Ventura County family guide
Things to Do in Ventura with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Ventura on the map
📍 Where Ventura is
Ventura sits in Ventura County, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Hollywood Burbank (~52 mi / 84 km). It's roughly 60 mi (97 km) from Downtown LA and 162 mi (261 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 Ventura? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes & camps: Ventura Parks & Recreation publishes a seasonal Activity Guide, currently Fall 2026, listing classes, camps, sports and events for all ages.
- Library card: Ventura County Library serves Ventura; the first card is free with photo ID and proof of address, and parents must be present for kids.
- Storytime: E.P. Foster Library is closed for renovation until fall 2027; Hill Road, Avenue and Saticoy libraries host weekly storytimes meanwhile.
- Find your school: Ventura Unified serves the city; enter your street address in the district's School Locator to see your assigned schools.
- Ventura Aquatic Center: The city's Aquatic Center has a 50-meter pool, a recreation pool, a water playground and two slides; book open swim ahead online.
- City e-news: Sign up for Ventura Vibes, the city's bi-weekly email newsletter with community news and events, plus other topic lists.
- Evacuation zones: Ventura is divided into 15 evacuation zones; find yours, plus routes and shelter points, and sign up for VC Alert.
- Tsunami: Check the county's tsunami hazard and evacuation route maps to see if your home or school sits in the inundation zone.
- Getting around: Gold Coast Transit runs local buses; Amtrak stops at Seaside Park downtown, and weekday Metrolink serves the East Ventura station.
Things to do in Ventura
Parks & Hiking
Arroyo Verde Park & Inclusive Play Area
Ventura's first fully inclusive play area (opened 2022 after the Thomas Fire destroyed the old structure) has a motion-inclusive carousel, sensory garden, music play, hammocks and embankment climbers. The 129-acre park also has restrooms, reservable BBQ areas and hiking trails. Weekday parking is free; dogs are allowed off-leash only 6–9 am Tue–Sun.
Free entry; parking $3 cash per vehicle on Sat, Sun & holidaysCamino Real Park
A 39-acre east-side community park with a playground, walking trail, lighted baseball fields with a snack bar, tennis, basketball and sand volleyball. There's also a dedicated off-leash dog park, restrooms and reservable BBQ areas. Entrance at Dean Drive & Varsity Street; the small lot is free.
FreeHarmon Canyon Preserve
Ventura Land Trust's 2,123-acre preserve has dirt trails with views of the coast and the Channel Islands, and the lower canyon makes an easy family out-and-back walk. Park free at the trailhead off McVittie Place (7511 Foothill Rd), or on Kimball Road if the lot is full. Leashed dogs may go only as far as the 1.8-mile marker, and e-bikes aren't allowed. Upper Harmon Canyon past Long Canyon Road remains closed with no repair timeline, and the whole preserve closes after rain, so check closure updates before you go.
FreeKellogg Park
A small (2.5-acre) neighborhood park on the Westside with a playground, a 1/3-mile walking loop and a stone amphitheater. There's also outdoor fitness equipment, chess and cornhole tables, a community garden and restrooms. It's a short walk from the Avenue Library, so the two work well together for a toddler outing.
FreeVentura Community Park
Ventura's largest city park (94.5 acres) has a playground, a 1.4-mile paved walking loop that works for strollers and scooters, and lots of soccer and softball fields. It shares the grounds with the Ventura Aquatic Center at 901 S Kimball Road, so it pairs well with a swim day. Parking lots are free.
FreeWestpark Skatepark
This Grindline-built skatepark reopened in August 2025 after a 20,000-sq-ft expansion, and the city calls it the largest skatepark in Ventura County. Westpark also has a playground, restrooms, a community garden and the Westpark Community Center. The free lot is at 450 W Harrison Ave on the west side.
FreeMarina Park
A 15-acre beachfront park with a brand-new playground built around a replica sailing ship (reopened 2025), sand volleyball courts, and picnic and BBQ areas.
Free
Grant Park & Serra Cross
A hilltop park above downtown Ventura with the historic 1782 Serra Cross and panoramic views over the city, ocean, and Channel Islands — a moderate hike with easier route options too.
