Inland Empire family guide
Things to Do in Colton with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Colton on the map
📍 Where Colton is
Colton sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Ontario Intl (~16 mi / 27 km). It's roughly 53 mi (86 km) from Downtown LA and 94 mi (151 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 Colton
Veterans Park (Colton)
A 13.7-acre city park at 290 E O St with a seasonal splash pad, two playground areas (one for tots), ball fields and picnic shelters with BBQs, beside the Luque Community Center and branch library. The city page gives no splash-pad dates, so call before bringing swimsuits.
Free to enterRich Dauer Park
A 2.26-acre park at 955 Torrey Pines Dr with a fully replaced playground, a picnic shelter with tables and BBQs, restrooms and a turf area. Parking is street-only, so plan on a short walk from the car.
Free to enter
Colton Public Library (Main Branch)
The city library at 656 N 9th St offers weekly preschool story-time craft programs and after-school homework help. Call ahead for the story-time day and current hours.
FreeLocal restaurants in Colton
Woody's Roadhouse
Casual roadhouse at 201 E Valley Blvd with breakfast platters, flame-broiled burgers, chicken fried steak, meatloaf, ribeye and fish and chips, plus a kids menu, patio and online ordering. Open daily from 7:30am.
House of Eggs Cafe
Breakfast cafe at 182 E Valley Blvd known for fluffy pancakes, savory omelets and generous portions, open daily 7am–2pm with online ordering.
Seasonal & outdoors near Colton
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Colton.
Colton is part of the Inland Empire family guide — see the region's best things to do, local eats and events.
More Inland Empire family guides
Colton family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Colton with kids?
Family favorites in and around Colton include Veterans Park (Colton), Rich Dauer Park and Colton Public Library (Main Branch). Our guide lists 3 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Colton?
Yes — free family spots near Colton include Veterans Park (Colton), Rich Dauer Park and Colton Public Library (Main Branch). Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Colton?
Local, family-friendly spots in Colton include Woody's Roadhouse and House of Eggs Cafe — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Colton guide cover?
Our Colton family guide includes 3 things to do and 2 local eats — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Colton
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Colton on one map — then book on your favorite site.