Heritage Square Oxnard - Historic Tours

Visit Heritage Square in Oxnard for an information-filled tour of the historic structures of Heritage Square and learn more about Oxnard.

Docent led tours are Sunday through Friday from 10am to 4pm for $7 per guest and Saturdays from 11am to 2pm for $5 per guest. The tours are 45-55 minutes long and include 3 interiors and 8 exteriors of the 15 structures on this block. Tours start at the Heritage Square Visitor Center at 715 South A Street, next to the water tower.

More information at www.heritagesquareoxnard.com.

The Park Golf Lounge in Moorpark

The Park Golf Lounge is located 718 E. Los Angeles Ave, Suite B1-B2 in Moorpark (next to Lucky Strike).

The Park offers premier indoor golfing, featuring four state-of-the-art TrackMan simulators, local craft beer on tap, and a welcoming lounge where guests can enjoy live sports and special events.

Whether you’re a beginner, seasoned golfer, or simply looking for a fun round with friends, The Park offers something for everyone, including professional golf instruction, memberships, leagues, and public tee times.

The Park is also an ideal venue for corporate events, team-building outings, and holiday parties. Their team creates customized event packages tailored to your group’s needs.

Visit TheParkGolfLounge.com to learn more.

Harmon Canyon Preserve in Ventura

Established in 2020, the Harmon Canyon Preserve is owned and managed by the Ventura Land Trust. The 2,100 acre preserve located at 7511 Foothill Road, Ventura (just west of Kimball Road) contains about 6 1/2 miles of well-maintained trails in the canyons and hills. It is the largest permanently protected open space in the Ventura area with public access.

Open to hikers, bikers and runners. Dogs on leash allowed, but only to the 1.8 mile marker. Open daily, sunrise to sunset.

Plenty of free parking is available at the preserve trailhead off of McVittie Place (at Foothill Road).

More details and trail map at www.venturalandtrust.org/harmoncanyon.

Entrance to parking area and trailhead off of McViittie Place.

Ojai Playhouse

The Ojai Playhouse is located in the heart of Ojai at 145 East Ojai Avenue (at the Signal Street intersection). This landmark originated as a single screen theater called The Isis in 1914 and has changed hands numerous times since then. The theater has also changed names over the years but is now called the Ojai Playhouse. It has been restored to its original deco-style look inside and upgraded and now shows first run movies and other films in a theater that seats over 200 people.

Visit www.ojaiplayhouse.com for more information.

Ojai Playhouse in early 2025, after renovations were completed in 2024.

Chumash Indian Museum / Oakbrook Regional Park

Located in Lang Ranch at the top of Westlake Boulevard near Avenida de los Arboles at 3290 Lang Ranch Parkway, Thousand Oaks, the Chumash Interpretative Center / Chumash Indian Museum contains Chumash artifacts and historical items, nature walks and tours of the beautiful local Oakbrook Regional Park area.  Admission is $8 for adults, $5 for seniors 65+ and $5 for children under 12 (as of May 2026). (Temporarily closed on weekends until 6/6/26.)

New hours of operation starting 6/6/26 until further notice:

• Monday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Tuesday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Wednesday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Thursday: CLOSED

• Friday: 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Saturday: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM

• Sunday: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

There is no charge to walk the trails in the park, which is open from sunrise to sunset daily.

The Chumash Indian Museum is located on a historical Chumash village site and contains a large collection of Chumash artifacts.

Stroll around the 436 acre Oakbrook Regional Park, a Ventura County historical landmark #90 (designated in 1983). More on Oakbrook Regional Park at www.crpd.org/oakbrook-regional-park

Contact the Center for more information about these and other events, field trips, weddings and birthday parties at www.chumashmuseum.org or 805.492.8076.

Examples of the Chumash Home - called an ‘ap (not to be confused with app). more on ‘aps at THIS LINK.

Beautiful canopied oak tree configuration at Oakbrook Regional Park, behind the Chumash Indian Museum.

Peter Strauss Ranch in Agoura Hills

Peter Strauss Ranch sign on Kanan Road southbound before Troutdale.

The 64 acre Peter Strauss Ranch is located at the juncture of Troutdale Drive and Mulholland Highway in Agoura Hills. The property is managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and is part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It features a ranch house, .6 mile hiking trail, restrooms and an amphitheater area.