Free
Plaza Park
Ventura's oldest park, downtown, home to a giant Moreton Bay fig tree, a historic cannon, a gazebo, and a playground.
FreeBeaches & Coast
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. Built in 1872, it's the oldest pier on the California coast, originally serving as a commercial wharf for shipping lumber and farm goods before becoming a recreational landmark; storm damage closed it for about a year and a half before it reopened in 2024. Today's promenade runs from the pier toward Surfers Point, a favorite for sunset walks and rides.
Free; paid parking nearby
Emma Wood State Beach
This cobbly state beach just west of downtown is popular for surfing and fishing, and the Ventura River estuary at its southeast end draws herons and other wildlife. There are also ruins of a World War II artillery site. North Beach was fully closed for road and Caltrans overpass work from August 2025 through June 2026; day use reopened with traffic controls, which are expected through December 2027, and the campground has no reopening date.
$10 vehicle day useHarbor Cove Beach
Locals call this protected cove 'Mother's Beach' or 'Kiddie Beach' because its small, lapping waves make it one of the calmest beaches in Ventura for little kids. It's at the west end of Spinnaker Drive, across from the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center, and has restrooms, outdoor showers and free public volleyball courts. Lifeguards are on duty from Memorial Day to Labor Day, with weekend coverage in May; free beach wheelchairs can be reserved at (805) 642-8618.
Free beach; paid parking Fri–Sun & holidays 10 am–8 pmLeo Robbins Community Sailing Center
The city-run sailing center at Marina Park teaches sailing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, with classes and camps for kids and adults. Register through Ventura Parks & Recreation.
check siteVentura Boat Rentals
Harbor-based kayak, paddleboard, pedal-boat, and electric-boat rentals for exploring the calm channels of Ventura Harbor and the Ventura Keys.
Kayak, SUP, and pedal/electric boat rentals, priced hourly
San Buenaventura State Beach
A 2-mile sandy state beach beside Ventura Pier with lifeguards, volleyball courts, and direct access to the oceanfront bike path.
$10/vehicle day-useVentura Promenade & Surfers Point
A flat oceanfront walking-and-biking path running from the pier to the surf break at Surfers Point, connecting onward to the 15-mile Ventura River bike trail toward Ojai.
FreeAnimals & Nature
Ventura Botanical Gardens
This 107-acre hillside garden above downtown Ventura showcases more than 120,000 plants representing all five Mediterranean climate zones of the world — California, Chile, South Africa's Cape, Australia, and the Mediterranean Basin. A stroller-friendly path leads to the first viewpoint with sweeping views of the Channel Islands and Topa Topa peak, while the full loop trail continues for those who want more.
~$7 adult; under 18 free
Owl Festival at Olivas Adobe
Olivas Adobe Historical Park throws a free family day for Olivia, its resident great horned owl. It includes owl crafts, pellet dissection, live music, and a meet-and-greet with a live owl and raven. The same park hosts other free family days, such as Rancho San Miguel Days in September.
FreeIsland Packers
The official National Park Service concessionaire running boat trips from Ventura Harbor to Channel Islands National Park, plus dedicated whale-watching cruises with seasonal pricing.
Whale watching ~$49-90 depending on seasonIndoor Play
Buena Lanes
A local bowling center that also has VR experiences, two doors down from Skating Plus on Mesa Verde Avenue. Groups of 4–6 can reserve a lane online; for pricing and availability, call (805) 677-7770.
Call for lane pricingSkating Plus
This year-round indoor roller rink hosts public open-skate sessions, lessons and birthday parties. Quad and inline rentals cost extra, and session times change day to day, so check the online schedule before you go.
Open skate about $14; skate rental $4–5 extraSky Zone Ventura
This indoor trampoline park at 2825 Johnson Drive has open jump, a Little Leapers hour for kids 5 and under, and glow sessions after 7 pm (glow shirts required). Buy tickets and sign the waiver online ahead of time. The site has recently noted that the airbag attraction is down for maintenance.
check siteMuseums & Learning
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
Avenue Library (Ventura County Library)
This Westside branch on North Ventura Avenue holds a family storytime on Tuesdays at 4 pm, a handy slot for working parents and after-school siblings. It also runs LEGO Play on Wednesday afternoons, PAWS for Reading on Thursdays, and has a homework center.
