Splash the heat of summer away at Knott’s Soak City in Buena Park, California. With expanded acres of fun opened in 2017, there’s gallons of fun for the whole family at the Orange County water park. Explore the attractions, get tips for families, and enter to win tickets for your family!
I received complimentary admission to facilitate this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
We visited Soak City last summer and immediately fell in love with the family fun. We ended up spending the summer there, arriving early in the morning to get in line for the best slides before the crowds arrived. It also allowed us to nab a great spot for our towels and snacks.
Get to know Soak City, a family-favorite summer destination!
Knott’s Soak City Attractions
Thrilling Slides
Drop in on slides like Malibu Run, Laguna Storm Watch Tower, Old Man Falls, Shore Break, and Bonzai Falls. The Wedge with family and friends in the open air raft ride. The latest trend in slides are aqua chambers where the floor drops out from underneath you, sending you swooshing down slide tubes at high speeds and with high thrills. Height requirements range from 42-48 inches for the slide options at Soak City.
Tidal Wave Bay
With depths up to 6 feet, the tidal wave pool is a great way to get catch a wave. Wade in with or without inner tubes and let the movement of the water transport you to fun.
Sunset River
Looking for a way to soak in the sun while relaxing too? Try the lazy river. Inner tubes are available at entrances so you can float your day away.
Beach House
Perfect for school-aged children who are taking a break from sliding, the Beach House offers three stories of water play with water guns, waterfalls, and more. The best part is the bucket drop when 500 gallons of water spill on crowds below. You must be 42 inches to enjoy the Beach House Slides, which are a great intro into water slides for those who may not be ready for the multi-story slides like Malibu Run.
Toddler Area at Soak City — Gremmie Lagoon
With a preschooler in tow, it’s important that everyone enjoys the watery wonderland. Gremmie Lagoon is perfect for toddlers and young visitors. A submarine is central to the water playground with exploring and sliding available. There are also cute sea creatures to climb on and a fun interactive play structure.
If you are experiencing Soak City with young children, take advantage of the complimentary life vests available for use.
Soak City Dining Options
We arrive early to Soak City on days we plan on visiting so we can maximize the fun. But all that sliding does work up an appetite. Portside Pizza offers pizza by the slice or whole pie. If you’re using the Passholder Dining Plan, this includes one of the following options:
- Cheese Pizza Wedge Slice & Side Salad
- Pepperoni Pizza Wedge Slice & Side Salad
- Caesar Salad & Breadstick
Funnel cakes and salads are also available.
Surf on over to Longboard’s Grill for burgers, fries, and other American favorites. The Dining Plan options here include:
- Cheeseburger & Fries
- Grilled Chicken Burger & Fries
- Hot Dog & Fries
- Hand Breaded Chicken Strips & Fries
- Fish & Chips
Servings are generous for items like the chicken strips, so I often split two orders among my three children. Snacks are allowed within the water park. However, it’s been suggested to me to put snack items in Ziploc bags ahead of time.
Insider Tip: When it comes to amusement parks, water parks included, adhere to the policy “Come full, leave hungry.” Shared meals and snacks can tide you over throughout the day for a budget-friendly hack.
If you’re a passholder, remember to bring your refillable cups for free or discounted beverage refills all day long!
Soak City Cabana
Available for day rental, Soak City offers cabanas on a first come, first serve basis. If you want to maximize your fun at Soak City, the cabanas are a must!
Cabanas hold up to 8 guests with standard pricing, with 2 additional guests allowed with additional fee. When checking in for your cabana, you will need your entire party available as wristbands are distributed. You can select your cabana from a park map. We opted for one centrally located so our older kids could have a little more freedom to explore the park and ride nearby slides independently.
With your rental you will also receive four inner tubes for your private use throughout the day. On busy summer days, there may be a small wait for tubes so this is a great benefit.
Each cabana comes with a table and chairs with umbrella providing shade. There are also four lounge shades completely shaded. The chairs were perfect for mid-day naps for my youngest (and maybe myself). A pitcher of ice water is provided by a server who will also take meal and drink orders. No waiting in line for pizza or chicken strips!
How much do the Soak City Cabanas cost?
Upon writing this, the day use of a cabana starts $199 for Malibu Cabana Rentals and $249 for Wavepool Cabana Rentals. Now that may seem like a hefty price tag, but it breaks down to $25 a person for 8 people to enjoy all day long. It is absolutely worth the value. Previous visits to Soak City, especially with a little one, meant we arrived at park opening and left at naptime. With a cabana, everyone was able to relax when needed, meaning we could stay all day. It’s welcome relief from sunshine and a huge time saver having wait staff available. There’s plenty of room to store your personal belongings. Plus, my older kids were granted a slightly longer leash since they knew where to return after riding on slides.
Reserve your VIP Cabana and get more info here.
We had so much fun kicking off the summer season as Soak City! Gold and Platinum Passholders can enjoy Soak City all season long for free. If you aren’t a member yet, click here to grab your access to all the seasons of fun.
It’s going to be a great summer at Knott’s Soak City! Share what you’re looking forward to in the comments!
82 Comments
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This looks like such a fun water park. I love that you can rent a cabana for the day. What a great way to spend the day with the family.
Water parks are always so much fun. We live far, far away to will just have to enjoy a water park closer but sure your family will continue to enjoy this water park.
This does look like a blast! We’re always looking for ways to keep cool over the summer. You can definitely do that here.
I love going to water parks! They are probably one of my favorite places to take my family. I did not know that Knotts had something like this. We will have to explore it once we go out that way.
