100+ Things to Do Outside
Rain or shine, there are plenty of outdoor activities to keep you and the kids busy throughout the year. Take a look at this list of over 100 things to do outside to ensure you'll stay entertained no matter what. Most of these great ideas can be customized for adults, little kids, or for the family. Some of these are nature-based, while others are some of the best outdoor activities.
There are many fun things to do outside for all ages, from hosting an outdoor movie night to a water balloon fight in the local park.
Many of these activities for the great outdoors are free (outdoor dance party, scavenger hunt, etc.), but some require payment, such as miniature golfing. Many of these can be done with items you likely already have at home, like making DIY bubbles. See how many of these you can do in a day or during summer vacation.
100 Things to Do Outside
- Make an obstacle course in the backyard or front yard
- Spend the afternoon at an amusement park
- Make a fairy garden
- Play hide and seek
- Walk around to see how much street art and graffiti you can find
- Do a nature scavenger hunt
- Plan an outdoor movie night (you can get an outdoor projector screen or simply watch it on your phone or laptop)
- Make or play with slime outdoors
- Go to a local outdoor concert
- When life hands you lemons, make a lemonade stand
- Head over to your local farmers market for fresh air and produce
- Calm down with outdoor yoga
- Visit a dog park
- Stroll your local botanic garden
- Go geocaching
- Play basketball
- Play tennis
- Spend the afternoon cloud-watching
- Go stargazing
- Pull weeds from the backyard
- Paint a shower curtain (try a clear shower curtain or liner for this)
- Make a sensory bin
- Play with Legos or blocks
- Go horseback riding
- Get binoculars to go bird watching (you can get a bird watching book and binoculars to better spot the wildlife)
- Take photos
- Plan a trip to a national park
- Take a bike ride
- Attend a basketball or baseball game
- Build an outdoor fort
- Find a quiet spot in a park to read a book or listen to a podcast
- Play frisbee golf
- Play freeze tag
- Go to an outdoor ice skating rink
- Spend time at a state park
- Build a mud kitchen
- Get artistic and draw on the pavement with sidewalk chalk (buy sidewalk chalk online here)
- Visit a pumpkin patch
- Play board games outside
- Go kayaking or conoeing
- Run through the sprinklers on a hot day
- Play or build a treehouse
- Paint pet rocks
- Do an outdoor workout
- Create a playlist and listen to it outside
- Grill burgers or veggies outside
- Get the whole family to do an outdoor dance party
- Go on a walk to see if you can identify the nature around you (plants, flowers, trees, etc.)
- Tie dye shirts or beach towels outside so you don't stain anything (you can get a tie dye kit and pick color themes like neon colors, etc)
- Get vitamin D and take a long walk on the beach
- Wash your car inside and out
- Hike local trails
- Go to a water park
- People watch outside
- Go swimming at a local pool, lake, beach, etc.
- Go surfing
- Run through the sprinklers
- Cool off in the splash pad (there are splash pads for different ages, so you can keep this in mind)
- Look for bugs
- Watch the sunset or sunrise
- Try your hand at paddle boarding
- Try out your green thumb and plant a garden in your backyard
- Fly a kite
- Pitch a tent in the yard and camp there
- Explore your local park, beach, or forest
- Write in your journal in a park (100+ Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery)
- Go rock climbing
- Play a game of tug of war
- Do a puzzle outside
- Eat breakfast, lunch, or dinner outside
- Give your patio, balcony, or welcome mat a good wash
- Paint rocks in fun shapes like fruits or vegetables
- Hug a tree
- Make s'mores (there are electric flameless s'mores kits if you don't have access to a fire)
- Go camping
- Have a picnic in nature
- Take an outdoor nap
- Go skiing or snowboarding
- Check out a book from the local library and read it outside
- Eat homemade popsicles in your backyard
- Hula hoop (buy hula hoops online or at the store)
- Play hopscotch
- Climb a tree
- Make a bird feeder
- Walk the dog
- Lay in a hammock
- Play capture the flag
- Grab old magazine and make a collage outside
- Meditate in the great outdoors
- Play hopscotch
- Build a fairy garden
- Head to a zoo or petting zoo
- Play catch
- Build an obstacle course
- Make DIY chalk paint
- Make DIY bubbles (but you could go fancy with a bubble gun or bubble machine)
- Feel the grass on your skin on a sunny day
- Attend an estate sale or garage sale
- Host a garden party
- Cool off with a water balloon fight (they also have reusable water balloons)
- Play mini golf
- Go fishing
There are many fun things to do in the great outdoors. If you can't think of anything, refer back to this list. This is a fantastic way for kids to stay occupied during school breaks or vacations.
