It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting Camarillo Ranch in Camarillo, CA gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Camarillo, CA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Thank you so much for all your help with my mom. I cant thank you”
“We started using Always Best Care well over a year ago, and have received nothing”
“I have partnered with Tom in Thousand Oaks for a couple years now, I can”
“Caring and sensitive. David is so focused on helping families. He is such an asset”
“Always Best Care has been helping my 94 year old Mother very much! The Caregivers”
“Been with the company for approximately like 6 months ,love it , great supervisors n”
“I’ve worked with a few agencies and my experience with Always Best Care has been”
“I've worked with ABC for over a year now. I've worked for other organizations”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa was a great friend to my father and”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa is the best. Upbeat, knows what she’s”
“After researching several Home Health Care companies in my area, I choose Always Best Care”
“First let me say that this review was not solicited by any one at Always”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does”
“I am a current client of this provider We are with Always Best Care. We have”
“Tom and his team of caregivers do a great job. I highly recommend Always”
“I’m a registered nurse and having Erin help me with this process was seamless. She”
“I've been with the company a lil over 3months maybe longer and love the respect”
“This is the finest company in home care, I would highly recommend it for your”
“Stellar service and care! Highly recommend!”
“This is truly a team you can trust to take care of your loved one.”
“Thank you so much for all your help with my mom. I cant thank you enough. You have changed our lives for the better.”
“We started using Always Best Care well over a year ago, and have received nothing short of the Best Care Always! Dad is a Veteran, and when it came time to get Mom and Dad a Caregiver. David, our account manager helped us tremendously by guiding us to get us the most care that was available to them! Karina came to us with some pretty big shoes to fill, as our first caregiver was retiring. Well, Karina has done a fabulous job, helping with whatever is needed and caring for my parents as if they were her own! Karina has fit in with our family and friends perfectly, she is part of the family! Mom recently had two hospital stays and she took care of Dad while Mom was away, then when Mom came home, Karina made sure they both had whatever they needed! Thank you David and the Always Best Care team for matching us with Karina…..you hit a Grand Slam with this one! Thank you Karina for caring about my parents so much! ❤️????????❤️. The Peacock Family”
“I have partnered with Tom in Thousand Oaks for a couple years now, I can attest that he strives to provide the best quality care for his clients and a positive work environment for his employees. Great agency! Highly recommend!”
“Caring and sensitive. David is so focused on helping families. He is such an asset to our hospital. Families don't know where to start and David gets the ball rolling and smooths the way. What a blessing to these families.”
“Always Best Care has been helping my 94 year old Mother very much! The Caregivers are wonderful and helpful and willing to go the extra mile. I am so happy to have their team a part of our lives! Thank you!”
“Been with the company for approximately like 6 months ,love it , great supervisors n boss , overall great company for work for , great communication from supervisors ,n always a pleasure to work with wonderful clients”
“I’ve worked with a few agencies and my experience with Always Best Care has been phenomenal. The professionalism.and respect they show to us caregivers makes me feel appreciated as well as giving me opportunity to learn and grow in my services I provide to my clients with the workshops they provide every month.”
“I've worked with ABC for over a year now. I've worked for other organizations that provide senior care services but the Always Best Care Thousand Oaks location has been a wonderful place to work. The working relationship between staff, client and ownership/management is that it's important for us all to be happy. I've been placed with so many wonderful people that I can say are not only my clients but also my friends. They really try to provide the right client with the right caregiver and with me it has been a wonderful experience and a great place to work.”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa was a great friend to my father and treated him like family. It was reassuring to us to know he was looked after by a loving and caring person. She was always available to us and she was able to adjust her schedule to his needs. Nisa allowed my father to stay in his home longer and provided him new freedom he had not had previously.”
“I am a past client of this provider Nisa is the best. Upbeat, knows what she’s doing, was great with my mom. We all felt very comfortable when she was caring for mom.”
