Ventura County family guide
Things to Do in Port Hueneme with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Port Hueneme on the map
📍 Where Port Hueneme is
Port Hueneme sits in Ventura County, Southern California. Nearest major airport: LAX (Los Angeles Intl) (~47 mi / 76 km). It's roughly 55 mi (88 km) from Downtown LA and 154 mi (247 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 Port Hueneme? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes & camps: Port Hueneme's Recreation team runs classes at the Orvene S. Carpenter Community Center, plus summer camp and Learn to Swim; register on CivicRec.
- Junior Lifeguards: The city's summer Junior Lifeguard program is for ages 8 to 16, with a discounted rate for Port Hueneme residents showing proof of residency.
- Library card: Ray D. Prueter Library on Park Avenue is a Ventura County Library branch; the first card is free with photo ID and proof of address.
- Storytime: Prueter Library hosts storytime for babies through preschoolers on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.
- Find your school: Hueneme Elementary School District runs K-8 here, with online or drop-off enrollment; Oxnard Union High School District covers high school.
- Beach parking: From October 19, 2026, an annual Hueneme Beach parking permit costs $60 for residents versus $120 for non-residents, with household discounts.
- City newsletter: Read the city's monthly newsletter online and follow its Facebook, Instagram and Nextdoor channels for local news.
- Tsunami: Hueneme sits right on the coast; check the county's tsunami hazard and evacuation route maps and plan a walking route out.
- Navy families: NBVC's Navy Housing page lists base housing offices, the School Liaison Officer and local districts for Port Hueneme and Point Mugu families.
Things to do in Port Hueneme
Parks & Hiking
Bolker Park
This 4-acre neighborhood park off West Channel Islands Blvd has children's play equipment, picnic tables and open grass. It hosts one of the city's summer Movies in the Park nights.
FreePort Hueneme Egg-Stravaganza
This spring egg hunt at Bubbling Springs Park is free for ages 0–12. It also has a petting zoo, kids' activities and photos with the Bunny. No reservation is needed, but you must check in on arrival, and the hunt starts promptly at 9:30am.
Free (ages 0–12)Bubbling Springs Park
A 21-acre park at Bard Road and Park Avenue plus a 7-acre recreation corridor, with children's play equipment, picnic areas, restrooms, two dog parks, a walking path with workout stations and Little League fields. Ball fields are busy on weekend mornings.
FreeMoranda Park
An 8-acre park with children's play equipment, restrooms, basketball, tennis and pickleball courts and softball fields, a few blocks from the beach, so it pairs well with a pier visit. The pickleball courts are popular and partly reservable.
FreeBeaches & Coast
Hueneme Beach Festival
The city's two-day beach festival has carnival rides, a big slide, sand sculpture, chalk art, face painting and live entertainment, and it drew 21,000+ visitors in recent years. Admission and parking are free, which is rare for a beach event.
Free admission and parkingHueneme Beach Promenade & Lighthouse Walk
A paved beachfront walkway runs from Surfside Drive out to the harbor entrance and the 1941 Port Hueneme Lighthouse, which is good for strollers and for watching cargo ships come in. The lighthouse itself is owned by the Coast Guard and is currently closed to visitors. The promenade is closed from Nov 15, 2026 through Mar 31, 2027 while sand is restored.
Free (beach parking $2.50/hr or $10/day)Port Hueneme Junior Lifeguard Program
The city runs a summer Junior Lifeguard program at Hueneme Beach for ages 8–16, teaching ocean safety and swimming. It also offers a Learn to Swim program. Lifeguards staff the beach on weekends from Memorial Day and daily during the school summer break.
check siteSea Splash Color Dash 5K & Kids 1K
The City and Port co-host this color-run-themed 5K plus a Kids 1K for ages 12 and under at Hueneme Beach. Runners get a bib, t-shirt and medal. The 2026 race sold out and there was no day-of registration, so sign up early.
5K $25; Kids 1K $10Hueneme Beach Park
A 50-acre city beach park with sand, BBQ pits and picnic areas, sand volleyball, playground swings, restrooms and seasonal lifeguards. The Lighthouse Promenade walkway starts here and Surfside Seafood sits right on the sand. Parking is pay-by-machine, so bring a card or coins to avoid a ticket.
