Between LA And San Diego Is A Coastal Resort With A Huge Floating, Inflatable Water Park

Move over traditional water parks — floating inflatable water parks are making a big splash. These alternatives to typical steel and cement parks can turn an ordinary body of water into an exciting playground for the whole family with their inflatable slides, massive jump towers, obstacle courses, and other fun features. California is home to the largest inflatable water park in North America — Splash-n-Dash Aqua Park in the central part of the state near Modesto — along with other excellent parks like Cali Splash Park in Castaic, which is in Los Angeles County. Yet another popular SoCal venue is the Newport Dunes Water Park, associated with the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina in Newport Beach, about an hour south of Los Angeles and an hour and a half north of San Diego.

The Newport Dunes Water Park sits offshore the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina's sandy beach in beautiful Newport Bay, with lovely skyline views of Newport Beach, one of the most talked-about coastal towns in America. The park features 30 different oversized inflatables: a jungle gym, monkey bars, bouncers, and a 17-foot slide, plus slides of other sizes, promising thrills for water lovers. Its varied features are one of its main selling points, but so is its sheltered location in Newport's Back Bay. This location ensures a waveless environment that's safe and pleasant for swimming, playing on the inflatables, and many other water sports. The park is open every day from Memorial Day through September from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with admission tickets sold for one-hour slots only (no all-day access). Reservations are recommended, as the water park is popular and slots do sell out. Any paying guest older than 5 years of age is welcome to use the park, but those who aren't staying overnight at the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort will pay more for admission.

Splashing around at the Newport Dunes Water Park is only one of many things to do at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort. After their hour of jumping, climbing, and bouncing on the inflatables, those who want to keep on swimming can do so in the calm bay waters near the beach, which are overseen by a lifeguard throughout the year. Meanwhile, the water weary can relax on the beach's crescent of sand with lovely bay views. Amenities at the beach area include cabanas with small tables and loungers, a pirate-themed playground, and casual dining at Moe B's Munchies Beachfront Bar & Grill. While the beach and its amenities are open to day visitors, a separate pool complex is available for overnight resort guests only. The pool area is open year-round and includes a large in-ground pool suitable for both relaxing and lap swimming, two spas, and four luxurious poolside cabanas with loungers and privacy drapes.

Want to play on the water rather than in it or beside it? Newport Dunes has you covered, too. From 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Moe B's Water Sports at Newport Dunes rents watercrafts, including 21-foot-long Duffy boats, stand-up paddleboards, single and double kayaks, and paddleboats. Exploring the Back Bay by watercraft is an easygoing experience that most visitors can enjoy, regardless of their experience level. An added bonus is that you can often see sea lions and a variety of fish and birds while boating in these waters. Birders take note: Upper Newport Bay is actually one of the top birding sites in the U.S., home to around 200 resident and migratory bird species.

Why limit your visit to Newport Dunes to one day when you can check in and stay for a while? Whether you're an RVer in need of a sweet spot to park your rig or a family seeking a comfortable beachfront cottage, the Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort delivers, with 27 different cottages and more than 370 RV sites to choose from. Listed as a Top 10 Luxurious RV Resort in California by the travel network RV Life, Newport Dunes draws visitors year after year with its beautiful setting and amenities that go way beyond the water-based features of the pool complex, beach, and water park.

The resort's other amenities include restrooms with showers, a laundromat, a general store, golf cart and fire pit rentals, horseshoes, beach volleyball, biking and hiking trails, and a small dog run. In busy summers, this property may not be the best choice for secluded getaways. But those who appreciate a relaxed, communal vibe may enjoy it here. "It was a nice atmosphere with large old trees in front of the cottage. They were filled with several species of birds, and we spent a lot of time sitting on our porch drinking coffee and watching them interact with each other in the morning," one Google reviewer wrote. "Couples with children were staying in the cottages on both sides of us, so the family atmosphere added to our enjoyment. The fire pits around us were really nice in the evenings as well."

There are activities at Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort to appeal to just about anyone, from movies to arts and crafts, trivia games, bingo, water aerobics, and more. In addition, the resort holds special events frequently throughout the year with live music and munchies on the beach. A detailed activities calendar is available online to help guests plan their stay. For a more rustic place to camp in Newport Beach, drive 15 minutes south to Crystal Cove State Park, a beautiful beachside California park with more fun outdoor adventures.