When you're trying to think of a fun way to spend the day outside, you have to figure out what type of activities you like to do first. Do you prefer being active, like doing outdoor yoga or a bike ride? Do you like leisure activities like bird watching or strolling around a garage sale? Do you just want to do something minimal and be outside, such as reading? Figuring this out will help you find your favorite things to do for yourself, your family, and your kids.
100+ Things to Do on a Rainy Day for Adults
There are so many things to do on a rainy day. When we see rainy days in film, we often watch characters cuddling under a cozy blanket and giggling romantically with a partner; you can do that and so much more!
These rainy day activities include some low-key options as well as some fun things to do outside of the house. These great ideas will keep you entertained through all seasons where you find a bit of rain. If you have kids, there are a lot of things on this list you can do with kids too.
Whether you opt to stay inside or outside, these 100+ things will keep you busy in the pouring rain. No need to stay bored!
100+ Fun Rainy Day Activities
- Host an indoor picnic
- Pick up beers from a local brewery and have an at-home taste test
- Go to a winery for a glass of wine
- Do an at home beer tasting with a few different beers.
- Have a video game tournament
- Eat hot dogs or hamburgers
- Sip on hot chocolate
- Have tea or coffee at a coffee shop
- Eat a meal at a fancy restaurant
- Make the first recipe you see on TikTok, Instagram Reels, etc.
- Make a fancy mocktail with whatever you have at home (sparkling water, soda, juice, fruits, syrups, cinnamon, etc.)
- Bake dessert (chocolate chip cookies, cake, bread, loaf, muffins, etc)
- Make kombucha. Here are 85+ flavor ideas if you need inspiration.
- Make yourself a solo meal and then do 3 things on this list
- Go grocery shopping
- Meal plan and come up with meal ideas for the next few days.
- Head to the local pub, sometimes they have karaoke, dancing, line dancing, etc
- Take cooking classes or do an online cooking lesson. A cooking class not only gives you additional life skills but it's fun and tastes good too.
- Invite a friend or sibling or bestie over for a sleepover. 100+ Things to Do at a Sleepover.
- Buy a book from a local bookstore and spend the day reading
- Read a short story
- Go roller skating at an indoor rink
- Golf at an indoor driving range
- Create a super fun indoor obstacle course
- Go window shopping at your local mall
- Go people-watching somewhere popular (the mall, downtown, etc)
- Spend the day binge watching tv. Some streaming services have access to live tv or local channels if you don't have cable.
- Invite friends over for a movie marathon. Take turns watching movies that each person recommends or you can pick one series and watch each film.
- Spend the afternoon learning magic tricks
- Take turns recommending a YouTube video to watch with your friends, family, partner, roommate, etc.
- Start embroidering. You can get an embroidery kit from Amazon and jazz up old tote bags, jeans, etc.
- Do an art project. Whether you use items you already have at home or you have to make a Michael's run, there are so many crafts, projects, and fun things to create.
- Go to an art gallery
- Go to a museum
- Go bowling
- Go to an aquarium
- Play laser tag. They also have laser tag kits on Amazon if you want them delivered to you.
- Go ax throwing
- Watch a movie in the movie theatre
- Watch a play or live performance
- Sign up for a library card
- Go to the library and check out a book or two
- Host a trivia night. You can pick a theme and make it up yourself. or play something like Ultimate Trivia, Volume 1: 800 + Fun and Challenging Trivia Questions. View it on Amazon here.
- Try to make your way out of an escape room
- Plan out your dream vacation
- Plan a scavenger hunt indoors
- Jump the day away at an indoor trampoline park
- Let your creative juices flow and make a vision board
- Do an indoor treasure hunt. This is perfect for adults and anyone who needs entertainment.
- Sign up at your local gym
- Take a workout glass or exercise class
- Spend a few hours learning a new language. You can communicate with more people and challenge your brain too.
- Buy a sudoku book and do as many sudoku puzzles as you can.
