8 Must-Do Activities for the Kids in Ventura County Coast

Find fun for kids (and adults!) on your getaway.

With sunshine all year long, any season is perfect for family adventures in Ventura County Coast. Keep your kiddos busy on a budget with endless activities, from stand-up paddle boards to miniature golf. Here are eight fun ideas for the kids (and adults!) in Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura and Port Hueneme.

1. Ventura Harbor Village

It’s easy to spend the entire day at Ventura Harbor Village. Ventura Boat Rentals offers rentals for kayaks, SUP boards, pedal or power boats, and jet skis to get the family out on the water. Harbor village also has boutique shops and many yummy dining options for even the pickiest eaters. Take a ride on the vintage indoor carousel or let the kids play at the arcade. Additionally, the headquarters of Island Packers is located within the harbor village. Island Packers sends daily ferries out to Channel Islands National Park and has whale watching and marine wildlife tours. Plus, Surfer’s Knoll – the local beach – is right across the street. End the day with a scoop (or two!) at Coastal Cone, a local, favorite ice cream shop that’s been in the village for 33 years.

📷: @liebuendsonnenschein

2. Zander’s Game House

Disconnect from your screens and connect with each other at Zander’s Game House in Camarillo. They offer more than 850 board and card games and a variety of snacks and desserts. Enjoy as many games as you’d like for only $5 per person!

📷: @irais_love

Fun things to do with kids in Ventura County

3. Wheel Fun Rentals

With locations in Oxnard, Port Hueneme, and Ventura, Wheel Fun Rentals features a large selection of specialty cycles, cruiser bikes, and beach rentals perfect for exploring the boardwalk with the family. Bike helmets, locks, and maps are included, ensuring a safe and well-prepared trip.

📷: @wheelfunrentalsofficial

4. Ventura Marina Park Peninsula

Search for buried treasure at the Ventura Marina Park Peninsula pirate ship – a local favorite. There’s also the ocean, a playground for the kids to play on, plenty of picnic tables and barbecue grills, and grassy areas perfect to kick back or toss a Frisbee around.

📷: @mali.mish.marlene

5. Murphy Auto Museum

Located in Oxnard, the Murphy Auto Museum is a nonprofit vintage car museum that showcases more than 90 classic vintage cars. They are open every Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and children 12 and under are always free. They also have model railroads on display, which attract adults and kids alike!

📷: @ladygomezceo

6. Channel Islands National Park

Channel Islands National Park has five islands that offer different adventure opportunities for the family. Whether you’re looking to hike, camp, kayak, snorkel, birdwatch, or simply relax, visit the Islands Packers website to check out their daily boat schedule. Here’s a great resource to help you decide which island to visit, and here’s a wonderful guide written by No Back Home on their family trip to the park!

📷: @thehaslims

7. Seabee Museum

Established in 1947, the United States Navy Seabee Museum is the second oldest Navy museum in the Naval History and Heritage Command System. The museum collects, preserves, and exhibits artifacts related to the history of the U.S. Navy Engineer Corps and the Naval Construction Force (a.k.a. the Seabees). They also have an interactive learning and play area for kids where they can build with trucks, LEGO, and more!

📷: @just.j.rod

8. Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force

The Southern California Wing of the Commemorative Air Force in Camarillo is an all-volunteer organization with members from all walks of life dedicated to preserving the history of WWII aircraft for generations to come. The CAF Ghost Squadron is more than just a collection—it’s an exhibition intended to recreate, remind, and reinforce the lessons learned from the defining moments in American military aviation history.

Plan Your Next Adventure

Plan ahead and get inspired with out guide to fun and amazing things to do in Ventura County Coast.

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Ventura County Coast

Ventura County Coast is a string of four communities that radiate warmth from welcoming people and California sunshine. The region embodies the casual and active spirit of classic, where the seafood is fresh, the beer is handcrafted and the weather is the kind you dream about. Spend the day exploring miles of beaches, incredible harbors or lush green golf courses. Hop on a boat for a day trip to the Channel Islands National Park, where you can see breathtaking views of the Southern California coastline. With a bustling culture, high end and vintage shopping, a lively culinary spirit and beautiful outdoor experiences, Ventura County Coast calls on every visitor to find their vibe. From hiking and biking to sailing and snorkeling, from shopping and dining to just plain relaxing, Ventura County Coast will fill your days with a lifetime of memories.

Camarillo

An hour north of Los Angeles, Camarillo is nestled at the base of the Conejo foothills surrounded by verdant green fields and cool ocean breezes. With more than 300 days of sunshine a year, enjoy Camarillo alfresco. From outdoor shopping and concerts, to delicious dining and fun events, Camarillo has it all. With small town charm and a rich history, it is the place for romantic weddings and corporate venues. Visit the historical sites and museums during the day, and walk along Old Town for dinner and drinks at night. A great getaway for everyone, Camarillo is the ideal place to Come for the Sun, Stay for the Fun.

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Oxnard

Rally your tribe and head for the Central Coast. California cool, panorama-perfect, culturally authentic and vibrant beyond measure. Oxnard is home to miles of pristine white sand beaches, electric nightlife, some of the best taquerias in the state, historic Victorian era architecture, the California Strawberry Festival, and an expansively picturesque harbor that serves as the closest access point to the Channel Islands National Park. Just sixty miles northwest of LAX and in close proximity to Santa Barbara and other major destinations, Oxnard is one of California’s best kept secrets.