Orange County family guide
Things to Do in Fullerton with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Fullerton on the map
📍 Where Fullerton is
Fullerton sits in Orange County, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Long Beach (~14 mi / 22 km). It's roughly 22 mi (36 km) from Downtown LA and 91 mi (147 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.
Family attractions near Fullerton
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Fullerton.
Westridge Golf Club
This public 18-hole course in the hills has sweeping San Gabriel Mountain views and welcomes families teaching kids the game — a good spot for a first round or a twilight nine when rates are lower. Call ahead to book, and ask about junior rates and lessons.
Varies
Disneyland Resort
The big one. Pricey, magical, and exhausting in the best way — best saved for a special day with an early start and good shoes.
~$104+/person/day
The Children's Museum at La Habra
Housed in a 1923 Union Pacific train depot, this beloved museum lets kids climb aboard a real caboose and explore hands-on exhibits. The star is an authentic hand-carved Dentzel carousel, so save time (and check the height rules) for a ride. Weekday mornings are calmest for younger visitors.
$12/person ages 2+, $11 residents, $10 seniors/military
Portola Park
This central 10-acre park wraps around the Children's Museum, so you can pair a museum visit with free outdoor play. Kids love hunting for the dinosaur garden and the selfie wall, and there are picnic tables and ball fields for a full afternoon. Parking is shared with the museum and Depot Theatre.
Free
La Habra Depot Theatre
This restored historic train depot next to the Children's Museum runs as a 132-seat theater with family-friendly shows, including princess storytimes and youth productions. A lovely low-key outing to pair with a park or museum day on the same block. Parking is free; check the schedule since hours depend on what's staged.
Varies
Knott's Berry Farm
Coasters for the brave, Camp Snoopy for the small, and boysenberry everything. Cheaper and less crowded than its neighbor.
~$50–$99/personFree days in Fullerton
Free or free-on-certain-days admission. Rules change and some are residents-only — confirm with the venue before you go.
Muckenthaler Cultural Center
Gardens & grounds always free (galleries ticketed)
A 1924 mansion on 8.5 hilltop acres with a free sculpture garden and grounds; indoor gallery shows may be ticketed. A relaxed free outdoor stop for families.
Farmers markets in Fullerton
Fullerton Certified Farmers' Market
Year-round morning market at Independence Park with produce, flowers, and prepared foods.
Fullerton Free Certified Farmers' Market
Friendly neighborhood Saturday market with seasonal produce and hot food, easy for families.
Local restaurants in Fullerton
Miss Donuts & Bagel
Local 24-hour donut-and-bagel shop with breakfast sandwiches.
Donut Star
Around-the-clock independent donut shop on Yorba Linda Blvd.
Kimmie's Coffee Cup
Family-owned since 2001 diner with hearty Southern-comfort breakfasts.
Taqueria de Anda
OC family-owned taqueria since the '90s serving finely-chopped carne asada street tacos 24 hours.
Golden Ox Burger
Old-school mom-and-pop burger stand and one of OC's best-loved classic griddle spots.
Heroes
Downtown Fullerton flagship pub-restaurant with a huge menu and loyal local crowd, fun for family dinners.
Local shops in Fullerton
Half Off Books
Cozy independent used bookstore in Downtown Fullerton with rare and out-of-print titles.
Aladdin Books
General used bookstore founded 1982 with a strong film and movie-book emphasis.
Stitch & Feather
Downtown Fullerton women's boutique with a laid-back, polished SoCal clothing mix.
The Potting Shed
Home-and-garden boutique with indoor plants, handmade planters, and garden decor.
The Brick Basement
Downtown Fullerton vintage mall (1998) with ~35 dealers of antiques and one-of-a-kind finds.
Mustard Market
Downtown Fullerton vintage and secondhand shop refurbishing furniture and stocking housewares.
White Rabbit Records
All-genre vinyl, tape, and CD shop with rare, new, and used records plus posters.
Allison's Goods
Downtown Fullerton maker of cruelty-free, hand-poured vegan soy candles in recycled glass.
Stray Cat Vintage & Costumes
Long-running vintage and costume clothing shop on Harbor Blvd.
Past Times Collectibles
Independent shop packed with sports memorabilia, cards, and nostalgic collectibles.
Seasonal & outdoors near Fullerton
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Fullerton.
More Orange County family guides
Fullerton family FAQ
Where can families eat in Fullerton?
Local, family-friendly spots in Fullerton include Combo's Pizza, Miss Donuts & Bagel, Donut Star and Kimmie's Coffee Cup, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Fullerton guide cover?
Our Fullerton family guide includes 7 local eats, 10 local shops and 2 farmers markets — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.