FreeCandlelight Tours at Olivas Adobe
The 1840s rancho adobe is lit up for the holidays, with theatrical vignettes in every room, entertainment and refreshments. Tours are capped at 12 people and take about an hour, and you must reserve online in advance. It's a good fit for school-age kids who like history.
check siteHill Road Library (Ventura County Library)
Ventura County Library holds storytime for babies through preschoolers here on Wednesdays at 10:30 am, and PAWS for Reading (kids read aloud to therapy dogs) on Wednesday afternoons. There are also Maker Lab crafts and a Saturday kids' chess club. With E.P. Foster downtown closed for renovation, this is the main full-service Ventura branch for families.
FreeSaticoy Library (Ventura County Library)
This small east-end branch holds storytime for babies, toddlers and preschoolers on Tuesdays at 10 am (before regular opening hours), plus drop-in kids' crafts. It's run by Ventura County Library.
FreeMission Basilica San Buenaventura
The 1782 Spanish mission that gave Ventura its name and founded the city, with a small museum and gift shop alongside the still-active basilica.
$8 adult / $5 senior / $3 ages 5-17Museum of Ventura County
The largest repository of regional history in the county, with rotating art and history exhibits in a downtown building — a solid rainy-day stop.
~$5-10 adult; free 1st Sunday monthly
Olivas Adobe Historical Park
An 1840s Californio-era adobe ranch house and museum, with free grounds access daily and costumed docent tours on Sundays.
Grounds free daily; Sunday tours $5 adult / $3 child-senior
Theme Parks & Rides
Ventura County Fair
The county fair at the beachside Ventura County Fairgrounds (10 W Harbor Blvd) has rides, live entertainment, fair food, contests and junior fair entries. A clear-bag policy started in 2026. The fairgrounds sit next to Surfers Point at the end of the Ventura Promenade.
check siteVentura Aquatic Center
A city pool complex with a water-play pool and two waterslides alongside lap and recreational pools — a reliable hot-day option away from the beach.
$11/person; free age 2 and under
More for families in Ventura
From our researched guides: the Ventura spots for pickleball courts, arcades, classes. Hours and prices change, so check the venue's site before you go.
Pickleball courts
All SoCal pickleball courts →Harry A. Lyon Park
Ten outdoor pickleball courts, the largest set in the City of Ventura. Court hours change seasonally, so check the city page before a long drive.
Venue website ↗Juanamaria Park
Four outdoor pickleball courts on the east side of Ventura.
Venue website ↗Arcades & fun centers
All SoCal arcades →Golf N' Stuff Ventura
A beachside family park with mini golf, arcade games and rides at 5555 Walker St. Rides open later in the day than the arcade, and group and party packages are offered.
Pay per game / card; see site
Venue website ↗Classes & lessons
All SoCal classes →Gold Coast Gymnastics
Ventura gym with recreational through competitive gymnastics, tumbling, trampoline, open gym and camps.
$$ enrollment
Ventura County Music Academy
Private music lessons for all ages with monthly group lessons and biannual recitals.
$$ enrollment
Venue website ↗Farmers markets in Ventura
Downtown Ventura Certified Farmers' Market
Long-running Saturday market on E. Main St (since 1986) with abundant local produce, hot food, and a walkable downtown setting.
Midtown Ventura Certified Farmers' Market
Wednesday market at the Pacific View mall lot with 25+ California farmers and food vendors — a relaxed midweek produce run.
Holidays in Ventura
Lights, parades, Santa and more this season. Confirm details with the organizer before you go.
Dickens' A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story (Rubicon Theatre)
Dec 2–24, 2026
Rubicon's staging plays up the ghost story, so it suits older kids more than preschoolers.
See site
Patchwork Show Ventura
Sun, Dec 6, 2026 · 11am–5pm
Handmade-goods street fair on Main Street at California Street in downtown Ventura, with DIY crafts and a scavenger hunt.
