20 Fun Things to Do in Ventura with Kids
Whether you’re going for a day trip or a weekend, Ventura is the perfect place to visit with kids. Beautiful, uncrowded beaches, a historic pier, and access to a breathtaking National Park all in one cozy, beachside town. Need we say more? From endless outdoor activities to museums and dining, there are so many things to do in Ventura with kids, offering something for everyone to enjoy!
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Family-Friendly Things to Do In Ventura County
The beach is the perfect place to start, where you can take long walks and explore the shoreline. If your kids enjoy water activities, you can take them on a boat or kayak tour or head to Channel Islands National Park for some incredible snorkeling and whale watching. The Ventura Pier and Promenade are also great spots for fishing and biking. Check out some of the best kids’ activities in Ventura below.
Channel Islands National Park
Exploring the Channel Islands National Park is an unforgettable experience. Located off the coast of California, this park offers a unique opportunity to go on a maritime treasure hunt. You can explore the island’s rich marine life, stunning landscapes, and diverse wildlife. With its crystal clear waters, you can spot sea stars, dolphins, sea lions, and more. The park also offers kayaking tours perfect for anyone looking to explore the area on their own. Island Packers offers guided tours to all five of the Channel Islands.
Whale Watching
Island Packers also leads year-round ocean excursions to spot wildlife like whales and dolphins. The summer whale watching season runs from mid-May to mid-September, while winter trips to see grey whales run from December to April.
Beach Day
With a pristine coastline, Ventura County is one of the best places near Los Angeles to spend the day at the beach. San Buenaventura is the largest, with two miles of shoreline. Harbor Cove Beach is an excellent choice for smaller kids since the water is calmer in the cove. Surfers Point Beach, just west of the pier, is perfect for watching the surfers and exploring the tide pools.
Ventura Harbor Village
The Ventura Harbor Village is one of the must-see Ventura attractions. This waterfront destination offers something for everyone. With its shops, restaurants, and activities, it’s a perfect place to relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Pacific Ocean. Many events are held at the harbor, including live music, festivals, and farmers’ markets.
Pedal Boat Ride at Ventura Harbor Village
A pedal boat ride at the harbor is one of our favorite family activities that everyone will enjoy. You can cruise around the harbor, taking in all the sights and sounds of the beautiful harbor. The best part is you get your choice of boat rentals, including a duck, a swan, or a dragon. The same spot also offers electric boat, kayak, and SUP rentals.
Ventura Pier
This wooden pier is the oldest in the state and is designated as Ventura Historical Landmark. It’s a popular spot for whale watching and fishing or just taking a stroll and enjoying the incredible scenic views.
Ventura County Fair
This annual county fair is easily one of the best things about Ventura County. Like the L.A. and O.C. Fairs, it offers tons of entertainment, including rides, games, delicious foods, animals, and live music. It also features something neither one of the others has: an ocean view. There’s nothing like watching the sparkling Pacific from the top of the Ferris Wheel.
Mission San Buenaventura
As any fourth-grade student in California can tell you, the missions have a significant role in the state’s history. Take a tour of the museum and garden and learn about life at the mission in the early 1800s.
Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing Museum
Located in Camarillo, the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing Museum is a unique place dedicated to preserving and displaying the aircraft and memorabilia of aviation history. The museum features a fantastic collection of vintage military aircraft, including WWII fighters, bombers, transports, and trainers. Visitors can explore the displays and interact with knowledgeable docents who bring the history of each plane alive with stories and anecdotes. Not only that, but visitors can also take part in hands-on activities such as flight simulators and interactive exhibits. This incredible museum will surely be a treat for any aviation enthusiast!
RELATED: Fun Things to Do With Kids Who Love Airplanes, Trains, Boats & Cars
Camp Out
Whether you’re looking for a night under the stars or a cozy glamping experience, you’ll find it all in Ventura County, steps from the beach. Ventura, Ojai, Santa Barbara, and Oxnard offer gorgeous glamping sites with furnished yurts and incredible amenities. If tent camping is more your speed, there are several popular spots, including Lake Casitas. Check out our guide to family-friendly campgrounds for more ideas!
Ventura Botanical Gardens
With spectacular views of the ocean and Channel Islands beyond, this beautiful garden set in the foothills above Ventura’s City Hall offers plenty to explore. As an evolving project, more is continuously added and growing in the tranquil space that includes Mediterranean and South African gardens and the newest Chilean Garden.
Coastal Cone
Looking to cool down with something sweet? Pay a visit to this ice cream spot serving over 40 flavors of ice cream and soft serve, milkshakes, and some unique concoctions, like the taiyaki fish waffle ice cream or jumbo banana split. Open since 1983, this popular spot was originally a burger and malt shop and still serves up tasty burgers in case you need something besides dessert.
Wheel Fun Rentals
One of the best ways to enjoy the gorgeous ocean views is with a bike ride along the beach. Situated on the pier’s south side, the Ventura Wheel Fun Rentals is the perfect launching spot for a cruise along the boardwalk.
Ventura Marina Park Peninsula
This 15-acre beachfront park is perfect for families looking to relax and play outdoors. Watch the boats cruise in and out of the harbor, go fishing off the dock, have a picnic, or climb and play on the boat-themed playground.
Murphy Auto Museum
Calling all car fans! This excellent auto museum houses a collection of nearly 50 classic and antique cars, as well as an art gallery with work from local SoCal artists.
Seabee Museum
Located at the Ventura County Naval Base in Port Hueneme, the Seabee Museum is dedicated to educating visitors on the history and heritage of the Seabees and Civil Engineer Corps.
Lake Casitas Water Adventure
While Lake Casitas is a no-contact lake, there are still plenty of opportunities to splash and play in the water at Lake Casitas Water Adventure. The waterpark features water slides, inner tube rides, and a swimming lagoon.
RELATED: 12 of the Best Southern California Water Parks (2023)
Harmon Canyon Preserve
With over 2,000 acres of land, this preserve features plenty of wildlife and plants to explore. Multiple trails are open to hikers and bikers with gorgeous canyon and ocean views. Although the preserve features oak groves, there is very little shade on the trails, and it can get hot as they wind inland, so be prepared with water and sunscreen.
Bart’s Books
If you’ve got a young bookwork, be sure to make a stop at Bart’s Books in Ojai when you plan your next visit to Ventura County. This beautiful outdoor used bookstore has been an icon in the community since 1964, and it remains the world’s largest outdoor bookstore with a collection of over 130,000 books.
Camarillo Outlet Mall
No visit to Ventura County would be complete without a shopping trip to the outlet mall. The premium outlet shops include family favorites like Adidas, Carter’s, Crocs, The Children’s Place Disney, H&M, and more. There are also several kid-friendly food and drinks spots, including Johnny Rockets and Cracker Barrel, and even a kid’s play area.
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