Ventura Beach Bike Path

There's a bike path that takes you the entire length of San Buenaventura State Beach. Officially it is called the Omer Rains Trail, named after California State Senator Omer Rains, who served the Ventura County area from 1974 to 1983.

While I don't have the specific start-end points of the Omer Rains Trail, I do know that it's a lot of fun taking the bikes to Marina Park at the south end of San Buenaventura State Beach and taking the bike lane on Pierpont Blvd about a mile to where the beachfront bike path starts at the corner of Pierpont and San Pedro St.

Great bike path along the beach in Ventura! Nice and flat with cool ocean breezes, with several restrooms available.

Speaking of restrooms, I've always been a bit puzzled by these odd shaped ones at San Buenaventura State Beach.

From there, the two-lane bike meanders along the beach to the Ventura Pier and up the Ventura Promenade to Surfers' Point. On weekends it can get a little crowded around here with pedestrians, other cyclists and beachgoers, so do be careful.

The bike path goes under the Ventura Pier.

From Surfers' Point, you can continue taking the bike path north/northwest to Emma Wood State Beach, cycling around the Ventura Beach RV Resort, past the City of Ventura's Seaside Wilderness Park, then on up the coast. Or if you want, veer right on Main Street and make your way over to the Ventura River Trail that takes you up to Ojai.

Northwest portion of Omer Rains Trail (Map courtesy of City of San Buenaventura)

Or just turn back and enjoy the views, perhaps stopping and having lunch on a bench overlooking the ocean. Or make your way up to Downtown Ventura and grab a bite to eat. 

Ventura bike path headed south from Emma Wood State Beach towards Ventura Beach

Gardens of the World - Thousand Oaks

Gardens of the World at 2001 Thousand Oaks Boulevard is a 4 1/2 acre garden across from the Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks.  It is free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last admittance is 4:30 p.m.)  Closed Sunday and Monday and most national holidays. Gardens of the World is a gift from the Hogan Family Foundation.

Gardens of the World is an oasis of beauty in the middle of Thousand Oaks. There is a large bandstand in the center of the Gardens that is a perfect venue for outdoor music.  And the array of plants, flowers, waterfalls (including a stunning fountain that looks out toward the Civic Arts Plaza) and a serene koi pond next to an authentic Japanese Pagoda.

There is a Japanese garden, a French garden and waterfall (shown above), a Mission Courtyard, an English perennial and rose garden and an Italian garden.  A beautiful place to visit and relax for a bit, right in the heart of Thousand Oaks.  Also a great place for a picnic lunch, with plenty of tables, benches and grassy areas. More information at www.gardensoftheworld.info or 805.557.1135.

I never promised you a rose garden...but here's a beautiful one to check out!

Koi pond in the Japanese Garden

Shaded picnic area

MORE GARDENS OF THE WORLD IMAGES AT THIS LINK

Since 2003, Gardens of the World has hosted a great Jazz Series on Sunday afternoons in August in this traditional American Bandstand area.

Dog Parks In and Around Ventura County

Here's a compilation of parks in and around Ventura County as well as adjacent areas that have off-leash opportunities for your pooches. The days and times indicated below are subject to change; links to the local recreation and park districts are provided.

Thousand Oaks

Conejo Creek Dog Park at 1350 E. Avenida de las Flores is a 3 1/2 acre dog park with separate sections for large and small (30 lbs or less) dogs. Open daily 7 am to 10 pm; closed Thursdays 7-9 am and all day the 3rd Thursday of each month. www.crpd.org/parks-reservations/dog-parks.

Additionally, Conejo Recreation and Park District opened three smaller off-leash area dog parks in 2015 at Estella Park, 300 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks, Kimber Park, 3295 Bear Creek Road, Newbury Park and Walnut Grove Park, 400 Windtree Avenue, Thousand Oaks. These areas do not have grass. More details at www.crpd.org/parks-reservations/dog-parks.

Westlake Village

The 1.2 acre Westlake Village Dog Park opened to the public on July 21, 2018. The park features small and large dog areas, shade shelter with seating, pet wash stations and more. Located at the southwest corner of West Oak Crest Drive and Agoura Road. On street parking available. More info at www.wlv.org/420/Westlake-Village-Dog-Park.

