Senior Adult Centers Throughout Ventura County

Check THIS LIST of links to senior centers and recreation programs around Ventura County.

Conejo Valley Botanic Garden - Thousand Oaks

The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is a 33 acre retreat of hiking trails and natural habitat adjacent to Conejo Community Park off of Lynn Road and Gainsborough. 

CVBG now offers plant sales (weather permitting) every Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. featuring California native and drought tolerant plants. Reasonable prices! Enter at the Kids' Adventure Garden entrance (W. Gainsborough Road at Jeaunine Dr. between Lynn and Moorpark Roads.

This is really a special place to bring the kids for low key hike.  There are numerous trails and a short walk/hike to the top of the mountain rewards you with sweeping views of the entire Conejo Valley, from Westlake Village to Thousand Oaks to Newbury Park.

Here is what you'll find at the CVBG:

• The Nature Trail is 3/4 of a mile long and meanders above the creek through oaks and willows.  This is a moderate trail.
• The Little Loop Trail leads you above the creek, through chaparral and around a meadow.
• The Native Plant Section and Lower Meadow feature southern and northern California plants.
• Lillian's Meadow showcases perennials, shrubs and trees that thrive with minimal water.
• The Salvia Garden delights hummingbirds and butterflies. 
• The Butterfly Garden is a safe haven that provides nectar and food sources for butterflies and caterpillars.
• The Nursery houses workspace for the plant propogation team and hosts plant sales.
• The Herb Garden exhibits an extensive and unusual collection of medicinal, kitchen and aromatic herbs.
• The Bird Habitat has a fresh water source and is planted with native plants that provide year-round food source for birds.
• The Australian Section features collection of plants from down under.
• The Desert Garden hilltop landscape features cacti, succulents and desert trees and provides a panoramic view of the Conejo Valley.
• The Rare Fruit Orchard holds an extensive collection of trees.
• The Tranquility Garden is planted in the Japanese style featuring California native plants.
• The Oak Tree Grove has many species of North American and other oak trees.
• The Trail of Trees exhibits 50 trees with a variety of genera.

If you have small kids, they will love the Kids' Adventure Garden and treehouse, but it is only open on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  They'll enjoy hiking through the trails and exploring the streams and bridges.

Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is located at 350 West Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks.  For more information visit www.conejogarden.org or call 805.494.7630.

Desert Garden at the top of the hill, featuring cacti, succulents, etc.Japanese style Tranquility Garden featuring native California plants

CLICK THIS LINK FOR MORE CVBG PHOTOS!

The Young Artists Ensemble - Thousand Oaks

Since 1981, talented kids between the ages of 10 to 19 have performed with The Young Artists Ensemble in Thousand Oaks.  Over 6,000 people attend YAE events each year and shows are all family friendly. YAE presents six or seven productions each year.

Performances take place at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.  Phone is 805.381.2747.

For tickets, contact the box office at 805.381.1246 or visit www.yaeonline.com.

Over 150 Movie Theater Screens Around Ventura County!

Here's a handy list of 17 movie theaters with over 150 screens throughout Ventura County and  adjacent areas. Click the links for theater websites and/or showtimes.

Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura

Regency Janss Marketplace 9, 255 North Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks (805.374.9656). This Regency theater offers up birthday party packages ranging from $20 to $25 per child. Packages include movie, party room for an hour, lunch or snack and arcade tokens. CLICK HERE for more information.

Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas at The Promenade at Westlake (100 Promenade Way, Westlake Village) opened in September 2012 (8 screens)

Muvico 14 Theaters Thousand Oaks, 166 West Hillcrest Drive. Tickets online at www.muvico.com/Thousand-Oaks-14-and-MuviXL (805.496.5487)

Regency Agoura Hills 8, 29045 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills (818.707.9966)

Regency Westlake Village Twin, 4711 Lakeview Canyon Road, Westlake Village (818.889.8061)

Camarillo/Oxnard/Ventura

Century Downtown 10, 555 East Main Street, Ventura (800.326.3264)

Century Riverpark 16 at 2766 Seaglass Way, Oxnard opened on October 26, 2012 (800.326.3264). The Century Stadium 16 on Elba St in Ventura is closed.

Century Riverpark 16 at The Collection at Riverpark, opened in October 2012Edwards Camarillo Palace 12 and IMAX, 680 Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo (805.383.8879) (Located between the main Camarillo Premium Outlets and The Promenade section of the outlets.