See site
Winter Wonderland at Ventura Harbor Village
Sun Dec 13, 2026, 12:00–4:00pm.
Waterfront holiday festival with Santa and Mrs.
Free admission.
Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center on New Year's Day
Jan 1, 2027 · 8:30am–5pm
The Ventura Harbor visitor center closes only on Thanksgiving and Dec 25, so it's a free New Year's Day stop next to the harbor.
Free
Downtown Ventura Holiday Tree Lighting
2026 dates not confirmed
Free downtown tree lighting evening.
Free
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Procession
Held every year on Dec 12 (Sat, Dec 12, 2026 expected; the mission's page doesn't give a year)
In the evening, Aztec dancers honor Our Lady of Guadalupe inside the mission church, followed by a Mass that reenacts the apparition at Tepeyac.
Free
Light Up the Harbor Chanukah Celebration
2026 dates not confirmed
Chabad of Ventura and Ventura Harbor Village put on a juggling show, kids' Chanukah crafts, doughnuts and take-home menorah kits, then a grand menorah lighting by the water.
Free
Festivals & annual events in Ventura
What Ventura is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Ventura Holiday Street Fair (Winter Wine Walk day)
A free 12-8pm holiday street fair on Main Street with crafters, food vendors and live entertainment, plus simulated snowfall from 6:45-8pm at the Main Stage. The wine-walk portion is adults only, and the organizer doesn't market this as a kids event. Tip: the free daytime fair is the family-friendly part, so come before the wine crowd builds in the evening.
Street fair free; wine walk ticketed (21+)
Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights & Fireworks (50th Annual)
The harbor's 50th annual holiday boat parade, with fireworks, on two nights at Ventura Harbor Village. Tip: check the official page for the exact start time, and arrive early or use the free Dolphin Lot off Spinnaker Drive.
Free to watch (paid parking)
California Strawberry Festival
A 10am-6:30pm festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds with 40+ food vendors, live music, arts and crafts, carnival rides and a Strawberryland for Kids area. Nonprofit food booths keep 100% of their sales. Tip: it now runs in Ventura, not Oxnard, and free shuttles plus Amtrak/Metrolink access make parking easier.
Ticketed (see organizer)
Ventura Rotary 4th of July Fireworks Show & Family Picnic
A fireworks show, live music, food vendors and a Kids Fun Zone spread across the Ventura College Athletic Fields at 4667 Telegraph Rd, with 100% of net proceeds benefiting local charitable programs. Gates open at 5pm and the fireworks start at about 9pm. Tip: this event was not held in 2026 and returns in 2027, so check the site for ticket sales.
Ticketed (2027 pricing not yet posted)
Kids Seaside Trick or Treat at Ventura Harbor Village
From 4 to 6pm, kids in costume trick-or-treat at 14+ harbor merchants. There is a Monster Mash dance party, a skeleton hunt, a roaming magician and a pumpkin carver, plus paid extras like face painting. Tip: bring your own candy bag, since treats are limited to supplies, and park in the free Dolphin Lot off Spinnaker Drive.
Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest at Ventura Harbor
A costume contest for dogs at Ventura Harbor Village, good for families with pets. Tip: confirm the start time and entry details on the Harbor Village event page before you go.
Seaside Highland Games
A 9am-5pm Scottish festival at the Ventura County Fairgrounds with bagpiping, drumming, heavy athletics, Highland dance, three music stages, sheep-herding demos, children's activities and a WWII encampment. The Grand Parade is Sat at noon. Tip: skip the Friday whisky and dinner events (adult-oriented) and head Saturday for opening ceremonies and sheep herding.
Oktoberfest at the Ventura County Fairgrounds
The 2nd annual event, billed by the fairgrounds as family friendly with carnival rides, kid-friendly food, live music, contests and an artisan market. Hours are Fri 5-11pm, Sat noon-11pm, Sun noon-7pm. Tip: it is beer-centered, so for kids go Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
Harvest Kickoff + Community Day
An 11am-4pm community gathering at California and Main in Downtown Ventura that opens the fall harvest season. Tip: the Downtown Ventura harvest series continues Oct 10, 17 and 24.
