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If you’ve ever been to San Francisco in the summer, you’ll know summer time temperatures never get very hot in the city, but drive a few minutes north, south, or east and you’ll find hot days in the 80s and the 90s.  Fortunately, for families who are looking for ways to cool off this summer, there are some world class water parks within an hour driving distance and there are many places where you can cool off for free or close to free.

Here are some of the places that Trekaroo families have voted as their favorite places to cool off  around the San Francisco Bay Area.  So grab those swim suits and head on out.

Best Water Park - Aqua Adventure (Fremont, CA)

Photo by: Brennan Pang

Surprisingly the new Aqua Adventure Water Park wins over the popular Raging Waters Water Park in San Jose.  This one year old facility that’s run by the city of Fremont isn’t the largest water park, but it’s in almost brand new condition, it’s clean, and best of all, the price is right.  Resident adults pay $15.99, while non-residents pay $16.99.  Under 48″ tall?  You only pay $11.99.  3 and under get in for just $2.  For little ones, you’ll be hearing squeals of delight for hours at the Lil’ Squirts area for wee ones who aren’t quite ready to be fully immersed in water.  Bucket Bay is  basically a play structure that has water spraying in every which direction that even a 6 year can be quite happy in. The big slides are fun, but nothing too over the top. Reviews of Aqua Adventure Water Park with Kids

More Water Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area

Best Theme Park with Water Play Features:  California’s Great America (and Boomerang Bay Water Park)

Photo by: Flickr/bryce_edwards

California’s Great America is a great hit with Trekaroo families with an impressive 4 star rating.  Families with older kids and teenagers in particular enjoy the thrilling roller coaster rides.   But what’s even better is that the admission also gets you into Boomerang Bay.  At Boomerang Bay, you’ll find 30 foot slides as well as rafting slides.  Younger kids will drop their jaws at the not so kiddie kiddie area complete with tri-level fortress with 8 family slides connected by bridges and passageways and rope ladders.  Best of all, there is water water water everywhere.  Thrilling? -Yes!  Cool Off? – Yes!  Only draw back is that admission is pricey.  So, for a summer treat, California’s Great America gets rave reviews on Trekaroo and will most definitely bring smiles to everyone’s face.

For young kids under 12, Gilroy Bonfante Gardens is a favorite theme park with a water feature too that isn’t quite as pricey, but lots of fun nonetheless.

Best Free Splash Pad Area: Mitchell Park (Palo Alto, CA)

Photo by: Brennan Pang

Mitchell Park is a small playground with a fantastic splash pad.  The splash pad is attached to the playground which is small, but adequate in supplying a couple of hours of active play.  The splash pad is delightful for little ones with water squirting out at unpredictable intervals catching kids by surprise.  Benches around the water play area allow parents to sit and soak in the heartwarming scene of happy children.  Best of all, it’s absolutely FREE!  Reviews of Mitchell Park Playground

Other Splash Parks along the Peninsula and South Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)

Other Splash Parks on the Easy Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)

Best Swimming Lake – Shadow Cliffs (Pleasanton, CA)

Photo by: Flickr/fromkmr

In the 266 -acre park of Shadow Cliffs Recreation Area is no ordinary 80 acre lake.  You can swim at the beach complete with a bathhouse and refreshment stand, but the big attraction is the 4 -flume Rapids Water Slide located at Shadow Cliffs.  It’s privately owned and operated and open on weekends in the spring and fall, and daily during the summer.  For those not interested in the water slides, you can also go boating and fishing in the lake.

Best Beach - San Gregorio State Beach

Photo by: Picassa/ Jean Tessier

San Gregorio state beach is a big favorite of families on Trekaroo with a glowing 5 star rating. This beach is unique not because of the wonderful sandy beach, but because it has two other features that are a hit with kids.  Most of the year, the top end of the beach is strewn with drift wood that teases a child’s (and adult’s) imagination.  You’ll see the remnants of last week’s fort that Johnny built as your child is busily adding on to a tee pee from a previous visitor.  In addition, San Gregorio river pours into the ocean at San Gregorio beach.  The slow flowing river is a much safer place for kids to splash around than in the ocean where the waves tend to be rather big.  Bring a tube and float down a short section of the river on a hot summer day.  Reviews of San Gregorio State Beach with Kids

For beaches closer to the city, you might also consider:

• Crissy Field Beach, San Francisco,CA
• Schoonmaker Beach, Sausalito, CA
• Crown Memorial State Beach, Alameda, CA

Best Place to Splash around in a River: Russian River

Photo by:  Flickr/ ((brian))

To the north of San Francisco, in Sonoma County is beautiful Russian River.  You can rent kayaks or just find you way down to the banks of the river and get comfortable on a sandy river bank.  You can pick up a canoe at Johnson’s Beach and Resort, Burke’s Canoe Trips and Kayaks, or Soar Russian River Adventures. However, if you don’t want to hang out at Johnson’s, there are several river access points along the Russian River you can just hike down to.  Some popular ones are Healdsburg Memorial beach, and Monte Rio Beach.

