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 swim lagoon, summer water slides, fishing lakes, and shaded picnic areas.
~$10 vehicle; pool extra
Ontario Mills
Huge indoor outlet mall with Dave & Buster's, an arcade, a ropes course, and comedy — great for rainy days.
Free entry; attractions extraFamily attractions near Ontario
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Ontario.
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 ~$10
Chino Youth Museum
A hands-on, kid-scaled museum in downtown Chino with a pretend grocery store, farm, fire truck and other role-play stations built for toddlers through early elementary. It's compact — an easy hour or two rather than a full day. Check their calendar for the free First Friday evening events most months.
Ages 2–54 $10, seniors 55+ $8, under 2 free
Ruben S. Ayala Park
Chino's largest community park at roughly 140 acres, with sprawling ballfields, playgrounds, picnic shelters and batting cages. It's the classic free local pick for burning off energy or catching a weekend youth game. The batting cages need helmets and run on their own schedule, so call ahead if that's the plan.
Free
Victoria Gardens
Open-air shopping town center with a cultural center, splash areas, and family events.
Free; shops/dining extra
Maloof Foundation for Arts & Crafts
The handcrafted home and gardens of famed woodworker Sam Maloof — a quiet arts outing for older kids and adults.
~$10 tour
Planes of Fame Air Museum
Nearly 100 aircraft, many still airworthy — weekends you can climb inside the B-17. Pair it with Yanks Air Museum next door for an aviation day.
~$16 adult; kids discountedFarmers 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.
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.
See site for admission
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, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Ontario?
Yes — free family spots near Ontario include Ontario Mills. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
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 — 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 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.