- Buy a newspaper and read the whole thing
- Do a crossword puzzle
- Play charades
- Play card games. You could go for Go Fish, Solitaire, Old Maid, etc. You can play a few rounds. Play cards!
- Play board games. Play a board game or two with friends, family, or roommates (Monopoly, Clue, Catan, Candy Land, Sorry!, etc.)
- Can't pick just one game? How about a game night where you play card games, board games, and play video games like Mario Kart. Play games all day.
- Write a letter to your future self
- Write a letter to your past self
- Write a letter and sent it in the mail
- Spend the entire day doing, trying, eating things you've never tried before. Doesn't have to be fancy. If you've never tried sushi or eaten a fig or had a martini, today's a good day. If you've never worn overalls, go to a store and try one on in the dressing room. How does it look? You get the picture.
- Go to an ice skating rink
- Write a list of productive things you can accomplish this week
- Have a dance party. You can go by artist, album, playlist, vibe, genre, etc. There are so many options because there is so much music out there.
- Listen to records, CDs, Spotify, whatever music device you have
- Have a spa day or self-care day
- Hang up your laundry
- Organize the pictures on your phone. Delete, put them in albums, see what's there.
- Create a budget for the month
- Stay home and invite your friends over. Do as many things from this list as you can! 100+ Fun Things to Do at Home with Friends.
- Find a photo booth and take a photo! Perfect for a rainy day date!
- Call a friend or relative. Catch up, ask how their day was, and say that you were thinking of them.
- Turn off your phone, tablet, tv, and spend the day without social media or the internet.
- Organize your closet, garage, cabinet, under the sink, etc.
- Mend any clothes that need fixing. Sew on a fallen button, repair a hole, etc.
- Dress up in your finest clothes and just feel fancy for the night
- Pick out some items, books, clothes, dishes, etc. to donate.
- Journal, write in a diary, process your thoughts. If you need inspiration, 100+ Morning Journal Prompts: 100 Journal Prompts for Self-Discovery. Read here.
- Make a collage
- Do a DIY project
- Make your own candles with a DIY candle-making kit
- Rearrange the furniture
- Rotate your plants
- Take a bubble bath
- Buy some new plants
- Build an indoor fort
- Recycle your cans, glass, and aluminum. See if there's a recycling center near you where you can exchange the recyclables for a bit of cash.
- Delete and organize photos if you have any printed out
- Delete and organize your emails
- Organize that drawer in your home that has all the junk you don't know what to do with
- Practice learning an instrument
- Play in a puddle
- Dance in the rain
- Go on a rain walk
- Watch the rain from indoors
- Camp in your backyard
- Look up Halloween costume ideas such as Cher Horowitz or Laney Boggs from She's All That Prom Dress.
- Have a fancy date night with your partner or by yourself
- Have a personal favorite day where you do everything you love. Eat your favorite food, order your favorite drinks, go to your favorite spot in town.
- Try new cocktail recipes
- Play a drinking game
- Play poker
- Play Candy Crush
- Play truth or dare
- Start a scrapbook. Put photos, knickknacks, tickets, movie stubs, and other things you've collected into the scrapbook.
- Make a time capsule
- Relax, meditate, and let the rain act as a personal white noise machine.
- Take a nap
- Take photos of flowers
- Plan your next trip. Look up flights, train tickets, transportation, hotel, Airbnb, etc.
- Do 5 things on this list
- Do 10 things on this list
- Do as many things on this list as possible before midnight
- If it's rainy for a few days, see if you can cross off everything on this list of things to do on a rainy day for adults!
A List of Rainy Day Activities
Hopefully, this list gives you endless inspiration on how to make it through the rain. You can do these fun rainy day activities alone, you can do them with friends, you can spend time with the entire family, there's a lot of variety. You can customize it as needed.
In films, a rainy day seems so romantic. You always see the movies of people dancing in the rain and hugging and kissing and having a good time. The rain gives a different ambiance, a completely different atmosphere. There's the wetness and dampness, the clouds, the grey skies. If you’re looking for a great rainy day date idea to do with your partner or some things to do with friends, this list is for you. This list will get you through the rainy season. You can have so much fun whether it's just you stuck inside or whether you invite a family member over. You can spend the rainy day playing your favorite games, watching YouTube videos, and learning a new skill.
