Ventura County family guide
Things to Do in Moorpark with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Moorpark on the map
📍 Where Moorpark is
Moorpark sits in Ventura County, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Hollywood Burbank (~30 mi / 48 km). It's roughly 39 mi (64 km) from Downtown LA and 147 mi (236 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.
🏡 New to Moorpark? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes & camps: Moorpark's own Recreation division runs classes and Camp Moorpark, a day camp for ages 5 to 11 at Arroyo Vista Recreation Center.
- City magazine: The quarterly Moorpark Magazine, mailed to every residence, combines city news with the Parks and Recreation guide.
- Library card: Moorpark City Library on Moorpark Avenue is city-run; a new library on High Street has been under construction since fall 2025.
- Storytime: Sunshine Storytime runs Wednesdays and Baby & Me ASL Storytime Fridays, both 10:30 to 11:15 a.m., for ages 0 to 5.
- Find your school: Moorpark Unified serves the city; use the district's School Locator to see your assigned schools by street address.
- Arroyo Vista Park: Arroyo Vista Community Park on Tierra Rejada Road is 69 acres, with sports fields, a gym, tennis courts, disc golf and a tot lot.
- Alerts: Moorpark's emergency page points residents to VC Alert, the county's emergency notification system.
- Wildfire ready: Ventura County Fire's Ready, Set, Go! program covers defensible space, go-bags and leaving early; the county urges planning two exits from home.
- Getting around: Moorpark City Transit runs weekdays; Metrolink and Amtrak stop at the High Street station, and VCTC links Moorpark College.
Things to do in Moorpark
Parks & Hiking
Campus Canyon Park
A six-acre east Moorpark park with a playground, ballfields, basketball, BBQs and restrooms, close to Moorpark College.
FreeCollege View Park & Dog Park
A four-acre park with a playground, basketball, BBQs and restrooms, plus the city's ¾-acre dog park with separate small- and large-dog areas. Big trees give the dog park afternoon shade.
FreeCountry Trail Park
An eight-acre park on Mountain Trail St with a playground, BBQs and open multipurpose fields. No restrooms are listed.
FreeMammoth Highlands Park
A 6.5-acre park whose highlight is a mammoth sculpture kids can climb on, plus a picnic pavilion.
FreeMiller Park
A 6.5-acre park with a playground, a picnic pavilion, BBQs, basketball, pickleball courts and restrooms.
FreeMonte Vista Nature Park
A five-acre natural park on Spring Road with short hiking trails. It suits a quick nature walk with young kids, but there are no listed restrooms.
FreePeach Hill Park
A 10-acre park with a playground, ballfields, a picnic pavilion, BBQs and restrooms in the Peach Hill neighborhood. It is a good spot for weekend picnics and youth games.
FreeTierra Rejada Park (inclusive playground)
The City is building Moorpark's first inclusive, all-abilities playground here with a 'whimsical' theme. Construction started July 7, 2026 and should finish around November 2026. Until then the playground, picnic pavilion and Mountain Trail St lot are closed. Courts and the east lawn stay open; use the Mountain Meadow Dr lot.
FreeWalnut Acres Park
A small neighborhood park near downtown with a playground, picnic tables, BBQs and a piñata pole, which makes it handy for birthday parties.
FreeArroyo Vista Community Park
A 69-acre city park at 4550 Tierra Rejada Rd with a playground, tot lot, disc golf, tennis, a gymnasium, fields, a picnic pavilion and BBQs. The city's amenity list doesn't mention a splash pad, so call 805-517-6300 before promising one.
FreePoindexter Park and Skatepark
A 9.8-acre park at 500 Poindexter Ave with a skatepark, tot lot, picnic pavilion, BBQs, basketball court, horseshoe pits and fields, close to downtown Moorpark. The skatepark has school-day hours, so plan after-school or weekend visits.
Free
Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park
A 3,000-acre county open-space park north of Moorpark with 12.5 miles of trails for hikers, riders and mountain bikers. There are no restrooms or services and only limited unimproved parking, and dogs must be on a 6-foot leash. Bring your own water; it suits school-age kids better than toddlers.
Free
Shopping & Treats
3rd of July Fireworks Extravaganza
Moorpark celebrates the Fourth a day early at Arroyo Vista Community Park, with live music, a parachute team and fireworks at 9pm. On-site parking passes sell out in advance, so use rideshare drop-off at the Burchfield pedestrian bridge on Leta Yancy Rd. Admission was cash only at the gate in 2026.
$10 per person (under 1 free); parking passes sell outBreakfast with Santa
A city-run pancake breakfast with a holiday craft, a visit and photo with Santa, and a gift for each child (ages 1–12). Registration opens in mid-November and usually sells out. Register online or at the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center.
About $16 per child, $11 per adult (2025 rates)Haunted High Street
A free Halloween night on a closed-off High Street with a trunk-or-treat, costume contests (5pm) and a library pumpkin patch. A paid carnival for ages 3–10 has bounce houses, a giant slide and a trackless train in the north Metrolink lot. Adults do not need carnival wristbands.
Free; carnival $5 advance / $10 at gate per childHoliday on High Street
Moorpark's downtown holiday celebration, co-sponsored by the City on historic High Street. Check the City's events page closer to the date for the schedule.
Check siteMoorpark Apricot Festival & Art Fair
A High Street festival celebrating Moorpark's past as an apricot-growing center, with local arts and crafts, interactive family art, live music and food. It is hosted by the High Street Arts Center and the City.