Camarillo

The Friends of Camarillo Dog Parks is a volunteer organization that looks out for the needs of pooches and their owners in the Camarillo area. Learn more at www.camarillodogparks.com. They work with the Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District to support dog parks in the city, which include:

Mission Oaks Park at 5501 Mission Oaks Boulevard has a designated off-leash area open the following time frames: Monday - Friday: 4pm-Dusk; Saturday - Sunday: Dawn-Dusk. Learn more at www.pvrpd.org/mission-oaks-park-50cb34c.

Camarillo Grove Park at 6968 E. Camarillo Springs Road has a dedicated dog park that is open daily from 7am to dusk. The entire park is also an off-leash park Mon-Fri. On Sat/Sun, dogs are allowed off-leash only in the enclosed dog park area. You must pay to park here; $3/day weekdays, $5/day weekends and $55 for an annual permit. www.pvrpd.org/camarillo-grove-park.

The Springville Dog Park opened in September 2012 at 801 Via Zamora, Camarillo. Open 7 am to dusk daily; closed Fri mornings until 10:00 am for lawn maintenance. www.pvrpd.org/springville-dog-park.

The Freedom Dog Park at 275 E. Pleasant Valley Road, Camarillo opened in October 2023. This park features lights for night visits. www.pvrpd.org/freedom-dog-park-c1fe3e4

Simi Valley

The Simi Dog Park at 2151 Lost Canyons Drive is open daily from 7 am to dusk and is closed for maintenance on Thursdays from 7 am to 10 am. There's a separate area for large and small dogs. To get to the dog park, enter through Big Sky Park. www.rsrpd.org/business_detail_T9_R44.php

Oak Park

The Oak Canyon Dog Park is located towards the top of Oak Canyon Community Park, 5600 Hollytree Drive. Open 7 am to dusk daily; closed 7 am to 10 am Fridays for maintenance. There are areas for large and small dogs. www.rsrpd.org/business_detail_T9_R31.php

A view from above of the nicely appointed Oak Canyon Dog Park in Oak Park.

Ojai

The County of Ventura maintains the Mitchell Edelson Dog Park at Soule Park, 1301 Soule Park Road, Ojai. Open at 7:30 am daily and closes at 5 pm Nov-Feb, 6 pm Mar and Oct, 7:30 pm Apr, May, Sep and 8 pm Jun-Aug. Parking is $2 per vehicle on weekday; $4 on weekends/holidays. There are areas for larger dogs and dogs under 20 lbs. www.ventura.org/parks-department/mitchell-edelson-dog-park-at-soule-park

Oxnard

There is a designated dog park at College Park, 3250 South Rose Avenue, Oxnard. It is open 7 am to dusk daily. An additional dog park is at Campus Park at 5th and H Streets. Also open dawn to dusk daily. Lastly, Jax’s Windrow Dog Park is located in Windrow Park, 3052 North Ventura Road. www.oxnard.org/city-department/public-works/parks/parks-faq

Ventura

There is a non-gated off-leash dog park area at Arroyo Verde Park at the corner of Foothill and Day Roads in Ventura. It is available for off-leash use Tuesday through Sunday from 6 am to 9 am. 

There's a fenced in dog park at Camino Real Park at Dean Drive and Varsity Street in Ventura. Open every day from dawn to dusk.

More information at THIS LINK.

Calabasas

The Calabasas "Bark Park" is located at 4232 Las Virgenes Road. Park features areas for large and small dogs, doggie drinking fountain, pooper scoopers and waste bins and portable restroom. Open sunrise to 9 pm daily. Closed Thursdays from 7 am to 10 am for maintenance. www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/parks-trails-and-facilities

Moorpark

The City of Moorpark Dog Park is located within College View Park, 15400 Campus Park Drive. The entrance to the dog park is located at the south endpoint of College View Avenue on the southeast corner of the park. It is about 3/4 acre in size, with separate areas for small and large dogs. Open 7am to 5pm daily (7pm during Daylight Saving Time). Closed for maintenance Wednesdays from 7am to noon. There are age restrictions: kids under 6 years old not allowed in the dog park. Ages 6 to 15 are permitted, with adult supervision. More details at www.moorparkca.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Dog-Park-7.

View of the Calabasas Bark Park from the Bark Park Trail.

AREAS IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS THAT ALLOW DOGS ON LEASH

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.