To get to the ranch area, park in the main lot, then take the short trail near the entrance north to the bridge that crosses Triunfo Creek.

Parking lot access off of Mulholland Highway on northeast side of ranch.

Bridge on Mulholland that crosses Triunfo Creek to the Ranch Entrance.

Entrance to the Ranch, seen at the juncture of Troutdale and Mulholland.

The Ranch has quite a history. According to the NPS, auto manufacturer Harry Miller bought the ranch at the turn of the 20th century as his weekend retreat. He built many of the structures on the site in the 1920s, including the stone ranch house, lookout tower and aviary.  He lost the ranch in the Depression.

Warren Shobert and Arthur Edeson purchased the ranch in the 1930s and created “Shoson”—a fairyland of charm and a paradise for children and adults. Later, a dam was constructed on Triunfo Creek, creating a small lake. The resort was renamed “Lake Enchanto.” Competition from other, larger amusement parks and resorts led to the decline of Lake Enchanto. It fell into disrepair and closed around 1960.

Actor Peter Strauss purchased the property in 1976, restored the site, lived there until 1983, and later sold it to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.  The NPS purchased the ranch in 1987 and the site will be preserved as part of our local natural and cultural history.

Here is the ruins of the 650,000 gallon Lake Enchanto pool on the Peter Strauss Ranch site. The circular pool was 125 feet in diameter, ranging in depth from 2 to 9 1/2 feet. The pool was said to be the largest filtered, fresh-water swimming pool in California.

More on the history of the Peter Strauss Ranch at peterstrauss.net/storyofranch.html.

Visit the NPS Peter Strauss Ranch page at www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/straussranch.htm.

Lake Enchanto ad from the early 1940s.

SVN2 Indoor Golf in Newbury Park

SVN2 Indoor Golf is a premium TrackMan golf simulation facility offering any level of golfer the opportunity to learn, practice, and play on the best simulation technology in the business. Explore your swing utilizing shot analysis or play from 230+ courses, anywhere from the sea cliffs of Pebble Beach to the historic bridge at St. Andrew’s in Scotland.

Located at 3311 Grande Vista Drive in Newbury Park and open 8am to 10pm Daily. Four hitting bay facility starts at $45/hour. Learn more at www.svn2golf.com or call 805-376-0276.

Calabasas Trolley

The City of Calabasas offers free trolley service on Saturdays between the hours of 10am and 3pm.

There are 24 stops over a one hour duration on Saturday at the following locations:

• Las Virgenes Road at Thousand Oaks Blvd (0:00)

• Agoura Road at Las Virgenes (Albertson's) (0:03)

• Agoura Road at Lost Hills Road (Summit) (0:04)

• Parkville Road at Grape Arbor Park (0:05)

• Malibu Hills Road at Agoura Road (Community Center (0:08)

• Lost Hills Road at Las Virgenes (de Anza Park) (0:10)

• Mureau Road at Las Virgenes Road (0:16)

• Parkway Calabasas at Calabasas Road (0:22)

• Parkway Calabasas at Park Granada (0:23)

• Parkway Calabasas at Camino Portal (0:25)

• Parkway Calabasas at Paseo Primario (North) (0:26)

• Park Granada at Park Capri (0:28)

• Park Sorrento at Avanti (0:29)

• Calabasas Road at El Canon (Old Town) (0:31)

• Mulholland at Paul Revere Drive (0:36)

• Mulholland at Declaration Ave (0:37)

• Mulholland at Mobil Home Park (0:40)

• Old Topanga Canyon at Calabasas High School (0:43)

• Old Topanga Canyon at Wrencrest Drive (0:44)

• Park Sorrento at Park Ora (0:45)

• Park Sorrento at Park Mirasol (Tennis & Swim Center) (0:47)

• Park Sorrento at Park Granada (0:48)

• Park Sorrento at Civic Center Way (Civic Center) (0:51)

• Mureau Road at Las Virgenes Road (0:58)

Learn more at www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/public-works/transportation-transit/public-transit-services

Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail in Thousand Oaks

The Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail is about a mile hike that is great to do with the kids near the Los Robles Trail in Thousand Oaks.

Get there by taking Moorpark Road south of the 101 until it ends at Greenmeadow Avenue. Turn right and drive about half a mile to the parking lot.