Free entryMoorpark Country Days
Moorpark's long-running hometown celebration, co-sponsored by the City. The City's events list gave October 3, 2026. Check the event's Facebook page for the parade route and schedule.
Check siteMovies in the Park
Free outdoor family movies near the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center. Gates open an hour before dusk, and parking lots A and B are closest. Bring blankets or chairs. Outside food is allowed, and there is a snack shack.
FreeMore for families in Moorpark
From our researched guides: the Moorpark spots for bowling alleys, petting zoos. Hours and prices change, so check the venue's site before you go.
Bowling
All SoCal bowling alleys →Lucky Strike Moorpark
A 40-lane alley at 706 E Los Angeles Ave that offers bumpers for kids and a large arcade. Private lanes and kids' birthday party packages can be booked online.
Per-game pricing; see site. Family Unlimited promo listed for weekends 11am-3pm
Venue website ↗Petting zoos & farms
All SoCal petting zoos →America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College
A student-run teaching zoo at 7075 Campus Rd where Animal Care and Training students work with exotic animals, including a white lion. Weekday field trips and birthday parties are also offered; phone 805-378-1441.
Weekend tickets sold through the online booking system
Venue website ↗Farmers markets in Moorpark
Moorpark Certified Farmers' Market
Sunday market in the City Hall lot with fresh Ventura County produce, prepared foods, and a small-town feel.
Holidays in Moorpark
Lights, parades, Santa and more this season. Confirm details with the organizer before you go.
Wild Lights Holiday Display
2026 dates announced: Wed Nov 25, Fri–Sat Nov 27–28; Dec 4–5, 11–12, 18–23, 6–8:30pm (Santa 6–7:30pm on Nov 28, Dec 5, 12, 19)
A holiday lights evening at the Moorpark College teaching zoo, where students train and care for the animals.
Adults (13+) $17; kids 3–12 and seniors $14; members $10; 2 and under free
Timberdale & Pinedale Roads Holiday Lights
Typically December, evenings
Dozens of homes in this neighborhood decorate with bright lights and figures, with neighbors trying to outdo each other.
Free
Festivals & annual events in Moorpark
What Moorpark is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Christmas on the Farm at Underwood Family Farms
A holiday farm day with wagon rides, an animal center, a holiday store, slides and pick-your-own fields, plus weekend crafts, gem mining and horse-drawn sleigh rides. Santa visits weekends and 11/27 from 11am-4pm through Dec 20, and fresh-cut trees are sold on site. Tip: weekend tickets go on sale Nov 1 and must be bought online; the farm closes at noon Dec 24 and is closed Dec 25.
$12 weekdays (from 11/30); $16 weekends (online)
Fall Harvest Festival at Underwood Family Farms (29th Annual)
A 50-acre farm festival with a giant pumpkin patch, wagon rides, corn maze, chicken show, animal centers and pick-your-own fields. Themed weekends run Oct 3-4 Farm Country, Oct 10-11 Antique Tractor, Oct 17-18 Wild West, then Oct 24-25 and Oct 31. Tip: weekend tickets must be bought online in advance, kids under 2 and parking are free, and weekdays are $16.
Local restaurants in Moorpark
Freda's Fine Food & Drink
Locally owned spot on historic High Street at 233 E High St serving regional American and European-influenced plates, pizza, burgers and cocktails. Reservations, takeout, delivery and catering are available.
Lemmo's Grill
Family-owned Italian-American restaurant at 4227-A Tierra Rejada Rd with handmade pasta, Angus steaks and recipes from 'Mama Lemmo'. It has a covered, heated patio and a kids menu (chicken strips, grilled cheese, pasta). Open Mon–Sat 3–9pm, closed Sunday.
Rachada Thai Cuisine
Thai restaurant at 525 New Los Angeles Ave #A serving pad Thai, green curry and other Thai favorites, with dine-in, takeout and delivery. Closed Tuesdays.
Carla's Bakery & Mexican Food
Family-run panaderia and Mexican kitchen at 391 W Los Angeles Ave with tacos, caldos and a long a la carte menu, plus conchas and pan dulce. Open daily from 5am.
Seasonal & outdoors near Moorpark
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Moorpark.
More Ventura County family guides
Browse all SoCal city guides →Moorpark family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Moorpark with kids?
Family favorites in and around Moorpark include Underwood Family Farms (Moorpark), High Street Arts Center, Campus Canyon Park and College View Park & Dog Park, and more. Our guide lists 22 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Moorpark?
Yes — free family spots near Moorpark include Campus Canyon Park, College View Park & Dog Park, Country Trail Park and Mammoth Highlands Park. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
What can kids do in Moorpark on a rainy day?
Indoor options in and around Moorpark include High Street Arts Center, Breakfast with Santa and Moorpark City Library. Each listing in our guide is marked indoor or outdoor, so you can filter for the weather.
How can families spend a day in Moorpark?
One easy plan: start outside at Underwood Family Farms (Moorpark) while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at Freda's Fine Food & Drink, then head indoors to High Street Arts Center for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 20 more ideas to swap in.
Where can families eat in Moorpark?
Local, family-friendly spots in Moorpark include Freda's Fine Food & Drink, Lemmo's Grill, Rachada Thai Cuisine and Carla's Bakery & Mexican Food — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Moorpark guide cover?
Our Moorpark family guide includes 22 things to do, 4 local eats 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 Moorpark
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Moorpark on one map — then book on your favorite site.