California’s hotel and resort water parks are a different proposition from the big public parks. Instead of paying for a full day at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor or Raging Waters, you book a day pass at a resort, get the slides and lazy rivers along with a real pool deck, towel service, and somewhere decent to eat, and go home the same evening. No overnight stay required.
The eight resorts below all run genuine water park setups: multi-story slides, splash pads, lazy rivers, and in a few cases dedicated water parks built into the property. They’re concentrated in Southern California, from San Diego up through Orange County and out to the Palm Springs area. If you want to compare against options in other states, see our roundup of the best water parks in the US.
New to the format? Here’s how a daycation works — and if you’re planning around a heat wave, this is what actually helps when temperatures climb.
1. Town and Country San Diego
With its retro vibes and charming mid-century design, Town and Country Resort will transport you back in time.
The three pools at this resort are the main attraction. There’s a main pool and a splash pad pool perfect for families, where you can take on the “Twister,” if you dare, and a pool hidden away for those who prefer a quieter type of relaxation.
Nestled along the San Diego River, this resort offers incredible views. For a scrumptious lunch, visit Lapper Sports Bar + Kitchen, which is accessible with a Day Pass. Making a full day of it? Here are more things to do in San Diego, plus the city’s best rooftop pools.
Day Passes range from basic daybed and cabana passes to premium ones great for small groups, but be sure to visit on the weekend to enjoy poolside food and drink service.
2. Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina
There’s something about the ocean air when the days get longer, and so do the sunsets. At the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina, you’ll feel like you’re on a tropical island with a nearly 360-degree ocean view.
Sink into any of their luxurious heated pools while the kids slide down the waterslides, but as the sun sets, hang out poolside in one of the cozy Firepit cabanas. A unique perk of booking a Day Pass at this resort includes discounts on water rentals at the Mission Bay Sports Center.
On ResortPass, you’ll find that the Hyatt Regency Mission Bay Spa & Marina offers passes that fit your schedule. If you’re planning a quick visit, the Afternoon Pass is perfect for you.
3. Cambria Hotel Anaheim Resort
Looking for something upscale? Cambria Hotel Anaheim Resort Area is a high-end resort that features a 30,000 sqft. waterpark with two heated pools.
There is something for everyone with the never-ending amenities offered in a Day Pass, including access to the fitness center, putting green, and basketball court. Start your day by breaking a sweat at the fitness center, and end your day soaking in the jacuzzi. Plus, there’s no shortage of drinks and snacks at the Lobby Market, which is open 24 hours.
It’s all about the location at this resort. The Cambria is a 30-minute drive to Raging Waters in San Dimas, the largest water park in California. Raging Waters features a thrilling water coaster called the Aqua Rocket that’s sure to make you scream.
The Cambria is also less than 15 minutes away from Buena Park, a city that’s home to Knott’s Soak City at Knott’s Berry Farm. It’s also less than 10 minutes away from Great Wolf Lodge Water Park in Garden Grove, an indoor water park perfect for if the weather turns sour. Anaheim also puts you within reach of a full Los Angeles day if you want to extend the trip.
4. Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa
Tucked in the Palm Springs area is the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa, home to Splashtopia Water Park! Splashtopia is a water theme park with two twisting water slides for thrill seekers, play areas for kids, and a sandy beach area that’s perfect for getting your toes in the sand.
You’ll feel happier already as you swim along the 425-foot lazy river, perfect for a raft ride that provides a breathtaking sunset view. After a long day in the sun, munch down on burgers and snacks from the Splash Bar and enjoy discounts at restaurants and retail shops. It’s one of the better lazy rivers in the state — see how it compares to the top lazy rivers bookable on ResortPass.
Perfect for large groups to enjoy, you can rent a cabana for up to five people at either of the three pools. Cabana passes include a private TV, mini-fridge, and ceiling fan, plus drinks vouchers.
5. Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa
Another gem in Palm Desert, this high-rated piece of heaven is the perfect summer getaway for groups. Bring your friends and family to take on the Hytides Waterpark at Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa, the biggest water park in Palm Springs.
Take advantage of any of their seven pools, including an adults-only Oasis Pool featuring an Oasis Pool Bar. Relive your childhood dreams on one of the twisting water slides or chill on a floater with your big sun hat along the 450 ft. winding lazy river.
Just don’t forget to reapply that sunscreen! The resort features a splash pad for the kids, while adults can enjoy a late-night swim in any of the pools that stay open until 10 p.m.
