Historic Dudley House Museum in Ventura

San Buenaventura Heritage, Inc. (SBH) is a non-profit educational and charitable organization founded in 1978 with a primary focus of preserving the Dudley House, an 1892 Victorian farm house, located at 197 N. Ashwood, Ventura. The Dudley House is one of 35 Ventura County properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

The house is a living history museum reflecting the life of the Dudley family. The terraces and pergola for outdoor events have been installed on the north side side of the house, and the lavender garden with some 100 plants featuring over 20 varieties is on the south side of the house. The basement is used as a community room and visitor center with cooking facilities and is available for small events and receptions. Larger events can be held outside on the grounds.

The Dudley House is open for tours the first Sunday of the month from 1pm to 4pm from January to November.

Visit dudleyhouse.org or call 805.644.3286 for more information.  Admission is free but donations are accepted and appreciated.

Dudley House Boutique 2025

Open November 28-30 and December 6-7, 13-14 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Find quality crafts, home decor, antiques and collectibles.

Historic Recording Series

During open houses, pre-1930 recordings transferred to CDs are played. A new recording is played each month on the Victrola console in the parlor.

Old Time Radio Series

CDs of radio shows are performed in the radio console on the 2nd floor hallway.

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 (400 W. Gainsborough Road).

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 propagation 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, 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 400 West Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks.  For more information visit www.conejogarden.org.

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!

Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara

Dolphins greet you at the entrance to Stearns Wharf.

Stearns Wharf is located at the juncture of W. Cabrillo Road and State Street in Santa Barbara. Originally constructed in 1872 by lumberman John P. Stearns as the longest deep-water pier between Los Angeles and San Francisco, it is now one of the most visible and visited tourist destinations in Santa Barbara. In 1980-81, the City of Santa Barbara restored the wharf, constructed new buildings on it and assumed operation of the facility.

Our family particularly enjoys visiting the Museum of Santa Barbara Sea Center located on the wharf, followed by a stop at Mother Stearns Candy Company or the Great Pacific Ice Cream Company. Of course, The Harbor Restaurant and Longboard’s Beach Bar and Grill are crowd favorites. There's also wine tasting at Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room, Moby Dick Restaurant, fish and chips, souvenir shops and other places.

View from the end of Stearns Wharf back toward the mainland.

View from Stearns Wharf

You can get onto the wharf in a number of ways. There is limited parking on the wharf. Cost (as of September 2025) is $3/hour, but the first 90 minutes are free. Or you can park along Cabrillo Road or in a local beach parking lot and walk onto the wharf. Or do what we enjoy...park at the Santa Barbara Harbor and ride bikes onto the wharf. The wood planks are a bit bumpy but you'll survive!

Learn more about Stearns Wharf at www.stearnswharf.org.

Beautiful views of the harbor area as you'll see below from the pier. If you walk onto the wharf, you may encounter some locals that "live off the land" with sand sculptures and other monuments on the sand for your viewing pleasure (and perhaps some spare change). They are part of the carnival atmosphere. And of course on Sundays you'll be treated to the Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show that has been running since 1965.

Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show

The Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show runs along Cabrillo Boulevard from State Street east about a mile every Sunday as well as Saturdays on major holiday weekends, barring bad weather. Hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. This is truly a unique show in that only local Santa Barbara artists and artisans, around 200 of them, display their original drawings, paintings, sculptures, crafts and photos. This show has operated since 1965 and has been sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department since 1966.

So make a day of it and check out the show and take in some of the other great activities in Santa Barbara while you're at it. And of course buy something to support local artists!

Learn more about the show at sbparksandrec.santabarbaraca.gov/activities/community-events/santa-barbara-arts-crafts-show.

Movie Theaters In and Around Ventura County

Here's a handy list of movie theaters with over 120 (originally it was over 150, but there’s been some closures over the years) screens throughout Ventura County and adjacent areas. Click the links for theater websites and/or showtimes.

Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills

Cinépolis Luxury Cinemas at the Promenade at Westlake, 100 Promenade Way, Westlake Village  (8 screens). Order food and drink from your seat and enjoy. cinepolisusa.com/locations/cinepolis-luxury-cinemas-westlake-village (805) 413-8838

AMC Dine-In Thousand Oaks 14, 166 West Hillcrest Drive at The Oaks Mall. Tickets at www.amctheatres.com/movie-theatres/los-angeles/amc-dine-in-thousand-oaks-14. $5 Tuesdays all day for AMC Stubs members.

Regal Janss Marketplace 9 is located at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks, 255 North Moorpark Road. www.regmovies.com/theatres/regal-janss-marketplace-1418

Former Muvico (now AMC Dine-In) Thousand Oaks.

