Palm Springs Surf Club vs The Cove Waterpark
A side-by-side look at two water parks — rides, prices, amenities, and which one fits your trip.
Which Park Is Right for You?
Quick verdicts based on what each park offers.
Amenities Compared
What each park offers, side by side.
| Feature | Palm Springs Surf Club | The Cove Waterpark |
|---|---|---|
| Parking |
Only at Palm Springs Surf Club
- gift shop
- surfing simulator
- wifi
Only at The Cove Waterpark
- group rates
Both parks share 1 amenities including Parking.
About Each Park
Palm Springs Surf Club
California
Palm Springs Surf Club brings a slice of beach culture to the desert, and honestly, it's exactly what this hot, dry city needed. The park's crown jewel is its FlowRider surf simulator, which draws crowds of wannabe surfers and experienced boarders alike. I've watched kids as young as eight figure out the basics while college students show off their skills. The wave pool creates decent swells every few minutes, though it gets packed during peak hours. The slide complex includes a couple of high-speed body slides and a multi-lane racer that gets competitive fast. Families with younger kids gravitate toward the splash zone, which has smaller slides, water fountains, and plenty of shallow play areas. The lazy river winds around most of the park and provides crucial relief from the desert sun. What really sets this place apart is how they've leaned into the surf theme without going overboard. The lifeguards actually know their stuff about water safety, and many can give you genuine surfing tips on the FlowRider. The cabanas are worth every penny in Palm Springs heat - I can't stress this enough. Book one online before you go because they sell out fast on weekends. The food is standard water park fare, but the smoothie bar near the surf simulator makes surprisingly good açai bowls. Get here right when they open to claim a good spot and knock out the big slides before the lines build. Afternoons get brutal temperature-wise, so plan your most active time for…
Read the full Palm Springs Surf Club guide →The Cove Waterpark
California
The Cove Waterpark sits on about 10 acres in Riverside, making it one of the Inland Empire's go-to spots when temperatures hit the triple digits. This isn't Knott's Soak City, but it doesn't try to be. Instead, you get a solid neighborhood water park that locals have been coming to for years. The main draw is a decent-sized wave pool that generates waves every 15 minutes or so. Kids love timing their jumps with the wave cycles, and parents appreciate that it's not so intense that little ones get knocked around. The slide collection includes a couple of body slides that give you a good rush without being terrifying, plus some tube slides that families can ride together. What really works here is the lazy river that actually moves at a relaxing pace. I've seen too many parks where the current is either non-existent or feels like whitewater rafting. The Cove gets it right. The kids area has smaller versions of the big slides plus fountains and dump buckets. Teens might find it a bit tame compared to the mega-parks, but younger families will appreciate that they can actually relax while their kids play safely nearby. The pool deck gets hot, so bring water shoes or plan to hop from shade spot to shade spot. Speaking of shade, rent a cabana if you're staying all day. The few umbrella tables fill up fast, especially on weekends. Food options are typical water park fare, but the prices aren't outrageous for Southern…
Read the full The Cove Waterpark guide →Ready to visit Palm Springs Surf Club?