Whether you are looking to get into the best shape of your life, learn self defense or are interested in competing, our elite team of professional trainers will help you achieve your personal goals. We have beginning and advanced classes for men, women and teenagers.

Bas Rutten is a legend in the world of Mixed Martial Arts. As the three time undefeated King Of Pancrase, and the undefeated UFC Heavyweight champion, Bas brings a wealth of talent and knowledge to Elite MMA. Bas has advised and instructed many of the top fighters in the world as well as many famous actors and celebrities. He has also produced several very effective self defense, training and fitness videos which are used by thousands of people to stay in shape and learn simple, but effective self defense techniques.

Elite MMA is located at 2955 E Hillcrest Dr, Thousand Oaks, Suite 108. Visit www.elitemmagym.com or call 805.496.4476 for more information.

The Los Padres Sierra Club serves California's Santa Barbara and Ventura counties. The Club encompasses everything from National Forest Wilderness areas of the San Ynez Mountains to the Channel Islands National Park in the Santa Barbara Channel.  Our issues range from traditional Sierra Club concerns with forest management and wilderness to the urban and growing problems with land use and energy development.  Following are the major issues we are struggling with:

The Conejo Group is part of the Los Padres Sierra Club. Its website is http://mysite.verizon.net/res117q7b/.  Visit the site for much more information about the club. Here is a list of upcoming planned hikes in the Ventura County area (updated 2/20/10 - call to confirm - dates/times subject to change):

Feb 24th: WILDWOOD PARK:  Easy paced, moderate 6 mrt hike of leaders choice. Bring water, food and appropriate footware. Meet 1:30pm at west end of Ave de los Arboles. John Holroyd 805/495-6391.

Feb 26th: ENCINAL CANYON - BUZZARD'S ROOST:  Moderate 8 mrt hike with approx 1000' elev gain. Bring water, food and wear lug-soled shoes. Meet in parking lot near former Burger King just before Shell Station on Hampshire Rd in Thousand Oaks no later than 8:30am for carpooling. Lillian Trevisan 805.498.1623.

Feb 27th: LA CUMBRE PEAK - SANTA BARBARA:  Very strenuous 11 mrt hike with 3000' elev gain in Santa Barbara Frontal Range. Camera fans will have a field day if weather is clear. Bring 2 quarts water, food and lug-soled shoes. Meet in Park and Ride in Thousand Oaks at Thousand Oaks Blvd and Wilbur adjacent to former nursery at 8 am for carpooling. John Holroyd 805.495.6391.

Mar 5th: SOLSTICE CANYON:  Moderate 7-8 mrt hike with 1200' elev gain. Upper Sostomo Loop and Rising Sun Trails. See Tropical Terrace, oldest stone building foundation in Malibu and 150' waterfall (seasonal). Bring water, food and wear lug-soled shoes. Meet near former Burger King before Shell Station on Hampshire Rd in Thousand Oaks by 8:30 am to carpool. Lillian Trevisan 805.498-1623.

Mar 7th: RUNKLE CANYON TO WOOD RANCH LOOP SHUTTLE:  Strenuous 12 mrt hike with 1700' elev gain on the Rim of the Valley Trail, Runkle Fire Road, Albertson Motonway and Long Canyon Trail. Bring 2 quarts water, lunch and your best lug-soled shoes. Meet 8:30 am in parking lot at Wood Ranch Parkway and Long Canyon Road to carpool to trailhead on Chicory Leaf Place in Simi Valley. Cyndee Zahorik 805.492.1453.

Mar 12th: LA JOLLA VALLEY- MUGU PEAK - POINT MUGU STATE PARK:  Moderate 8 mrt hike of leader's choice. Bring water, food and wear lug-soled shoes. Meet at Wendy Drive and Potrero Road in Newbury Park by 8:30 am for carpooling. Lillian Trevisan 805.498.1623.

Mar 19th: OLD CABIN SITE - POINT MUGU STATE PARK:  Moderate 8 mrt hike with 700' elev gain. Visit waterfall (seasonal). Bring water, food and lug-soled shoes. Meet at Wendy Drive trailhead at Potrero no later than 8:30 am. Lillian Trevisan 805.498.1623.