To the south, you might try San Lorenzo River near Henry Cowell Redwood State Park

Related:

• Keeping Kids Safe at Water Parks and Pools
• Public Pools in San Francisco
• Public Pools in the East Bay (San Francisco)
• Public Pools on the Peninsula (San Francisco)
• Water Parks in Florida
• Water Parks in Washington State
• Indoor Water Parks in Denver
• Great Places to Cool Off with Kids in Texas
• Great Places to Cool Off with Kids in the Chicago Area (Chi-town)

Do you have an outing that you would like to spotlight this week?  Perhaps its a post about a vacation you just took or a day trip that you think our readers should know about.  Or maybe its a post about the vacation you are currently planning and going to book through Trekaroo!  Spotlight your posts here by following the instructions for Spotlight Thursdays and filling out the Mr. Linky Form below.

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LiLing Pang is a contributing author and co-founder of Trekaroo.

Travel with kids to: CA | CO | DC | FL | HI | IL | MA | NC | NY | PA | TN | TX | VA | WA

Whether you are visiting Pensacola, Panama City Beach, or Destin, you will likely feel the “gift” of the Florida Panhandle heat and humidity.  On even the mildest summer days, you can walk outside and feel like you just stepped into a steam room . The best way to beat the heat is to find a cool water feature.  The Florida Panhandle may be synonymous with sandy white beaches, but the beaches aren’t the only way to cool off on those sweltering summer days!

Rivers and Lakes

Falling Waters State Park - Photo by: www.floridastateparks.org

Falling Waters State Park (Chipley, Florida) – Falling Waters State Park boasts Florida’s tallest waterfall…even if it is just a little trickle most of the year!  Camp under the trees, walk up and down the boardwalks to view the waterfall and the sinkholes, and then go swimming in the two-acre lake.

Blackwater River State Park (Holt, Florida) – We love tubing down Blackwater River on a hot summer day.  There are several companies that will rent you an inner tube and bus you up to the starting point.  Hop in your tube and drag your cooler along with you.  When you float by the perfect spot, beach your tube and enjoy a picnic lunch.  When you are ready, float down the river to your car!  If tubing isn’t for you, there are also canoes and kayaks available for rent.

Blue Springs Recreational Area (Marianna, Florida) – This recreational area has playgrounds, crystal clear springs for swimming, and for the really adventurous there is even an opportunity for cave diving!

Ponce De Leon Springs State Park (Ponce de Leon, Florida) – The springs were named after Ponce de Leon, the famous explorer looking for the fountain of youth.  The springs stay a perfect 68 degrees year round and are a beautiful turquoise color.

Krul Lake Recreation Area (Munson, Florida) – Spend the day playing in this 6.5 acre manmade lake that is recharged from springs nearby.  The first half mile of the Sweetwater hiking trail includes a suspension bridge over Sweetwater Creek.

Water Parks

Shipwreck Island - Photo by: www.shipwreckisland.com

Sam’s Surf City (Pensacola, Florida) – Sam’s is a small water park that everyone in the family can enjoy but I particularly love the activities available for the 3 – 7 year old crowd.  There is a Junior Activity Pool with slides perfect for children that are at least five years old.  We spend a lot of time at the Kiddie Pool where the toddlers can splash and slide. There are also larger water slides (you must be at least 7 years old and 42”) and a lazy river.

Big Kahuna’s (Destin, Florida) – The kids will love playing in the Fun Fountains, Pleasure Island pools, the shipwreck and Crocodile Flats.  The tweens, teens and adults won’t be able to get enough of the tube slides, river runs, and speed slides.  This park is located right across the street from the sparkling blue ocean so when you are finished playing take a walk on the beach and watch the sunset!

Shipwreck Island Waterpark (Destin, Florida) – If you can drag the kids away from the Ocean Motion Wave Pool, there are so many slides and pools to explore at Shipwreck.  We spent most of the day at Tadpole Hole where the kids explored the submarine and chased each other around the shallow water.

Splash Pads

Destin Commons Kids Zone - Photo by: Dustin Commons

Plaza de Luna (Pensacola, Florida) – This beautiful splash pad is located right on the water.  It is great for the kids to run around.  There is a large grassy field to play on and when you are all tuckered out, stop by the concession stand and get an ice cream or a tasty po’ boy!  On Thursday nights during the summer, hear live music and meet cool characters at Sunsets at the Plaza.

Destin Commons (Destin, Florida) – This outdoor shopping mall has enough stores to keep any shopping mom or dad happy.  When you are finished with your shopping, take the kids to the large splash pad and let them run around.  There is also a small playground next to the splash pad.

John Duncan Memorial Children’s Park (Navarre, Florida) – Splash in the fountains, play on the gigantic playground, say hi to the ducks or have a picnic lunch.  There is so much to do at this park that you could find yourself spending the greater part of a day here.

Jennifer Close loves to explore and take new adventures with her family down the street, across the country and around the world. She writes about her adventures on her family travel blog, Two Kids and a Map, and writes about exploring Pensacola at Pensacola with Kids.

Related:

• Water Parks in Florida
• Water Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area
• Splash Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area (Peninsula)
• Splash Parks in the San Francisco Bay Area (East Bay)
• Water Parks in Washington State
• Great Places to Cool Off with kids in Texas
• Great Places to Cool Off with Kids in the Chicago Area (Chi-town)