Rainy Day Date Ideas
There are heaps of things to do on a rainy day for adults! A rainy day for adults has so much more possibility than it does when you were a kid. Now you can do whatever you want. Consider this list if you need rainy day date ideas. From going to a brewery to working out to dancing in the rain, there are plenty of fun rainy day activities. You can customize this list to do with your partner for an unforgettable experience. Rainy day dates just got better!
100+ Things to Do at a Sleepover
Get some snacks, watch some scary movies, and get together with a bunch of your friends for a fun sleepover. This list of fun ideas contains more than 100 fun things to do at a sleepover party. Whether you're an adult who wants to invite your adult friends over or you're a parent planning for your kid's sleepover, this list will help you come up with ideas. You can set up the sleepover in a bedroom or living room, depending on the size of the room, the number of people, kids or teens at the sleepover, and the comfort level.
Whether you want to invite your best friends over for a slumber party or your teen wants to invite a group of sleepover guests over for a girl's night, there are many ways to have fun and enjoy the night. And you never have to leave the house. This list will give you fun sleepover ideas on how to create a night to remember as well as some fun sleepover games that you can play. A sleepover party for girls or boys doesn't have to be a big occasion, it could be with one close friend!
If you are a teen or tween, be sure to ask your parents permission to do the sleepover ideas on this list like using the oven or whatever your house rules are.
Want to host your guests for a sleepover on a budget? There are a lot of free and fun things to do too!
Fun Things to Do at a Sleepover - Ideas for Adults
- Play Truth or Dare.
- Play 20 Questions.
- Play Would You Rather.
- Play Two Truths, One Lie.
- Play Never Have I Ever.
- Play MASH.
- Play charades.
- Do a few rounds of hide and seek.
- Have fun and do a few rounds of I Spy.
- Enjoy playing video games.
- Play a funny card game like Cards Against Humanity.
- Use a Magic 8 Ball and ask it a bunch of questions.
- Pillow fight, but don't smack each other too hard you break a pillow (or a tooth!!).
- Play ring toss. You can use glow sticks at night to have a bit more fun.
- Host a themed party. Whether it's Harry Potter, old-school Hollywood stars, medieval, pick a cool theme and run with it. Everyone can dress up. You can even decorate the house with items from the party store.
- Host an indoor beach party and decorate with a beach theme. Everyone can bring towels, beach balls, swim wear/swim cover ups and enjoy inside!
- Host game night and play a classic game or two. Take turns to play your favorite board game for each person.
- Game and movie night. This will be so much fun and make for a memorable experience! Classic sleepover games and movies could last the entire night!
- Do a DIY project. You can find crafts to create on YouTube, TikTok, etc.
- Watch a movie marathon. You could watch each of your favorite movie or do a series (like Harry Potter, Twilight, Star Wars etc.)
- Watch films none of you have ever seen before. Watching it together will be so much fun. Don't forget to have them bring their coziest blankets.
- Watch horror movies.
- Play movie bingo.
- Make popcorn and watch some TV shows or a TV series.
- Watch funny videos on YouTube.
- Have some fun with board games like Clue, Monopoly, Sorry!, chess, etc.
- Get a special edition Monopoly to play that the kids or teens will like. There are different ones like SpongeBob Meme Monopoly, there's a Star Wars edition, and many more.
- Try your hand at card games like Go Fish or War.
- Sing some karaoke. If you don't have a karaoke machine you can always use YouTube or even Spotify.
- Play music. You can use a recorder player, play CDs, or cassettes.
- Play a random Spotify playlist with each guest's favorite songs.
- Play top trending songs, like Top 40 or a current TikTok playlist.
- Do a neighborhood scavenger hunt.
- Do a virtual museum tour.
- Tell scary ghost stories in the dark.
- Create a pillow fort in the living room or other open space.
- Have a water balloon fight outside.
- Spa night. Put on sheet masks, give yourselves fresh manicures, pedicures, it can be simple and all about self-care amongst friends.
- Create a vision board. Bring old magazines, newspapers, glue sticks, scissors, and compile them into a vision board to bring your goals and dreams to life.
- Do a spa day with face masks, body scrub, etc.
- Make a DIY cinnamon sugar body scrub.
- Make a tie-dye a shirt with bleach. Click here to learn how to make it.
- Host a dance party or dance contest. Play your favorite songs and dance it out. Dancing is fun.
