The Mom Squad's Favorite Places for Kids to Cool Off in the South Bay

Summer is here and that means time for fun in the sun. So, we put together a list of favorite places to let the kids play in the water and cool off.

We’d love to hear yours too!

Cupertino:

The ground level fountains are a kid magnet. Pack a lunch and bring towels and make a day of it by starting out for a visit to Cupertino Library, the most-used library in the Santa Clara County library system. Kids love watching fish swim in the gigantic aquarium near the children's section.

CALI MILL PLAZA (Stevens Creek Boulevard and De Anza Boulevard)

This plaza has a fun fountain that spurts water from the ground. It makes for a great place for the kids to run through the water and cool off.

This is a great spot right in the middle of Cupertino. It’s easy to find, but parking can be tricky at times. There isn’t much shade either.

 (22100 Stevens Creek Blvd.)

Entrance to the park is free, and there is a small fee from $4 to $8 to swim. The park is open Tuesdays through Sundays. There are picnic areas, water slide, bocce ball and horseshoe courts to fill up an entire day of fun. Visit the City's website to get specific details on costs and hours.

Swim lessons are offered for ages six months and up for group lessons, or private 1-on-1 lessons for ages 3 and up. Afternoon swim team sessions are held at Monta Vista High School. 

Saratoga:

SARATOGA SPRINGS (22801 Big Basin Way)

Saratoga Springs is a hidden little place located just past downtown Saratoga. They have a small campground, and other amenities one of which is a pool. They are popular for corporate events and weddings as well as family picnics. Please call or check their website for more info.

SOUTHWEST YMCA (13500 Quito Rd.)

This “Y” location has a pool and they offer swim lessons and classes for ages 6 months and up.

Sunnyvale:

ORTEGA PARK (626 Harrow Way)

The water feature is a giant water spraying flower activated when a button is pushed.

Super cute and fun for the kids. Also makes for some great photo ops for us parents!

LAS PALMAS PARK (850 Russet Dr.)

There is a really cool “spray ground” here, but you have to either pay to have it on or luck into it being on. It costs $60 for two hours to pay to have it turned on. Sometimes it is on for birthday parties on the weekends or for summer camps during the week though. Bummer it’s not on all the time.

LAKEWOOD PARK (834 Lakechime Dr.)

This park offers several water features with a space theme. There is also a swimming pool that offers lessons and classes.

We haven’t been yet, but have heard good things.

Campbell:

There is a water feature shaped like a spiral which sprays once a button is pushed. The water feature is in the middle of the playground, so just be aware that during the summer months (when it is turned on) your kids may be tempted by it.

There is also a water spout in the sand play area which makes for some messy fun! Here, you will see kids building elaborate rivers and dams with the sand and then flooding them with the water. So cool to see them all working together like that.

and are here almost every week. The kids all like to run in the water feature, and get messy with the water spout in the sand play area.

There is a similar sand play area to that of Jack Fischer Park’s too. It has a water spout on the top of the concrete structure and another one near the little play houses.

Remember that this park is divided into 2 different sides. The Rincon Ave side has a water feature identical to that of Jack Fischer’s. (The Budd Ave side has no water feature though.) It can be a bit crowded at time during the summer months, especially during the park’s summer camp.

This park has a couple of different water features. The first is an arch that sprays water which kids can run through. There is also a small water play feature in the toddler playground area that has a water spout and fun pipe structure to pour the water or sand through.

Not great for open play or open swimming, but they do offer lap swimming times as well as swim classes and swim teams.

Open for lap-swimming Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.; and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. for $5 per day.

CLOVERDALE CABANA CLUB

This ia a private, members only club. They do offer some “open swim” days, so check their website for more info.

Los Gatos:

VASONA PARK (333 Blossom Hill Rd.)

We love this park and the neighboring (connected) Oak Meadow. There is so much here for everyone. As far as water, there is no water feature at the playgrounds, but you can rent paddle boats and row boats to take out on Lake Vasona from spring through fall.

San Jose:

LINCOLN GLEN PARK (Lincoln and Curtner, San Jose)

This park has a tall sprayer and fun turtles that spray water.

The water features are located outside of the gated toddler playground though which can make it difficult if you have more than one, or if you are trying to keep up with friends while hanging out at the park.

PARMA PARK (Camden Avenue and Little Falls Drive)

The main playground area has a great water feature that sprays water from the ground. There is also another water play feature in the sand play area located inside the fenced-in toddler area.

Great park, but we wish there was more shade. Don’t forget the sunscreen here.

PLAZA DE CESAR CHAVEZ (Market and San Carlos)

This park is located in downtown San Jose between the Tech Museum and the Art Museum. There is a fun fountain that spurts water out of the ground.

(Please be aware that because of this park is a middle-of-downtown San-Jose locale, there can be some less than family-friendly activities and people around at times.)

WESTGATE CABANA CLUB (4750 Bucknall Rd.)

This is a private, members only club. Please check their website for more information.

RAGING WATERS (2333 South White Rd.)

Northern California’s largest water park. For more info, check their website.

San Mateo:

BURTON PARK (900 Chesnut St.)

There is a great water feature which sprays water from the ground when a button is pushed.

This was Nicole’s favorite park when she lived in San Mateo and she still likes to take the kids here when she is in the area.

Gilroy:

GILROY GARDENS (3050 Hecker Pass Hwy.)

This amusement park features the new Splash Garden with five interactive water attractions. For more info, check out their website.

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Of course, there’s always the kiddie pool or sprinkler in the backyard too! We also love to create our own water play fun at home. Just gather a few big bowls or buckets and a few cups, spoons, strainers, and other fun things. Kids just love to pour, scoop, and splash water and can have fun with just about any container filled with water on a warm day. Or, you can also check out one of our many beautiful beaches, lakes, and rivers.

*Please remember to use caution around any water and keep those kiddos safe!

Editor's note: This article was submitted by the Campbell Patch - Mom Squad.

Know of any more great places to play in the water? We’d love to hear from all of you too! Share with us in the comments below.