Camarillo/Oxnard/Ventura

Cinemark Century Downtown 10, 555 East Main Street, Ventura (800.326.3264) www.cinemark.com/southern-california/century-10-downtown

Cinemark Century Riverpark 16 at 2766 Seaglass Way, Oxnard (800.326.3264). www.cinemark.com/theatres/ca-oxnard/cinemark-century-riverpark-and-xd

Cinemark Century Riverpark 16 at The Collection at Riverpark

Regal Edwards Camarillo Palace 12 and IMAX, 680 Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo (805.383.8879) (Located adjacent to The Promenade section of Camarillo Premium Outlets. www.regmovies.com/theatres/regal-edwards-camarillo-palace-1009

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

Roxy Stadium 11, 5001 Verdugo Way, Camarillo (805.388.0532). santarosacinemas.com

Simi Valley

Regal Civic Center Plaza 16 & IMAX, 2751 Tapo Canyon Road, Simi Valley (805.526.0232). www.regmovies.com/theaters/regal-simi-valley-civic-center-stadium-16-imax/C00745385306

Studio Movie Grill at the Simi Valley Town Center opened on October 22, 2015, with 9 screens and over 950 seats. www.studiomoviegrill.com/locations/california/simi-valley/2022/1/14

Regal Civic Center Plaza, Tapo Canyon Road, just north of the 118.

Other Local Theaters

Regency Theatres at The Commons at Calabasas.www.regencymovies.com/locations/calabasas-commons

Regency Santa Paula 7, 550 West Main Street, Santa Paula (805.933.6707). www.regencymovies.com/locations/santa-paula-7 Seats just $7 on Sundays!

The Ojai Playhouse at 145 East Ojai Avenue (805.646.1011) (1 screen) - reopened in late 2024 after it was closed for repairs due to a water main break in January 2018. The theater originated in 1914.

CLOSED

Regal Malibu Twin at 3822 Cross Creek Road, Malibu (310.456.6990) (closed in September 2017)

Simi Valley 10 Tristone Cinemas, 1457 E. Los Angeles Avenue (805.526.4329) simivalley.tristonecinemas.com (Closed 12/5/19 “due to leasing disagreements”)

Regency Paseo Camarillo Cinemas (3 theaters), 390 North Lantana Street, Camarillo (805.383.2267). regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=3 (“TEMPORARILY CLOSED” SINCE AUGUST 2021.)

Regency Westlake Village Twin, 4711 Lakeview Canyon Road, Westlake Village (818.889.8061) regencymovies.com/main.php?theaterId=1 Closed 1/17/22.

Edwards Grand Palace Stadium 6, 4767 Commons Way, Calabasas (818.223.0223). www.regmovies.com/theaters/edwards-calabasas-stadium-6/C00791471576 Closed 9/15/22

Regency Agoura Hills 8, 29045 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills (818.707.9966) www.regencymovies.com/locations/agoura-hill-stadium-8 closed its doors on 2/9/25. It originally opened as the Mann 8 Theatres in August 1990.

Regency Buenaventura 6, 1440 Eastman Avenue, Ventura (805.658.6544). www.regencymovies.com/locations/buena-ventura-6 closed its doors 8/4/25.

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.olivasadobe.org.

Oxnard Performing Arts Center

The Oxnard Performing Arts Center has over 1,600 seats in a theater that showcases local theater, dance, music and other programs.

Since opening in March 1968, the center has hosted thousands of performances reaching over three million people. Outstanding Broadway musicals, prominent guest speakers and musical acts and plays have all graced the center's stage.

In 1996, the center was completely refurbished after serving its first 28 years as the Oxnard Civic Auditorium.

More information at www.theopac.org.

Arroyo Burro Beach Park in Santa Barbara

Arroyo Burro Beach is a beach park managed by the County of Santa Barbara. It is also referred to as Hendry's Beach, as the Boathouse at Hendry's Beach is located here at 2981 Cliff Drive. Decent sized parking lot with restaurant that offers moderately priced meals and drinks indoors/outdoors, seven days a week from 7:30am to 9:30pm. Arroyo Burro is a sandy beach, good for surfing, boogie boarding and fishing, with an adjoining park with grassy areas with picnic tables. Restrooms available. From the 101 take Las Positas Road south to Cliff Drive. Turn right and travel 1/2 mile to the park entrance. More information at www.countyofsb.org/810/Arroyo-Burro-Beach

Next to Arroyo Burro is the Douglas Family Preserve, an open space area donated to the City of Santa Barbara in 1997. The space contains walking trails, ocean views and offers off-leash beach fun for the doggies! sbparksandrec.santabarbaraca.gov/parks/douglas-family-preserve

CLICK THIS LINK FOR A COMPILATION OF SANTA BARBARA AREA BEACHES

Beaches Spanning From Carpinteria Through Ventura County to Malibu

My kids and I love going to the beach but for many years we seemed to go to the same ones all the time. So I stopped by the Automobile Club and asked them if they had a brochure on all the local area beaches open to the public. They shrugged their shoulders and said no such guidebook existed. They handed me a fold out map, which was of no use to me as I wanted to know exactly how to get to these beaches, if they have restrooms, parking, etc.

Then I started searching around for information and found bits and pieces in various locations that were marginally useful. So I decided to consolidate this information into one place where I could find out about where to go to the beach around Ventura County on up the coast to Carpinteria and Santa Barbara and down to Malibu. So I hope you find the following links helpful in finding local area beaches in Ventura County and surrounding areas!