Mar 20th: SERRANO CANYON - POINT MUGU STATE PARK:  Moderate 6 mrt hike with 600' elev gain to hike to a grassy knoll overlooking valleys and ocean. A shady haven full of wild roses, majestic oaks, and hopefully a murmuring spring. Bring water, food and lug-soled shoes. Meet in Park and Ride in Thousand Oaks at T.O. Blvd and Wilbur Road adjacent to nursery at 9 am for carpooling, or Sycamore Canyon trailhead and PCH at 9:30 am. John Holroyn 805.495.6391.

Mar 26th: LOWER NEWTON CANYON - BUZZARD'S ROOST:  Moderate 8 mrt hike with 1000' elev. gain.  Visit waterfall (seasonal).  Bring water, food and wear lug-soled shoes.  Meet in parking lot near the former Burger King just before the Shell Station on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks no later than 8:30 A.M. for carpooling.  Rain cancels.  LILLIAN TREVISAN (805) 498-1623

Mar 28th: LYNNMERE TRAIL - WILDWOOD LOOP:  Moderate 7.5 mile loop around southern Wildwood Park on both sides of the canyon. Bring water, food and hiking shoes. Meet on Las Flores Road just west of Lynn Road at 9 am. Rain Cancels. Rick Koppel 805.523.1580.

Mar 31st: WILDWOOD PARK:  Moderate 4 mrt hike of leaders choice. Bring water, food and lug-soled shoes. Meet 5:30 pm at west end of Ave de los Arboles. Joanne Sulkoske 805.492.3061.

Apr 3rd: BEACH WALK - POINT DUME - EASY HIKE SERIES:  Moderate 6 mrt hike with 250' elev gain. Hike along beach, up to bluff and down to tide pools if tide permits. Bring water and food. Meet in parking lot near former Burger King just before Shell Station on Hampshire Road in Thousand Oaks at 8:30 am. Lillian Trevisan 805.498.1623.

Apr 9th: ENCINAL CANYON - BUZZARD'S ROOST:  Moderate 8 mrt hike with approx 1000' elev gain. Bring water, food and wear lug-soled shoes. Meet in parking lot near former Burger King just before Shell Station on Hampshire Rd in Thousand Oaks no later than 8:30 am for carpooling. Lillian Trevisan 805.498.1623.

Apr 16th: SOLSTICE CANYON:  Moderate 7-8 mrt hike with 1200' elev gain. Upper Sostom Loop and Rising Sun Trails. See Tropical Terrace, oldest stone building foundation in Malibu and 150' waterfall (seasonal). Bring water, food and wear lug-soled shoes. Meet near former Burger King before Shell Station on Hampshire Rd in Thousand Oaks by 8:30 am to carpool. Lillian Trevisan 805.498-1623.

Scheduled Group Outings in the Conejo Open Space

The following outings in the Conejo Open Space are offered by various organizations and hike leaders including (but not limited to) the Conejo Recreation and Park District, the Conejo Group Sierra Club, and the Outdoors Club. None of the outings are offered by the Conejo Open Space Foundation. The information listed is believed to be correct; however the Conejo Open Space Foundation (and Conejo Valley Guide) assume no responsibility for any errors, changes, omissions, trail hazards, accidents, or other aspects of the outings. (LIST UPDATED 3/1/10)

Sat   March 6   5:30pm - 8:00pm   Hotdogs and Hiking
Conejo Recreation and Park District
Pre-registration and $10 per person fee required. 805-495-2163. Ages 3+. Family program includes an easy 1 mile hike into Wildwood Park, songs, stories, roasting your hotdog over a fire, and a 1 mile hike out. Location: Wildwood Nature Park.

Sun   March 7   10:00am-Noon   Ranger Led Hike
Conejo Recreation and Park District
Free! 805-495-2163. Ages 3+. The COSCA Rangers will lead a themed hike. Possible topics include geology, orienteering, wildflowers, and open space awaremess. Location: Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail.

Sat   March 13   5:30pm-8:00pm   St. Patrick's S'Mores Hike
Conejo Recreation and Park District
Pre-registration and $8 per person fee required. 805-495-2163. Ages 3+. Make leprechan s'mores on this St. Patrick's themed s'mores hike. Includes songs, stories, and a marshmallow roast. Location: Wildwood Nature Park.

