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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

Just yesterday, at the playground our 3 year old who normally would be clambering across the tree house playground was lethargically sitting on my lap in the shade. With beads of sweat trickling down his little face he sighed, “I’m roasted like a marshmallow!” One of the best things about summer is finding fun places to cool off our kids close to home or a road trip away.

Photo by: www.flickr.com/photos/23826464@N04/3479116232

Beach Bumpkins

Kids and beaches are a winning combination. Tidepooling is a fun and educational way to cool off and explore the beach.
Kid-Friendly Tidepools Along the California Coast

Trekaroo families know which beaches are best for kids. Read their reviews:
Kid-friendly Beaches in Miami & Palm Beach, Florida
Kid-friendly Beaches in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Kid-friendly Beaches in South Carolina
Kid-friendly Beaches in Oahu, Hawaii
Photo by: Brennan Pang

Fun Escapes into Cool Museums

Not in the mood for getting wet?  Escape to an air-conditioned museum instead!  Get cool and develop new interests.  Lydie Thomas tells us How to Make a Trip to a Museum With a Kid a Pleasant Experience.

Ready?  Start exploring kid-friendly museum exhibits for summer 2009 Across the US | San Francisco Bay Area
Museum Free Days in the San Francisco Bay Area – GrandmaDot
Photo by: www.flickr.com/photos/emeryjl/1317616335

Wonderful Water Parks

River Head, NY: Splish Splash Water Park
Martap112 loves it because it has “a lot of rides to choose from”.
Denver, CO: Water World
One of the largest water parks in the nation with more for young kids than most.
Lydie Thomas reminds us to play hard, but stay safe:
Kid Safety TIps at a Water Park or Public Pool

Water Parks in Florida
Water Parks near San Francisco
Water Park in Washington
Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/papalamour/206475271

Livin’ it up at a Lake

Yosemite, CA: Lake Tanaya
Escape the crowds at this lake with it’s “stunning views, large beach and shallow waters” according to TravelPangs.

Oakland, CA: Lake Temescal
A neighborhood swimming lake that’s a “great place for kids” according to mitchguez.
Jim Thorpe, PA: Mauch Chunk Lake Park
Christine O’Toole recommends it because it “offers more than a vacation’s worth of activities”.
Photo by: Brennan Pang

Splash Pads, Fountains and Pools

Chicago: Splash at Millennium Park
asmpman says, “This whole park is fabulous!”.
San Francisco Bay Area Public Pools
The City | Peninsula | East Bay
San Francisco Bay Area Splash Parks
Peninsula | East Bay
Photo by:www.flickr.com/photos/brian-m/233359192

Unexpected Places to Cool Off

Jacksonville (Florida) Zoo & Gardens:
Splash Ground is a “perfect midday break” from walking around the zoo -  BarnesFam
California: Universal Studios
Yes, there’s a splash park!  Gretchen “took along swimsuits and watershoes and hung out in the splash park” with her kids all summer.

More Lists for Cooling Off By Trekaroo Familes:

• Places to Cool Off in Texas by romar

• Places to Cool Off in the Chi-town Area by asmpman

• Fun Summer Activities in the Tri-State Area by michipo

(This is an excerpt from our July 2009 Trekaroo Newsletter – Don’t miss any issues: SUBSCRIBE to the Trekarooo Newsletter)

Trekaroo is a reviews website dedicated to exploring and traveling with kids.