How to Spend an Exciting Weekend in Watsonville with your Kids
Watsonville has been my family’s favorite place to escape for a weekend. It is only about a 1.5-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area, has a ton of kid-friendly and outdoor activities to enjoy, and delicious places to eat and drink. You can either visit Watsonville as a day trip from the East Bay Area or while you’re staying in Santa Cruz, Pajaro Dunes, Moss Landing, or Monterey.
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Getting There
From the San Francisco Bay Area, you can either drive on HWY 101 or HWY 1. Without traffic, the trip to Watsonville is a 1.5 hour drive.
Pick the route that has less traffic or has you arrive closest to your first activity.
travel
Quick Tips
Before You go
- Stop for groceries on your way in at Staff of Life and stock up on essentials. Or, pack all you need for your getaway in a cooler before you go.
- Leave the East Bay during naptime so your kiddos can sleep on the ride. The total trip takes about 1.5 hours.
What To Pack
- Standard diaper bag essentials
- Beach essentials (towels, sand toys, beach mat, kite, and sunscreen)
- Stroller and/or baby carrier
- Cooler with snacks, lunch, and water
- Scooter or bikes
- Pack layers – the weather can be chilly at the beach but warm inland
where to stay in watsonville
Hotel rooms in Tokyo on the smaller side unless you’re willing to shell out extra money or stay on the outskirts of the city. In our case, three adults and one child shared each room described below.
Pajaro Dunes Resort
Great for clean accommodations near Tokyo Station | $$
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If you want to extend your trip for a night or two, the Pajaro Dunes Resort is the perfect family-friendly place to stay in Watsonville. The one to three-bedroom condos are located right off the beach, with easy beach access, fully equipped kitchens, and lots of space for kids to play.
Camping at Mt. Madonna
Somewhat dated but decent accommodations | $$$
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Mt. Madonna is about a twenty-minute drive east of downtown Watsonville. It is located very close to HWY 101, and not too far from Gilroy Gardens. Exit the freeway to find yourself driving in a redwood oasis, surrounded by beautiful trees and nature as far as you can see.
Things to do in Watsonville with your kids
Traveling together creates shared experiences, deepens connections, and strengthens family bonds in a way nothing else can.
Explore some of California's best farmland
One of Tokyo’s most iconic (and free!) sites
Watsonville is full of lush farmland for you to explore with your kids. Our favorite farm excursions are:
- Buying strawberries at Monterey Bay Farms – Kuni Bea Farms
- Fruit picking at Live Earth Farms and Gizditch Ranch
- Wandering the sculpture garden at Sierra Azul Nursery
Dive into Watsonville's Natural Beauty
Great for city views
- $20+/ages 18+ | $10/ages 6-11 | free for ages 5 and under
- 3+ Hours
Watsonville has beaches to the west and redwoods in the mountains to the east. Your options are endless. Our favorite nature excursions in Watsonville are:
- Shell hunting on Palm Beach
- Hiking through redwoods in Mt Madonna County Park
- Strolling through Pinto Lake County Park
Where to Eat
Watsonville is surrounded by lush farmland that – not surprisingly – fuels a delicious and kid-friendly food scene.
Some of our favorites are:
Favorite Breweries & Wineries
The Watsonville farm scene hosts a surprising number of wineries and breweries, many of which are very delicious and family-friendly.
Some of our favorites are:
- Trying one of the many featured beers on tap at Beer Mule
- Tasting locally made brews at Fruition Brewery
- Sipping delicious cabernet and enjoying the kid-friendly vineyard at Anatum Winery
- Picnicking and wine tasting with our kids at Alfaro Winery
Family-Friendly Tokyo Itineraries Check out our post on how to spend 3, 5, or 7 days in and around Tokyo.
If Tokyo is only one stop on your multi-city tour, we’d recommend spending at least 3-4 days here with your family, but more if you can! Mix and match our recs as they suit your family’s needs and interests.
Extras
History Corner
The Amah Mutsun have stewarded this land since time immemorial. Many were relocated to Mission Santa Cruz or Mission San Juan Bautista in the 1800’s, and were not given federal recognized status or land in the years following.
Many migrant farmers have supported the development of the Watsonville farming industry. In 1930, the Watsonville Riots – a five-day brutal and xenophobic attack by white men on Pilipinx farmworkers in the area occurred. I wasn’t as familiar with this history, recognizing the erasure of the racism that families of color have endured in the United States.
our experience
My family felt safe and comfortable visiting Watsonville. Many locals and visitors were BIPOC families. Pajaro Dunes residents were mostly older white couples, however they were friendly and welcoming towards us.
Learn More
1. Read more about the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band’s fight for recognition here. Donate to their land trust here.
2. Research the farms before you go and support locally owned and BIPOC farms first.
3. Read about the Watsonville is in the Heart project that is collecting stories of local families in this area to record their history.
Antiracist Travel Considerations
Final Thoughts
Although Watsonville is located just south of Santa Cruz, many people just cruise through Watsonville without stopping to explore. I know I did for many years!
My family first discovered Watsonville during the first year of the pandemic, when we were looking for somewhere to vacation that would be COVID-safe. Our preschool at the time had travel restrictions in place, one of them being that we could only travel within 100 miles from home to be able to return to school. Lucky for us, Watsonville fit within that radius.
Now that we’ve been to Watsonville quite a few times, we’ve had the opportunity to see it in all seasons: spring brings flowers and early fruit picking; summer has lots of strawberries to pick and beautiful hiking; fall has apple picking opportunities, pie, and beautiful beach days; and winter brings chilly and empty beaches that are still fun for little kids.
Now that we’ve been to Watsonville quite a few times, we’ve had the opportunity to see it in all seasons: spring brings flowers and early fruit picking; summer has lots of strawberries to pick and beautiful hiking; fall has apple picking opportunities, pie, and beautiful beach days; and winter brings chilly and empty beaches that are still fun for little kids.
Read on
Enhance your trip by reading a book featuring Native and local voices to deepen your understanding of the places you visit.
Looking for more?
Browse our full catalog of recommended children’s books written by BIPOC authors.