Fri   March 19   7:30pm-9:30pm   Wildwood Night Awareness Hike
Conejo Recreation and Park District
Pre-registration and $6 per person fee required. 805-495-2163. Ages 5+. Learn about plants, animals, Native Americans, and the night sky through sensory awareness on this easy two mile family hike. Location: Wildwood Nature Park.

Fri   March 26   6:30pm-8:30pm   All About Owls
Conejo Recreation and Park District
Pre-registration and $6 per person fee required. 805-495-2163. Ages 8+. After a discussion including mounted specimens, take a hike into Wildwood to listen and watch for great horned owls, barn owls, and screech owls. Location: Wildwood Nature Park.

Sat   March 28   2:00pm - 3:30pm   Wildflower Hike
Conejo Recreation and Park District
Pre-registration and $6 per person fee required. 805-495-2163. Ages 3+. Take a leisurely hike through Wildwood taking in all the blooming wildflowers. Location: Wildwood Nature Park.

Tue   March 30   8:00pm-9:30pm   Full Moon Hike
Conejo Recreation and Park District
Pre-registration and $6 per person fee required. 805-495-2163. Ages 6+. Enjoy this moderate, two and a half mile interpretive hike across Stagecoach Bluff to Lizard Rock. Watch the sun set and the moon rise. Location: Wildwood Nature Park.

Sat   April 10   10:00am-Noon   Ranger Led Hike
Conejo Recreation and Park District
Free! 805-495-2163. Ages 3+. Themed hike led by COSCA Rangers. Possible topics include geology, orienteering, wildflowers, and open space awaremess. Location: Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail.

Thu   April 15   7:30pm-9:30pm   Wildwood Night Awareness Hike
Conejo Recreation and Park District
Pre-registration and $6 per person fee required. 805-495-2163. Ages 5+. Learn about plants, animals, Native Americans, and the night sky through sensory awareness on this easy two mile family hike. Location: Wildwood Nature Park.

Sat   April 17   6:00pm-8:30pm   S'Mores Hike
Conejo Recreation and Park District
Pre-registration and $8 per person fee required. 805-495-2163. Ages 3+. Family program includes a moderate one mile hike into Wildwood Park with songs, stories, marshmallow roast, and a one mile hike out. Location: Wildwood Nature Park.

Sat   April 17   9:00am-11:30am   Conejo Canyons
Conejo Recreation and Park District - Open Space Appreciation Hike
Free! This is a moderate 5 mile hike with an elevation gain/loss of about 1000 ft. Although the Conejo Canyons trail system is still in the planning stage, we can walk some of the existing utility roads and trails to enjoy this environmentally sensitive, rugged and scenic open space area. From the 101, drive north on Rancho Conejo Blvd about 1.8 miles, (past Baxter,) then left on Conejo Center Drive 0.2 miles. Gate is on the right. Park on street.

Sun   April 18   2:00pm-3:30pm   Hikes For Tykes
Conejo Recreation and Park District
Pre-registration and $6 per person fee required. 805-495-2163. Ages 3+. Enjoy a short hike followed by children's stories and games. Location: Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail.

Sat-Sun   April 24-25   1:00pm-Noon   Family Campout
Conejo Recreation and Park District

Pre-registration and $20 per person fee required. 805-495-2163. All Ages. Camp with your family in Wildwood Nature Park. Enjoy nature hikes, crafts, games, campfire activities, s'mores, and more.Experience the joys of camping with you family without all the work! Drop off you camping gear and take a guided nature hike into beautiful Wildwood Canyon while staff transports your gear to the campsite.  Enjoy arts & crafts, games, and more for the afternoon. We serve you a complete camp dinner including s’mores for dessert, then enjoy skits, songs and stories around the campfire. Cost is $20 per person, includes dinner on Saturday and breakfast on Sunday. Program runs from 1:00pm Saturday to 12:00noon Sunday. Pre-registration is required.  Space is limited.  Enjoy a fabulous outdoor experience with your family and friends.  For registration information visit us online at www.crpd.org or call the Conejo Community Center at (805)495-2163. 

Wed   April 28   7:30pm-9:30pm   Full Moon Hike
Conejo Recreation and Park District
Pre-registration and $6 per person fee required. 805-495-2163. Ages 6+. Enjoy this moderate, two and a half mile interpretive hike across Stagecoach Bluff to Lizard Rock. Watch the sun set and the moon rise. Location: Wildwood Nature Park.