I would be all about that lazy river! It’s such a fun and relaxing way to spend the day at the water park while the kids have fun.
I did not add the water park to our pass. I was concerned about the size of the park and with the age difference of the kids, I thought is would be scary for me. I like the Cabana idea. That may make it easier. Thanks for a great post!
Where is Clementine County? What state. I will google it. This looks so much fun. We LOVE waterparks. They are one of my favourite things ever. Very fun for families and kids of all ages.
Love taking my nephew here during the summer!
Looks like so much fun!
Can’t believe Knotts has such a great water park! This looks like such a fun place to visit this summer.
You need to cool off in the summer and that water park looks like a winner. Getting the cabana is a good deal and lets you get the most out of the park.
Love Knotts! A full day of fun for the whole family!
How much fun does this look like it would be! I would love to spend a day here, great for the whole family.
My family, especially the kids, loves water parks. Isn’t it one of the first things you think of when you think of a kid’s dream summer destination? This park looks like a really cool one.
What a fun spot for the family in the summer! I love the idea of renting a cabana to get out of the sun and relax!
I’ve heard great things and my boys have been wanting to go. Great review and pictures!
This looks like a lot of fun! I don’t know if we’ll be hitting a water park anytime soon, but I do know we have many a camping trip and water fun at lakes ahead of us.
I would love to go with my family!
Now this looks like my kind of park! Bring on the slides and water fun!!
I had no idea that this place existed! I think my kids would have an absolute blast here!
This would be such a fun family day! My kids would be so excited!
Looks like such a fun place. Your girls definitely showed how much fun you can have from this place.
I would love to be there right now! Looks like the perfect place to spend a hot day. Looks like you guys had a blast!
Now this is where I could spend quite a few summer days! Looks like a lot of fun for the whole family!
I have always wanted to go to Knott’s Soak City! I love Knott’s Berry Farm. Looks like you had a blast! 🙂
Make sure to enter the giveaway if you haven’t already. 🙂
oh, how fun! Looks likes a great place to go for summer hot days. Thanks for sharing!
Soak City is so much fun! I would love to go there this summer!
Water parks are so fun! We will have to try Soak City’s kid area for my little one.
Never heard of this before and I must say it is indeed this is a great place for family bondings. Surely kids will love and enjoy the waterpark!
Thanks for the Awesome review. I’ll have to take the boys this summer!????
Looks like fun! Haven’t been since I was a teenager. My kids would love it!
I love waterparks! The perfect way to beat the heat in the summer and have a ton of fun. There is always something for everyone – whether adults or kids.
Ahhh I haven’t been there in YEARS! My kids would love it. We are heading to the area from Phoenix fathers day weekend, this would be so cool to check out! Thank you!
So much fun! Thanks for sharing!!
We love Knott’s Soak City! great way to make family memories! My little girl’s birthday is in a few days and this would be amazing if we won. Thanks for the opportunity!
Been to Knott’s Berry farm lots of times but never visited Soak City.
Would love to take my boys for a fun summer day!
Looks like fun!
Would love to win… I’m taking my daughters Girl Scout troop for a good cookie selling.
Never been, would be perfect for summer!
Never been! We have been to Knotts berry farm many times. Love the rides and funnel cake
Never been. I love adventure so definitely the slides
The new attractions look like so much fun!
We would love to visit Soak City! We have never been there but I would love to try my favorites which are the wave pool & lazy river! I love doing all of that with my 5 guys!
This looks fun!
What a great family outing
I’ve been dying to try this water park out. I love knotts, so I can only imagine how fun the water park is. 🙂
This looks like it would be a great park to visit.
We have never been here, so winning would be awesome!
Wow. This really looks like a lot of fun!! I would love to take the kiddos.
We would love to visit
This would be so fun! I would love to take my girls!
Looks like a fun place to visit! Thank you for the giveaway!
My family has only visited Knott’s Berry Farm Park and not the water park. This would be so fantastic for my family of 4!!!
Very informational! Sounds like this is a summer must for the kiddos, thank you
Looks like so much fun~! My son and I have never been…looks amazing!
I will be in California next month for vacation. I would love to win and go here.
I haven’t been to a water park in 30 years!!! I would definitely start with the lazy river. I’m sure my 9 year old would have me riding the 6 foot waves in the tidal pool in no time!
Looks like so much fun!
Awesome!
Sounds like so much fun!
This would be a wonderful family activity!!
I don’t know how to swim but hopefully there are plenty of fun no swimming activities at the water park.. lol
My son LOVES water parks! Fingers crossed!!!
I’ve never been. Would love to go there on my next trip.
I haven’t been to Knott’s Soak City in YEARS – But, my boys go with summer camp every year and LOVE IT! Thanks for the chance.
My daughter abd 2 grandkids are coming to visit in June from VA and would be fun to treat them!
I haven’t been to Knott’s in years! Mmm…boysenberries!
YES! Boysenberry everything!
my boy would love the soak city..!
Knott’s Soak City looks like a whole lot of fun. I’d love to take my boys here this summer.
We’ve been wanting to go to Knotts Soak City. We go to Knott’ s a lot. It would make a fun few days.
We have never been but it looks like a blast.
I’d love to visit. I love Knott’s and my kids will love the water park!
Thank you for the super useful information. Those cabanas sound like they are really worth the money.
How fun to splash around. Wish I had one when I was growing up…LOL
Looks awesome!
What a fun giveaway! Thanks for hosting!
Thanks for sharing, this looks like a great time!
My grandchildren would just LOVE Knott’s!!!!