10 FUN THINGS TO DO WITH KIDS IN O'side
A Day At The Beach


A trip to Oceanside wouldn’t be complete without spending time at the beach and sticking your toes in the water! Throughout the year you will find local O’siders and visitors alike enjoying the beach, surfing the waves and basking in the year-round beautiful weather. Make it a hands-on experience by creating a sandcastle village, using your imagination to create moats and homes for the entire family. As the sun begins to set, cozy-up with some beach blankets and watch the stars begin to appear. Don’t forget to pack a couple of snacks and treats for everyone!
Explore The Markets


Get out and about in O’side and visit the Thursday Farmer’s Market. Market Day is a delightful way to mingle with the locals and purchase fresh, organic produce, flowers and scrumptious baked goods. Shop through the evening too at the Sunset Market! Every Thursday from 5-9pm, you can shop from hundreds of merchants, tastemakers, food vendors and more to enjoy cultural influences from around the world right in the heart of Downtown Oceanside. Located in the Inland Valley neighborhood of Oceanside, is a locally owned and operated farm stand. Check out Mellano Farm Stand if you’re looking for a family friendly day spent out in the sun. Enjoy their robust calendar of events including Community Block Parties and holiday festivals with live music and food trucks available to enjoy. You can ride along on a fun tractor ride, have the kiddos experience some curated crafts, go strawberry picking at their U-Pick or shop the local farm stand with a fresh selection of produce and seasonal flowers!
Visit The Museums


Wave To THe Whales


Start Shredding
Oceanside has an incredible history within the action sports industry. As the birthplace of the famous Transworld SKATEboarding magazine, local North County skaters have been setting trends and leading the skateboarding movement from the very beginning. As a result, many surf and skate manufacturing and retail suppliers call Oceanside home. Complimenting the surf and skate lifestyle, the City of Oceanside has built and currently maintains five local skateboard parks including Prince Memorial Skate Park, John Landes Park, Libby Lake Park, Martin Luther King Park, and Melba Bishop Park. These local resources attract skaters of all ages and all skill levels, inviting them to develop and refine their skills and to express themselves through the physical activity of skateboarding. Our own California Welcome Center has a new exhibition, The History of Skateboarding, which showcases the progression of skating over the years through changing board styles and even includes boards from legendary skateboarder Tony Hawk and his professional skateboarder son Riley.
Skaters must wear appropriate protective gear at all times. Riders who do not follow this and any other posted rules may be asked to leave the park.
Experience Guajome Park


Cycle To The Mission


Renting bikes and exploring a new city is exciting! While on bike, you are free to look around and spot the details within a community easily missed when traveling in a car. While in Oceanside, compliment your biking adventure with a history lesson and ride to Mission San Luis Rey! If you are staying in downtown Oceanside, you can rent a motorized or traditional bicycle and hop on the San Luis Rey Bike Trail for approximately 7 miles until you reach this historic landmark. Mission San Luis Rey was built in 1798 and is one of the 21 California Missions. Visitors can also take a self-guided tour or visit the Mission Museum for a nominal fee. Learn more about Oceanside Bike Trails.
Mural Walk


BVAS Nature Center


The Buena Vista Audubon Society (BVAS) Nature Center rests along the shores of the Buena Vista Lagoon, which is the only freshwater lagoon in Southern California. The Nature Center is a wonderful resource for those that are curious about the birds, mammals and insects that call the lagoon home. Throughout the year, the community is invited to the Nature Center to participate in guided bird walks and educational events. There are special children’s events including storytimes and art days.
Stroll The Pier


The Oceanside Pier is one of the most visited locations in our beautiful city. It is a fun spot to just hang out during the day and even grab your camera to take a photo as the sun sets below the horizon. Walking along the pier is a fun activity for the entire family. As you walk down, count the birds flying by, see dolphins jumping out of the water and cheer on the surfers as they catch a wave. If you bring some extra change, you can even use the coin operated binoculars to spot sailboats in the distance. Whether you’re a family of first-timers or an adventurous sport fisherman, O’side is the perfect spot to reel in your next catch. Fishing with the family from the Oceanside Pier is a memorable outdoor adventure!