Bodysattva Healing Arts Center at 1414 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Suite 101 in Thousand Oaks provides a wide range of services that will benefit your body, including yoga, meditation, belly dancing classes and pilates.  The Center also offers chiropractic care, massage, acupuncture, physical therapy, nutritional counseling and other services.

Visit www.bodysattvacenter.com or call 805.497.0300 for more information.

CrossFit FAST

For more information, visit www.crossfitfast.com or call 818.707.3278 (FAST).

Our programs are designed based on the latest research in the fields of sports and fitness. They have been created for all levels of fitness, experience, and age. Crossfit is the #1 Fitness & Nutritional Program in the Country. You will get results and receive hand on coaching with each session. This all inclusive program will get you in the best shape of your life and help you reach your goals all while being encouraged by others in the group! Class size is limited but many classes to choose from daily. We offer group classes 7 days per week.

INCREASES: Endurance, Stamina, Strength, Flexibility, Power, Speed, Coordination, Agility, Balance, and Accuracy. REDUCES: Excess Body Fat storage, Cholesterol, Blood pressure, while Lowering the Risk of Injury Potential. PROMOTES: Lean Muscle Tissue, Increased Bone Density and Speeds up your Metabolism - Initial Evaluation - Evaluates lean muscle, body fat, caloric intake, BMI, strength, flexibility, balance, agility and running mechanics. For more information, please contact crossfitfast@gmail.com.

The Channel Islands Ice Center is operated as a joint venture by the Channel Islands Figure Skating Club and the Channel Islands Riptide Hockey Club. The mission of CIIC is to develop on-ice activities, primarily figure skating and ice hockey, in a safe and fun environment.

For more information, visit www.channelislandsice.com or call 805.988.4440.

Note from Conejo Joe:  We have been here and boy is it fun.  Just wear gloves and something warm and they provide the rest (e.g. ice skates).  We went in January 2009 during what they call "Sunday Snowday" session, where the provide a big pile of freshly made snow in a designated spot in the middle of the rink.  My four year old and I sure had some fun in there! It was his first time on ice skates.  We'll be back!  One thing is that I did have a hard time finding the right path to center from the 101 coming from Thousand Oaks.  Here are directions:

The store also for many years has sponsored the Inside Track Running Club.  Learn more by visiting the store or calling 805.643.1104.  Or click www.805running.com/bm~doc/itrc2008.pdf  for an entry form.

Students of all ages come from around the world to take part in our year-round camps and lessons, where they learn to surf from friendly, knowledgeable instructors who truly care about "sharing the stoke" of surfing. Whether you're interested in summer surf camps, winter excursions, private lessons in the fall or corporate outings to stoke out your staff any time of year. Surfclass is ready to make it happen for you.  Check out www.surfclass.com for more information.

Let’s stoke out the birthday party with 10 of your child’s best friends. Come and celebrate a ½ day at the beach. Our birthday parties combine learning about ocean science with surf instruction and of course sharing the stoke. We supply a 10x10 shade/tent, table, wetsuits, boards, water, sunscreen and a tablecloth. You bring the lunch and cake. Best hours are 9-1.  We have lots of other activities to make the day fun. So parents just sit back and enjoy the day, we’ll do all the rest.

Panther Martial Arts Center is located at 315 Arneill Road, #A103, Camarillo.  Master Eddie Urbistondo has been training Martial Arts for over 28 years. He holds a 5th Dan Black Belt in the art of Taekwondo and an advanced/instructor level ranking in Southern Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Master Urbistondo is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and was honorably discharged. While in the Marines, he taught hand to hand combat to Navy and Marine Corps Security forces. He has been a four time California State Taekwondo Champion and Armed Forces Taekwondo Champion. Master Urbistondo is the founder of Close Quarters Combat Taekwondo and Panther Street Defense. He has cross trained in Kali, Brazilian Jiujitsu, Aikido, Hapkido and Judo.

The center provides classes and lessons for all ages and levels in Tae Kwon Do, Qigong, Jook Lum Southern Praying Mantis, Kickboxing, etc.  For more information visit www.panthermac.com* or call 805.384.2378. *HMM, THIS WEBSITE IS NOT FUNCTIONING AS OF 1/20/10 BUT I DO BELIEVE THEY STILL ARE IN OPERATION.