- Dress up and throw a costume party. Pretend to be different characters with backstories. Don't forget to take photos of the hilarious outfits.
- Film a TikTok video. You can post it for friends only so only your closest friends see it.
- Learn a fun TikTok dance.
- Paint your nails. You could even do a different color for each nail or get creative with the designs.
- Draw. Draw still life, draw each other, draw random shapes. You get the idea!
- Paint. You can try to recreate a painting, paint each other, or get creative with it. You and your friends might create a masterpiece.
- Paint with your eyes closed.
- Paint rocks.
- Host a virtual Zoom party for friends who couldn't make it.
- Do a talent show and each person can show off a talent of theirs.
- Write a letter to your future selves.
- Solve a puzzle.
- Do a crossword puzzle.
- Solve a Sudoku puzzle.
- Do a few Mad Libs. They even have a Sleepover Edition of Mad Libs!
- Rearrange the furniture or the room to make it feel like you're in a new place.
- Camp in the back yard or set up your sleeping bags in the living room.
- Have a quiet evening and each of you read a book or your favorite book.
- Start a book together. Each person can read a page out loud and then pass the book.
- Star gaze.
- Cloud watch.
- Search for four leaf clovers in the backyard or outside.
- Throw some hoops.
- Make slime.
- Put on a puppet show.
- Make puppets out of whatever you have in the house. Get more creative the better.
- Host a clothing swap. Each guest brings some items they want to get rid of and then friends can swap with each other!
- Have an indoor picnic.
- Have an outdoor picnic in the backyard or just outside where you can make it work.
- Make a snack platter or kids or teens charcuterie board.
- Do a snack exchange. Each person could bring a bunch of snacks and then try them out.
- Make ice cream sundaes.
- Make homemade cookies.
- Find a good recipe, gather the ingredients, and make it!
- Make some weird popcorn flavors. See what you can come up with. Chocolate chip and cheese? Might be good?
- Make s'mores. It's an easy and fun idea. You only need chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallows. You can microwave it to make it easy.
- Make an ice cream bar with all the bowls, spoons, and ice cream toppings set up such as chocolate sauce or nuts (depending on food allergies of course). Each kid at the sleepover party can make their own ice cream bowl.
- Make your own pizza. Homemade! You could buy some dough, sauce, cheese, and toppings at the grocery store or Trader Joe's, or some store like that.
- Eat breakfast for dinner. Eggs, pancakes, bacon, all that good stuff.
- Enjoy the fun of a fondu pot. Make your food and eat it too.
- Create a candy charcuterie board.
- Decorate cupcakes. You can bake them and then have a little set up for decorating. Or buy plain cupcakes from the grocery store. You can have candy, sprinkles, frosting, etc.
- Have a hot cocoa bar.
- Have a popcorn bar.
- Make paper airplanes and see whose paper plane flies the furthest.
- Make homemade bubbles and see what shapes you can come up with.
- Create DIY friendship bracelets. Cool way to spend quality time with them too.
- Take pictures and group photos to remember the moment! Take a group photo or do a group photoshoot.
- Do each other's hair.
- Scroll Buzzfeed.
- Tie-dye t-shirts. You can buy party kit tie dye packs on Amazon - click here to check it out.
- Create a collage.
- Make a time capsule of your evening together.
- Make ice slushies by freezing water and creating your own syrups with sugar and flavorings.
- Try to learn a new instrument.
- Talk about your favorite TV shows.
- Talk about where you see yourself in five years.
- Chat about your goals and dreams.
- Order food from a local restaurant. You can eat in or takeout.
- Chat and catch up with each other. How have you been? What have you been doing? Interested in any films, books, TV shows? What's your current hobby or obsession?
- Feeling tired? Get your beauty sleep and head to bed early. Relax!
- Do an outdoor adventure. Walk around, explore.
- Play flashlight tag at night in the back yard.
- If there's a pool, lake, etc. nearby, go for a swim.
- Watch the sunset.
- Watch the sunrise.
Truth or Dare and Other Classic Sleepover Games
No more wondering about what to do at a sleepover. Popular sleepover and slumber party and sleepover classic games for girls or boys include Truth or Dare, 20 Questions, Would You Rather, Two Truths, One Lie, Never Have I Ever, MASH, hide and seek, scavenger hunt. You can also play good old classic board games like Clue, Monopoly, Sorry!, Life. There are a lot of apps too, such as Heads Up. When in doubt, ask your kids or teens what they are into or what they think are the best sleepover games.
