Local Buzz covers new businesses, restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Local Buzz covers new restaurants, closures, local politics, goings on around town and other buzzworthy items in the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County. Have a lead? Contact us. Click here for an archive of Local Buzz postings.
Post other items directly to the Community Announcements section of the site.
Paris Baguette is "coming soon" to the former Fatburger location at 650-658 N. Moorpark Road in the Whole Foods Plaza in Thousand Oaks. This bakery cafe serves pastries, wraps, cakes, sandwiches, salads, and more. Visit www.parisbaguette.com for updates.
They move like living question marks, anchoring themselves with delicate tails while their eyes swivel independently to scan the water around them. They are the only animals on Earth in which the male carries and gives birth to the young. And after a years-long absence, they are back, nine strong, at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center on Stearns Wharf.
The Sea Center announces the return of live Giant Pacific Seahorses (Hippocampus ingens) to its Dive In: Our Changing Channel exhibit. The species is the largest seahorse in the world and native to California’s own coastline. Visitors can now observe the full group of nine seahorses up close, seven days a week, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
A Local Species on the Front Lines of Climate Change
The Giant Pacific Seahorse’s typical northern range ends around San Diego and Los Angeles. But as ocean temperatures rise and warm southern currents push increasingly into the Santa Barbara Channel, these animals, along with many other southern species, can be found farther north than ever before. The Sea Center has intentionally incorporated the seahorse display into its climate change education, as these captivating animals can help visitors explore the real and measurable effects of climate change on local marine ecosystems.
The Sea Center first welcomed six Giant Pacific Seahorses in 2019, received from the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro. With a natural lifespan of three to five years, the original seahorses passed away in 2024, and the habitat was temporarily reimagined as an urchin barren display, depicting the disruption seen in kelp forests when Purple Urchins proliferate unchecked. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations at zoos and aquariums that exchange animals to preserve genetic diversity, putting a new generation of seahorses out of the Sea Center’s reach for several years.
In late 2025, Cabrillo Marine Aquarium successfully established a new breeding pair, and the Sea Center received four seahorses to restart its display. In February 2026, five more arrived, bringing the current population to nine. The two institutions have been invaluable partners, sharing knowledge and resources to provide the best care for these animals beloved by Santa Barbara visitors.
The World’s Most Surprising Father
Part of what makes seahorses so compelling is their remarkable biology. It is the male seahorse who becomes pregnant. The female deposits her eggs directly into the male’s brood pouch, where he fertilizes and carries them for roughly two weeks before giving birth to fully independent young. A single male can carry up to 2,000 eggs at once. Newborns emerge at just 9 millimeters in length, smaller than a fingernail. As in most species that create so many young, most of the young do not survive.
In the wild, Giant Pacific Seahorses are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Populations have declined by an estimated 50 to 90 percent in many areas, driven by incidental capture in shrimp trawl fisheries and demand for traditional medicine. Seeing these animals thriving in person is a rare and meaningful experience.
Come Meet Them
The nine Giant Pacific Seahorses are on display now in the Dive In exhibit at the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf, open every day from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
No reservations are required. For more information please visit sbnature.org/seacenter.
The Sea Center is located at 211 Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara.
Join in on the grand opening of the newest Slime Kitchen location at The Oaks shopping mall in Thousand Oaks on Saturday, March 7th.
Slime Kitchen, a premier slime-making experience, is celebrating the opening of its newest location at The Oaks in Thousand Oaks.
Join them for a ribbon-cutting ceremony and candy bar, then take part in an interactive, step-by-step DIY slime experience, where guests can create their own personalized slime. DIY experiences are available for purchase during the event.
The first 50 guests who complete a DIY experience will receive a complimentary special slime surprise at checkout.
Slime Kitchen’s immersive ten-step process guides customers as they select their base, choose scents, add colors, and incorporate mix-ins to create custom slimes as unique as their imaginations. Designed to ignite creativity and promote sensory learning, the experience transforms slime-making into a journey of connection and discovery.
RSVPs are appreciated, but not required, at www.eventbrite.com/e/slime-kitchen-thousand-oaks-grand-opening-tickets-1983911537815
Carl's Jr. in the Ralph's plaza at 5709 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills (cross street T.O. Blvd) has closed its doors after decades at this location.
Other Conejo Valley locations are in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, and Newbury Park. www.carlsjr.com
Bastina is an Italian food shop that is opening soon at Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills, two doors away from Basta. "Bastina is born from the idea that great Italian food doesn’t need to be complicated. It starts with exceptional ingredients, prepared with care and respect. From freshly made pasta and handcrafted sauces to Italian-style sandwiches and ready-to-enjoy specialties, everything at Bastina is designed to bring the true taste of Italy into your daily life."
Bastina is created by the same founders of Basta, Saverio and Devon. Learn more and get updates at www.eatatbasta.com
Zin Bistro Americana at The Landing at Westlake Lake in Westlake Village announced on Tuesday that it is currently undergoing renovations through March in preparation for reopening this spring as Yār on the Lake.
The word yār is Persian for friend. “Rooted in Persian hospitality. Inspired by Mediterranean gathering. Built for connection.
More details TBA soon. www.zinwestlake.com
Cafecito is coming soon to the Agoura Meadows Shopping Center at 5639 Kanan Road, next to Azuki Tea. Cafecito offers a mix of Cuban, Latin American, vegan, and vegetarian dishes. Signature Cuban dishes include the Cuban Sandwich, Ropa Vieja plate, Steak Chimichurri Platillo, and more. Timing TBA. Cafecito operates a location in Calabasas at 4774 Park Granada. Learn more at iheartcafecito.com.
House of Bamboo Tiki Lounge is opening next Wednesday, February 11th at 2227 Ventura Blvd in Old Town Camarillo, between Elm and Fir, across from the Studio Channel Islands Art Center.
House of Bamboo is a 21+ craft cocktail lounge that will be open 3pm to 9:30pm Wed-Sun. Bar is open seating. Reservations recommended for table seating on OpenTable starting Feb 18th. The bar will offer both drinks and food. Follow @hobtiki on Instagram for updates.
El Sancho Loco Cantina and El Sanchito in Westlake Village announced today that they have closed their doors after 2 1/2 years at this location in the North Ranch Shopping Plaza.
However, Ell Sancho Loco Taqueria is still open for business at their first location on Michael Drive in Newbury Park. Learn more at elsancholocotaqueria.com
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