Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Oxnard with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Oxnard on the map
📍 Where Oxnard is
Oxnard sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Hollywood Burbank (~47 mi / 76 km). It's roughly 55 mi (88 km) from Downtown LA and 155 mi (250 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 Oxnard
Channel Islands Harbor
A calm harbor with surrey and bike rentals, a Sunday farmers market, a maritime museum, and easy waterfront paths — laid-back coastal fun away from big surf.
Free; rentals & farmers market extra
Carnegie Art Museum
A small, welcoming art museum in a 1907 Neo-Classical former library — quick, low-cost, and a nice indoor stop paired with a downtown Oxnard wander.
Low admission; check hoursFamily attractions near Oxnard
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Oxnard.
Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center
At the end of Ventura Harbor: a free national-park center with a living tide pool, a viewing tower, and exhibits on each island — kids love spotting the swell shark.
Free; free parking
Ventura Pier & Promenade
California's longest wooden pier sits beside a beachfront promenade with a playground, wide sand, and Channel Islands views — easy, breezy, classic beach-town fun.
Free; paid parking nearby
Camarillo Ranch House
An 1892 Queen Anne Victorian with a big red barn, gardens, and grassy grounds — docent house tours plus room to roam make for a gentle history outing.
Tours ~$5–$10
Ventura Botanical Gardens
A hillside garden of Mediterranean-climate plants above downtown, with a stroller-friendly path to the first viewpoint and big ocean and island views.
~$7 adult; under 18 free
Underwood Family Farms (Somis)
The quieter sister farm — a roadside market with pygmy goats, alpacas, and sheep to feed plus acres of u-pick produce. Lower-key than Moorpark and easy with toddlers.
Free entry; u-pick by weight
Wildwood Regional Park & Paradise Falls
A roughly 2-mile round-trip hike past Lizard Rock to a 40-foot waterfall splashing into a shady canyon pool — best after winter rains and a hit with adventurous kids.
FreeFarmers markets in Oxnard
Downtown Oxnard Farmers Market
Free Thursday market at historic Plaza Park with a huge variety of fresh local fruits and vegetables plus breads and prepared foods.
Local restaurants in Oxnard
Cabo Seafood Grill & Cantina
Downtown Oxnard's festive Jalisco-style seafood house — whole grilled fish, shrimp a dozen ways, and tortillas pressed fresh in the middle of the dining room.
Seasonal & outdoors near Oxnard
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Oxnard.
More Los Angeles family guides
Oxnard family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Oxnard with kids?
Family favorites in and around Oxnard include Channel Islands Harbor and Carnegie Art Museum. Our guide lists 2 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Oxnard?
Yes — free family spots near Oxnard include Channel Islands Harbor. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Oxnard?
Local, family-friendly spots in Oxnard include Cabo Seafood Grill & Cantina — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Oxnard guide cover?
Our Oxnard family guide includes 2 things to do, 1 local eats 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 Oxnard
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Oxnard on one map — then book on your favorite site.