Top Family Friendly Things to do in Oceanside, California California - March 27, 2021
Thank you to the Club Wyndham Oceanside Pier, Visit Oceanside for providing us with tickets for excursions to facilitate this article and Legoland California for providing us with tickets.
It’s so hot here in Arizona! But I do prefer the dry heat to Florida’s humidity. I’ve noticed that this is the time many people escape to California for a cool break. California weather is absolutely beautiful and it is the perfect place to check out some family friendly actives with the kids, including beach days.
We had been to Anaheim a few months prior and loved it. This time we wanted to see more of the beach, along with hitting up some family friendly things to do, so we decided to visit Oceanside. We also checked out the Oceanside Calendar of Events to see what what kind of kid’s activities are available in Oceanside while we were there. It turns out that there are tons of fun things to do with your family.
When traveling with young kids, there are so many things to consider like safety, restaurants, kid friendly activities, and of course: where to stay. We were really looking forward to doing some fun stuff together which means getting prepared. Check out these top family friendly places we found in Oceanside, California.
When visiting the West Coast, one of the best views of the Pacific Ocean is in Oceanside, California, a charming San Diego beach town. This North County city has world-class water sports, an iconic wooden pier, a harbor, and a marina, and is only a 38-minute drive from downtown San Diego.
At Oceanside California, you can enjoy sandy beaches as well as Oceanside activities such as whale watching tours, boating, and water sports. You can also stroll along the longest wooden pier and hear some live music. Explore downtown Oceanside’s restaurants, shops, volleyball courts, picnic areas, and farmers markets. Visit interactive surf museums, as well as Legoland and the San Diego Zoo.
Where to Stay in Oceanside California?
This is probably the most important decision when traveling as a family. A family of four has many requirements. We wanted to stay on the beach first of all so we could just walk over to it. A lot of space was needed because we planned on staying a few nights and bringing quite a few things. We needed two bedrooms and a place to wash our laundry and cook.
We also wanted to be able to find restaurants close by, along with supermarkets so we could cook.
It was booked through Extra Holidays, a booking site offering condos and suites — many as large as four-bedrooms, for the same price or less than what you’d pay for similar hotel stays. We already knew what to expect, a family friendly experience for sure!
This was the view from our room. We spent most of our mornings enjoying the ocean breeze and the beautiful palm trees while sipping on a cup of coffee.
The room was very spacious and exactly what we needed. This is a perk to using timeshare resorts such as the Club Wyndham Oceanside Pier because it had two bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, dishwasher, even a laundry machine and a dryer.
With a pool and Jacuzzi available and an activity center with a full schedule of crafts and movies for the kids, we were not bored inside the resort. The kids loved it!
This is the activity center where you can pick up a schedule for daily activities.
The kids went on a scavenger hunt and always ended back up at the activity center. There is a hot chocolate station and popcorn for movie days.
How can you say no to this view?
Even the elevator was interesting and fun for the kids as it had an extra security feature so that you needed your room key to use it.
Discover what it’s like to vacation condo style with a family friendly atmosphere at the Club Wyndham Oceanside Pier .
Don’t forget to sign up for Wyndham Rewards to earn points and get exclusive deals and discounts.
Oceanside Restaurants
It’s so important to have decent restaurants close by. We did bring some food to the room but we love trying new things and the kids sometimes needed comfort food for dinner. We found some great Oceanside restaurants, including bakeries and coffee shops.
Right inside the resort, you will find Zig Zag Pizza Pie . It’s a great place where you can design your own pizzas or chop chop salads.
We had their pizza almost daily. The kids loved it.
The atmosphere is great, the service was great and they also sell ice cream and alcohol to consume on premises or bring back to your room. Those are wins in my family. You could either walk in off the street or through a door within the resort.
The Loose Leaf
I’m really particular about my coffee. I stopped at this cute coffee shop called The Loose Leaf .
This is definitely the perfect place where I would hang out as I don’t drink alcohol. I love a good coffee bar that’s funky inside and quaint.
It was a short walk from the resort and if you got there early enough, you might be able to get one of their almond croissants. We missed them twice and were so disappointed but it didn’t keep us from sitting down and having breakfast and trying a bunch of different pastries. Everything is made from scratch.
We did not leave Oceanside without stopping there for pastries for our trip back.
