As the hot breath of triple-digit temperatures blows into the Inland region this weekend, a little humor is a welcome distraction. So how hot is it?
It’s so hot that when you catch fish they’re already fried.
It’s so hot that McDonald’s is frying burgers on parked cars.
It’s so hot that all the bread in the store is toast.
An even better diversion is to get wet, abetted by the twists and turns of water slides. Here are some very cool places:
BUCCANEER COVE AT CASTLE PARK
Information: 3500 Polk St., Riverside. 951-785-3000, castlepark.com
Buccaneer Cove hours and admission: Noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; noon- 7 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Closed Monday. $9.99 - $13.99, depending on whether you buy passes in advance online or at the gate.
Castle Park features 28 rides, four miniature golf courses, carnival midway games, shops, arcade games and more. Its water park, called Buccaneer Cove, includes five slides, tunnels, spray cannons, fountains and a huge splash bucket.
THE COVE WATERPARK
Information: 4310 Camino Real, Jurupa Valley. 951-360-1974, covewaterpark.org
Hours and admission: Open daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. beginning Monday, June 6. $18 for those at least 48 inches tall; $14 for guests 36-47 inches tall, seniors 55 and older and military members with ID; $9 for those 30-36 inches tall.
The Cove offers wading pools, racing slides, a competition pool, a tree house and a meandering river. Highlights include Lil’ Mates’ Lagoon, Crow’s Nest slides, 180 feet of slip-sliding on Shipwreck Island, tubing down Ne’er Endin’ River, Riptide Reef FlowRider and a wave simulator allowing body boarding or standup surfing.
DIAMOND VALLEY AQUATIC CENTER
Information: 1801 Angler Ave., Hemet. 951-929-0047, vwrpd.org
Cucamonga-Guasti – This water park has 220-foot double-flume water slide, one-half acre swim lagoon, sandy beach, and green grass for picnic. It is located at 800 North Archibald Avenue, Ontario. If you’re living just a short drive from this place, better visit it as soon as you can.
Glen Helen – Glen Helen is one of the water parks that offer a beach – and not a pool. Take a look inside the park and see how beautiful the place is. It has a one-half acre of swim lagoon, sandy shore for spectators and sun bathers, snack bar where you can buy some foods, and a playground for kids.
Lake Gregory – It’s a four-acre swimming lake that can be enjoyed by many people. Lake Gregpry has a 300-foot double-flume water slide, white sand beach, paddle boards, boat rentals, aqua cycle, and two sand volleyball courts. There is something for everybody in this water park.
Yucaipa – Take note that this water park is closed during Mondays but open for Holidays. Yucaipa water park has a 350-foot giant water slide, 290-foot aqua tube water slide, white sand beach, one-acre swim lagoon and a grassy land for every family.
Victorville - Mojave Narrows Regional Park
I-15 at Bear Valley Exit, north on Ridgecrest
Hours of Operation: 7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
San Bernardino County’s Regional Parks Department will reduce the park’s schedule from seven days a week to five, closing the park for regular business on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The park will be open Thursday through Monday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Annual and veteran pass holders will be allowed to walk into the park on closure days, but fishing will not be permitted on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Camping is still available at the park; however, stays that include a park closure day will require a 7 or 14 day reservation.
Phone: (760) 245-2226 Fax: (760) 245-7887
Located alongside an old riverbed in the high desert. Mojave Narrows offers lush plant growth, acres of waterways, impressive strands of cottonwood and willows and broad meadows all naturally landscaped by nature. The park is home to more than 1,500 species of watchable wildlife.
Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park, Ontario (pricing varies, zero depth water play park)
Deleo Sports Park Botanical Themed Splash Pad, Corona (free)
Doty Trust Park, Riverside (free)
Jerry Lewis Family Swim Center, San Bernadino ($1.00 – $3.00 per person, wading pool and rain forest)
Lake Gregory Regional Park, Crestline (pricing varies, they have a zero depth water play park)
Lake Skinner Splash Pad, Winchester ($6 per vehicle)
Palm Springs Aquatics Center’s Splash Pool, Palm Springs ($2.50 – $4.00 per person)
Rancho Jurupa Park Splash Pad, Jurupa ($2 per child / $5 per adult)