Related reading: 100+ fun things to do at home with friends.
Slumber Party Ideas and Essentials
Not sure what to bring to a sleepover party? These are some ideas for slumber parties:
- Pillow or pillows
- Blanket
- Pijamas
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Period products, if needed (pad, tampon, etc.)
- Sleeping bag
- Hair tie
- Phone
- Fun games
- Phone charger
- Any needed medicine/medication
Sleepover Snack Ideas
There are plenty of good snacks available at your local store. You can buy in bulk at Costco or someplace like that, or you can shop for what works for you and your family. It also depends if the sleepover is geared for kids, tweens, teenagers, or just a good old-fashioned girls night.
- Popcorn
- Chips
- Veggies and ranch or some sort of tip
- Chocolate
- Pizza (Buy your favorite frozen pizza or make it homemade)
- Water (Bottle or Tap Water is fine)
- Ice
- Soda (cola, rootbeer, orange soda, hot chocolate + whipped cream, etc)
- Juice
- Wine / Beer (For adults, obviously)
What to do at a Sleepover - Use What You've Got
There are lots of sleepover activities to choose from. You're bound to have loads of fun with this list of more than 100 fun things to do at a sleepover party for girls or boys. A slumber party is a great way to spend the night with your close friends, get to know each other even more, and just have loads of fun. No matter your age, whether it's a kids party or a sleepover for tweens, teens, or adults, sleepovers are a great way to make some memories that you can laugh at years from now. I remember the hilarity that ensued when my friends stayed up late make a fake music video as Led Zeppelin as teens. Tell scary stories, watch an old show, keep it simple. You can do a lot in a house or apartment. Plus, there are many many things you can do that are free and don't require any additional cost. You can use you have a house and make the most of your get-together with your besties. Get your friends together and check off as many of these sleepover ideas as you can. There are plenty of things to do at a sleepover, whether you're an adult or planning something for your child! No matter what, you're bound to have a fun time at sleepover parties when there's so much you can do.
Things to Do in Oceanside, California: Restaurants, Coffee Shops, What to See
Oceanside, California has museums, art, biking, and sightseeing spots. Eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Take in the great views and many ways to relax, whether you want to watch the sunset or swim at the beach.
About Carmen
Thanks for finding my blog! I'm a San Diego blogger who has lived in Southern California for most of my life. I write about travel, food, drinks. I've worked with tourism boards such as Visit Long Beach, Visit El Paso, The French Ministry of Agriculture, Visit Reno Tahoe, & Discover Torrance. Read my Press + Media for more campaigns I've been a part of. Click here to learn out more about me & my travel history. Or you can follow me on Instagram. Scroll down for all things Oceanside CA. Southern California has a lot to offer.Related reading: Coffee Shops in Carlsbad, California
History of Oceanside California
Downtown Oceanside
Whether you're looking for Oceanside restaurants, coffee shops, outdoor activities, or a unique activity, you'll find many things to do in Oceanside CA as it becomes a bustling part of North County San Diego.
Jalapeno & cauliflower mac & cheese from Local Tap House & Kitchen, Oceanside restaurants to try. |
Visit the Top Gun House
Downtown Oceanside Restaurants
Beach Break Cafe (Beach Break Café) - Beach Break Cafe's coffee cake is next level, bonkers delicious.
Masters Kitchen and Cocktail - Spice up your Mondays; Masters Kitchen and Cocktail has happy hour all Monday!
Local Tap House & Kitchen - The jalapeno & cauliflower mac & cheese from Local Tap House & Kitchen (also known as LTH) tastes incredible.
Panca Peruvian Cuisine & Rotisserie *now closed) - Fred & I went to Panca Peruvian Cuisine & Rotisserie years ago when I worked nearby by during my first social media job.
There's no shortage of Oceanside restaurants and dinner options. Browse Yelp, TripAdvisor, or Google if you have specific needs: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, keto, etc.
Oceanside Coffee Shops
These are some of my personal favorite Oceanside coffee shops but there are even more that I haven't listed.Banana Dang Coffee - Banana Dang Coffee has coffee, a solid smoothie bar, & Wi-Fi so you can sip n work.