Signs along the Oak Creek Canyon Whole Access Interpretative Trail are in braille.

The first .4 mile section of trail is called the Oak Creek Canyon Whole Access Interpretive Trail and is a mostly shaded oak grove area that is accessible by all, including equestrians, bicycles, hikers, wheelchairs, disabled and blind individuals. There is actually a "guide cable" along the fence as well as informational signs in braille.

One of three picnic benches along the Interpretive Trail.

There is a restroom, drinking fountain and picnic bench at the trailhead as well as two other picnic tables and a bench on this portion of the trail. There is also abundant poison oak on the sides of the trails, so be careful to stay on the trail.

At the end of the Interpretive Trail section of the loop, you reach a well maintained dirt trail through the chaparral that is a bit more challenging and ok for most kids. There's a few moderate hills to be aware of, making it somewhat of a challenge with a stroller but in my opinion, a do-able challenge. And of course, you can always turn around and take the Interpretive Trail back. 

The loop trail continues on the left.

One of the moderate hills on the trail.

You go about .4 mile back towards Greenmeadow. Before you get to the street you will see a bench on the west side of the trail. Do be aware that there is no sidewalk on this section of Greenmeadow as you walk back towards the parking area. More information and a map available on the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at cosf.org/trails/los-robles.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Military History Museum at the Simi Valley Town Center

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10049 and Simi Valley Town Center host an impressive display of historic military posters and memorabilia at the VFW Military History Museum.

Hundreds of military posters and historical artifacts are on display that were graciously provided by local veterans and collectors. Artifacts include old weapons, munitions, posters, newspapers, uniforms and much more. Several Vietnam Veterans were on hand, imparting stories and background information to us as we strolled around.

Hours are 11am to 4pm on weekends and noon to 3pm on Wednesdays. There is no admission fee, though donations are encouraged to support local veterans.

Call 805.583.9722 for more information.

Military Mule with armament (not live of course lol) on display.

Olivas Adobe Historical Park - Ventura

The Olivas Adobe Historical Park is operated by the City of Ventura and serviced by the Olivas Adobe Historical Interpreters. It is on the National Register of Historic Places and is State Historical Landmark No. 115.

The adobe represents a superb example of a large home from the Rancho Period prior to California statehood in 1849. The home was started in 1847 and completed in 1849 through the efforts of local Chumash people, and occupied by Don Raymundo, his wife Teodora, and their 21 children - 8 girls and 13 boys - until 1899.

The City of Ventura received the adobe and a large land parcel from the Max Fleischman Foundation that included 450 acres, extending from the Olivas Adobe to the ocean, where the Olivas Golf Course, the San Buenaventura Water Reclamation Facility and Ventura Harbor are now located. The park includes exhibits, extensive gardens, and the restored adobe buildings.

The park is located at 4200 Olivas Park Drive in Ventura. Grounds are open daily. Free admission. Costumed docent-led tours of the house take place on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (tour tickets are $5 for adults $3 for children and seniors). For more information, visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/648/Olivas-Adobe-Historical-Park

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park

El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park preserves the site of the last Spanish fortress founded in Alta California back in 1782. Located in downtown Santa Barbara, the 5.5‑acre park includes two original adobe buildings — El Cuartel and the Cañedo Adobe — both open to the public. Start at the Cañedo Adobe Visitor Center, which features exhibits on the Presidio’s history, the early Japanese community that once lived on the site, and La Tiendita gift shop. You’ll also receive a tour booklet with a map and details for exploring the grounds at your own pace.

The Presidio is open daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 123 E. Canon Perdido Street. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors (62+), and free for children 16 and under. Includes admission to the Casa de la Guerra. Guided tours are offered at 2 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday, with private tours available by calling 805‑965‑0093. Hourly parking is available at 115 E. Canon Perdido Street. Learn more at www.sbthp.org

CReATE STUDIO Mobile Art Studio

CReATE STUDIO originally opened at a venue in Westlake Village in 2009 but is now a mobile art studio geared towards creative exploration using a varied array of recycled, artistic and crafty materials. All ages can create treasured masterpieces using many interesting and everyday household materials to build, tape, glue, paint and invent!

To learn more, visit www.createstudiofun.com.