“After researching several Home Health Care companies in my area, I choose Always Best Care and was extremely pleased with the decision I made. Always Best Care checked every box on my list and was the absolute best choice for my post-surgery needs. Start to finish, the entire organization was professional, responsive, and provided the services I was in need of. Caregivers were exceptional in responding to my needs in addition to providing warm companionship that aided in a worry free recovery. Always Best Care delivered as promised and I highly recommend them for Home Health Care needs. MMD”
“First let me say that this review was not solicited by any one at Always Best Care Senior Services. The services provided by Always Best are both personal and professional. All of my calls were always answered by Tom ( the owner). Never was I left to wonder if I was going to get assistance for my mother and her significant other. From the top down I found everyone to be patient, kind, attentive, accessible, problem solvers, with an “I can get it done” attitude. The services provided by Always Best, required end of life care. The care givers worked seamlessly with Hospice. Every step of the way I could see both my mother and the patient were lovingly cared for. I look forward to using this agency as needed for my mother. Thank you, Tom and all of your care angels!”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does not currently have a Gmail account. Always Best Care has been a true blessing with providing a wonderful caregiver who is kind, patient and supportive with my 95 year old mother's needs which include a downward cognitive slide. My mom enjoys the support and care too. I've heard horror stories about such services, but have been beyond pleased with Tom and his caregiving agency. Lori Robinson- Ventura County”
“I am making this post on the behalf of my mother in law who does not currently have a Gmail account. Always Best Care has been a true blessing with providing a wonderful caregiver who is kind, patient and supportive with my 95 year old mother's needs which include a downward cognitive slide. My mom enjoys the support and care too. I've heard horror stories about such services, but have been beyond pleased with Tom and his caregiving agency. Lori Robinson- Ventura County”
“I am a current client of this provider We are with Always Best Care. We have been with them for two weeks now. They were great, and we have had a good experience so far. The caregiver is great. She has been like a lifeline for us; she has been nice. The scheduling has been fine, and everything has been working great.”
“Tom and his team of caregivers do a great job. I highly recommend Always Best Care of Thousand Oaks.”
“I’m a registered nurse and having Erin help me with this process was seamless. She is comforting, empathetic, and very knowledgeable. Thanks again Erin! Natalie Schauwecker, RN”
“I've been with the company a lil over 3months maybe longer and love the respect they give us caregivers and employees. We are a team as they say welcome to the team and it truly is a team more like a family here. They take our schedules and work with us and don't pay us low as all other places. You get what you pay for. I've worked for Disneyland Resorts and this is much like the atmosphere there very friendly and non judgemental and truly caring understanding team. Tom the owner is one of us he doesn't put himself above us neither does Erin. They are both friendly. Moving up in the company is possible as i have already and my kids are much happier because mommy actually loves her job. No one is paying me to write this i don't do reviews typically because the time it takes but i believe in our team amd if you want great care and affordable care please try us for a week and I personally guarantee you, you'll be the next to write a review.”
“This is the finest company in home care, I would highly recommend it for your family!”
“Stellar service and care! Highly recommend!”
“This is truly a team you can trust to take care of your loved one. It is obvious, Tom and his team have a passion for the work they do. They are so patient and kind and treated us and our loved one like one of their own members of the family. We are forever grateful.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Camarillo Grove Park in Camarillo, CA with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Twenty 88 Gourmet Fusion or visit Oxnard Historic Farm Park, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Camarillo, CA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Camarillo, CA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Camarillo, CA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Southern California bulk shoppers, get your carts ready.Costco’s highly anticipated warehouse in Camarillo is officially in the home stretch of construction, with an opening date listed as October 30, 2026.Fresh photos shared on Sunday by local outlet Conejo Valley Guide show the massive store looking increasingly close to completion, with much of the exterior structure up around the sprawling site. “The Camarillo Costco is taking shape,” the outlet wrote on Instagram, noting that the opening date is now exact...
Southern California bulk shoppers, get your carts ready.
Costco’s highly anticipated warehouse in Camarillo is officially in the home stretch of construction, with an opening date listed as October 30, 2026.
Fresh photos shared on Sunday by local outlet Conejo Valley Guide show the massive store looking increasingly close to completion, with much of the exterior structure up around the sprawling site. “The Camarillo Costco is taking shape,” the outlet wrote on Instagram, noting that the opening date is now exactly two months away.
The warehouse is being built at the western end of the Camarillo Town Center, just south of the 101 freeway. The 160,000-square-feet space is slated to bring the wholesale giant’s signature bulk groceries, $4.99 rotisserie chickens, an optical department, a pharmacy, a food court and more to the area. About 900 parking stalls surround the building to handle traffic surges, and the lot also includes dedicated electric vehicle charging stations.
“Yippee..I’m ready to shop for Thanksgiving,” one excited local commented.
“Ready for that Kirkland swagger,” another added.
Locals have already gotten a taste of what’s to come. Costco opened the development’s 32-pump gas station on May 1.
