Splish, Splash! Your Bay Area Splash Pad & Fountain Guide

Mission Playground - San Francisco

Mission Playground was renovated and reopened in September of 2012. Through the renovation, one of the playgrounds most unique additions was the water garden that features ornamental fountains spraying mist and showering water for young children’s play and delight. The playground is also home to the City’s only outdoor pool.

Note: the water feature is operated on warm weather weekends between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. 

19th & Linda

24th & York Mini Park - San Francisco

Splash on over to this gorgeous mini park in the Mission, which features creative murals and a wickedly wild snake structure that winds around a neat splash pad. As your kids play amongst the spouting water, you'll get to sit back and admire the colorful jungle painted on the wall behind them.

24th & York St.

Central Park - San Ramon

We totally love this San Ramon playground for its umbrella-shaped water sprayer and also the faux creek bed where kids can wade around. The climbing structure is large with a big one for big kids and another for the tots. Parents will find lots of spots to sit and watch the fun or better yet, find a spot around the sprayer and dip your toes in!

12501 Alcosta Blvd.

Rancho San Ramon Community Park - San Ramon

In addition to an awesome splash pad that turns on at 11 a.m., this large playground has a zipline which kids absolutely love—pack a lunch and make a day out of it!

1998 Rancho Park Loop Rd.  

Emerald Glen Park - Dublin

After you hit up the Dublin’s Farmer’s Market, take your family for some water play at Emerald Glen Park. Rainbow arches bloom over the splash pad, shooting out sheets of water and there’s even a fun green tunnel that sprays out water like a showerhead. Then climb amongst unique rock structures that also double as slides. 

Note: The water feature is turned on from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. daily, June 15 through Labor Day. 

4201 Central Pkwy.

Cannery Park - Hayward
Operating from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the water feature at this park can be operated by pushing the red button. Ready, set, splash!

125 B Street

Blue Goose Park  - Brentwood

Does your child love the farm? Then take a drive to Brentwood for this farm-themed park complete with a barn play structure, a water tower that pours water onto the splash pad, and giant sunflower sprayers for larger than life barnyard fun.

1765 Adams Ln.

Check out nearby Rainbow Ends Park that also has water play features! 

Brentwood City Park - Brentwood

Enjoy a well-maintained old-school-meets-modern park at Brentwood City Park. Complete with water guns and a splash pad, a cute little clubhouse for toddlers, and a play structure for kids of all ages to enjoy, this cabin-themed park is adorable and has ample shade over the picnic tables.

790 2nd St.

Always Dream Play Park - Fremont
This all-abilities playground provides diverse play experiences for children of all abilities. Everyone will love the sand play area, drums and water play features.

Castro Valley Park Splash Pad - Castro Valley

Four parks and a splash pad? This playground is like the Disneyland of playground water play. Your little buccaneers can use the spray cannons to get their friends soaking wet, all while romping around the softly padded ground. Hours are 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays Memorial Day through Labor Day. 

18988 Lake Chabot Rd.,

El Cerrito Splash Park - El Cerrito

Beat the heat over at the El Cerrito Swim Center, where they have one of the most awesome splash pads ever. The large park is filled with all sorts of water gadgets, from colored buckets that tip surprise showers to the kids below, misting tunnels and all sorts of water jets. Don’t miss out on the cute cartoons that decorate some of the watering holes. 

Admission: $4/splash park only; 10 visit punch card $28/resident, $35/nonresident

7007 Moeser Lane

Meadow Homes Spray Park - Concord

Take a trip into the ocean with this fun open water themed splash park. Kids can spray each other with the cannons, run through the water under the shipwreck, avoid the shark, and climb the beach rocks. The water's on from noon to 6 p.m. , seven days a week in the summer from Memorial Day to September 24. When school is in session it is open 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday and 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends and holidays

1351 Detroit Ave.

Hap Magee Ranch Park - Danville

This quaint park was a former ranch with a barn facade at the entrance paying homage to its history. A small splash pad is motion activated with the water turned on between April 1 and September 30. On weekdays, the water is on from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on weekends.

1025 La Gonda Way

Maddux Park - Redwood City
Frogs here spit water with an on-demand push button that is on June 1- September 30 to help everyone stay cool while having fun.

Maddux and Kensington Rd

Stafford Park - Redwood City
Kids will love the small but cute spray pad adjacent to the playground. The water here is on between 10:30am-12:00pm and 2:00-6:00pm daily, June 1 through September 30.

