Family Fun
Kid-friendly getaway ideas in Oxnard everyone will love!
Do you have little ones who are bored at home? Wondering how to keep your kids entertained? Whether they're home from school or you're working from home, here's how to plan a family fun getaway to Oxnard that the whole family will enjoy.
From boat trips at the Channel Islands Harbor to camping at Channel Islands National Park, we've got you covered when it comes to family fun activities for your kids (and your smartphone-addicted teenager.)
An Affordable Family Vacation
Compared to our coastal Southern California and Central Coast neighbors, Oxnard remains an "under the radar" coastal city perfect for getting away with your family without breaking the bank. Check our hotel rates using the widget below, and you'll see what we mean!
Oxnard 101: Science
Did your kids miss out on school field trips? Plan your own educational adventure and hop onboard an excursion with Island Packers.
Things to do
Explore the natural wonder just offshore from Oxnard at "North America's Galapagos," Channel Islands National Park. Spark imagination with a science lesson, identifying wildlife found nowhere else on planet earth, including the diurnal island fox!
Spend the night under the stars.
Camp overnight for some of the starriest night skies you'll see in the State of California. With next to zero light pollution, you're in for an astronomical marvel.
Get to know the islands.
Visit Channel Islands Kayak Center and check in with owner Mike Lamm for a natural history tour by kayak.
You'll learn about pygmy mammoths, the Chumash people, and the Arlington Springs man, discovered on Santa Rosa Island, whose human remains are the oldest ever found in North America.
Anthropology, biology, and earth sciences - check!
Oxnard 101: Health
Head over to the grass at Collection Park for Kids Club, a fun-filled morning of storytime, songs, and crafts. Every Kids Club features a different theme, and families are encouraged to return throughout the season to experience the unique excitement the various themes offer. This free event is sponsored by Sunny Smiles Dentistry for Children and Young Adults. (Don't forget your picnic blanket.)
The 2024 Kids Clubs will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon on the grass at Collection Park. Check out our events page for upcoming dates.
Oxnard 101: Math
Flexing your trigonometry muscles? Why not practice angling?
Take your kids on a fishing excursion they'll never forget. Oxnard has some great fishing holes.
Catch surf perch, calico bass, corbina, and halibut off Silver Strand Beach or 'olołkoy Beach Park. Both of these gems are worth a visit. Spend the day on the beach with your family and relax.
If you want a unique fishing experience for the family, consider spending the day on a chartered fishing boat.
Visit Hook's Landing to book day trips that leave from Channel Islands Harbor. An eight-hour adventure runs about $85 per person.
Oxnard 101: Break For Lunch
Ready for a snack? Pack your own picnic and visit Oxnard's Best Local Parks.
Want to try something new? Explore Oxnard's best taco trucks or treat your family to the best desserts in town.
We all know your dogs are part of the family. So you don't need to leave your furry friends at home.
These are our favorite off-leash dog parks in Oxnard.
- College Park Dog Park is an off-leash dog park with two areas for small and big canines.
- Campus Park, the former site of Oxnard High School, is another off-leash dog park. It's located on the corner of 5th and H streets.
- Jax's Windrow Dog Park is an off-leash dog park located at 3052 North Ventura Road.
- Hollywood Beach - Dogs can roam free before 9 am and after 5 pm.
Oxnard 101: History
Now that the kids are full and content let's keep the activities going by exploring Oxnard's history.
Here are museums in Oxnard the kids will enjoy.
- Explore the origins of the city built on sugar beets. The Oxnard Historic Farm Park Foundation is a nonprofit group dedicated to the preservation of the two oldest structures on the Oxnard Plain and creating a home for Oxnard history.
- Take a walking tour of Downtown Oxnard's Henry T. Oxnard Historic District and Heritage Square, where you'll find stunning century-old craftsman farmhouses among the first on the Oxnard plain.
- Trace the history of notable shipwrecks and the rich past of the Channel Islands Harbor at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum. Gawk at the masterpiece paintings dating from 1600-1850 that fill the Seascape Gallery. Dive into the tales of whaling history, and hear the stories of the native Indian tribes who once called this area their home.