The Camarillo store has been a long time coming, though. Plans for the warehouse were reportedly first submitted to the city in 2022, with the company hoping to open in 2024.
The project faced legal delays from local opposition group, Ventura County Citizens Against Mega Gas, that argued an additional extensive environmental review was necessary. The development clear a major hurdle earlier this year when a California appeals court sided with the city, clearing the path for construction to move forward.
“This is a tremendous win for Camarillo,” said City Manager Greg Ramirez. “Costco will not only provide shopping convenience for our residents, but also strengthen our local economy and create new jobs.”
The city predicts the store will keep locals shopping within Camarillo and provide a sizable economic boost, “quickly become one of the City’s top sales tax generators.”
My favorite thing to do is load the kids in the car and explore new family-friendly spots or hidden gems around LA. So, when I heard KidSTREAM in Camarillo officially opened, I planned an adventure day immediately. We've been to all the kids' museums in the LA area (seriously, try me!), so we have plenty to compare this spot to. Read on for a mom's honest review of LA's newest kids' museum!This insider's guide includes: Overall impressions? KidSTREAM is a charming, simple, engaging playspace for younge...
My favorite thing to do is load the kids in the car and explore new family-friendly spots or hidden gems around LA. So, when I heard KidSTREAM in Camarillo officially opened, I planned an adventure day immediately. We've been to all the kids' museums in the LA area (seriously, try me!), so we have plenty to compare this spot to. Read on for a mom's honest review of LA's newest kids' museum!
This insider's guide includes:
Overall impressions? KidSTREAM is a charming, simple, engaging playspace for younger kids. It encourages wonder, sparks curiosity, and promotes creativity with various stations and materials. Most of the attractions are outdoors, so make sure your kiddos are dressed for the weather and wearing sunscreen and a hat. KidSTREAM is not an ideal spot during heatwaves or rainy days, as most of the exhibits will be closed.
If you're in the area and have kids the right age, KidSTREAM is absolutely worth a few hours of your time! However, I would not drive an hour to visit, especially with older kiddos.
KidSTREAM is a brand new, educational children's museum and interactive play center in Camarillo. The goal of the museum is to encourage learning. STREAM stands for Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, and Math, all of which are covered in depth around the museum. KidSTREAM is located in a neighborhood community in Camarillo, with a spacious (free) parking lot for visitors. The building was formerly the Camarillo Public Library.
KidSTREAM is absolutely worth visiting with your younger kids. Keep in mind that you will spend the majority of your time outside, so weather should factor into your plans. Many of KidSTREAM's best features are outside in the courtyard. In addition to a beautiful play structure, there are silks and teepees to play with, an outdoor "market", an amphitheater with costumes and props to put on a show, interactive experiments, and more.
Indoors, the museum has the STREAM gallery, with ready-for-the-making crafts, a table full of Legos for designing, and an airways wall (similar to the one at MOXI) for experimenting. There are also indoor bathrooms and a small gift shop located around the circular check-in desk.
Admittedly, KidSTREAM is pretty small. If you're looking for a sprawling museum that hits all the age groups, this isn't it. We lasted about 2.5 hours before we had seen it all.
This one is best for the younger set. If your kiddos are between 18 months and 6 years old, they'll love it. I have two girls (ages 3 and 5) who loved the museum. My boys (ages 7 and 10) did not come because they were at a sports camp, and I'm glad I didn't bring them.
Upon arriving at KidSTREAM, the Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands exhibit outdoors is bound to catch your eye. It is covered in electric blue turf, with whales rising out of the "water" and a massive "rolling wave" turf hill kids can scale and slide down. Large climbing poles that mimic kelp rise out of the ground for climbing. There is also a small fossil dig site, where kids can search for mammoth bones. My kids spent most of their time surfing down the turf hill and romping through this playground-esque part of the museum.
Next to the ocean-themed play area is the amphitheater, where little performers can grab a costume and some props and put on a show. Moving to the right, next is the Agriculture exhibit, with a real tractor, a greenhouse with real plants (this was closed when we were there), and an open-air "farmer's market" where kids can buy and sell their wares. A play kitchen allows kids to use the produce to make delicious (albeit fake) creations.
My girls also loved Basecamp, where they could pretend they were camping and build a shelter with clips and silks. A small obstacle course tested their coordination and balance in this area, as well.
