Summer camps 2027 near you in SoCal

City of Mission Viejo Rec Camps

Mission Viejo · ages 4–17

Wide roster — Lego/robotics, sewing, singing, sports; half- and full-day options.

Camp Galileo — Irvine

Irvine · ages pre-K–8

Innovation/maker camp blending art, science and outdoor play; early-bird discounts.

2027: Early enrollment for Summer 2027 is open (lowest price of the season); general registration and session dates aren't published yet.

Crystal Cove State Park Junior Lifeguards

Newport Beach (Crystal Cove) · ages see site (state JG age rules)

State Parks junior guard program. New participants must pass an in-person tryout before registering on ReserveCalifornia; returning families skip the tryout. Extended-day seats are filled by lottery.

2027: 2027 sessions start Jun 14, Jul 5 and Jul 26 (spring break camps Mar 29 and Apr 5). Returning-family priority Mar 16–19; new participants register from Apr 17 at 5 PM after a tryout.

Ocean Institute — Summer Camp

Dana Point · ages 5–17

Marine-science camps at Dana Point Harbor, tiered from Sea Squirts (5–6) up to a teen Marine Science Careers academy. Members get early access and 10% off. 2026 member presale opened Feb 12 and public registration Feb 26.

UC Irvine Campus Recreation — Youth Summer Camps

Irvine · ages 7–17

Variety and specialty camps (climbing, archery, racquet sports, art, pool time) at UCI's Anteater Recreation Center, 9–4 with early drop-off from 7:45. UCI students and staff get lower rates. Campers take a short float/tread swim test.

City of Irvine Summer Camps

Irvine · ages 4–17

Big city roster — cooking, art, sports, STEM; cheap resident rates, registration opens mid-Feb.

Skyhawks Sports — South OC

San Clemente · ages 5–14

Multi-sport (soccer, basketball, flag football) day camps; half/full-day.

iD Tech Camps — UC Irvine

Irvine · ages 7–17

Coding, game dev, robotics and AI at UCI; small classes, day + teen academies.

2027: Summer 2027 registration is open; UCI camps run Jun 21–Aug 6, from $1,259/wk.

City of San Clemente Junior Lifeguards

San Clemente · ages 9–16

City Marine Safety program based at the pier. New participants must swim 100 yards in under 2 minutes, and swim tests are typically held in March; returning JGs don't retest. Plus a $25 equipment fee.

Discovery Cube OC — Camp Discovery

Santa Ana · ages K–5

Hands-on STEM (space, robotics, engineering) at the marquee OC science museum.

Camp James

Newport Beach · ages 5–13

Long-running bayside day camp on N. Bayside Dr. Price tiers drop the earlier you book, starting Jan 1. Kids with mild special needs are welcome; families may bring their own professional aide, and peer 'Teen Buddies' are sometimes available.

2027: Summer 2027 runs Jun 7–Aug 13; registration opens Jan 1 at the lowest VIP rate ($475/wk, Jan 1–31, 6-week minimum), then $530 Feb, $620 Mar, $645 Apr, $670 from May.

YMCA of Orange County Day Camps

Multiple (OC) · ages 5–15

Traditional + specialty day camps across OC; scholarships keep it accessible.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central OC — Summer Adventures

Santa Ana · ages 5–18

Membership-based summer program with long daily hours; 2026 was $3,600 for 12 weeks or $1,117–1,241 per 4-week block before financial aid.

City of Santa Ana — Summer Splash Day Camp

Santa Ana · ages 5–12

All-inclusive: lunch, swim lessons and weekly excursions — one of the best affordable OC camps.

Endless Sun Surf School

Newport Beach · ages 6–15

Top-rated OC surf camp under Newport Pier; morning/all-day surf & boogie, gear provided.

Newport Beach Junior Lifeguards

Newport Beach · ages 9–15

Iconic 7-week ocean program — swimming, rescue skills, fitness; swim test required.

Huntington State Beach Junior Lifeguards

Huntington Beach · ages 7–15

State-run junior guard program — ocean proofing, marine safety, fitness.

2027: 2027 JG sessions Jun 21–Jul 16 and Jul 19–Aug 13 (ages 9–15); Grom camp (ages 7–8) Jun 28–Jul 16 and Jul 26–Aug 13. Returning-family priority Mar 13–20; new JGs register from Apr 11 at 5 PM after passing a tryout (ReserveCalifornia).

