Orange County family guide
Things to Do in Brea with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Brea on the map
📍 Where Brea is
Brea sits in Orange County, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Long Beach (~17 mi / 27 km). It's roughly 22 mi (36 km) from Downtown LA and 93 mi (150 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Brea
Olinda Oil Museum & Trail
A city-run site built around Olinda Oil Well Number One (the start of Brea's oil boom), a restored field-office museum and antique oil equipment, with a roughly 2-mile moderate loop trail above it. There's no water or cell service and poison oak beside the path, so bring water and keep little ones on the marked trail.
FreeBrea Museum & Historical Society
A small free museum in City Hall Park with rotating exhibits on Brea's oil industry, notable women, baseball history and sister cities. Free parking is behind the building and the park next door has a playground, so the two make an easy short outing.
Free
Brea Gallery
A 6,500 sq ft city-run gallery on the plaza level of the Civic & Cultural Center with four major exhibitions a year plus workshops for all ages. Kids under 12 are free with parking in the structure beneath; check that an exhibition is up before you go.
$3 general; children under 12 and Brea residents free
The Tracks at Brea Trail
A four-mile former railroad corridor turned linear park with a paved two-way bike path, a separate walking path, fitness stations, shade structures, drinking fountains and restrooms. The separate pedestrian path keeps scooters and little bikes off the walking lane, and it connects to the 66-mile OC Loop.
FreeWildcatters Park
A 16-acre city park at 3301 E. Santa Fe Rd with a children's playground with ADA swings, a walking trail, a baseball field, a basketball court and a concession stand. It sits beside the Wildcatters Dog Park and near the Olinda Oil Museum, so it pairs well with that trip.
Free
Carbon Canyon Regional Park
OC Parks' 124-acre park at 4442 Carbon Canyon Rd with Orange County's only redwood grove (3 acres, reached by a 1.1-mile nature trail), a 4-acre fishing lake with two piers and five playgrounds. Fall and winter closing is 6pm, so plan the redwood walk before the afternoon.
Parking $3 weekdays, $5 weekends (more on some holidays)Farmers markets in Brea
Brea Certified Farmers' Market
Year-round afternoon market on State College Blvd with produce and prepared foods.
Festivals & annual events in Brea
What Brea is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Brea Tree Lighting Ceremony
Brea's annual ceremony has live music and entertainment, the lighting of the holiday tree, and a visit from Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Free selfies with Santa are offered in the Curtis Theatre after the ceremony. Tip: seating is limited, so arrive early or bring a blanket, and head to the Curtis Theatre right after the lighting to beat the line.
Free admission
Movies Under the Stars: A Christmas Carol (Brea)
A holiday movie night at the Brea Civic & Cultural Center, listed on the city's official calendar. Dress warmly, since December evenings on the lawn get cold. Tip: bring blankets and hot cocoa in a thermos, and arrive early for the best sightlines.
Free (city event; confirm on listing)
Brea's Country Fair
A morning-to-afternoon Independence Day fair at Brea City Hall Park — pancake breakfast, kiddie parade, dog parade, classic car show and live entertainment. One of the more genuinely small-town July 4 events in north OC.
Free admission; free swimming at the Plunge from noon
Brea Fest
A city-run evening at Brea's Civic & Cultural Center where local restaurants sell tasting tickets alongside live music, gallery exhibits and artist demos. There's a Kidsville area, but the late start suits older kids better than toddlers.
2026 event (Aug 7) has passed; Brea has not published 2027 dates
Movies Under the Stars: Casper (Brea)
An outdoor family movie night at the Brea Civic & Cultural Center on the city calendar. Bring blankets and low chairs and arrive early for good lawn spots. Tip: the movie is a gentle ghost story, which makes it a good first Halloween film for younger kids.
Local restaurants in Brea
The Hat
A SoCal-only institution famous for giant pastrami dips and chili fries that kids and big groups devour.
Brunos Italian Kitchen
Independent Brea Italian praised for seafood and classic pasta.
John's Place
Family-run American diner at 1201 W Central Ave known for pancakes, omelets, burgers, onion rings and breakfast burritos. Open Mon–Sat 7am–8pm and Sun 8am–8pm.
Our Nest
Chef-driven breakfast spot at 732 N Brea Blvd with eggs, pancakes, avocado toast and breakfast burritos, plus dinner Thu–Sat. Closed Monday.
Cha Cha's Latin Kitchen
Modern Latin kitchen at 110 W Birch St in Downtown Brea with wood-fired dishes, homemade salsas and a renovated dining room and patio, plus weekend brunch.
Local shops in Brea
Brea Bead Works
Full-service bead and hot-glass studio teaching wire-working, soldering, and bead weaving.
Brea Gallery Gift Shop
Civic-gallery shop selling work from 40+ local LA/OC artists — jewelry, planters, and decor.
Seasonal & outdoors near Brea
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Brea.
More Orange County family guides
Brea family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Brea with kids?
Family favorites in and around Brea include Olinda Oil Museum & Trail, Brea Museum & Historical Society, Brea Gallery and The Tracks at Brea Trail, and more. Our guide lists 6 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Brea?
Yes — free family spots near Brea include Olinda Oil Museum & Trail, Brea Museum & Historical Society, The Tracks at Brea Trail and Wildcatters Park. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Where can families eat in Brea?
Local, family-friendly spots in Brea include The Hat, Brunos Italian Kitchen, John's Place and Our Nest, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Brea guide cover?
Our Brea family guide includes 6 things to do, 5 local eats, 3 local shops and 1 farmers market — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Brea
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Brea on one map — then book on your favorite site.