Two small carts were set up with a science display about animal tracks, and my girls loved stamping the various tracks into bins of kinetic sand. Activities outdoors rotate daily, so kids can visit over and over again and always learn something new.
Inside the museum, there is a small room called the STREAM Gallery. One wall is lined with clear tubes, where kids can send scarves into the streamline and watch them wind around and pop out another opening. A giant Lego table and Lego wall encourage kids to get creative and design something new. Crafts vary daily in this room. On the day we visited, kids were creating 3-D soccer balls out of paper and coloring World Cup-themed pages.
Yes, KidSTREAM is great for babies, especially new walkers. I would skip the STREAM Gallery with littles, as it can be crowded and the activities offered inside require fine motor skills, but babies will thrive at the outdoor exhibits. There's so much to explore, see, and discover!
Toddlers are the perfect age for KidSTREAM. My three-year-old absolutely loved Basecamp and clipped silks to the structure for quite some time. Both my girls enjoyed playing "store" at the little farmers market and creating dishes in the outdoor kitchen.
Kids over the age of 8 probably won't find this museum engaging. I didn't bring my sons with me (they're 7 and 10), and it was the right move. That being said, if I had brought them, I think they would have spent most of their time in the STREAM Gallery.
This museum is so small that you really won't need to skip anything. Even if you only have a couple of hours, you should be able to cover all that KidSTREAM has to offer. If you are bringing babies and toddlers, stop in the STREAM Gallery to see the Amazing Airways wall; there's no need to spend extended time in there. The outdoor space is small enough that you can see it in its entirety if you stand near the center, so kids can explore while you watch from a vantage point. The play equipment did get hot as the temperature rose, so try to time your play before the sun is too high in the sky (the area isn't shaded).
Admission to KidSTREAM is $16.00 per adult and child (over the age of 1). Seniors and veterans can enjoy a discounted price of $13.00 per ticket. If you are an EBT/WIC cardholder, admission is only $3.00. Babies under the age of 1 are free. If you think you'll be a frequent visitor at KidSTREAM, consider buying a membership instead. Yearly memberships are $100 for two adventurers, with a $50 increase per person. Memberships come with an additional general admission ticket per member (to bring friends) and a 10% discount in the gift shop and on birthday parties.
All adults must enter the museum with a child. Adults must pay admission, and tickets and memberships must be purchased at the front desk upon arrival. KidSTREAM does not allow for online ticketing. Kids are not allowed to stay at KidSTREAM without an adult. Admission is good all day, so parents are welcome to go home for lunch and naps and return later.
Parking is a breeze at KidSTREAM. When we arrived, one of the parking entrances was blocked due to road construction, so we did need to drive into the nearby neighborhood and enter the back way. The parking lot had plenty of space, despite several day camps with large buses parked there. It is an easy stroll to the entrance. If the parking lot is full, park along Eston St. or at the nearby Boys & Girls Club.
There is not a cafe at KidSTREAM, but the museum allows families to bring in their own food and drinks. You are welcome to pack a lunch or a cooler full of snacks for hungry bellies. Seating is limited, so you may want to find a comfortable spot to plop down as there isn't a picnicking area.
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Parking is a breeze at KidSTREAM. When we arrived, one of the parking entrances was blocked due to road construction, so we did need to drive into the nearby neighborhood and enter the back way. The parking lot had plenty of space, despite several day camps with large buses parked there. It is an easy stroll to the entrance. If the parking lot does happen to be full, park along Eston St. or at the nearby Boys & Girls Club.
There is not a cafe at KidSTREAM, but the museum allows families to bring in their own food and drinks. You are welcome to pack a lunch or a cooler full of snacks for hungry bellies. Seating is limited, so you may just want to find a comfortable spot to plop down- there isn't a picnicking area.
Yes! You can re-enter KidSTREAM the same day as long as you keep your wristband on.
There is not a specific nursing area on-site.
KidSTREAM does attract a lot of local school groups and day cares. On the weekends, crowds can be thick. Feel free to call the museum prior to visiting to see if they have a gauge on the crowd index for the day. KidSTREAM is much more enjoyable with less people.
Yes! If you want to plan a day trip to Camarillo, consider doing KidSTREAM in the morning, then heading over to the Camarillo airport to have lunch at the cafe right by the tarmac (we love that spot). In the afternoon, do a little shopping at the Camarillo Outlet Mall, or check out one of Camarillo's excellent parks (Mission Oaks Park and Bob Kildee Community Park are two great ones!)
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