City of Anaheim — CampVenture Day Camp

Anaheim · ages 5–12

Anaheim's city day camp (formerly O.A.K.S.), 9:30–3:30 with extended care 7:30–6, at the Downtown Anaheim Community Center and Peralta Canyon Park; Oak Canyon Nature Center runs nature camps for ages 5–12.

City of Huntington Beach — Camp HB

Huntington Beach · ages 6–12

City day camp at Murdy Community Center with 10 themed weeks and Tuesday/Thursday excursions, 8:30–5. A 3-day (M/W/F) option keeps it cheap. Leader-in-Training track for ages 13–17.

City of Riverside — Aquatics Camps

Riverside · ages 6–14

Affordable city aquatics/day programming at Hunt Park.

Camp Galileo — Claremont

Claremont · ages pre-K–8

Innovation/maker camp — art + science at the west edge of the Inland Empire.

2027: Early enrollment for Summer 2027 is open; session dates aren't published yet.

Rancho Cucamonga — Youth Summer Camp

Rancho Cucamonga · ages 5–12

Community Services day camp with crafts, demos and vendors; runs June–July.

Skyhawks Sports — Inland Empire

Rancho Cucamonga · ages 5–14

Multi-sport day camps (soccer, basketball, flag football) at IE sites.

City of Fontana — Summer Day Camps

Fontana · ages 6–15

Seven city day camps (community centers, sports, arts, Nature Discovery at Mary Vagle) for ages 6–12, 9–5, with FUSD lunch included. Junior Lifeguard camp for ages 10–15 runs $140–168 per session.

2027: Summer 2027: weekly sessions Jun 7–Jul 30 at $113/wk; resident online registration opens April 2027, non-residents and walk-ins May 2027.

Long Beach Parks, Rec & Marine — Day Camps

Long Beach · ages 5–12

Games, crafts, fitness and enrichment; very affordable citywide, extended care option.

Aquarium of the Pacific — Summer Camp

Long Beach · ages 3–12

Tiered ocean camps (Sea Squirts → Coastal Explorer); a marquee draw.

Surfin' Fire Surf Camp

Carlsbad · ages 6–16

Private surf camp across Carlsbad/Oceanside/Encinitas; lessons + ocean safety.

Carlsbad State Junior Lifeguards

Carlsbad · ages 9–15

State-run junior guards at South Carlsbad (Ponto); ocean skills and safety.

YMCA of the East Valley — Day Camp

Redlands · ages 5–14

Traditional day camp at multiple East Valley sites; financial assistance offered.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Redlands-Riverside

Redlands · ages 6–18

Affordable club summer camp serving Redlands/Riverside; strong working-family option.

San Bernardino County Museum — Day Camp

Redlands · ages 6–12

Museum-based half-day science/nature camp; a low-cost IE enrichment pick.

City of Torrance — Day Camps

Torrance · ages 5–13 (grades 1–8)

Two-week city sessions: Day Camp (grades 1–5) and Teen Camp at Greenwood Park, Sports Camp at Wilson Park, and Mini Day Camp (ages 5–7) at La Romeria Park. Extended care to 6 PM is extra.

2027: 2027 sessions Jun 14–Aug 6 (four 2-week sessions); registration tentatively opens May 11, 2027. Day Camp $325 resident / $345 non-resident per session.

City of Escondido — Discovery Mini Camp

Escondido · ages 5–11

Affordable full-day city camp (7:30–5:30) at the Washington Park building, plus specialty fishing, dance, art and sports camps. Bring lunch. $1/min late-pickup fee.

AbilityFirst — Camp Paivika

Crestline · ages kids, teens & adults

Fully accessible sleepaway camp in the San Bernardino Mountains for children, teens and adults with disabilities. For 2026 an interest survey opened Dec 8 and registration links went out in January, first-come by survey timestamp.

California Science Center — Hands-On Science Camp

Los Angeles · ages pre-K–8

25+ courses in physics, chemistry, biology and space; scholarships available.

Natural History Museum — Adventures in Nature

Los Angeles · ages K–5

Camps on LA history, fossils and wildlife — includes a week at La Brea Tar Pits.

2027: Summer 2027 registration opens early 2027 (the museum says to check back then).

City of Pasadena — Indoor Summer Camps

Pasadena · ages 5–12

Affordable city day camp at Victory/Villa Parke/Robinson Park.

LA County Junior Lifeguards

Multiple (LA County beaches) · ages 9–17

County Fire lifeguard program at 12 beaches from Zuma to Cabrillo, plus Avalon. Two 4-week sessions with AM or PM classes. A timed 100-yard swim test in March–April is required, and need-based scholarships are available.