Carpinteria to Ventura

Oxnard to Hueneme to Malibu

Santa Barbara Area Beaches

This took a lot of time to compile over 60 local area beach areas, so I truly hope you benefit from these lists! So enjoy and provide feedback if you have comments and/or additional information.

At Leo Carrillo State Beach in Malibu.

Windsurfers at Surfers' Point in Ventura.

Ventura Harbor Village

Ventura Harbor Village at 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura is home to 33 acres of harborside activities, shopping and restaurants.  The weather is always so cool over there it makes for a nice retreat.

Go for a walk along the boardwalk or at the beach or enjoy activities like kayaking, sailing, pedal boats, sport-fishing and cruises. Ventura Harbor Village hosts events and activities year-round, including music performances, kids' activities, themed events, festivals and more.

Eateries at Ventura Harbor Village include Andria's Seafood Restaurant, Baja Bay Surf N' Taco, Boatyard Pub, Brophy Bros. Clam Bar & Restaurant, Coastal Cone Ice Cream, Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room, Le Petit Cafe, Bakery & Restaurant, Margarita Villa Mexican Restaurant, On The Alley, The Greek Mediterranean Steak & Seafood, The Loose Cannon Bar/Arcade/Restaurant, The Parlor, and Wild Local Seafood Co. You won't go hungry here.

The Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center is located adjacent to Ventura Harbor Village. Free admission and an awesome resource for learning more about the Channel Islands and its protected habitat.

Island Packers at the Harbor has numerous boat rides and is the only authorized concessionaire to transport folks to Channel Islands National Park. 

Ventura Boat Rentals rents out electric boats, paddle boats, kayaks, power boats and charters cruises in the Ventura Harbor.  So much fun to be had!

Across the street from Ventura Harbor Village is beach access at Harbor Cove Beach (a safe beach protected by jetties) and Surfer's Knoll Beach. Local area beaches at THIS LINK.

More information at www.venturaharborvillage.com or call 805.642.8538 (or 877.89.HARBOR).

Apricot Lane Farms in Moorpark

Apricot Lane Farms, the regenerative farm featured in The Biggest Little Farm documentary, is open to visit every Saturday and Sunday.

FARM TOURS - learn about regenerative farming on a guided walking tour | 9 AM & 1 PM Saturday and Sunday | TICKETS: https://alfsummer25.eventbrite.com. Get 20% off with code "locallove"

FARMSTAND - Biodynamic fruits vegetables, pastured eggs and meat, and more (free entry)

CERTIFIED WILDLIFE HABITAT GARDEN - enjoy the beauty of nature and picnic on the garden lawn (free entry)

Located at 10700 Broadway Road, Moorpark. Learn more at www.apricotlanefarms.com.

Ventura County Area Parks

There are hundreds of parks in Ventura County and surrounding areas. DOZENS of them are described in the Kid Fun section of CVG with pics and videos for you to check out!

But here is a compilation with links to all the various parks in the area.

Agoura Hills: www.agourahillscity.org/department/community-services-parks-recreation/parks-facilities/parks (6 parks)

Calabasas: www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/parks-trails-and-facilities (8 parks)

Gates Canyon Park in Calabasas (Remodeled in 2024)

Camarillo: www.pvrpd.org/parks-list (28 active and passive use parks)

Malibu: www.malibucity.org/Facilities (6 parks)

Moorpark: www.moorparkca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/94 (18 parks)

Oak Park: rsrpd.org/parks/oak_park/parks/index.php (10 parks)

Ojai: www.ojairec.com/221/City-Parks (8 parks)

Oxnard: www.oxnard.gov/public-works/parks/find-a-park (36 parks)

Port Hueneme: www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/index.aspx?nid=553 (7 parks)

Santa Paula: spcity.org/300/Parks-Facilities (11 parks)

Simi Valley: rsrpd.org/parks/simi_valley/parks/index.php (37 parks)

Conejo Valley (Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park/Westlake Village) www.crpd.org/parks-reservations/parks (51 parks)

Thousand Oaks Community Park

Ventura: www.cityofventura.ca.gov/1952/City-Parks (24 parks)

County of Ventura Beach Front Parks: venturacounty.gov/parks-department/beach-front-parks (3 parks)

County of Ventura Inland Parks: venturacounty.gov/parks-department/inland-parks (13 parks)

Westlake Village: www.wlv.org/city_services/parks-rec.asp (8 parks)

101 Escape Rooms in Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks

101 Escape Rooms has two locations in the Conejo Valley - 31139 Via Colinas #210, Westlake Village, across the street from the Four Seasons Westlake Village and on the ground level of the outdoor shops section of The Oaks shopping mall in Thousand Oaks (just opened).

Open 7 days a week. Hours vary by day. Offering interactive fun trying to escape from a room, using puzzles and clues.

Learn more at www.101escaperooms.com. Phone numbers are (747) 222-7638 (WLV) and (805) 750-2644 (T.O.).