If you’re new to Camarillo, thinking about moving here with your family, or just planning a weekend that isn’t the same three things you always do — this guide is for you. As a local Realtor who lives and works in this town, I get asked this question constantly, and I’ve watched a lot of new-to-Camarillo families slowly figure out what most of us who’ve been here for years already know: there are actually a lot of things to do in Camarillo with kids, and the best of them aren’t always the ones that show up in the tourist brochures.
I’m going to walk you through what our family and my clients’ families actually do — parks, farms, museums, restaurants, seasonal events, and the little places locals love — organized by what you’d want to do when. Whether you’re planning a Saturday, a rainy Tuesday, or a birthday party, there’s something in here you’ll use.
This is a general community guide, not paid endorsement content. Places and hours change — always double-check before you go, especially for events.
Let’s start with the outdoor stuff, because Camarillo weather is one of the reasons families love this town. Because we sit in a coastal valley protected by the Santa Monica Mountains, our climate stays mild almost year-round — meaning parks are viable at least 300 days a year.
This is the crown jewel, honestly. Nestled at the base of the Conejo Grade, Camarillo Grove Park was once a stagecoach stop, and today it’s the go-to for families who want hiking, a huge playground, big grassy picnic areas, and shaded oak trees all in one spot. The main trail winds up into the hills with beautiful views of Camarillo Valley — do the full loop if you have older kids, or turn back at the first viewpoint if you have little ones. On summer weekends, the picnic areas fill up early, so plan accordingly.
Right in the heart of Camarillo, Constitution Park is where a lot of local families go for weekday afternoons. Big playground, plenty of grass, tennis and pickleball courts, and enough shade to actually spend a couple of hours outside without melting.
Home to the skate park (which teens love), Freedom Park also has ball fields, a great playground for younger kids, and a splash pad that runs seasonally. If you have both little kids and teens, this park handles both audiences in one stop.
A community favorite in the Mission Oaks neighborhood, with well-shaded playgrounds, sports fields, and community events on weekends throughout spring and fall. Also — and this matters — the bathrooms are actually maintained.
Springville has a nice playground, a walking loop, and the Springville Dog Park next door. If your family includes a dog, this is a two-for-one afternoon.
Camarillo sits in one of the most productive agricultural valleys in California, and the family farm experiences here are genuinely special. If you only do one thing on this list, make it one of the farms.
Underwood is the standout. Pick-your-own strawberries in the spring, blueberries in early summer, tomatoes and squash and peppers through the fall, and their famous pumpkin patch in October. Beyond the pick-your-own, the farm has animals kids can feed, tractor rides, seasonal festivals, and a market where you can grab everything you need for dinner. Weekend mornings can get crowded during peak season, so go early. You can plan your visit at Underwood Family Farms.
McGrath is quieter and more low-key than Underwood, and some local families prefer it for exactly that reason. Certified organic produce, a farm stand, seasonal events, and a slower pace that works well with younger kids.
Both Underwood and McGrath do full-blown pumpkin patch experiences in October, and they’re a Camarillo family tradition. Between the two, plus Faulkner Farm nearby in Santa Paula, you can honestly do a different pumpkin patch every weekend of October and not repeat.
Camarillo punches way above its weight for a town this size when it comes to museums, and most of them are genuinely fun even for kids who don’t think they like museums.
This is a hidden gem right at Camarillo Airport, and it’s spectacular. Restored WWII aircraft — including a B-25 bomber and an A6M Zero — housed in a working hangar you can walk through. The volunteers who run the CAF SoCal Wing Museum are veterans and enthusiasts who love talking to kids. Older kids especially get pulled in. They occasionally do flight days where the planes go up, which is worth planning around.
The 1892 Queen Anne Victorian at the center of Camarillo Ranch is beautiful, and the docent-led tours are engaging even for younger kids. But the real draw is the events calendar — Camarillo Ranch hosts everything from summer concerts on the lawn to holiday markets to educational programs for kids. Check their event schedule before you go.
Small but genuinely charming, especially for kids interested in local history. The botanical gardens surrounding the museum are worth the walk on their own.
Don’t sleep on the library. Story times for toddlers, summer reading programs, teen events, maker-space activities, and (during hot summer weeks) very good air conditioning. Free is a great price point.
We don’t get a lot of rain, but when we do, or when it’s a July heat wave, here’s where families go.
A board game cafe with hundreds of games available to play. Great for family game night, birthday parties, or a rainy Saturday afternoon. It’s the kind of place kids come back to.
Camarillo has a couple of solid movie options — including one of the Roxy locations — which run family-friendly programming, discount matinees, and reasonable snack prices. Locals particularly appreciate the popcorn deals.
Bowling is bowling, but a good local bowling alley is a real asset when you need to burn a couple of hours with kids. Harley’s does birthday parties, cosmic bowling nights, and league play.
The outlets aren’t just shopping — they’ve become a legitimate family destination thanks to their seasonal events. The Imaginarium light festivals have run for the past few years with a rotating theme, and they turn the outlet complex into an evening walking experience with light installations kids love. The food court and sit-down restaurants make an easy dinner stop.