Reserve poolside cabanas or a cabana for the whole family. You can even bundle a pool and spa pass to enjoy double the amenities.
6. Omni La Costa Resort & Spa
The second Omni location on this list is a gorgeous Spanish colonial-style resort in Carlsbad. At Omni La Costa Resort & Spa, the activities never stop, with not one but two 100-foot-tall slides and many unique offers for custom Day Passes.
Splash around after dark to bumping house music when you book an Endless Summer Neon Lights Pass. The unique event features lit-up lawn games and pool floaters. If you’re trying to sneak off on a serene swim in one of the adult pools, drop the kids off with a Kid’s Movie + Dinner Night Pass that offers child supervision for a couple of hours.
The cabana and villa rentals are great for bigger groups of six to eight people. With poolside service, you and your friends or family can lay out and let the drinks come to you.
7. Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa
Only five minutes away from the Legoland Water Park at Legoland California is the Sheraton Carlsbad Resort and Spa, a tranquil resort with an expansive heated pool and water attractions. Carlsbad sits in northern San Diego County, so it pairs well with anything on our San Diego locals guide.
Although you have to visit on a weekend to enjoy the waterslide, this beachside resort is worth visiting over and over. A Day Pass grants entry to the 24-hour fitness center where you can delight in a workout before sunbathing poolside on one of their lounge chairs, towel service included.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, take a break from soaking in that Vitamin D by grabbing a bite at the 7 Mile Kitchen by an award-winning executive chef. You can enjoy a romantic date night in the hot tub after a delicious meal and local brew.
8. Hyatt Regency Newport Beach
Live your best life at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach with an exclusive package that ticks all your boxes. Not only can you enjoy access to the water park, but you’ll also receive a round on the golf course and a beach cruiser rental.
Enjoy a refreshing cocktail while you soak your troubles away in the adults-only Indulge Pool or the hidden Serenity Pool while the kids play up a storm at the Oasis Pool. Rent a cabana for shaded comfort on a comfy sofa that fits five guests. The cabana rentals include two lounge chairs with a flat-screen television.
Outside the pool, the fun never stops with ping pong, sand volleyball, and horseshoe games. There’s nothing like a family game to bring you all together. The Great Wolf Lodge Water Park being 20 minutes away, is just a bonus. If you’re travelling with kids, it’s worth comparing against our picks for the best family vacation spots and ideas for a birthday party at a pool.
How to pick the right one
The eight above cover fairly different days out, so it’s worth matching the resort to the kind of afternoon you actually want. For slides and a dedicated water park, Hyatt Regency Indian Wells and Omni Rancho Las Palmas are the strongest picks in the Palm Springs area. For a lazy river specifically, those same two are the ones to look at.
If you’re after ocean air rather than desert heat, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, Sheraton Carlsbad, and Hyatt Regency Newport Beach all sit on or near the coast. Town and Country San Diego is the most central if you want to be walking distance from other things, and Cambria Anaheim makes the most sense if you’re already heading to the theme parks.
Passes, amenities, and pricing vary by property, day of the week, and season, so check the current listing before you book. Worth reading first: the pool day packing list and how ResortPass works.
Frequently asked questions
Are these real water parks or just hotel pools? They’re hotel and resort water parks — multi-story slides, splash pads, and lazy rivers built into the property. They’re a different thing from standalone public parks like Raging Waters or Knott’s Soak City, which aren’t bookable through ResortPass.
Do you have to book a room to use them? No. A day pass gets you in for the day without an overnight stay — that’s the whole model. Here’s how a daycation works if you haven’t done one before.
Which ones have lazy rivers? Omni Rancho Las Palmas has a 425-foot lazy river as part of its Splashtopia water park, and Hyatt Regency Indian Wells has a 450-foot river at Hytides. Both are in the greater Palm Springs area.
Are they suitable for young kids? Several are set up for families specifically — Town and Country San Diego has a splash pad pool, Omni Rancho Las Palmas has dedicated kids’ play areas, and Hyatt Regency Indian Wells has a splash pad. More questions are answered in the ResortPass FAQs.
Can you go outside of summer? Some properties heat their pools, including Cambria Anaheim, Hyatt Regency Mission Bay, and Sheraton Carlsbad, so shoulder-season visits can work. Slide and water park hours are often reduced or weekend-only off-peak, so confirm before booking.