Pasadena — Arroyo Seco Adventure Camp

Pasadena · ages 8–12

Guided Arroyo hikes, archery, survival skills and nature crafts from Brookside Park.

Kidspace Children's Museum Camp

Pasadena · ages 5–8

National-Parks-themed camps on a 3.5-acre campus with live animals and water play.

2027: Spring 2027 camp dates and registration post in January 2027; summer 2027 not published yet.

City of Glendale — Kool Dayz & Neighborhood Day Camps

Glendale · ages 6–14

City-run summer day camps (Kool Dayz, Maple Starz, Sparr-Tacular, Travelin' Teens). In 2026 resident-only registration opened Mar 2 and fees were about $65–103/wk for residents. Verify residency in advance online or you pay non-resident rates.

Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times (free)

Mountain Center (Idyllwild) · ages infants–28

Cost-free, medically supervised camp for children and young adults with cancer (on or off treatment), with sibling and family sessions. Summer sleepaway plus spring and fall family camps; apply via the camp's Apply & Register page.

Camp del Corazon (free, for kids with heart disease)

Catalina Island · ages 7–17

Free, medically supervised sleepaway camp on Catalina for children with heart disease (UCLA-affiliated). The office is in North Hollywood, and the application launch is announced on social media.

2027: 2027 sessions Aug 19–23, Aug 23–27 and Aug 27–31 at Howland's Landing, Catalina; application date not yet announced.

Descanso Discoveries Summer Camp

La Cañada Flintridge · ages grades 1–7

Garden-based nature camp with the Child Educational Center — hands-on art and science exploring Descanso's habitats.

Los Angeles Zoo — Zoo Camp

Los Angeles (Griffith Park) · ages 4–grade 4

Animal-focused weekly camp in Griffith Park; sells out fast, extended care available.

JCamp (J Los Angeles)

Los Angeles · ages 4–14

Jewish community day camp — swim, sports, arts, traditional camp activities.

Steve & Kate's Camp — Mar Vista

Los Angeles · ages 4–12

Self-directed maker/arts/sports/coding; flexible day passes, unused passes refunded.

UC San Diego Recreation — Knock Around Camp

La Jolla · ages 5–17

36-year-old campus camp with variety, beach, archery, robotics, fencing, aquatics and leadership tracks. UCSD-affiliated families register first through a priority lottery; the community gets remaining spots.

2027: Summer 2027 starts Jun 7. UCSD affiliates must join the lottery by Feb 5; priority/lottery registration Feb 17–26; community registration opens Mar 1.

Birch Aquarium — Summer Camps

La Jolla · ages 4–13

Marine-science camps at UCSD's aquarium; older kids snorkel/surf the La Jolla coast.

Lawrence Family JCC — Camp Jaycee

La Jolla · ages 2–15

Traditional + sports + theatre tracks, 9–3:30 with extended care; broad age range.

2027: Camp Jaycee 2027: Session 1 Jun 14–Jul 9, Session 2 Jul 12–Aug 6 (pre-camp Jun 1–11, post-camp Aug 9–20). Priority registration ($150) closes Nov 1.

Camp Galileo — LA Westside

Los Angeles · ages pre-K–8

Innovation/maker camp — art + science + outdoor play; many SoCal locations.

2027: Early enrollment for Summer 2027 is open; session dates aren't published yet.

iD Tech Camps — UCLA

Los Angeles · ages 7–17

Coding/game-dev/AI day camps + multi-week teen academies at UCLA.

2027: Summer 2027 registration is open; UCLA camps run Jun 21–Aug 6, from $1,134/wk (overnight option ages 10+).

Santa Monica Family YMCA Day Camp

Santa Monica · ages 5–13

Active traditional day camp; YMCA scholarships keep it accessible.

UCLA Recreation Summer Camps

Los Angeles (Westwood) · ages 5–17

Big campus program at Sunset Canyon Rec Center: Rec Camp, sailing, rowing, theater, Chem Kids and a Botanical Garden nature camp. Open to non-UCLA families at the 'All Others' rate. 2026 registration opened Feb 10 at noon.

San Diego City Junior Lifeguards

San Diego · ages 7–17

Long-running ocean program at city beaches; registration opens late Feb.

Mid Valley Family YMCA — Summer Day Camp

Van Nuys · ages 5–13

Traditional Y day camp with swim, sports and field trips; scholarships keep it within reach for Valley families.