Plaza Stadium Cinemas 14, 255 West Fifth Street, Oxnard (805.487.8380)

Plaza Stadium Cinemas 14 in Downtown Oxnard

Regency Buenaventura 6, 1440 Eastman Avenue, Ventura (805.658.6544)

Regency Paseo Camarillo Cinemas (3 theaters), 390 North Lantana Street, Camarillo (805.383.2267)

Roxy Stadium 11, 5001 Verdugo Way, Camarillo (805.388.0532)

Roxy Stadium 11 theaters on Verdugo Way in Camarillo

Simi Valley/Moorpark

Regal Civic Center Plaza 16 & IMAX, 2751 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley (805.526.0232)

Simi Valley 10 Cinemas, 1457 E. Los Angeles Avenue (805.526.4329) Facebook Page

Other Local Theaters

Edwards Grand Palace Stadium 6, 4767 Commons Way, Calabasas (818.223.0223)

Regency Santa Paula 7, 550 West Main Street, Santa Paula (805.933.6707)

Hollywood Theaters Malibu Cinema at 3822 Cross Creek Road, Malibu (310.456.6990) (2 screens)

Ojai Playhouse at 145 East Ojai Avenue (805.646.1011) (1 screen)

Hollywood Theaters Malibu Cinema has 2 screens.

Ventura County Wine Trail

Ventura County Wine Trail offers 14 family-owned, award winning wineries right here in Ventura County! Unique wine tasting tours, five star restaurants, luxury hotels, wine events and attractions, make an amazing wine country destination get-away.

Visit www.venturacountywinetrail.com or call 805.983.1560.

Here are the 14 wineries (updated March 2013) that are part of this trail, which covers Malibu, Agoura, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Oxnard, Ventura and Ojai.

Malibu Wines www.malibuwines.com

Malibu Sundowner in Westlake Village www.malibusundownerwines.com

Four Brix Winery in Thousand Oaks www.fourbrixwine.com

Los Robles Hills in Thosuand Oaks www.losrobleshillswinery.com

Camarillo Custom Crush Winery www.camarillocustomcrush.com

Bella Victorian Vineyard in Camarillo www.bellavictorianvineyard.com

Cantara Cellars in Camarillo www.cantaracellars.com

Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard www.herzogwinecellars.com

Magnavino Cellars in Oxnard www.magnavino.com

Rancho Ventano Cellars in Oxnard www.ranchoventavo.com

Old Creek Ranch Winery in Ventura www.oldcreekranch.com

Casa Barranca Organic Winery in Ojai www.casabarranca.com

The Ojai Vineyard www.ojaivineyard.com

Boccali Vineyards and Winery www.boccalivineyards.com

Oakbrook Vista Trail in Thousand Oaks

The Oakbrook Vista Trail is a relatively easy out and back climb that provides nice panoramic views of the Lang Ranch area of Thousand Oaks. Access to the trail is on south side of Lang Ranch Parkway, just west of Westlake Boulevard. See access point below.

The narrow initial trail up Oakbrook Vista

The first portion is a narrow trail that zig zags its way to a bench, where you can rest and enjoy the views. But I'd estimate this is only 1/4 of a mile, so keep going if you're game!

After the bench, the trail opens up and continues up and up and up and if you reach the top, roughly a mile or so up the hill, you'll be enjoying 360 degree views towards Boney Mountain on the west, Lang Ranch/Woodridge trails on the north and more.

For a trail map and additional information, visit the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at www.cosf.org/website/html/oakbrook-vista-trail.html.

Los Robles Trail System in Thousand Oaks

Los Robles Trailhead sign located at the Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail off of Moorpark Road and Greenmeadow in T.O.The Los Robles Trail winds from Potrero Road (just east of Wendy Drive in Newbury Park) to Foothill Drive (near Hampshire Road in Westlake Village). Along with its many connecting trails (Triunfo Canyon Trail, Rosewood Trail, White Horse Canyon Trail, Los Padres Trail and more), it offers ample room for hikers, bikers and equestrians to share the open space.

This nearly 2000 acre ridgeline trail system with its many neighborhood feeder trails is located at the southern portion of the Conejo Open Space. The Los Robles Trail also traverses several open space areas including Los Padres, Los Vientos, Conejo Ridge. Hope Nature Preserve, Old Conejo, Deer Ridge, Rancho Potrero and Ventu Park.

To the west of Los Robles is Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa and Point Mugu State Park which creates a public backcountry of over 27,000 acres of open space that stretches to the Pacific Ocean at Sycamore Cove. This scenic region is part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and provides panoramic views of Hidden Valley, the Conejo Valley. and the Channel Islands.

