While many thrill seekers are aware of the fun-filled amusement parks in California, many do not know that they can get the same jolt of excitement from one of the state’s many water parks. From dizzying, tunneled water slides to long lazy rivers, the Golden State’s water parks have something to offer everyone.
The following are two of the best water parks to visit this summer in California.
Knott’s Soak City Water Park
Located next to Knott’s Berry Farm amusement park in Buena Park, Knott’s Soak City Water Park has added some exciting new rides in recent years. This 15-acre park in Southern California now boasts 23 body, tube, and speed slides, including Shore Break. This ride features four new Aqua-Launch chambers on a platform that drops beneath riders’ feet, sending them on a nearly vertical seven-story free fall as well as flumes featuring S-curves and flat loops.
Those looking for a fun group ride should head over to The Wedge. Here, a giant raft meets groups (of up to six) at the top of the slide via conveyor belt. The group then climbs in for a super-long ride that takes them spinning and sliding down a giant waterslide.
Visitors who enjoy tube rides should also head to Laguna Storm Watch Tower. This 43-foot tower features three slides: Tornado, Typhoon, and Cyclone. All are covered slides that riders can navigate either alone or with a friend aboard an inflatable raft before emerging out of the darkness into the pool below.
In addition to offering a variety of waterslides, Knott’s Soak City Water Park features a fun kids area called Beach House. This three-story attraction includes a variety of water guns, faucets, and nozzles, as well as a huge water bucket that dumps 500 gallons of water on the crowd below every five minutes.
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord
Located in Northern California, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Concord features a number of fun slides and adventure water rides, including the Hurricane Halfpipe. Unable to see the slide beneath them, riders are plunged down into the halfpipe before rising up the other side, only to fall back downward. They continue to ride the walls until they splash into the pool below.
For an even more thrilling ride, visitors should head to Tornado. The only ride of this kind in Northern California, this six-story ride takes groups of up to four on an adventure that sends them plummeting down a 132-foot tunnel. They’re then shot into a 60-foot-wide funnel where their raft swirls and twirls wildly at the mercy of 5,000 gallons of rushing water. Finally, they’re dropped out of the funnel into the water below.
Also featuring various traditional water slides, Hurricane Harbor is home to Hurricane Slide Complex. This complex consists of a three-story tower featuring five slides, each with a different set of twists and turns. The longest is 255 feet, offering a thrilling, twisty ride to the bottom. The park’s water slides also include the Typhoon Slide Complex, which features four different tunneled slides that riders can experience alone or with a friend on a two-person raft.
Those looking for a more adventurous slide experience should head to the Cliffhanger. The 70-foot tower features two different speed slide experiences: one begins in a partially enclosed tube where riders experience an unexpected steep drop to the bottom, while the other is an open-air slide featuring three exhilarating camel bumps.
Visitors looking for a family ride can head to the Big Kahuna. The only ride of this kind in the Bay Area, the Big Kahuna begins at an elevation of 45 feet and sends groups of four spinning down an extra-wide slide where they ride up the walls and navigate the curves to the bottom.
After riding the slides and adventure water rides, visitors can head to the Kaanapali Kooler Lazy River. The longest lazy river in the area at 1,100 feet, Kaanapali Kooler gives visitors a relaxing, slow-paced tour of the park. Guests can rest on a raft or jump off and swim around among the beautiful foliage.
Finally, Hurricane Harbor features a massive, 635,000-gallon wave pool at Breaker Beach. Those who venture into the waves can choose a raft or head straight in to navigate the waves freestyle.
The above two parks offer some of the best water slides and adventure rides to experience this summer. You may find that these two California waterparks are the perfect spots to get a boost of adrenaline—while staying cool at the same time.
Bharat Lall's Blog 