Steve & Kate's Camp — San Diego

San Diego · ages 4–12

Flexible day-pass maker/arts/coding camp; refund on unused passes.

Camp Galileo — Encino / Sherman Oaks

Encino · ages K–10

Weekly STEAM design challenges, art and classic camp fun at a Valley campus; early-bird discounts.

2027: Early enrollment for Summer 2027 is open; session dates aren't published yet.

LA Rec & Parks — Ritchie Valens Rec Center Camp

Pacoima · ages 5–12

Neighborhood City day camp in the northeast Valley — one of the most affordable SFV options.

Boys & Girls Club of San Fernando Valley — Summer Program

Pacoima · ages 6–18

Long-running, low-cost club summer program serving the northeast Valley with long daily hours.

Aloha Beach Camp — Tarzana (Day Camp + Zuma)

Tarzana · ages 5–15

Valley-based day camp with free bus to Zuma Beach for swimming, paddle-boarding and surf; flexible day-by-day enrollment.

San Diego Zoo — Classic Camp

San Diego (Balboa Park) · ages 5–14

Flagship zoo camp by grade band; wildlife-focused, world-famous setting.

City of San Diego — Therapeutic Recreation Services (adaptive camps)

San Diego · ages 3+

City program for kids and adults with any disability: adaptive sports, kids' adventure camps and family camping. It can also place inclusion aides in regular rec-center day camps with about 3 weeks' notice. Intake assessment by phone at 619-525-8247.

San Diego Air & Space Museum Camps

San Diego (Balboa Park) · ages TK–12

Aviation/space half-day camps (Astronauts in Training, Need for Speed).

City of San Diego Parks & Rec — Rec Center Camps

San Diego · ages 5–12

Neighborhood rec-center day camps — among the most affordable SD options.

YMCA of San Diego County — Summer Day Camps

Multiple (SD County) · ages 5–17

Branch-based day camps countywide, from High Fives (age 5) to teen LIT/CIT, with three price tiers (Community Plus, member, non-member). YMCA Access financial assistance and state childcare subsidies (CalWORKs etc.) are accepted.

The New Children's Museum — Summer Camps

San Diego · ages 5–13

Project-based art camps led by professional artist-educators; downtown SD.

LA Rec & Parks — Woodland Hills Summer Day Camp

Woodland Hills · ages 5–12

Affordable City rec-center day camp — games, crafts, sports and field trips at Woodland Hills Rec Center.

North Valley Family YMCA — Summer Day Camp

Northridge · ages 5–14

Active day camp plus Junior Leaders track for teens, with weekly field trips; financial aid available.

Boys & Girls Club of the West Valley — Summer Camp

Canoga Park · ages 6–15

Affordable club summer camp with sports, STEM and enrichment — a strong working-family pick in the west Valley.

Camp Calabasas (De Anza Park)

Calabasas · ages TK–6th

City-run day camp with daily swim at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center plus field trips; Little Learners track for the youngest.

Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clarita Valley — Summer Camp

Newhall · ages 7–17

Affordable club summer programming with sports, STEM and mentorship across 13 SCV sites including Newhall and Canyon Country.

Malibu Makos Surf Club — Surf Camp

Malibu · ages 4–15

Zuma Beach surf camp running since 1991 — age-grouped surf instruction plus an Active Zone of beach games.

City of Santa Clarita — Camp Clarita

Santa Clarita · ages 3–12

City day camp at multiple sites mid-June through early August — games, crafts, drama, swimming and field trips.

YMCA Camp Surf

Imperial Beach · ages 8–17

YMCA beachfront surf/ocean camp; overnight and day formats, financial aid available.

Conejo Rec & Park District — Summer Day Camps

Thousand Oaks · ages 4–12

Five all-day district camps (Creekside, Camp Bold, Camp Brave and more) June–August; financial assistance for in-district families.

Rancho Simi Rec & Park District — Summer Day Camps

Simi Valley · ages TK–5th

Themed weekly camps at Houghton, Vista and Wood Ranch — crafts, games, relay races and team sports all summer.

Underwood Family Farms — Farm Camp

Moorpark · ages 5–12

Hands-on working-farm camp — animals, picking produce to take home, farm games and an Open Barn for families.

Pleasant Valley Rec & Park — Camp Funtastic

Camarillo · ages 5–12

Popular Camarillo day camp at the community center with Wednesday field trips; come for a day or all summer.