Los Robles Trail trailhead and parking area on Potrero Road in Newbury Park

The Los Rubles Trail has historical significance. On February 28, 1776, Juan Bautiste de Anza and his band of 198 settlers and 1000 head of livestock came through the Conejo Valley on their way from Mexico to San Francisco. Though the 101 freeway is the actual route, the National Park Service has designated the Los Robles Trail as the official recreational route so that everyone can enjoy the only national historical trail in the state of California.

Approximately 25 miles of trails provide a contiguous route from Westlake Village to Newbury Park with several shorter loops into narrow canyons and up steep ridges. The adjoining open space areas are managed by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA), a joint powers authority created by the City of Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Recreation and Park District in 1977.

Unless you are an ant, this Los Robles Trail map is too small to read...click it for a full-size pdf map!

For more information about the Los Robles Trail, visit the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at www.cosf.org/website/html/los-robles.html.

Conejo Creek Bike Path in Thousand Oaks

Conejo Creek Bike Path (Courtesy City of Thousand Oaks)The Conejo Creek Bike Path is a 1.2 mile path in Thousand Oaks that connects Gainborough Road on the south to Conejo Creek Park South (the playfields), Thousand Oaks Library and Thousand Oaks Teen Center.  This path was opened to the public in Spring 2011 and provides a nice, flat alternative to city streets as it goes under the 23 Freeway.

The paved path on Paige Lane ends at Janss Road but you can cross at Janss Road in the crosswalk and from there get to a wide, fairly flat horse trail that takes you up to Avenida De Los Flores.

The City of Thousand Oaks maintains approximately 80 miles of bikeways, including about 3 miles of bike paths, roughly 54 miles of bike lanes and other 20 miles or so of bike routes. The City takes bicycling very seriously...the City Council adopted a comprehensive Bicycle Facilities Master Plan in November 2010 to help prioritize future improvement projects around town.

Visit www.toaks.org/government/depts/public_works/streets/bicycle/home.asp for more information about City of Thousand Oaks bike routes, lanes and paths as well as a detailed map.

View Larger Map

Make Meaning in Thousand Oaks

Make Meaning opened at The Oaks Shopping Mall in February 2013. Located in the outdoor shops area of the mall, upper level, south side, first store outside of the mall, Make Meaning offers seven creative experiences to both kids and adults, including customized soap, candles, paper, ceramics, glass, jewelry and cake decorating.

For an annual membership fee or a per visit payment, along with the price of the individual activities you choose, you can walk in and start creating something unique. Speciality classes and events are also available.

This is quite a large store, open, light and airy, with an upbeat atmosphere. How do I know? Because we checked it out! My son painted a piggy bank he hand-selected and at the table next to us I admired a pretty neat looking customized candle and cake. Everyone was happy in there!

The staff are called Associate Creativity Enthusiasts (ACE's), there to help you through the process. And that they were. I was able to just walk in and they kind of took over with my son while enjoyed watching him in his creative efforts. And they took care of the prep and the mess. Nice!

My son's froggy piggy bank masterpiece in it final stages. Make Meaning glazes it and fires it, then you pick it up in 4 days.

For more information, visit www.makemeaning.com or call 805.582.1107.

Neat selection of supplies to individualize your cake!

Or customize your own soap. Quite a unique concept and very well done.

Ventura County Trails Website

For maps, descriptions, photos, videos and news about local Ventura County trails, check out www.VenturaCountyTrails.org.

If you are looking for extremely detailed information, like trailhead locations, trail distances, ascents and descents, this is the site for you.  A great resource for local hikers, bikers and runners.

Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space Trails in Thousand Oaks

Looking for some spectacular trail hikes and panaromic views stretching from the Conejo Valley to the Simi Hills? Then take a look at the open space trails in the Lang Ranch/Woodridge system in the northeast portion of Thousand Oaks in the Lang Ranch area (where Avenida de los Arboles meets Westlake Boulevard.

The 1,025 acre area is maintained by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) and connects with another 8,000 acres of open space that is part of the Santa Monica Mountains. There are 10 miles of well-maintained trails that are outstanding for hiking, running and biking. The views are spectacular and you can actually hike from Thousand Oaks to Simi Valley (via Long Canyon Trail) and Agoura Hills (Woodridge to Cheeseboro/Palo Comado).

More information about the various trails in the Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space on the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at www.cosf.org/website/html/lang-ranch.html.

The specific trails seen below are highlighted at www.cosf.org/website/html/autumn-ridge-loop.html and www.cosf.org/website/html/autumn-ridge-to-rancho-simi-scenic-loop.html and are accessed at the trailhead at Westlake Boulevard and Autumn Ridge Drive in Thousand Oaks.

