Mom-Tested: Waterfront Park

It’s been open for just over a month, but Waterfront Park is already a popular family destination.

Located at the County Administration Center along the Embarcadero, this giant park features an 830-foot-long fountain that encourages kids to splash around. There is also a play area with steep slides, climbing walls and even an old-fashioned seesaw.

In this week’s Mom-Tested, Mom-Approved, we head to Waterfront Park to see if it’s worth all this early praise or if it’s actually a logistic nightmare.

Before you go

This place isn’t made for spontaneous visits. You can do it, but it won’t be as much fun. Instead, plan as if you’re going to an actual water park and prepare accordingly: Pack bathing suits, towels, extra clothes, waterproof shoes, sunscreen, hats and cash.

Parking

Waterfront Park is located on Pacific Highway, which means spots are hard to find. There’s an underground garage that’s free until 6 p.m. on weekdays (and $10 after 6 p.m. and on weekends), but it has just 251 spaces. There are some meters on North Harbor Drive and some pay lots nearby that charge between $5 and $12 a day. A 650-space structure is scheduled to open next summer.

Meltdown factor: Medium. There could be a lot of driving around.

Rating: three out of five happy faces

Water fountain

This giant fountain is the park’s main attraction thanks to the many jets that spray treated, recycled water, and the inches-deep wading area of lukewarm water.

On first sight, it would seem that so many kids running around a wet surface would be ridiculously dangerous. But the fountain floor is actually rough and grippy, so let those little ones chase, splash and dunk to their hearts’ content.

There’s a giant grassy area right by the fountain where you can lay towels, have picnics and enjoy the waterfront views.

Meltdown factor: Low, but there may be some whining about being too cold when they’re done playing.

Rating: five out of five happy faces

Children play on the new playground equipment adjacent to the new County of San Diego Waterfront Park at the County Administration Building. — Charlie Neuman

(Charlie Neuman)

Playground

The play structures, which are mostly for children ages 5 to 12, are unlike the playground equipment at most local parks. There are curvy climbing walls, giant metal circles that spin, steep metal slides (that get hot in the afternoon sun) and lots of rope to climb. Children will definitely be entertained, but playing here can be stressful to parents. It’s so spread out that it’s easy to lose sight of little ones.

Meltdown factor: Medium, especially for toddlers and preschoolers who may feel overwhelmed by big kids or equipment that’s a bit too advanced for them.

Rating: four out of five happy faces

Amenities

There are clean(ish) modern restrooms by the playground with changing tables, as well as a family bathroom.

As far as snacks go, the only thing on site is a water fountain. But there are plans to open a cafe later this year. So make sure to pack a picnic lunch or bring plenty of snacks. There’s also a Jack in the Box across the street on Pacific Highway, and an Anthony’s Fish Grotto on North Harbor Drive.

Meltdown factor: Low to high, depending on how many snacks are in your bag.

Rating: 2 out of five happy faces

Overall

This is a fantastic, spacious park that’s worth all the early praise.

And along with its many play features, it is also one of San Diego’s most diverse spots. You’ll find people of all ages and ethnicities splashing together and sharing rides on the multi-person swing.

Rating: four out of five happy faces