South Bay Shores Waterpark Information and Guidelines

To participate in waterpark attractions, appropriate swimwear is required. Here are some recommendations to help you plan your visit:

• Appropriate swimwear is required. Thongs and transparent clothing are not permitted. We reserve the right to determine the appropriateness of swimwear. 
• Guests wearing bathing attire with metal buttons, rivets, zippers, or snaps will not be permitted to ride Pup’s Pier, Reef Racer, Tide Pool Slides, and Shark Reef Plunge. 
• Footwear, including aqua socks and aquatic style footwear, are not permitted on Pup’s Pier, Reef Racer, Tide Pool Slides, and Shark Reef Plunge attractions.
• Guests requiring special accommodations should speak to a member of the Aquatics management team. Specifically designed attire made from lycra or nylon type materials will be considered. Due to attraction manufacturer requirements, some riding restrictions may apply.
• Diaper dependent guests are required to wear swim diapers, or diapers specifically designed for aquatic use.
• When exiting South Bay Shores, shirts, shorts, and shoes are required.

If you do not have appropriate bathing attire, swimsuits and other aquatic gear can be purchased at Surfside Supplies.

To ensure the safest experience for all guests during their visit, the following rules are in effect. We appreciate your cooperation in this regard.

• Attractions may have specific height, weight, and safety requirements. Please refer to the Safety Guide sign posted at each attraction to make an informed decision as to whether the attraction is right for you.
• Please refrain from running, horseplay, and other boisterous activities. 
• Glassware and similar material with a tendency to shatter on impact are not permitted in South Bay Shores.
• For safety reasons, diving is not permitted at any attraction.
• South Bay Shores and California’s Great America is a smoke-free environment. Smoking is only permitted outside of the park.
• Keep an eye on your young children. Children should not be left unattended at any time.
• Please secure all loose articles, including hats, glasses, and jewelry when riding. Cameras, cell phones and video recording devices may not be used on any slide or in any changing area or restroom.
• Water toys, whistles, and inflatable assists are not permitted.
• Masks and snorkels are not permitted on any water attraction.
• Hearing devices or any other electronic devices may be damaged by water. Please take the necessary steps to protect such items.
• According to crowd size, time at the water attractions and access to South Bay Shores may be limited.
• Persons having active diarrhea or who have had active diarrhea within the past 14 days are not allowed to enter the water.

Our Aquatics staff is here to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant visit. First aid staff and waterpark supervisors are available throughout the area should you have any questions or need assistance.  Please follow all lifeguard rules and instructions, but do not talk to or distract lifeguards while they are on duty. 

To provide a safe and enjoyable waterpark experience for our guests, South Bay Shores routinely utilizes training exercises to improve our lifeguards’ skills and vigilance. These exercises will occur during normal operating hours and may consist of the following: submersible water manikins, the use of video surveillance equipment, internal and external audits, active/inactive water rescues and/or first aid scenarios.

South Bay Shores provides a full day of fun in the sun! To make the most of your day, be sure to drink plenty of water to avoid heat exhaustion. Drinking fountains are located near each restroom. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen frequently throughout the day. If you happen to forget your sunscreen, Surfside Supplies and various merchandise locations throughout the Park have a variety of sunscreens and sundries available for purchase.

Life jackets are available for use throughout South Bay Shores. Life jackets are complimentary and are available to any guest wishing to use one. Children, first-time swimmers, and weaker swimmers are encouraged to wear a life jacket. Some attractions require guests below a specific height to wear a life jacket before participating in the attraction. Aquatics staff and lifeguards reserve the right to impose the use of life jackets as needed. For specific attraction requirements, please visit our accessibility guide. Guests are permitted to wear their own life jacket; however, it must be Coast Guard approved.

The First Aid Station is located behind Tide Pool Cabanas, which is near the wave pool. If you need any assistance during your visit, do not hesitate to stop by the First Aid Station, or notify the nearest lifeguard. Our team would be glad to assist.

Upon arriving, we recommend selecting a meeting place. In the event you or your child becomes lost or separated from your party, your child may be brought to the Family Care Center, which is in Planet Snoopy. In the unlikely event that your child becomes separated, please alert an associate. Public address pages cannot be broadcast inside South Bay Shores.

If you happen to lose an item or leave an item behind while visiting, please drop by Guest Services located at the main entrance of the park during regular operating hours.

South Bay Shores is committed to providing all of our guests with an enjoyable visit. Guests with disabilities are encouraged to visit our accessibility guide for detailed information on the requirements of each attraction, along with the programs that California’s Great America and South Bay Shores offer.

A water wheelchair is available for guests requiring additional assistance.  The water wheelchair may be used by multiple guests on the same day. Pool lifts are available at Rushin’ River and Tide Pool.  During your visit, please speak to a member of our Aquatics management team to obtain access to the water wheelchair or the pool lifts and for further accessibility information.

For your convenience, lockers are located next to Pier 76 Café. Various locker sizes are available for all of your personal belongings. Locker rentals are automated and can be paid using credit/debit cards. The lockers work with electronic pin codes and will allow unlimited access throughout the day. Locker access is available until both South Bay Shores and California’s Great America are closed for the evening. California’s Great America cannot be held responsible for lost or stolen items.

Relax and enjoy the privacy of your own wave side cabana. A limited number of exclusive cabanas are available each day and often sell out.  We also have our Sand Bar Party Cabanas for up to 12 guests.  For more information and to reserve your cabana, please visit our link to cabanas.

Inner tubes are available free of charge at each attraction that requires a tube to ride. Inner tubes must remain at the attraction after riding.