Harvest Hootenanny
An 11am-5pm harvest celebration with entertainment and activities at California and Main in Downtown Ventura. Tip: check the event page for the lineup and any activity fees.
Halloween on Main & Night Market Trunk-or-Treat
A full-day Halloween celebration on Main Street, with a family-friendly Halloween Night Market from 2-9pm featuring a classic-car Trunk or Treat and entertainment. Tip: go in the afternoon for the family crowd.
Dia de los Muertos Festival in Downtown Ventura
Downtown's largest cultural event spans seven blocks from 11am to 6pm, with traditions, art and community programming. Tip: it follows Halloween night, so go earlier in the day for the calmest crowds.
Brick Convention (LEGO Fan Event)
A LEGO fan convention at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. Tip: check the fairgrounds event page for hours and any ticket details before you go.
Local restaurants in Ventura
Casa de Soria
Homestyle Mexican cooking in Ventura since 1958, with handmade tortillas and original recipes still on the menu — a true multigenerational neighborhood institution.
Toppers Pizza Place
A locally-owned Ventura County pizza favorite (perennial 'Best Pizza' winner) built for family dining, big groups, and fast delivery on pizza night.
Andria's Seafood Restaurant & Market
A Ventura Harbor institution known for hand-battered fish and chips and homemade clam chowder, casual walk-up service.
Brophy Bros. Seafood Restaurant & Clam Bar
A waterfront seafood and clam bar known for garlic baked clams, with a harbor-view patio.
On The Alley (OTA)
An all-day breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot at Ventura Harbor with a kid- and pet-friendly patio, serving burgers, breakfast burritos, and tacos.
Yolanda's Mexican Café
A long-running family Mexican restaurant serving Ventura since it opened.
Pizza Man Dan's
A family pizza spot with arcade games for kids, a popular pick for birthday parties, with two Ventura locations.
The Jolly Oyster
A beachside oyster and clam shack — a trailer plus picnic tables — run by a family oyster farm right at San Buenaventura State Beach.
Rori's Artisanal Creamery (Ventura)
A small-batch artisanal ice cream scoop shop downtown, with cones made on site.
Café Ficelle
Ventura's French bakery and cafe since 2010, serving pastries, breakfast, and lunch at two locations.
Rolling Pin Donuts
A family-owned, sibling-run donut shop with very early and late hours.
Local shops in Ventura
Timbre Books
Thoughtfully curated indie bookstore in Midtown Ventura with a children's section and a seating space for book clubs and author signings.
Abednego Book Shoppe
One of Ventura's oldest bookstores, with 150,000-plus new, used, and rare books.
Very Ventura Gift Shop & Gallery
A downtown gift shop and gallery with kids' clothing and toys alongside apparel and home decor.
Seasonal & outdoors near Ventura
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Ventura.
More Ventura County family guides
Ventura family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Ventura with kids?
Family favorites in and around Ventura include Ventura Pier & Promenade, Ventura Botanical Gardens, Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center and Owl Festival at Olivas Adobe, and more. Our guide lists 34 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Ventura?
Yes — free family spots near Ventura include Ventura Pier & Promenade, Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center, Owl Festival at Olivas Adobe and 4th of July Street Fair & Pushem-Pullem Parade. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
What can kids do in Ventura on a rainy day?
Indoor options in and around Ventura include Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center, Buena Lanes, Skating Plus and Sky Zone Ventura, and more. Each listing in our guide is marked indoor or outdoor, so you can filter for the weather.
How can families spend a day in Ventura?
One easy plan: start outside at Ventura Pier & Promenade while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at Casa de Soria, then head indoors to Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 32 more ideas to swap in.
Where can families eat in Ventura?
Local, family-friendly spots in Ventura include Casa de Soria, Toppers Pizza Place, Andria's Seafood Restaurant & Market and Brophy Bros. Seafood Restaurant & Clam Bar, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Ventura guide cover?
Our Ventura family guide includes 34 things to do, 14 local eats, 3 local shops and 2 farmers markets — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Ventura
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Ventura on one map — then book on your favorite site.