Having access to a water park without leaving the hotel is a dream come true for parents with little kids. Less hassle, no stressful commutes, and less spending on tickets, queues, and dining in full-fledged amusement parks. The Golden State is a great destination for this kind of accommodation. Sunshine will be abundant, the ocean is never too far away, and the natural attractions are as impressive as it goes. You’ve got quite a selection of different California hotels with water parks, but we’ve collected the creme of the crop. Get a dose of family-friendly splashy fun at these exciting lodgings.
Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground - Anaheim
Apart from being literally next door to the world-known Disneyland Park, Howard Johnson by Wyndham Anaheim Hotel & Water Playground is there to provide enough fun in-house too. Their Castaway Cove playground is a thrilling treat for your younger ones. A pirate ship with water cannons, 13 spray fountains, curvy slides, and several pools confidently place this Wyndham among the best California hotels with water parks. Although boutique in size, their water playground will definitely be a happy memory from your Anaheim visit. And the hotel’s super close location to Disneyland is simply unbeatable. You’re minutes away from the entrances, and there is a possibility to purchase a Park Hopper ticket in the hotel.
Key Amenities:
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Shuttle to local attractions
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On-site guest laundry
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Outdoor pool and water playground with waterslides and spray fountains
Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance - Anaheim
Expect tons of splashy amusement when booking the Courtyard Anaheim Theme Park Entrance. One of the best-reviewed California hotels with water parks, it is set right at the entrance to Disneyland. It’s so close to the iconic park that the rides can be seen directly from the rooms. Surfside Waterpark is responsible for the good times of your kids here. You’ve got 30-foot slides, a large 17-person hot tub, a kid’s wading pool, and an all-ages pool. Your younger ones will definitely love playing here, there’s also a special interactive area to entertain them better. As you can imagine, such a feature is immensely popular with vacationers, so make sure to reserve your time at the water park beforehand.
Key Amenities:
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Family-friendly rooms with bunk beds and Disneyland views
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Exclusive access to Surfside Waterpark (with reservations)
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In-room mini-fridge, microwave, and coffee maker
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa - Rancho Mirage
A quintessential desert retreat, Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa is where you find complete relaxation surrounded by the gorgeous SoCal panoramas. Not many accommodations can boast having an actual water park, and this hotel is rated as one of the best hotels in the country with a lazy river. Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa comes with access to the big and bold Splashtopia, perfect for the whole family. The lazy river is there at its 425-foot glory, you’ve got not one but two 100-foot waterslides, and the large pool is a special moment of all-encompassing relaxation. It’s an upscale resort, so you’re also coming for the breezy well-designed rooms and suites, the rewarding spa treatments, and the epic 27-hole golf course.
Key Amenities:
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Family-friendly on-site restaurants and activities
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27 holes of championship golf and a 20,000-square-foot European spa for the adults
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Lazy river, waterslides, and cliff-side hot tub in Splashtopia
41000 Bob Hope Dr, Rancho Mirage, CA 92270, USA— +1 760-568-2727
Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort Area - Anaheim
When the hotel’s on-site water park measures 30,000 square feet, you know it’s a serious deal. Cambria Hotel & Suites Anaheim Resort Area doesn’t fool around when it comes to providing 360-degree family leisure. And people respect that. You can find numerous reviews raving about the great water playground area with slides, pools, and hot tubs. Another forte here is the short distance to Disneyland Park and other Anaheim attractions. Also, the accommodation really makes sure that your younger ones have it comfortable and fun. There are kid-friendly suites, movie wall evenings, and a commitment to family-friendliness. Add the free Wi-Fi and the complimentary hot breakfast in the morning as cool perks. Overall, it’s one of the best California hotels with a water park if you’re in for a value stay.
Key Amenities:
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Free daily hot breakfast
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30,000-square-foot waterpark
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Poolside outdoor movie wall and cozy outdoor fire pits
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Disney fireworks views from west- and north-facing rooms
Great Wolf Lodge - Garden Grove
As far as California hotels with water parks go, the Great Wolf Lodge is easily the most impressive one for a Southern California family vacation. A legend among the in-the-know families of Greater Los Angeles, the resort boasts an epic 105,000-square-foot indoor water park. With its dedication to children’s leisure, 14 slides, and four pools, it’s a gift that keeps on giving for families that would like to combine a great hotel stay with an excellent splashy fun experience. The Garden Grove setting also allows you to comfortably plan to visit Disneyland Park, so booking a suite here is a win-win no matter how you look at it. Apart from the standard suites, there are also the thematic ones that are sure to lighten up your family visit.
Key Amenities:
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105,000-square-foot water park with 14 slides and four heated pools
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Waterpark passes and kids events included with your stay
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Themed and spacious suites with bunk beds for the kids
12681 Harbor Blvd, Garden Grove, CA 92840, USA— +1 888-960-9653
Disneyland Hotel - Anaheim
This is a vintage Disney-themed retro water park in a Disneyland Hotel next to the Downtown Disney District and the Main Entrance to Disneyland. As every amusement park buff knows, there’s never too much Disney. This top Disneyland hotel allows you to fully embrace the atmosphere of wonder. The splashy playground area is not huge, but it is enough to ensure your kids are having a bombastic time riding the multi-level waterslides and enjoying the swimming pools. Adults will love the Mickey Spa and Minnie Spa whirlpools and additional E-Ticket and D-Ticket lagoon-style pools. The main reason you’d want to choose this accommodation is still the proximity to Disneyland Park. The monorail is steps away, and you won’t walk more than 11 minutes to the Main Entrance.
Key Amenities:
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Early entry into Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure Park
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Themed pools with waterslides
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In-room mini-fridge and coffee maker
Great Wolf Lodge - Manteca
It’s not only California’s south that gets all the cool hotels with water parks. Great Wolf Lodge is a fantastic leisure escape for the whole family located between Stockton and Modesto and less than 90 miles away from San Francisco. Book a stay here and get a pass to the vast indoor water park with unlimited rides and an amazing variety of slides. There will be a four-story water fort treehouse, a lazy river exploration on a tube, a curvy canyon raft, and a 20-foot free fall in a tube as well as ponds and attractions for the smallest kids. Choose one of the spacious themed suites and get yourself a well-deserved water park recreation. Additionally, you’ve got several restaurants on-site and a plethora of non-water attractions like mini-golf, MagiQuest, ropes course, bowling, and arcades.
Key Amenities:
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95,000-square-foot indoor waterpark
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Free, fun, and engaging daily family events
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Non-water attractions like mini-golf, a ropes course, and bowling
LEGOLAND Castle Hotel - Carlsbad
While technically LEGOLAND Castle Hotel doesn’t have a splashy playground of its own, you can get great all-in-one package deals for playing at a nearby theme park. And the visit is guaranteed to be memorable, LEGOLAND California is rightfully considered to be one of the best amusement parks in the country. There are, in fact, two water park sections here: the LEGOLAND and CHIMA. The distinctive feature of both is the interactivity; your kids will have a chance to build their own boats and rafts for the rides. As for this LEGOLAND adjacent accommodation, you will have cheerful Lego-themed rooms and suites, outdoor pools, and free breakfast. Keep in mind that the Water Park is only accessed through LEGOLAND, so be sure to buy a pass that includes both.
Key Amenities:
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Separate kids’ area with LEGO building tables and scavenger hunt in every room
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Free full hot breakfast buffet
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Zero entry pool featuring interactive water play features
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Located right at the main entrance of LEGOLAND California
