to slide, make waves or cool off in pools of refreshing water

By taking the simple concept of a playground slide and combining it with a favorite way to keep cool--water play--one comes up with a water slide. This exhilarating diversion is available in and near Southern California in a variety of forms, most of which present a fast and splashy descent into refreshing pools.

All ages, especially children, can enjoy the following selection of nearby water slides and the more extensive water-themed amusement parks. Several have age or height requirements for certain slides.

Be aware that some of the more tortuous turns and precipitous drops can be scary for children. Most of the pools at the bottoms of the slides are 3 to 4 feet deep. Although lifeguards are on duty, continuous parental supervision is a necessity, particularly for small children and non-swimmers.

Some locations offer special birthday-party packages and group rates. Lockers are available at certain sites, while others provide open changing areas where patrons can leave clothing and shoes.

The following is a sampling of amusement spots in or near the Southern California area that either specialize in water play or include water slides among their attractions.

Roller Splash, Anaheim Recreation Center, 1041 N. Shepard St., Anaheim, (714) 630-7212. The center is open daily 9 a.m. to about 11 p.m.; you can slide until about 5 p.m. This facility features a 40-foot slide that descends three stories at a 45-degree angle. A half hour of sliding costs $2.50, while $4 pays for an hour. Sliders use a sled for the ride down into the pool. Other amusements on the premises include go-carts, arcades, a roller rink, bumper boats and batting cages. A snack bar offers refreshment.

Camelot Golf Land, 3200 Carpenter Ave., Anaheim, (714) 630-3343. This facility, adjacent to Roller Splash listed above, is open every day from 10 a.m. to midnight. Call for slide hours. The cost to slide down the four twisting 50-foot slides in fiberglass tubes is $3 for 10 rides or $5 for 20 rides. Swimmers must be at least 48 inches tall to slide, while non-swimmers must be at least 52 inches. Miniature golf and an arcade are available. Snack bar serves pizza.

Roller Splash, Fountain Valley Family Fun Center, 16800 Magnolia St., Fountain Valley, (714) 842-1011. Center hours are weekdays 9 a.m.-11 p.m., weekends 9 a.m.-midnight. The 35-foot slide, which ends in a 3 1/2-foot-deep pool, is open from about 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. The cost to slide is $2.50 a half hour, $3.50 an hour. Miniature golf, batting practice, bumper boat rides and a snack bar.

Raging Waters, 111 Via Verde, San Dimas, (714) 592-6453. A 40-acre, water-themed amusement park, Raging Waters is open daily through Sept. 7, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. After Sept. 7, it’s open weekends only through Oct. 12, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Weekend admission is $11.95 for those taller than 48 inches, $9.95 for those 42-48 inches and $6.95 for ages 60 and over. Children under 42 inches are free. Prices are $1 less on weekdays. Call about evening prices and special passes. Parking costs $2. The attractions include eight slides, a newly reconstructed wave cove that creates an ocean-like wave, a free-form activity pool, inner-tube rapids and a children’s pool. Rides include a seven-story descent in fewer than four seconds; a hydro-sled ride where riders are airborne 150 feet before splashdown and two 25 m.p.h. speed slides. Sandy beach, pavilion, arcade, dressing rooms with lockers, a snack bar, gift shop, picnic area. On staff are 125 CPR- and Red Cross-certified lifeguards and registered nurses.

Newport Dunes Aquatic Park, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach, (714) 644-0510. Open daily 9 a.m.-dusk. The cost is $2 for adults, $1 for ages 11 and under. This park is on the beach and in a natural saltwater bay with no waves. Featured are flotation “whales” and long, straight pool-type slides that go into the bay. Boat rentals, a snack bar and restaurant, kiddie pool and a game room.

Wild Rivers at Lion Country, 8800 Irvine Center Drive, Laguna Hills, (714) 768-9453. This 20-acre African-themed amusement park opened June 7. Hours are 10 a.m.-9 p.m. daily through Sept. 7. From Sept. 13 to Oct. 12, open weekends 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The cost for adults is $10.75, children 3-11 pay $8.75 and children under 3 are free. Ages 55 and up pay $5.50. Season and weekday passes are available. Parking costs $2. Wild Rivers Mountain is a five-story-high, man-made earth mountain that features 18 water rides, including water rapids, two five-story slides with lots of twists, a twisting ride inside the dark mountain and a six-lane, gradual water slide. Explorers Island duplicates several of the wilder rides on a child-size level. Showers, lockers, picnic areas, food and beverage services and a gift shop.

Sengme Oaks Waterpark, La Jolla Indian Reservation, California 76 near Palomar Mountain, seven miles west of Lake Henshaw, (619) 742-1921. Open daily 10 a.m.-dusk. Admission and unlimited use of slides cost $7.95 for ages 11-65, $6.95 for ages 4-10 and are free for those under 4 or over 65. Attractions include two straight speed slides; two giant twisting slides; a large kiddie pool with low, wide slides and two slow, twisting slides and a Rampage slide from which the platform drops away for a quick descent. Changing rooms, showers, lockers, a deck and lounge area, a snack bar, barbecues, volleyball court and horseshoe pits.

Family Fun Center, 8900 Fletcher Parkway, La Mesa, (619) 463-9111. The Fun Center is open daily 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The cost on the three 400-foot, four-story-high flumes is $2.50 for five slides or $4 for 10 slides. All sliders must be 44 inches or taller. Also at this location are miniature golf, bumper boats, batting cages, an arcade and a snack bar.

Oasis Waterpark, 1500 Gene Autry Trail (between California 111 and Ramon Road), Palm Springs, (619) 325-7873. Opened in April, Oasis Waterpark is a 21-acre, family-oriented water resort. Summer operating hours are 11 a.m.-10 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-10 p.m. weekends. Admission to the park is $12.95 for adults, $9.95 for children 4 to 11 and free to children under 4. Memberships and group discounts are available. A four-foot-wave machine makes six wave configurations. Among the water rides are two 390-foot free-fall slides, two 400-foot aqua-twist slides, an open family slide 7 feet wide and 400 feet long and a slow white-water inner-tube ride. In addition, a children’s area contains child-size slides, a fountain and water cannons. Other features: adult-membership clubhouse, restaurant, two spas, Jacuzzi, sauna, indoor/outdoor pool, volleyball court, gift shop, food concessions, locker rentals and raft and boogie-board rentals.

Wet ‘n Wild, 2600 Las Vegas Blvd. S., Las Vegas (mailing address: P.O. Box 70030, Las Vegas, Nev. 89170), (702) 734-0088 or (702) 737-7873. From now to early September, Wet ‘n Wild is open 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Park closes Sept. 28. Admission costs are $11.95 for adults, $8.95 for children 3-12 and free for ages 2 and under, with discounts on evening admissions. Attractions include speed slides, a giant wave pool, a children’s park with a variety of water amusements, twisting water flumes, a raging rapids with wind and rain tunnels and swirling whirlpools, a river on which to float and a 76-foot free-fall chute. Food facilities, lockers, showers and a gift shop.