The Coolest Splash Pads and Pools in the South Bay and Los Angeles
Want to beat the summer heat? But don’t feel like packing up the kid’s snacks and gear for a day at the beach. There’s no better way to cool off on a hot summer day with kids in the South Bay than with a trip to your local splash pad or community pool for some water fun. In the South Bay and across Los Angeles these local splash pads and pools are some of our favorite places to cool down this summer.
Please note, splash pads often close without notice for maintenance, so we suggest checking the Parks and Recreation sites before heading out.
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RELATED: Top 10 Best Southern California Water Parks
South Bay Splash Pads
Holly Glen Park – Hawthorne
The small wading pool at Holly Glen Park is just a few inches deep, but it’s all you need to get those tiny toes splashing and cooling off in the water. The exact hours can vary, so be sure to prep your kids that it may be closed when you go.
Address: 5255 W. 137th St. Hawthorne, CA 90250
Bicentennial Park – Hawthorne
This cute pocket park features a small splash pad great for cooling down in between running around the playground.
Address: 13110 S. Doty Ave. Hawthorne, CA 90250
Eucalyptus Park – Hawthorne
With a wading pool, tot lot, and picnic area, this is the perfect spot to spend an afternoon.
Address: 12100 S. Inglewood Ave. Hawthorne, CA 90250
Alondra Aquatic Center – Lawndale
Easily the largest splash pad in the South Bay area with tons of colorful fountains and sprayers. The splash pad at this 53-acre park is open each summer, seven days a week, from May 1 to Sep. 30.
Address: Alondra Community Regional Park, 3850 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Lawndale, CA 90260
Wilson Park – Torrance
The large splash pad at Wilson Park is open from April to December, 10am to 6pm daily. With over 40 acres, the massive park offers plenty to do so you can make a whole day of it.
Address: 2200 Crenshaw Boulevard, Torrance, CA 90501
Promenade of the Peninsula – Palos Verdes
Open over the summer, 10am – 7pm when the temps are above 80ºF.
Address: Promenade of the Peninsula, 550 Deep Valley Dr, Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274
South Bay Pools
Hawthorne Pool – Hawthorne
The Hawthorne Pool has men’s and women’s locker rooms, heated showers, and private changing rooms. The facility has two pools: a lap pool and a baby pool. Both pools are heated to 80 degrees F.
Address: 12501 S Inglewood Ave. Hawthorne, CA 90250
Begg Pool at Polliwog Park – Manhattan Beach
This public swimming pool in Manhattan Beach offers open swimming year-round, swim lessons, and pre-team/ team swimming during the summer.
Address: Polliwog Park, 1402 N Peck Ave Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
**Closed Temporarily** Urho Saari Swim Stadium, El Segundo
The Urho Saari Swim Stadium, a.k.a. “The Plunge,” has been open over 80 years and now it’s undergoing a much-needed renovation. It will be back open year-round in December 2025.
Address: 219 W Mariposa Ave, El Segundo, CA 90245
Victor E Benstead Plunge, Torrance
A venerable Olympic-size outdoor aquatic center offering swimming lessons and recreational hours. The pool is heated and open year-round.
Address: 3331 Torrance Blvd. Torrance, CA 90503
YMCA, Torrance
You’ll enjoy lap swimming, family swim time, water aerobics, swim classes, and more in the indoor heated pool. Membership is required to use the facility.
YMCA Fitness Center, 2900 W Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA
South Bay Aquatics, Torrance
Servicing the entire South Bay, South Bay Aquatics provides an indoor, climate-controlled facility, maintaining a comfortable 90° water temperature and 80° air temperature on the pool deck year round.
Address: 2433 Moreton St. Torrance, CA 90505
Alondra Aquatic Center, Lawndale
This public rec center swimming pool is open each summer from Jun. 18 to Aug. 20 for open swim. In addition to the pool, this massive park offers splash pads, a playground, and a fishing lake with shaded picnic areas.
Address: 3353 Redondo Beach Blvd. Lawndale, CA 90260
Seaside Lagoon – Redondo Beach
Open May 24 – September 1, this popular spot isn’t exactly a pool, but it offers the perfect place to splash and play. This sand-bottom lagoon with recirculated water is a great way to experience the ocean without the waves, making it excellent for families with little kids.
Address: 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Westside Splash Pads
Stoner Park Splash Pool – West LA
Though technically a pool, this popular spot is perfect for young non-swimmers in the splash zone area. The pool itself is only 4.5 feet at its deepest, making it a great place overall for water newbies. Open Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Address: Stoner Recreation Center, 1835 Stoner Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90025
Annenberg Community Beach House – Santa Monica
Whether you can’t get a spot at the pool or just want to let the kids run and splash while you relax, the Annenberg splash pad is an excellent place to cool off. You can check out the ocean view while the kids have a blast. Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
Address: 415 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Tongva Park – Santa Monica
Tongva Park is always a unique place to explore, and the naturally designed splash pad area fits right in with the aesthetic and is an added bonus on a hot day. The water features run daily from 10 am to 6 pm.
Address: 1615 Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90401
Virginia Avenue Park – Santa Monica
This small splash pad is the perfect spot for young children to cool off on hot, sunny days. The 9.5-acre sprawling park also features grassy areas, a playground, picnic tables, and more. The free splash pad is open seasonally from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Address: 2200 Virginia Ave, Santa Monica, CA 90404
Westside Pools
Annenberg Community Beach House – Santa Monica
Not up for a day of splashing in the waves? How about a dip in a swimming pool with the beach in the background? The Annenberg Beach House is open seven days a week from May through Labor Day. Admission is required to enter ($10/ adult and $4/ kids 1 – 17) and can only be purchased at the window up to an hour in advance. And keep in mind that kids under age 8 must be accompanied by an adult in the water.
