLOSED FOR REPAIRS as of 6/21/24. Click website for updates.
Open Seasonally Mar. 15 - Nov. 14. The splash park is a very simple circular pad with sprays coming up around the edge and inside the circle. It's not too exciting, but it gets the job done and water loving kids will still get wet. There's a large green space featuring play equipment & facilities for sports plus a dog park & disc golf course and small dirt walking path. The shaded picnic table area can be reserved for parties.
Other Features: Arena Soccer (Lighted), Basketball (1/2 Court), Disc Golf, Dog Park, Kiosk, Multi Purpose Field (Lighted), Multi Purpose Field (Unlighted), Permanent Restrooms, Picnic Shelter, Play Equipment, Sand Volleyball Court, Splash pad (closed Nov. 15 through Mar. 14, for off-season shutdown period), Trail Connection, Turf Play
Hours: Open Seasonally Mar. 15 - Nov. 14 from 9am-6pm, (dates/hours subject to change, please let me know). Call to confirm before you go.
Cost: Free
MULBERRY PARK
751 Mulberry Dr., San Marcos, CA 92069 760-744-9000
website
Free
(Photos from City of San Marcos & Yelp)
Open Seasonally Mar. 15 - Nov. 14. This cozy neighborhood park has a splash pad for children, grassy expanses & picnic tables.
Other Features: BBQ, Permanent Restrooms, Picnic Tables, Play Equipment, Splash pad (closed Nov. 15 through Mar. 14, for off-season shutdown period), Trail Connection, Turf Play
Hours: Open seasonally Mar. 15 - Nov. 14 from 9am-6pm (dates/hours subject to change, please let me know). Call to confirm before you go.
Cost: Free
BEULOW PARK
300 Autumn Dr., San Marcos, CA 92069
760-744-9000
Free
(photos via Yelp, I can't find any of the splash park area, I'll update when I get some)
I can't find photos of the sprayground to comment on its function or appearance. I'll update this when I get some photos of it. Otherwise, there is a very small playground area with some picnic tables nearby. The Coaster Train runs right next to this park so keep extra eyes on littles to make sure they don't head to the crossing. There is a gated ramp prior to the tracks crossing, but I don't think it's fully enclosed with a latched gated to keep kids out. Should be a fun park for train-loving kiddos otherwise.
Other Features: Basketball (1/2 Court), Permanent Restrooms, Picnic Shelter, Picnic Tables, Play Equipment, Skate Plaza, Splash pad (closed Nov. 15 through Mar. 14, for off-season shutdown period), Trail Connection, Turf Play
Hours: No hours are posted anywhere but I'm assuming it's similar to other San Marcos splash parks: Open seasonally Mar. 15 - Nov. 14 from 9am-6pm. (dates/hours subject to change, please let me know). Call to confirm before you go.
Cost: Free
SAN ELIJO PARK
1105 Elfin Forest Rd., San Marcos, CA 92078
760-744-9000
Free
(photos via Yelp)
This is a very small simple sprayground with nothing too exciting other than some water sprays coming up through a concrete pad. There is a playground and lots of grassy area to run around. Green space with a dog park, community center & splash pad, plus playgrounds, trails & picnic areas.
Other Features: Ballfield (Lighted), BBQ, Community Building, Dog Park, Horseshoe Court, Kiosk, Multi Purpose Field (Lighted), Permanent Restrooms, Picnic Shelter, Picnic Tables, Play Equipment, Splash pad (closed Nov. 15 through Mar. 14, for off-season shutdown period), Trail Connection, Turf Play
Hours: No hours are posted anywhere but I'm assuming it's similar to other San Marcos splash parks: Open seasonally Mar. 15 - Nov. 14 from 9am-6pm. (dates/hours subject to change, please let me know). Call to confirm before you go.
Cost: Free
LAKEVIEW/DISCOVERY LAKE PARK
650 Foxhall Dr., San Marcos, CA 92078
760-744-1050
website
Free
(photos via Yelp)
We love this splash pad and playground! It's small & simple, but the views are amazing and it feels like you're in a wooded forest. There's a picnic table shelter nearby that's reservable for parties. You can walk down the pathway towards the lake and walk, jog, stroller, bike or scoot your way around the small flat lake loop. The parking lot is small, but there's plenty of room to park on nearby streets.
Other Features: Kiosk, Lake, Permanent Restrooms, Picnic Shelter, Picnic Tables, Play Equipment, Splash pad (closed Nov. 15 through Mar. 14, for off-season shutdown period), Trail Connection
Hours: Operates daily for 15 mintues at 11am, 12:30pm, 2pm 3:30pm & 5pm. (dates/hours subject to change, please let me know). Call to confirm before you go.
Cost: Free
Lake Rules: No swimming or wading is allowed. Fishing is allowed only from shorelines or the dock. The City recommends catch and release fishing with barbless hooks. A fishing license is required for all individuals over the age of 16 years. No boats, inflatables or rafts are allowed. No gas powered model boats or airplanes (tethered or by remote control) allowed at any public park, except in an area designated by the Parks & Recreation Commission as part of a specific park regulation, or by special permit.
- ESCONDIDO -
SAFARI PARK
15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd., Escondido, CA 92027
619-231-1515
$ admission
(photos via Safari Park)
Seasonal: Spring/Summer only. There are a few children's play areas inside the Safari Park and there is one with a splash pad. Look for the Savanna Cool Zone inside the Lion Camp. You'll walk through palm trees offering a gentle mist to find three toy critters that spout water: a turtle, a lion, and a crocodile. (Note: Water elements are turned off during fall/winter season.)
Hours: Spring/Summer only. Call for exact dates and hours.
Cost: *included with admission. One-day passes start at $62-$72. Annual memberships start at $74-$99. Make sure to get the level that includes parking; otherwise you'll have to pay for parkng here.
Parking: $38 for parking, so be sure to get the annual membership that includes the free parking.
- POWAY -
POWAY COMMUNITY SWIM CENTER
13094 Civic Center Rd., Poway, CA 92064
858-668-4680
$3-$4