I’m not going to try to name every family-friendly restaurant in Camarillo because tastes vary and places change. However, a few categories worth knowing about:
Because we’re surrounded by farms, several Camarillo restaurants source locally and put out excellent food that isn’t chain-restaurant kid menu. If you’re new to town, ask a local for their current favorite — the list rotates.
Kids who like planes will remember this one forever. You can watch planes land while you eat, and the food is genuinely good. It’s a Camarillo staple.
Not a restaurant, but the Camarillo Farmers Market on Saturday mornings has enough prepared food, kid-friendly snacks, live music, and general good energy to count as a family outing on its own.
A few Camarillo events show up on my family’s calendar every year:
An annual multi-day celebration with parades, food, live music, and events all across town. If you’re moving to Camarillo, going to the Fiesta is your fastest introduction to the community’s personality.
The whole town shows up. Local marching bands, community groups, kids on decorated bikes, and a lot of hot chocolate. It’s small-town Christmas the way it’s supposed to feel.
Ranch lawn, live music, food trucks, kids running around. Bring a blanket.
October is farm season in Camarillo, and Underwood and McGrath both do harvest festivals that pack the weekends with hayrides, pumpkin picking, corn mazes, and seasonal food.
The Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District runs family movie nights at various parks throughout summer. Free, low-key, and a great way for kids to meet neighborhood friends.
One of the underrated benefits of Camarillo is that you can drive 20-45 minutes in any direction and land somewhere completely different.
Oxnard is 15 minutes away and has some of the best under-the-radar beaches in Southern California — Silver Strand, Hollywood Beach, Mandalay. Bring the kids, a bucket, and a spare change of clothes.
Ojai is a 20-minute drive north and feels like a different world. Kids love the vintage arcade at Ojai Bowl, the walking loop through downtown, and Bart’s Books (the outdoor bookstore).
30 minutes south. Malibu beaches for older kids and teens, Malibu Creek State Park for hikers, and enough restaurants to make a full day of it.
45 minutes north. The zoo, the harbor, State Street, the mission — a classic Southern California day trip.
Only 20 minutes west. Downtown Ventura, the Ventura Pier, and the beaches. Also a lot of family-friendly restaurants.
I’ll share what I hear from the families I work with when they choose Camarillo. Because these reasons matter if you’re thinking about moving here:
Yes — and it’s one of the reasons the town keeps growing. The parks are good, the weather is mild, the schools have strong reputations, and the community is genuinely family-oriented. Plus the farm experiences and outdoor access are hard to beat for families with little kids.
That depends on what you value. Mission Oaks and the neighborhoods around Pleasant Valley schools tend to have strong family communities. Newer developments in the eastern part of town appeal to families who want newer construction. The historic core of town has character and walkability. I’d rather talk through your specific priorities before recommending — the “best” neighborhood is different for every family.
Genuinely one of Camarillo’s strongest features. Summer highs typically 75-85°F. Winter lows rarely below 45°F. Marine layer keeps mornings cool most of the year. Rainy season is December-March, but total rainfall is modest compared to Northern California.
Yes. Pleasant Valley School District covers the elementary and middle school years. Oxnard Union High School District covers high school. There are also strong private and charter options. School quality varies by specific school — worth researching for the ages of your kids.
Compared to Los Angeles or the Bay Area, more affordable. Compared to the national average, definitely more expensive. Median home prices in 2026 sit in the range you’d expect for coastal California. The tradeoff most families make: you pay California housing costs but get California climate, schools, and outdoor access in return.
Camarillo itself has mild traffic — this isn’t LA. However, the 101 through town can get slow during commute hours (northbound morning, southbound evening) especially near the Conejo Grade. If you’re commuting to LA, plan for it.
Absolutely. Spend a Saturday morning at the Farmers Market, an afternoon at Camarillo Grove Park or Underwood Family Farms, dinner somewhere in Old Town, and a Sunday morning at the outlets or the Air Museum. That’s a pretty representative slice of life here.
If you’ve read this whole guide, there’s a decent chance you’re considering a move — or you’ve moved recently and you’re trying to figure out how to actually plug into the community.
I do free relocation consultations for families thinking about Camarillo. We can talk through neighborhoods, schools, price ranges, and what to expect from the local market. If you’re not ready for that yet, a free home valuation is a good starting point for understanding what your current home might sell for and what your budget might look like here.
The town has its imperfections, but families move here for reasons that hold up over time. When mine ask me what I love about Camarillo, the honest answer is: our kids can grow up outside, we know our neighbors, and the community shows up for each other. That’s harder to find in California than it should be, and it’s worth showing up for.
For general event and attraction information, Visit Camarillo maintains a good calendar. For real estate questions specifically, call or text me at (805) 760-1371 anytime.
Jess Judd is a Ventura County REALTOR® with LIV Sotheby’s International Realty, recognized in the top 1.5% of agents nationwide by RealTrends. She helps families buy and sell homes throughout Camarillo, Ventura, Oxnard, Ojai, Thousand Oaks, and the surrounding communities. CalDRE# 02042718.
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