Address: 415 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Mar Vista Pool – Mar Vista
This public pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and is just $1 for kids and $4 for adults. You can also purchase a summer youth pass that allows entry all summer for just $10.
Address: Mar Vista Recreation Center, 11655 Palms Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90066
**Temporarily Closed** Rustic Canyon Rec Center Pool – Santa Monica
Another LA Parks and Rec run pool set in the idyllic, tree-lined Rustic Canyon park. The pool is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and is just $1 for kids and $4 for adults. A summer youth pass allows entry all summer for just $10. The park also features a small playground and tennis courts.
Address: Rustic Canyon Recreation Center, 601 Latimer Rd, Santa Monica, CA 90402
Central, South, and East Los Angeles & Gateway Cities Splash Pads
Grand Park – Downtown LA
From summer concerts to family-friendly events, Grand Park is not short on entertainment. The park also has a fun splash pad with interactive water jets that the entire family will enjoy.
Address: 200 N Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
City Terrace Park – East Los Angeles
This fun splash pad includes several water features and sprayers, and best of all, it’s one of the few water play areas with shade covering to help keep kids protected from the sun. The park also includes a pool, a large playground, sports fields, and courts.
Address: 1126 N Hazard Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90063
Earvin “Magic” Johnson Recreation Area – Willowbrook
As the largest park in the neighborhood, Earvin “Magic” Johnson has it all. In addition to a fun splash pad, the 104-acre recreation area features a large playground, fishing lakes, walking paths, and more.
Address: Magic Johnson Park, 1050 E 120th St, Los Angeles, CA 90059
Amelia Mayberry Park – Whittier
The water features at this fun splash pad are the perfect way to cool down on a hot day. The water play area is open 7 days a week, May 1 to Sep. 30, 11 am to 7 pm.
Address: 13201 Meyer Rd, Whittier, CA 90605
Central, South, and East Los Angeles & Gateway Cities Pools
Central Pool – South Central
Central Park Recreation Center recently underwent a complete renovation and features a wade-in pool perfect for small children to safely splash and play. The pool’s shallow end also features a splash pad with water sprayers and fountains.
Address: 1357 E 22nd St, Los Angeles, CA 90011
Costello Pool – East Los Angeles
This outdoor summer season pool is the perfect place to cool down and practice swimming skills. Admission is just $1 for children and $4 for adults.
Address: Lou Costello Jr Recreation Center, 3121 E Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90023
Belvedere Community Regional Park – East Los Angeles
This beautiful Los Angeles County park has it all, including a massive outdoor pool with swim lanes and a shallow zone. The 30-acre park also features splash pads, a skate park, basketball courts, soccer fields, and more, guaranteeing a great time for the entire family.
Address: 4914 E Cesar E Chavez Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90022
Greater Whittier Regional Aquatic Center – Whittier
One of the newest aquatic centers in Los Angeles features two pools. The main pool includes several swimming lanes and two diving boards, while the smaller pool has a large shallow area perfect for younger swimmers. The center offers swim lessons and a variety of classes, including aqua aerobics and water polo.
Address: 8028 Pioneer Blvd, Whittier, CA 90606
San Fernando Valley Splash Pads
Mason Park – Chatsworth
Mason Park features a large splash pad area, but keep in mind that it’s in full sun, so you’ll want to bring plenty of sunscreen and water shoes. Daily hours vary, but the splash pad is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day. In addition to the water playground, you’ll find a regular playground, picnic tables, and a grass field.
Address: 10500 Mason Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311
Oak Canyon Park – Oak Park
It’s a bit of a trek from the valley, but as one of the best splash pads on the list, it’s well worth it. The massive splash park features exciting interactive elements like water cannons and fountains. The play area is surrounded by shaded, grassy hills, perfect for having a snack or picnic while you keep cool. Open Memorial Day weekend through the end of September from 10 am to 7 pm daily.
Address: 5600 Hollytree Dr, Oak Park, CA 91377
San Fernando Valley Pools
Woodland Hills Rec Center – Woodland Hills
This outdoor heated pool is perfect for staying cool in the Valley heat. The center is open for recreational swim from June 6 to Labor Day weekend. The Recreation Center offers swim lessons, a swim-themed summer camp, a swim team, and a junior lifeguard training program. Besides the pool, the park features a large shaded children’s play area, baseball fields, and a small hiking trail.
Address: 5858 Shoup Ave, Woodland Hills, CA 91367
Hansen Dam Aquatic Center – Lake View Terrace
With a 1.5-acre swim lake featuring two water slides and sand along the sides, this place is about as close as you can get to a water park without making the trek out of town to one of the bigger spots. It is wade-in style and only 4.5 feet at its deepest, making it perfect for families with young kids.
Address: 11798 Foothill Blvd, Lake View Terrace, CA 91342
San Fernando Recreation Park and Aquatic Center – San Fernando
The aquatic center features an Olympic-size swimming pool with three dive boards and starting blocks and a smaller recreation pool with twisting water slides. The park also has a water play area with splash pads and spray features.
Address: San Fernando Regional Pool, 300 Park Ave, San Fernando, CA 91340
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