Sushi in Oceanside
We love some good sushi and just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the resort, you will find Harney Sushi. We enjoyed a quiet dinner without kids but they have a great Happy Hour 7 days a week. At their Oceanside location they close at 10pm except for Friday and Saturday. Just about all the restaurants are closed by 9pm. So, it’s not only delicious, it is convenient too!
We had a specialty edamame with smoked salt, garlic manchego, sesame bacon bonito, soy truffle. It was interesting!
My husband had the Shaolin Dragon cocktail with Han Soju, lychee, lemon.
I had a delicious Rainbow Roll with Salmon Sashimi and my husband had the Mongolian Beef Stir Fry. Everything was fresh and excellent.
If you are looking to sit and relax to some nice music and delicious seafood with a great view, the Lighthouse Oyster Bar and Grill is the place for you.
We started with Calamari.
My husband and I both had the Siete Mares and the kids had chicken strips and shrimp and fries.
The Siete Mares was full of shrimp, clams, scallops, mussels, and crab legs. Siete Mares is a broth base fish dish similar to a Cioppino or a bouillabaisse. A shell fish lover’s dream!
Tourist Attractions in Oceanside
There is so much to do in Oceanside including the beach and many other fun attractions. California has some great National Parks too.
Oceanside Harbor Beach
The Oceanside beach is right in front of the resort and the weather is perfect so a beach day is definitely a must!
The boys loved playing in the sand building sandcastles and collecting seashells.
We loved visiting Oceanside Harbor! We stopped for coffee at a local coffee shop, shopped for fun items, had lunch at The Lighthouse, and took a boat ride around the harbor.
It’s a great place to take the family for a scenic walk and some shopping.
I purchased one of these blankets and love it! My husband got a sweatshirt at the shop across from here.
The highlight of the day though was taking our own personal boat ride around the harbor.
The kids got to watch daddy drive a boat while mommy relaxed.
Sea Lions
We said hi to some new friends…
It was really fun and highly suggested. Boat Rentals of America have many locations, including Arizona! They have amazing Oceanside adventures including jet skis, kayaks, electric boats, and power boats. You can make reservations, get gift certificates, or just walk up to their open doors and they will take care of everything.
Thursday is Market Day in downtown Oceanside on the corner of Coast Hwy and Pier View Way. It happens from 5-9 and it is filled with international food vendors, live entertainment and a children’s area.
The Oceanside Farmers Market also includes a gift shop and over 100 arts and crafts vendors, making it a wonderful place to purchase the perfect gift or souvenir. Well behaved pets are invited to attend the market as well.
The Sunset Market takes place every Thursday night from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the corner of Coast Hwy and Pier View Way. Enjoy local produce and hot food booths at Oceanside’s Farmers Market!
The market also includes over 100 arts and crafts vendors, a long with food stands. If you happen to be there on a Thursday, this is definitely worth checking out.
Oceanside’s unique geography make it a perfect spot for surfing all year round. This is why Oceanside is home to many pro and amateur surfing tournaments. The SuperGirl Pro and the U.S. Open Adaptive Surfing Championship which was created in 2017 in Oceanside to bring awareness to the rehabilitatives benefits of adapted water sports for people with disabilities.
The museum is home to a wide variety of amazing surf memorabilia. Boards, photographs, magazines, equipment and more. You will find memorabilia from many different eras and many famous surfers. Boards from the past 100+ years grace the floor of the museum.
One that seems to attract a lot of attention is the board Bethany Hamilton was riding when she was attacked by a 14′ tiger shark in Kauai when she was only 13 years old. If you are not familiar with her story, Bethany survived the attack and only a few weeks later was back on her board.
She went on to become a professional surfer and a major figure for the sport. Bethany’s board and bathing suit from the attack are displayed at the California Surf Museum.
There’s a gift shop and so many other cool attractions. A must see!
We had a blast riding around in our surrey bike and rode up and down Oceanside Pier Beach, making a stop for the beach park so the kids could play and making another stop for a lost shoe. A very sweet jogger stopped and grabbed it for us. Our guy, Henry, made sure we felt safe and knowledgeable before taking off.
Right next to the Wheel Fun Rentals is a funnel cake stand. Ridiculous.