King St. & Hopkins Ave

Stulsaft Park - Redwood City
This park, affectionately known as "Crayon Park" tops our list for fun spray grounds for the summer. Water sprays from massive crayons while kids run around on the soft ground. The water feature is on starting June 1 from 10:30 a.m.-noon and 2-6 p.m. through the end of September.

3737 Farm Hill Blvd.

Fountains at Stanford University

Did you know that Stanford chlorinates its fountains and allow people to wade in them? It's a time-honored tradition for both students and toddlers to fountain hop at the Stanford campus and we can see why. There are a number of fountains to choose from with red hoop fountain and the sunken pool being our favorites. Insider tip: enter 380 Panama Mall into your GPS to find sunken pool. Some have shade, some do not and all have freezing cold water for splashing about. 

Mitchell Park - Palo Alto

Editor's note: The water feature is currently off with plans to re-evaluate on June 15. Check the website for updates.

Two frog statues make this splash pad look like a real pond. As kids race about on a slip-free surface, water shoots gently up to about the same height as your little ones. The water comes out with minimal pressure so that your kiddo won’t be surprised as they frolic and play. The awesome Magical Bridge playground is here, too, so be prepared to spend the day!

600 E Meadow Dr.

Ryder Park - San Mateo

Editor's note: The water feature is closed due to the drought.

Head over to Ryder Park for a bucket load of good, clean fun. Geysers shoot water for the kids to dance around in and the sprinklers go off every 5 minutes so no matter where you are in the sprayground you're guaranteed to get soaked. Afterwards, play on the monkey bars or jungle gym, and stroll along the meandering paths to enjoy stellar views of the Bay.

1801 J Hart Clinton Dr.

Seven Seas - Sunnyvale
This amazing pirate-themed park in Sunnyvale is one of our favorites! With both climbing and water fun, its the perfect combo to get through a warm summer day. Make sure to bring suits and snacks, because once you arrive, your little ones will never want to leave. Highlights include a mind-blowing toddler play structure, a water play/splash area (on from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.), a rope and metal climbing gym and a pirate ship that is accessible to kids of all abilities. Parking is a little tricky on the weekends as the attached lot fits only about six minivans, but street parking can usually be found not too far away.

1010 Morse Ave.

Ortega Park - Sunnyvale
Towering flowers that spray water will make kids feel like they've entered a giant garden. This is a popular spot where kids can wade through puddles,  and run through bubbling geysers. Need a break from the water play? Stop at the playground nearby to tackle the wall climbing structure or take a ride on the swings fitted for kids big and small.

636 Harrow Way

Lakewood Park - Sunnyvale 
Blast off into a world of fun at Lakewood Park! Families with kids of all ages will find something fun to occupy their summer afternoon from skating, basketball, slides, teeters and a rocking water play area. Little astronauts will enjoy getting sprayed by the spaceship and running around the padded ground decorated to look like outer space. Parking can get jam packed at this popular playground, so be prepared for a quick 2-3 block stroll. (Open daily, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.)​

834 Lakechime Dr.

Plaza de Cesar Chavez - San Jose

This park in the middle of downtown San Jose has a fun water feature that little ones love. Watch them be shocked as the water shoots up right from the ground!

194 South Market St.

Hellyer Park - San Jose
This San Jose park got a major facelift two summers ago and we are all over it. Kids love the new splash pad and waterfall arch (open anytime it is >70F) and parents love that this area of the park is shaded (which is often hard to find). After they dry off, the kids will love climbing the two 30-foot towers and the massive log climbing structure and spinning on the merry-go-round. $6 parking fee applies. 

985 Hellyer Ave.

Jack Fischer Park - Campbell

Editor's Note: The Campbell water features will not be turned on for 2022 due to the drought.

If your little ones have a lot of energy to burn, this is the place to go to. This park recently reopened after playground renovations and it is the place to be when the weather gets hot. The water feature has tunnels that are fun for kids of all ages to run through. And with large grassy lawns to run and roll around on, sand areas and play structures, your kids will go home dirty, and most importantly—tired. Bigger kids will enjoy riding their scooters or bikes down the park’s “mountain.”

1499 Abbott Ave. at Pollard Rd.

Freitas Park, San Rafael

This San Rafael spot has a splash pad in addition to a climbing structure and restrooms. Find a spot in the shade to hang out while the kids cool off in the water. There's also a large grassy area nearby for picnics or to kick the soccer ball around. 

Online: cityofsanrafael.org