Did you know about the rum smugglers who escaped in Oxnard or the history of the La Jenelle Shipwreck? Explore Oxnard's Strange & Unusual Travel Experiences.
Discover Sea History
Ahoy Matey! Ever wondered what it was like once upon a time as a mariner? Well, now you can travel back to the 19th century when you visit the 110-ft schooner, Mystic Whaler. This tall ship is the bedrock of Mystic Ocean Adventures (MOA) and offers unique immersive ocean-based educational experiences, with a focus on 10-18 year olds, along California's Central Coast and Channel Islands.
Explore their educational programs:
- Trading: See what trading in California was like when all commerce arrived by ship.
- Echoes of a Merchant Mariner: Learn what it was like to be a sailor aboard a 19th century tall such as the 110-ft Mystic Whaler.
- I Am Ocean, Hear Me Warm: Examine how climate change effects the ocean ecosystems and humanity.
Want to take part in the learning with your children? MOA offers family-oriented programs where you can learn side by side with your kids. Visit MOA to see what program suits you!
*Mystic Whaler offers public day sails and deck tours on select weekends. Please check events calendar.
Oxnard 101: Auto Shop
Car enthusiasts, check your mirrors for an unparalleled automotive culture; Oxnard is known for its epic car shows, cruise nights, meet-ups, and year-round festivals, paying homage to classic and custom rides.
See the lineup of car shows on the Events page.
Oxnard 101: Art + Music
If you're traveling on a budget, plan your own walking tour and visit Oxnard's Amazing Street Murals, Sculptures & Art Galleries scattered throughout the city.
Give your kids a camera and let them practice their photography skills in front of the art installations.
You'll find commissioned art on city buildings, historic masterpieces in museums, and public art splashed from the heart of Downtown Oxnard to the Silver Strand jetty.
Do your kids love music? Show them how drums are made.
Take your kids to Drum Workshop to see the factory where some of the world's top artists' drum sets were made.
Musicians include Mick Fleetwood, Don Henley, Sheila. E., Dave Grohl and Bruno Mars.
Visitors can book a tour to see the entire drum-making process. Tours are on Thursday afternoons, but you'll need to make a reservation early.
Learn more about Oxnard's Music Scene + Festivals.
OXNARD 101: P.E.
Before you head home, embark on an outdoor adventure the kids won't be able to stop talking about on the ride home.
The Collection at RiverPark is a hub for kid-friendly activities sure to make your kids burn some energy! The Collection is home to an outdoor playground, Jump 'n Jammin', Lucky Strike, and The Mighty Axe - which even has a kids league!
Test those balancing skills on a paddleboard in the Channel Islands Harbor. Rent kayaks or paddle boards from Hopper Boat Rentals for about $20-25 an hour.
Set sail into summer with Pacific Corinthian Yacht Club’s Junior Sailing Program, a fun and hands-on way for kids ages 7–14 to learn basic keelboat skills on a Capri-14 with a certified instructor. Perfect for young sailors looking to build confidence on the water!
If you've got a little extra cash to spend, rent a jet ski at Southern California Jet Skis. Rentals cost $130 an hour.
Traveling with little ones? Cruise on a gondola tour with the family around the harbor.
Take a family Bike ride with Wheel Fun Rentals. Peddle by the ocean or at Channel Islands Harbor with scenic views and a cool ocean breeze.
Learn how to surf at the #1 Surf School in Ventura County, Silver Strand Surf School. Take lessons or join a surf camp for ages 8 - 15.
Staying a while and want an unforgettable summer challenge? The Ventura County Junior Lifeguard Program offers youth ages 8–15 hands-on training in lifeguard rescue techniques, first aid and ocean safety, all while building strength, confidence and teamwork. From beach runs to surf sessions, this dynamic program is perfect for ocean lovers who want to grow as leaders.
Class Dismissed
If your children are tired of being home all day, head to the coast and have some fun in the sun. Check out the wildlife at the harbor or spend the day on a boat spotting whales.
Pack a lunch and have a picnic at the beach or visit a museum to take a break from the heat.
Need some more inspiration for things to do with the family? Check out our complete list of things to do in Oxnard for a full list of attractions.
