Kids' Activities, Sports and Fun Things to Do in Ventura County!
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Conejo Simi Swim Club (CSSC) has been developing national level swimmers, high school champions, and college athletes since the 1970s.
CSSC’s primary facility with an Olympic sized pool is located at Rancho Simi Park in Simi Valley.
More information at www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp?team=scscsa.
The 805 Rowing Club provides middle and high school students ages 12-18 in Ventura County the opportunity to train and compete in the sport of rowing. The club rows and trains at the Channel Islands Landing, 4202 South Victoria Avenue in Oxnard.
Learn more at www.805rowingclub.org.
Casitas Water Adventure is a water park at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area that is open throughout the summer, generally from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend (mid-Sept for weekend sessions).
There are two distinct areas. For younger children, there is an aquatic play structure designed for all ages, with two water buckets and five slides - two for kids and three for teens and adults.
The new Aquatic Play Structure completed for the 2023 season!
The 1,200 foot long Lazy River offers a cool water ride on inner tubes along a scenic waterway featuring waterfalls, fog filled bridges and jet sprays. The inner tubes are available on a first-come, first-served basis, but usually there are plenty of them on hand.
The 1,200 foot long lazy river at Casitas Water Adventure is my kids' favorite.
For the very youngest tots, a zero-depth pool sprays water from all angles, providing a safe, fun play area.
Shaded decks, lounge chairs, showers, restrooms and a snack bar are available, but food is not allowed inside the park (though you can bring bottled water). Certified lifeguards are on hand at all times and life jackets are available at no extra charge while supplies last. Locker rentals are available for a nominal fee.
Do take note that they don't heat the water here. It is a bit on the cold side for many, though on hot days this can be a good thing.
Lake Casitas Recreation Area is located at 11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura. Take Highway 33 from Ventura towards Ojai, make a left turn on Santa Ana Blvd, then a right on Santa Ana Road 3 or 4 miles to the park entrance.
Weekend morning sessions 10:30 am to 2 pm and afternoon sessions 3 to 6:30 pm. Weekday hours are 11am to 6pm. The cost for the 2023 season is $20 per person on weekdays and $23 on weekends.
Visit www.casitaswater.org/recreation/casitas-water-adventure for details.
Parking inside Lake Casitas is $20 on weekends/holidays and $10 on weekdays. There is parking available on Santa Ana Road if you don't mind walking.
This is the “old” (Pre-2023) aquatic Play Structure (for historical purposes)
Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center is located at 1030 Temple Avenue, Camarillo. The center has the distinction of being the only indoor public swimming pool in Ventura County. The pool has eight 25 yard lanes, a one-meter diving board and 65 foot spiral water slide, outdoor patio and party area and locker rooms with full amenities. The pool is heated to about 81 to 83 degrees.
The Aquatic Center offers a wide variety of year round programs consisting of lap swimming, water aerobics, cardio sculpt, swimming lessons, diving lessons, water polo classes, parent and child classes, adult only swimming lessons, therapeutic swimming, lifeguard certification classes, special events and more.
The Aquatic Center is also available for rent, offering a variety of all inclusive party packages, or an hourly rental rate for your special celebration, fundraiser or competition.
As of June 2023, single entry fees into the facility are $4 for ages 4+, $3 for ages 60+ and free for 3 and under.
More information at www.pvrpd.org/aquatics.
The Aquatic Center is surrounded by 13 acre Bob Kildee Park, featuring picnic tables, play equipment, restrooms, basketball courts, tennis courts, lighted ball fields, a soccer field and the Pleasant Valley Skate Park.
CLICK HERE FOR OTHER SWIMMING AND WATER PLAY OPTIONS AROUND VENTURA COUNTY
Oak Canyon Community Park is located at 5600 Hollytree Drive in Oak Park at Kanan. This is a nicely appointed park with a children's splash pad, playgrounds, lagoon/pond with ducks, dog park and plenty of open space.
More information on the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District website at www.rsrpd.org/business_detail_T9_R30.php.
The Oak Park Dog Park at Oak Canyon Community Park opened in May 2010. It is open from 7am to dusk every day (closed 7am to 10am for maintenance on Fridays). For more information, visit www.rsrpd.org/oak_park/parks/oak_canyon_dog_park.php.
Oak Canyon Dog Park on a non-busy day.
The Community Pool at Samuelson Aquatics Center is the result of a unique collaboration between the University, the Conejo Recreation and Park District and the City of Thousand Oaks. This year-round facility includes a nice shade structure, picnic tables, outdoor showers, classes and more. The seven-lane pool serves as a warm-up pool for CLU athletes during competitions. It is available to the local community, swim clubs and masters swimmers.
Samuelson Aquatics Center is located on the Cal Lutheran Campus at 100 Overton Court, Thousand Oaks (Click here for map). Visit crpd.org/programs/aquatics or call 805.241.0894 for more information.
Recreational swim hours vary but the pool is open 7 days per week. Pool heated up to 84 degrees.
Pool hours and fees are at www.crpd.org/programs-sports/aquatics. As of March 2023, $4 admission for ages 2 to 61 and $3 for ages 62+ (no discount given for walk-ins; must reserve in advance).
Marina Park is located at 2950 Pierpont Boulevard in Ventura (near the intersection of Pierpont and Coral Street). It is a 15 acre park that has over a third of a mile of oceanfront adjacent to Ventura Harbor, giving it plenty of beachfront, flat sand to play in.
There is also a kids play area (geared toward younger kids), plenty of grass, restrooms and more. There is also a water taxi and a fishing dock. Fun destination park in the Ventura Keys. We never go wrong bringing the kids here. More info at www.cityofventura.net/parks.
The zip line attached to the "San Salvador" ship was taken down in 2016. The city indicates there is a possibility it will be replaced if a safe alternative can be identified.
Newer pirate-themed play area at Marina Park (re-done in 2012).
Nice, protected beachfront area at Marina Park
The popular San Salvador at Marina Park.
This popular zip line was taken down in 2016; the city indicates the possibility of identifying a new, safe zip line possibility but as of September 2019 no specific timing available.
Hands On Teaching at Waterworks Swim School located inside the LA Fitness on Grande Vista Drive in Newbury Park. Swim lessons are available to children ages 2.5 and older as well as adults. Waterworks’ professional team of swim instructors teach students how to swim in an indoor, heated pool. They teach students of all skill levels, from first time swimming to higher level swimmers looking to improve their swimming technique.
Learn more and sign up at www.waterworksswim.com/locations/newbury-park
The Buenaventura Swim Club has served Ventura County since 1962. It is a year-round age group, senior, and masters competitive swimming team offering instruction, training, and competition to people of all ages and ability levels.
BSC is located at 901 S. Kimball Road, Ventura at the Ventura Aquatic Center.
For more information, visit www.teamunify.com/Home.jsp?team=scsbsc or call 805.650.0600.
Click the image for YMCA locations throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas, including Camarillo, Ventura, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Westlake Village.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
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