Free entry; parking $2/hr or $8 all-day permitPort Hueneme Pier
A 1,250-foot pier open to walkers and anglers, with restrooms at the entrance and in parking lot A. Surfside Seafood next door runs a bait and beach-supply store, so you can buy bait and grab lunch in one stop.
Free (beach parking is paid)
Museums & Learning
Port of Hueneme Banana Festival
The working port opens up for a day of banana treats, live music, a classic car show, and bus and boat tours of the port. The port is a major banana importer. Nearly 19,000 people came in 2026, the 13th year. It's a rare chance for kids to see a busy cargo port up close.
check siteRay D. Prueter Library (storytime)
This is a Ventura County Library branch, not a city library, though the City of Port Hueneme co-built it. Tuesday-morning storytime for babies through preschoolers is followed by Tot Lab, an hour of stay-and-play. The library sits next to the community center and Bubbling Springs Park, so you can head to the playground afterward.
FreeU.S. Navy Seabee Museum
The museum sits outside the Naval Base Ventura County fence on Ventura Road at Sunkist Street, so no base pass is needed. It has exhibits on WWII, Korea and Vietnam and humanitarian work, and a 'Bee Fun' zone for kids; check its events page for the Storytime with a Seabee program for ages 3–8.
Free admission and free parkingPort Hueneme Historical Society Museum
A small museum in the 1925 Bank of Hueneme building (Ventura County Landmark No. 32), a few steps from the beach, with photographs and artifacts on local history. Hours in third-party listings conflict with the city page, so call before you go.
Free (donations appreciated)Arts & Culture
Port Hueneme Movies in the Park
This free summer movie series puts most screenings on the sand at Hueneme Beach Park, plus one at Bolker Park. Each night has its own flyer, and showings can change with the weather. Bring blankets and a sweatshirt for the beach breeze.
FreePort Hueneme Spook-Tacular
The city's Halloween night at Moranda Park has a pumpkin patch, a maze, carnival games, face painting, a photo booth, trick-or-treating and food trucks. Costumes are encouraged, so bring a treat bucket. The 2026 date moved because of weather.
FreePort Hueneme Touch-a-Truck
Kids can climb on and learn about fire trucks, work vehicles and more at Hueneme Beach, with crafts, music and food trucks. It goes ahead rain or shine. Parking in beach lots A and B and on Surfside Drive is free for the event, and ADA-accessible restroom trailers are on site.
Free
Holidays in Port Hueneme
Lights, parades, Santa and more this season. Confirm details with the organizer before you go.
Port Hueneme Holiday Tree Lighting Celebration
Tue Dec 1, 2026 · 5–7:30pm
A weeknight tree lighting at Port Hueneme City Hall (250 N Ventura Rd).
See site
Local restaurants in Port Hueneme
Ragin' Pot
Asian-fusion spot at 301 W Channel Islands Blvd billed as Ventura County's first hot pot restaurant, with individual hot pots plus banh mi, fried rice, gyoza and egg rolls, most items about $4–$12. Closed Mondays.
Seasonal & outdoors near Port Hueneme
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Port Hueneme.
More Ventura County family guides
Browse all SoCal city guides →Port Hueneme family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Port Hueneme with kids?
Family favorites in and around Port Hueneme include Port Hueneme Movies in the Park, Port Hueneme Spook-Tacular, Port Hueneme Touch-a-Truck and Hueneme Beach Festival, and more. Our guide lists 19 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Port Hueneme?
Yes — free family spots near Port Hueneme include Port Hueneme Movies in the Park, Port Hueneme Spook-Tacular, Port Hueneme Touch-a-Truck and Hueneme Beach Festival. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
What can kids do in Port Hueneme on a rainy day?
Indoor options in and around Port Hueneme include Orvene S. Carpenter Community Center, Ray D. Prueter Library (storytime), U.S. Navy Seabee Museum and Port Hueneme Historical Society Museum. Each listing in our guide is marked indoor or outdoor, so you can filter for the weather.
How can families spend a day in Port Hueneme?
One easy plan: start outside at Port Hueneme Movies in the Park while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at Ragin' Pot, then head indoors to Orvene S. Carpenter Community Center for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 17 more ideas to swap in.
Where can families eat in Port Hueneme?
Local, family-friendly spots in Port Hueneme include Ragin' Pot — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Port Hueneme guide cover?
Our Port Hueneme family guide includes 19 things to do and 1 local eatery — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Port Hueneme
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Port Hueneme on one map — then book on your favorite site.