Inland Empire family guide
Things to Do in Ontario with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Ontario on the map
📍 Where Ontario is
Ontario sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Ontario Intl (~2 mi / 2 km). It's roughly 35 mi (57 km) from Downtown LA and 97 mi (156 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 Ontario
Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park
Family park with a splash pad, fishing lakes, and shaded picnic areas on the site of a former Cucamonga-area winery. Established in 1976, the park still keeps an old wooden wine vat on the grounds as a nod to its past, alongside two fishing lakes and wide picnic areas for groups.
~$10 vehicle; pool extra
Ontario Mills
Huge indoor outlet mall anchored by Dave & Buster's arcade, an AMC 30 movie theater, and the Improv Comedy Club & Dinner Theatre — a reliable rainy-day plan with dining and entertainment under one roof.
Free entry; attractions extraFamily attractions near Ontario
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Ontario.
Olivedale Park Universally Inclusive Playground
The city describes this as a universally inclusive playground built for children of all abilities, with sensory activities, wheelchair-accessible ramps and an Alta-Glide swing. The park at 526 E. 8th St also has ball fields, picnic shelters, BBQs and restrooms. Shade is limited, so pick morning or late afternoon in summer.
Free
Cooper Regional History Museum
A small local history museum in Upland's Old Town at 217 E. A St, run by Chaffey Communities Cultural Center, with rotating exhibits — check the current one before you go. A good 45-minute stop combined with lunch downtown.
Pay what you can (donation)
Memorial Park & Upland Memorial Skate Park
Memorial Park at 1100 E. Foothill Blvd has a playground, ball fields, a basketball court, a rose garden, picnic areas, BBQs and restrooms, with the Upland Memorial Skate Park inside. Bring helmets and pads for scooter and skate kids.
FreeUpland Public Library
The library at 450 N. Euclid Ave has children's and teen programming, including a Camp Book Club for ages 9–12 on the first Friday of each month at 3:30pm. It's air-conditioned and free, a good midday break; call (909) 931-4200 for the current storytime schedule.
FreeAlma Hofman Park & Montclair Skate Park
The city's largest family park at 5201 Benito St has a playground, tennis and basketball courts and a concrete skate park where helmets and pads are required. The splash pad is unavailable and tentatively scheduled to reopen May 22, 2027, so plan on playground and skate time only.
Free
LoanMart Field (Rancho Cucamonga Quakes)
Single-A ball in a ~6,000-seat park — cheap tickets, fireworks nights and a very kid-friendly vibe with Tremor the mascot.
Tickets from ~$10Farmers markets in Ontario
Ontario Townsquare Farmers Market
Year-round market with certified-fresh produce and local vendors in a walkable town-square setting.
Festivals & annual events in Ontario
What Ontario is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Ontario Halloween Costume Contest & Trunk or Treat
A free all-ages trunk-or-treat and costume contest at Ontario City Hall. Every child gets a trick-or-treat bag and participation ribbon, plus light refreshments. Tip: the window is five hours long, so arrive mid-afternoon to skip the after-work rush.
Free
Ontario Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony
Ontario Town Square kicks off the season with cookie decorating, letters to Santa, community performances and Santa photos, ending with the tree lighting. Tip: it is a weeknight event, so go straight after school for the crafts before the crowd builds.
Free
Ontario Holiday Light Parade
The city's light parade runs down Euclid Avenue from Fourth Street to B Street. Afterward, Ontario Town Square has carolers, crafts and photos with Santa. Tip: grab a spot on the Euclid median early and go to Town Square right after for the shortest Santa line.
Free
5K Reindeer Run & Rudolph's Dash
A family-friendly holiday fun run on Euclid Avenue near C Street, benefiting Ontario-Montclair Promise Scholars. All ages can take part. Tip: the city page gives no start times for the 5K versus the kids' dash, so call 909-395-2020 to confirm before you go. (Coordinates are approximate, at downtown Euclid.)
Free
Route 66 Cruisin' Reunion
A classic car show and street festival across roughly 22 blocks of Euclid Avenue in downtown Ontario, with over 1,000 classic cars. The 13th annual, coinciding with the Route 66 centennial.
Howloween Costume Dog Pawty
Costumed dogs and their kids meet at Schimmel Dog Park for puppy games and pet-friendly vendors. Tip: bring water and a leash, and go early before the late-morning warmth.
Local restaurants in Ontario
El Pescador Mexican Grill
Family-friendly Ontario Mexican grill with fresh ingredients, handmade guacamole and a full breakfast lineup.
Vince's Spaghetti
A bottomless-spaghetti Inland Empire institution where the meat sauce and garlic bread haven't changed in 70+ years — kids and grandparents both leave full and happy.
Local shops in Ontario
Logan's Candies
Family-run since 1933 in downtown Ontario, famous for hand-pulled candy canes and free holiday candy-making demos.
Seasonal & outdoors near Ontario
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Ontario.
Ontario 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
Ontario family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Ontario with kids?
Family favorites in and around Ontario include Cucamonga-Guasti Regional Park and Ontario Mills. Our guide lists 2 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Ontario?
Yes — free family spots near Ontario include Ontario Mills. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Where can families eat in Ontario?
Local, family-friendly spots in Ontario include El Pescador Mexican Grill and Vince's Spaghetti — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Ontario guide cover?
Our Ontario family guide includes 2 things to do, 2 local eats, 1 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 Ontario
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Ontario on one map — then book on your favorite site.