Access to this trail is at the corner of Westlake Bd and Autumn Ridge Dr

You can get a clear view of Bard Lake (Calleguas Water District Reservoir) back here.Views of Simi Valley

Checking out ancient fossils on display in the open space. Pretty fun to see with the kids.

Trails in the Conejo Open Space

The Conejo Open Space Foundation was formed in 1995 to promote and maintain the open space and trail system of the Conejo Valley and to educate residents as to their roles as custodians and protectors of the open space and the environment. COSF is a non-profit organization that is supported by donations.

The COSF website has detailed information about Conejo Valley trails, maps and educational information.

A particularly useful section of the site details a number of local trails in Wildwood Park, Los Robles, Lang Ranch/Woodridge, Dos Vientos and other local trail systems.

Visit www.cosf.org to learn more.

Conejo Canyons Bridge and Trails in Thousand Oaks

In 2012, the Conejo Canyons bridge was constructed in Thousand Oaks, opening up more trails to explore in the Western Plateau area of Thousand Oaks, which ties into Wildwood Park. Check the map at www.cosf.org/website/html/western-plateau-hikes.html for trail maps.

Access the Conejo Canyons bridge via Santa Rosa Road. Coming from Thousand Oaks, take Moorpark Road north down the Norwegian Grade, where it intersects with Santa Rosa Road. Continue about 3.7 miles on Santa Rosa Road and make a left on Hill Canyon Road. Drive down Hill Canyon Road and you will see a large, flat dirt parking area on the right.

Sign on Santa Rosa Road at Hill Canyon (coming from Camarillo)Parking area on Hill Canyon Road, as seen from the trail leading to Lizard Rock

Park and you'll see the Conejo Canyons bridge just south, which takes you to the Hill Canyon Trail. Or go west to the steep hill, zig zagging hill that takes you to Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park. The hill is a fun challenge with the kids and you'll be rewarded with great panoramic views towards Boney Mountain, Camarillo, Ojai and Simi.

Conejo Canyons Trail Users Bridge that takes you to the Hill Canyon Trail

 Conejo Canyons Views

Views toward the west

View towards Lizard Rock

Tarantula Hill in Thousand Oaks

Tarantula Hill (also known as Dawn's Peak) is located off of West Gainsborough Road in Thousand Oaks, between Grand Oak Lane and Camino Manzanas. Just park your car by the prominent oak tree and little green sign. I don't know who Dawn is, but allegedly the hill is named after the spiders that inhabit this peak that happens to be the highest point within the Conejo Valley, at about 1,057 feet.

I've seen people run, walk and cycle up the paved service road to the top, where you get treated to panaromic views of the entire Conejo Valley. The cyclist was working it pretty darn hard to get up there...the hill it pretty steep...about a 250 foot climb.

There's a single bench on the west side at the top and a water reservoir fenced in with barbed wire is quite prominent. For a quick dose of views, Tarantula Hill aims to please.

The bench at the top of Tarantula Hill faces west towards Newbury Park.

Tarantula Hills is dedicated open space that is protected by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency. Visit www.conejo-openspace.org for more information.

The trailhead on Gainsborough Road

The hill itself is fairly non-descript from Gainsborough Road

BarJoe 2 PokerPro - Free Recreational Poker In Ventura County

BarJoe2PokerPro (BJ2PP) provides FREE Texas Hold'Em poker tournaments in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties!  PJ2PP is a fun, entertaining and FREE way to become poker's next millionaire.  All you do is play at any BJ2PP locations during a 3 month period and enjoy a friendly game of Texas Hold Em' – and it's FREE.  BarJoe2PokerPro is a POINTS based league like any other bowling, dart or shuffleboard league. Here's an inexpensive way to learn or improve your poker game and earn a chance to play with the pros!

Over the course of the quarter, players accumulate points that qualify them to play in the Quarter Final Tournament (QFT). The QFT winner qualifies for a spot into one of numerous WPT, WSOP or local casino tournaments and entry fee is sponsored by BarJoe2PokerPro. Players may play as many nights, at as many venues as they please. BJ2PP representatives and experienced dealers join you at these venues.

Signup and play is free.  Players are not betting or wagering any money on their play. This POINTS based league is considered a legal form of entertainment for any venue.

Local Ventura County BJ2PP location on Tuesday nights at the Crown and Anchor, 2891 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks (805.497.0070).  There are other locations around the Los Angeles area.

To learn more and to sign up, visit www.BarJoe2PokerPro.com or call 323.988.7220.