The onset of summer marks the beginning of what is arguably the best time of the year. Schools close for summer break, and kids get to enjoy two to three months away from the rigors of their classrooms. If you’re wondering where to take your little ones this summer, the lovely city of Oceanside on California’s south coast offers many thrilling activities. Here are some family activities in Oceanside CA to enjoy.
SEA LIFE Aquarium
If your kid is a deep sea enthusiast, SEA LIFE Aquarium offers over 6,000 fascinating underwater creatures. Your child can explore species of clownfish, touch pools, seahorses, stingrays, sharks, jellyfish, and octopi. The aquarium offers educational talks where little ones can learn more about the sea animals and even experience live feeding demonstrations. SEA LIFE Aquarium also teaches kids the importance of ocean conservation and how to take informed measures to protect the ocean.
Play Kingdom Oceanside
Play Kingdom offers an indoor playground for kids to play, slide, and climb in a safe space. The best part is as a parent, you can also join in the fun and play alongside your kids for wholesome family fun. If you’d rather sit it out, there’s a comfortable seating area with free Wi-Fi where you can relax and sip on a cup of Joe as you watch over your kids. There’s a special flat rate on Sundays, and the best part is you don’t need a reservation for open play.
Oceanside Pier
Time at the beach always delivers epic thrills, and Oceanside Pier offers your kids the perfect setting to explore the picturesque California shore. Your kids can head out to the warm waters of the Pacific for a thrilling swim or learn how to hit the waves with surfing lessons. Other water sports your kids can explore include boogie boarding, kayaking, and stand-up paddle boarding. Oceanside Pier is also a popular route for migrating whales, and your kids may even catch a glimpse of these majestic mammals from the edge of the ocean. Once they’re out of the water, you can all settle down and enjoy a delightful family picnic in a designated picnic area.
Guajome Regional Park
The Guajome Regional Park sits eight miles from the Pacific Ocean and offers year-round access to tons of fun-filled activities. Your kids can enjoy playtime at either of the park’s two playgrounds or shoot some hoops on the basketball court. The park also features an expansive lawn perfect for a family picnic. The two ponds in the park attract flocks of migratory birds and host a variety of fish species, allowing for a fun-filled fishing expedition.
Sky Zone Trampoline Park
For the ultimate play adventure, Sky Zone Trampoline Park offers 17 epic activities, including jumping, spinning, and flipping. If your kids want a challenging climbing experience, the bouldering wall puts their strength and stamina to the test. Skyslam offers an adrenaline-pumping dunking experience where your kids can rock the rim and enjoy slam dunking like never before. Other Sky Zone attractions include Skytower, Ultimate Dodgeball, Freestyle Jump, Warped Wall, and Parkour Box. While Sky Zone is better suited for older kids and teens, there’s a toddler zone where little kids can enjoy the thrill of bouncing on trampolines.
Oceanside Museum of Art
If your kid loves the art scene, the Oceanside Museum of Art offers unique collections of sculptures, paintings, light installations, and glass pieces. The museum also offers community art days where you and your kids can visit for an afternoon session of creativity. Oceanside Museum supplies all the necessary materials, and all you do is show up and let your kid’s imagination run wild. There’s also a summer art camp for families where you can enjoy coming up with art pieces together. If your child’s birthday falls in the summer, Oceanside Museum has fun birthday themes, including a child-friendly docent tour and an artistic project in the Van Hunnick Education Center.
Book Your Oceanside Rental
The Golden State consistently ranks as one of America’s foremost holiday destination spots, thanks to its expansive list of attractions. If you’re looking for the ultimate vacation spot for your kids this summer, the beautiful city of Oceanside offers tons of exciting activities. As you plan your Oceanside vacation, booking comfortable accommodation for your family goes a long way in determining the quality of your stay. At The Brick Hotel, we offer excellent vacation rentals to match your needs. We have quality ocean-view Pacific villas and dog-friendly Pacific bungalows that are ideal for staying with your family dog. Contact us today to book your preferred Oceanside vacation rental.
The annual family vacation is something we both look forward to and dread at the same time. Getting to see new places and spend dedicated time with the ones we love most puts a mark on the pro side, but the ding on our bank accounts adds the check to the con side. Vacations can be expensive but necessary and in addition to offering fully equipped kitchens that allow families to save a little, we at the Brick Hotel have also done a little research. We found a list of family-friendly events that are guaranteed to be the highlight of your vacation to Oceanside but are also guaranteed not to make your bank account whimper and we are sharing them with you!
All About Art for Kids, Session Two, October 6, 3861 Mission Avenue
It’s amazing how creative our kids can be and All About Art harnesses that creativity and helps the budding Picassos learn more about the process. Costing $5 a session, this weekly class is held on Wednesdays from 4:45 PM until 5:45 PM, making it the perfect way to end another beautiful day in paradise, and although it is a kids-only class, mom and dad can enjoy a cocktail or two and some peace and quiet nearby while the littles are creating masterpieces.
Fall Festival of Gems and Minerals, October 9, 123 W Alvarado Street in Fallbrook
Kids, like crows, love shiny things and nothing shines brighter than the gems and minerals on display at the Fall Festival of Gems and Minerals. This all-day family-friendly event is free, for both parking and admission, and is an awesome way to kill a few hours on a beautiful California day! Buy some raffle tickets for your chance at winning something spectacular or simply explore the tented booths, perusing wares that include everything from geodes to crystals to handmade jewelry pieces that make perfect gifts for those who were unable to join you on this wonderful adventure. The Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society, the sponsors of this fun event, offers a free museum that is open on Fridays and Saturdays, so if you can’t make it to the event, consider stopping by the museum for a glance at all that is beautiful about gems and minerals!
Coastal 101 Birding, October 29, 2202 S Coast Highway
Oceanside’s natural beauty is the main attraction for visitors from all over the world, and although you will want to spend as much time in the ocean as you can, there is so much more to see and explore! Coastal 101 Birding is another free event that takes guests to all the spots where the birds like to “play” so bring your camera, your binoculars, and your interest in birds to this special event that lasts from 9:00 AM until Noon. It may not be the best event for families with really young children, but it offers the perfect way to introduce older children to the charms of bird watching.
Donut Fest Vista, October 3 through 31, 1305 Hot Springs Way in Vista
For those who love donuts and those who love beer, this special festival offers both items ensuring that parents and kiddos will be equally excited about attending! Online ticket sales have ended but be sure to take at least one evening during your stay to stop by and learn which beer goes best with which donuts, or for the children in your group, learn how many donuts it takes to send them into the stratosphere of sugar comas!
Dias de los Muertos Festival, October 23, Oceanside Civic Center Plaza
Dias de los Muertos, otherwise known as the Day of the Dead may sound a bit morbid to those not in the know but is actually a fun and moving alternative to Halloween celebrations and this Oceanside festival has been a local tradition for 21 years. Believed to be the time of year when the line between the spirit world and the living is the thinnest, this festival celebrates those we love and who are no longer with us. Featuring live entertainment, great food, and the opportunity to participate in the La Catrina contest (considered the face of death along with her counterpart El Catrin) we in Oceanside are so happy that the festival has made its way home to our town after a brief absence!
Brick-or-Treat Presents Monster Party, October 30, LEGOLAND in Carlsbad