Revolution Roasters - Revolution Roasters is one of the most popular of the Oceanside coffee shops; the steady arrival & departure of people feels regular like an airport. Good coffee, tasty pastries, nice space.
Breweries and Craft Beer
A trip to Oceanside wouldn't be complete without a pint of craft beer. There are over 200 breweries in San Diego County. In the city of Oceanside, there's Black Plague Brewing, Belching Beaver Oceanside, Oceanside Brewing Company, Legacy Brewing Company, Craft Coast. If you head to Tijuana, Mexico, read my mini-guide to Tijuana's breweries. What your favorite brewery in Oceanside CA?Oceanside Sunset Market and Oceanside Farmer's Market
Farmer's markets are one of life's simple joys. The Oceanside Sunset Market takes place Thursday evenings from 5 pm - 9 pm. It's the destination to be. You'll find food, shopping, entertainment. The place gets packed. People bring their babies, kids, strollers, dogs. Teens hang out amongst friends. Couples walk around on a date night. It's one of the most quintessential things to do in Oceanside CA. There's also the Oceanside Farmers Market (Oceanside Farmer's Market) which happens in the day time!Oceanside Fishing Pier
Mission San Luis Rey
The Mission San Luis Rey has self-guided museum tours, and the San Luis Mission Rey mission gift shop. They even host workshops & retreats. The historic Mission Church is a National Historic Landmark, built in 1815. If you like missions, check out La Purisima Mission State Historic Park in Lompoc, California. Have you been to San Luis Rey Mission? You could visit the National Audubon Society as well.Ride the Coaster or Amtrak
You can take public transportation from or to the city of Oceanside; you can also ride it down to San Diego. These are excellent modes of transportation near the pier if you don't have a car. As I mentioned earlier, I used to take the train up & down quite frequently. You can take Amtrak all the way up to San Francisco if you're looking for a trip idea.City of Oceanside Street Art, Murals, & Graffiti
Both downtown & the City of Oceanside have street art, murals, & graffiti to view. While you're near town, be sure to check out Artist Alley to support local San Diego businesses & artists. Learn more Artist Alley Oceanside on their Facebook page. Pictured above is a mural by BB Bastidas at the Pour House Oceanside; there's a different mural there now. Experience some Oceanside street art, click here.Go to the Beach
It should go without saying, but you should check out the beach & ocean views whilst visiting a city literally named Oceanside. Popular Oceanside beaches include Oceanside City Beach, Tyson Street Beach, Oceanside Harbor Beach, South Oceanside Beach. I could spend the day by Oceanside Pier, soaking in the melodic sound of the waves, reading a good book, & sticking my feet in the sand. Tyson Street Beach, also known as Tyson Street Park, is within walking distance of the Oceanside Pier. Enjoy the wildlife, cruise the sandy beaches, dine at a nearby restaurant.Oceanside Harbor Village
After Oceanside Pier, you can always head on over to Oceanside Harbor Village to get a true sense of the seaside town. You can just stroll along the harbor, browse the little shops, or even grab a bite to eat from one of the local restaurants. Obviously, fresh seafood is a good option if you're up for it. It's a small community but worth a visit if you're looking for things to do in Oceanside, California.Buena Vista Audubon Society Nature Center
Other Activities and Things to Do in Oceanside, CA
The city of Oceanside contains a range of things to do. It all depends on your mood & your budget. Do you want to be outside? Are you hungry for some grub from popular Oceanside restaurants? It's your call. There are outdoor activities like whale watching tours, indoor skydiving, surf lessons. It is a destination spot! You could head to the museums such as the California Surf Museum & Oceanside Museum of Art. Oceanside CA has a lot of beach activity too.San Diego County is huge. What are your favorite Oceanside restaurants? Can you recommend any cool Oceanside coffee shops, either in downtown or anywhere within the city of Oceanside? What's your favorite thing to do in Oceanside CA? Leave a comment! :] Lots of family-friendly and fun things to do in North County.
Things to Do in Lompoc, California
About Carmen
Hi, I'm Carmen. I'm a travel influencer & blogging coach who shares my experiences with my readers & anyone browsing for trip ideas (hey, that's you!). I visited the city of Lompoc, California on a press trip with a handful of journalists, magazine editors, & writers to experience a piece of what Explore Lompoc has to offer. "What is a press trip/familiarization tour?" you ask. I explain it in this post.How Do You Pronounce Lompoc?
