Main Street in Ventura, California

Chris Schinsky /

Ventura, California's Main Street between Ventura and Laurel avenues is a collection of independent bookstores and boutiques, serious taquerías and chichi wine bars, and endless secondhand stores — vintage clothing spots, antiques purveyors and thrift shops. The latter are great for treasure hunting used toys for young kids or cool retro fashions for older ones. At Main Street's western end is the San Buenaventura Mission (a must-see for fourth-graders).

On weekends, the outdoor stage at the Ventura Harbor Village wharf is home to kid-friendly performances, including, on a recent Saturday, magician Dan Ray, whose bag of tricks included a bird (pulled from a hat) and a wooden board used to levitate a young volunteer. San Buenaventura State Beach, with its small dunes and rolling surf (and lack of lifeguards) is just a short and sandy stroll away.