Just about 15 minutes from the resort is Legoland California. No family trip is complete without a little LEGO fun. My boys are obsessed with LEGOs and have been to Legoland Florida many times. We even had a Lego themed Birthday Party for my son last year.
Legoland California offers an array of really cool activities and attractions. There are even carnival games which are fun and challenging. My husband got me a fluffy donut by knocking down a couple of tin cans. It was a lot of fun and the kids loved the excitement!
I loved watching the boys work as a team at the Fun Town Police and Fire Academy.
You get to race fire trucks to a finish line where you disembark to fight a fire and race back to the beginning. So much fun!
We also got to experience the LEGO City Deep Sea Adventure where you embark aboard a submarine and participate in an underwater scavenger hunt. The kids loved looking for gold, diamonds, and treasure chest at the bottom of the ocean.
Of course, no visit is truly complete without a visit to the gift shop…
Hideaways is a great park within Legoland California. It’s the perfect place to let the kids roam free while you get some much needed rest. I got to catch up on emails while my husband escaped to one of the BBQ restaurants nearby.
This time we did not get to experience the water park, but it is packed with amazing attractions such as: Riptide Racers, Wipeout Lagoon, Build-a-raft in the not-so-lazy river, Joker Soaker, Orange Rush, Pirate Reef, Splash Out, Soak-N-Sail, and more! From our experience at the water park in Legoland Florida, it was an all-day affair.
There truly is something for everyone at Legoland California Resort and we can’t wait to go back to try all the attractions that we didn’t have time to experience!
Visit a Nature Center in Oceanside
Located at the Oceanside Harbor, the Buena Vista Nature Center offers stunning views of the harbor and ocean. Explore more than two acres of habitats and trails, filled with coastal sage scrub, wetland marsh, native plants, and wildlife. Learn about local conservation programs while enjoying a day outdoors in nature.
Guajome County Park
Guajome Regional Park, located north of Oceanside, offers visitors many activities. Hike the trails winding through the park’s oak and sycamore groves, explore the natural habitats around Lake Guajome, or take a picnic to enjoy on the lawns near the lake. The park also has a playground, sand volleyball court, and plenty of space for camping.
Take a Walk on Oceanside Pier
Located right in downtown Oceanside is the iconic Oceanside Pier. Take a walk down the wooden boardwalk almost 1,000 feet out into the Pacific Ocean and look out at one of the many scenic spots.
Take a Day trip to Catalina Island
Take a day trip or a weekend getaway to nearby Catalina Island. Rent a boat at the Oceanside Harbor and take an hour-long ride out to the island’s coves, beaches, and forests. Go snorkeling in the crystal clear waters, hike around its trails, or relax on one of its many secluded beaches.
Go Surfing
Oceanside is one of California’s premier surfing destinations. With a variety of surf spots and long boards, it’s the perfect place to hit the waves. Take a class with an experienced instructor or just practice your skills on your own. If you don’t feel like getting in the water,
Visit a Beach House Winery
Stop by the Beach House Winery for a unique experience. Located in Oceanside Harbor, this winery serves wines made from local fruit such as oranges, lemons, and limes. Enjoy a tasting while overlooking the harbor or take your glass outside to watch the sunset.
Heritage Park Village
Take a step back in time when you visit Heritage Park Village. Located in downtown Oceanside, the village is filled with historic buildings and exhibits from the 19th century. Whether you’re looking for an educational experience or just a walk through history, this is the perfect spot to explore.
Go Horseback Riding
Head out on horseback and explore the trails around Oceanside. Saddle up at one of the many stables in town and go for a ride through the coastal hills or along the beach. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced rider, it’s a great way to take in all that beautiful landscape.
If you like history with a mix of religion and beauty, you will love visiting Mission San Luis Ray. It is a mix of Colonial architecture with Moorish influences.
Take a trip back to the Spanish colonial period when you visit Mission San Luis Rey. The mission, founded in 1798, is a beautiful example of Spanish architecture and art. Explore the grounds and buildings, take part in special events, or attend mass at the church on Sundays.
The museum offers self guided-tour, educational tours, and retreat stays.
You will see artifacts and Franciscan heritage. My favorite area was historic gardens where which offer visitors and the community cultural experiences like the “Day of the Dead” festival and Christmas at the Mission – Night of a Thousand Lights.
