Watsonville has been my family’s favorite place to escape for a weekend. It is only about a 1.5-hour drive from the East 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.
We respectfully acknowledge that Watsonville is located on the stolen and occupied lands of the Amah Mutsun tribe.
Before you go
- From the East Bay Area, you can either drive on HWY 101 or HWY 1. Pick the route that has less traffic (obviously) or has you arrive closest to your first activity.
- 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 we packed
- 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
Things to do in Watsonville with your kids
Read our blog post on top 7 things to do in Watsonville for more details.
1. Explore some of California's best farmland
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
2. Dive into Watsonville's Natural Beauty
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
Watsonville is surrounded by lush farmland that – not surprisingly – fuels a delicious and kid-friendly food scene.
Some of our favorites are:
Check out our blog post about our favorite Watsonville eats here.
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
Check out our blog post about our favorite places to enjoy an adult beverage with kids in Watsonville here.
Where to Stay
Pajaro Dunes Resort
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.
Check out our blog post about a weekend in Pajaro Dunes for more information.
Camping at Mt. Madonna
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.
See our blog post here about spending a weekend camping at Mt. Madonna County Park.
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.
Whatever the time of year, I guarantee you will find something fun to do with your family. If you end up going and try something I missed, please share in the comments below!
This post is part of a series of posts about visiting Watsonville with kids. Continue the adventure with us here:
Puerto Rican & Indigenous mama of two. Bay Area native. Salsa dancer. Backpacker. Doula. Angel (she/her/hers) is a co-founding member of the Beautiful Brown Adventures team. She has traveled to over 30 countries and loves to explore the world with her two daughters & partner - one ice cream shop at a time.
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