Make sure you pronounce Lompoc properly or you might get corrected by a long-time resident. Say it with me now: LOM-poke. "Poke" as in "Did you just poke me?" Lom-poke. Lom-poke. Lom-poke. Say it 10 times without looking at the word & it helps.Woodfired pizza from Valle Eatery + Bar |
Where is Lompoc, CA?
Several people sent me messages & comments asking where is Lompoc, California? I pondered that too until I drove my butt there. The city of Lompoc is located in Santa Barbara County. It's 60 miles south of San Luis Obispo, 55 miles north of Santa Barbara, & 155 miles north of Los Angeles. Lompoc is fresh & fun but not ridiculously out of the way. There are local events in town as well.Where to Stay in Lompoc, CA?
Here's a map:
Booking.com
What to Do in Lompoc? There are a plethora of things to do in Lompoc, California, especially if you're traveling as a couple, with friends, family, children, or solo.
T-Rex Mural in Lompoc |
Top Attractions and Things to Do in Lompoc
Walking Mural Tour in Downtown Lompoc
La Purisima Mission State Historic Park
Founded in 1787, the beautifully restored La Purisima Mission shares a glimpse into the past. You can choose guided tours of the buildings & grounds or venture off on your own. Walk through the tranquil mission gardens. Hike La Purisima Mission State Historic Park's 25 miles of trails. Grab a souvenir or hand-crafted item from the Gift Shop. I bought a stunning pink & green shell necklace. La Purisima Mission in the city of Lompoc, CA even has living history events such as a grape harvest, tortilla making, candle making, rope making, basket weaving, & other cool things to do with the family.My Skydiving Experience at Skydive Santa Barbara Check out the Skydiver's Handbook |
Go Skydiving at Skydive Santa Barbara
It felt frigid in the tiny airplane on the ride up. I start to shiver. The engine buzzed louder than my thoughts. The first tandem skydivers open the airplane door, scoot to the edge of the plane, lean out, & then vanish like a puff of air. Now it's our turn - my badass female tandem skydiver who has done 8,000+ jumps - we inch our butts to the edge of the airplane & into the abyss. I brace myself, tilt forward, & oh shittttt we’re outtttttttt of the planeeeeeeeee. Magical. Positively magical. As far as exciting things to do in Lompoc, California, I highly recommend skydiving at Skydive Santa Barbara!Where to Eat in Lompoc, CA
Lots of local eats in town! Sissy's Uptown Cafe, a family-owned business, is the hot-spot in town for pie. The coconut cream pie came so highly recommended but alas, it was sold out by the time we arrived. In fact, they were sold out of almost all their pies. Sissy's pie notoriety might literally leave you wanting more. Hangry & need a quick & casual food in Lompoc? Burrito, pizza, sushi, oh my. Plenty of options to order, grab, & go. If you want to sit down to eat, try one of Lompoc's full-service restaurants. I ate pad Thai at Herb Home Thai Restaurant, sampled desserts & woodfired pizza from Valle Eatery + Bar inside the Hilton Garden Inn. Search online ahead of time to find something to suit your taste buds.Blue nail polish: OPI (similar) // Hair tie ribbons: Kenz Laurenz (similar) Wine from Dierberg Vineyard |
Wine Tasting in Lompoc, California
Support local. Choose from 40 wineries and vineyards on Lompoc's wine trail, from Arcadian Winery to Zotovich Vineyards. The rolling hills & sprawling land make for some pretty scrumptious wine & stunning views. Check out the Lompoc Wine Ghetto, a cluster of local wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms in Santa Rita Hills, if you want easy access to multiple wineries. Enjoy an afternoon of Lompoc wine tasting. The media crew first met at Dierberg Vineyard for a press trip wine tasting. Visit Lompoc and try a couple different tasting rooms. Browse their websites to see when they open and what their hours are.Airbnb
There are several cheap hotels in Lompoc, CA & affordable options but you can also search for Airbnbs. You can find something close to or in the center. Sign up for Airbnb with my link & get $40 off your booking. That could be a free night somewhere. I loved my Airbnb in Oslo, Norway, affordable & chic. I made coffee every morning. Ahh, I'm thankful for Airbnb memories. But I loved my Embassy Suites by Hilton Lompoc – Central Coast experience too!The City of Lompoc |