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

Color Me Mine Ceramics Studio in Calabasas

Paint ceramics with your friends and family at Color Me Mine at 23641 Calabasas Road, Calabasas. Pick from hundreds of ceramic pieces for kids, the kitchen, bath, pets and more. Design and paint them any way you like.

More information at www.calabasas.colormemine.com or call 818.222.4922.

Ojai Trolley Service

The City of Ojai has run the Ojai Trolley Service since 1989.

There are two routes - routes A and B, each with 10 stops, most overlapping. Route A services out to Gridley Road, including Whispering Oaks. Route B services the Ojai Valley Inn. All other nine stops on the two routes are the same, starting from Ojai Avenue at the Arcade.

It costs $1.50 to ride the trolley (as of March 2026) or $4 for a day pass. Reduced ($.75/$2) fares for 65+ seniors and disabled/Medicare. Free fares available for children under 45”, seniors 75+.

The trolley runs 7 days a week,  every day of the year except Easter, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.

Hours vary. Route A service starts at 6:36 am on weekdays and 7:06 am on weekends. Route B service starts at 7:06 am on weekdays and 8:06 am on weekends.

For more information and detailed route schedules, visit www.ojaitrolley.com. Fares at www.ojaitrolley.com/184/Fares.

Lake Casitas Recreation Area in Ventura

The Lake Casitas Recreation Area is operated by the Casitas Municipal Water District, which supplies water to 70,000 people and hundreds of farms in western Ventura County, encompassing Ojai, the Ventura River Valley area, the city of Ventura to Mills Road, the Rincon and beach area to the ocean and the Santa Barbara County line.

Lake Casitas is a reservoir that was completed in 1959, with a capacity of 254,000 acre feet. The lake was used for canoeing and rowing events for the 1984 Summer Olympics. While swimming isn’t permitted in the lake because it serves as a water supply, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing are all allowed.

There are a lot of fun things to do in the Lake Casitas Recreation Area:

• Camping: There are over 400 campsites at Lake Casitas. More information and reservations at www.casitaswater.org/recreation/camping.

• The Casitas Water Adventure is a summer water park with a lazy river, splash pad, lagoon and aquatic play structure www.casitaswater.org/casitas-water-adventure

• Boating and Fishing: Described above. You do need to have a fishing license if you are age 16 or older. Boat rentals, fishing licenses, bait and tackle and more is offered at the on-site Casitas Boat Rentals. casitasboatrentals.com

• Picnicking: You can enjoy picnicking and exploring at 13 different picnic areas at Lake Casitas. it’s also a nice place for bike riding. www.casitaswater.org/picnic

• Disc Golf: Coyote Point Disc Golf Course overlooks Lake Casitas and is set in rugged terrain with concrete tee pads. Free of charge. www.casitaswater.org/disc-golf

• Pickleball: There are three pickleball courts at Lake Casitas. www.casitaswater.org/pickleball

Day use hours are 6 am to 7:30 pm daily. $10 entry fee for vehicles during off season (Labor Day to Easter) and $20 on weekends during “on” season (Easter to Labor Day). Or you can be a cheapskate like me and park on Santa Ana Road and walk in. Location is 11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura. For more information, visit www.casitaswater.org/recreation or call 805-649-2233.

Front entry to Lake Casitas Recreation Area in the summer of 2022.

Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center

The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History Sea Center is a fun, engaging, interactive marine education facility located on Stearns Wharf. The Sea Center fulfills the mission of the Museum to inspire a passion for the natural world.

This is a not a huge museum but is worth a stop by with the kids every now and then. There's a shark tank where you can interact with and pet the sharks and other sea life, a 1,500 gallon tidepool tank and various other displays such as an octopus, moray eel, jellyfish, etc. There's also an area of where they dredge up sand and sea life from below and let you sift through it, looking for interesting things under easy to use microscopes.

Make a day of it in Santa Barbara, have lunch, stop by the Chase Palm Park, ride bikes along the beach, shop and eat on State Street, etc.

The Sea Center is located at 211 Stearns Wharf in Santa Barbara and is open daily between 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve (at Noon), Christmas Day, and New Year's Day. As of March 2026, admission is $17 for ages 18-64, $15 for seniors (65+) and teens (13-17) and $13 for children (2-12). Or purchase a family membership at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and get in FREE anytime you want to both museums! 

For more info visit www.sbnature.org/seacenter or call 805.962.2526.

The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard

The Collection at RiverPark is an outdoor shopping center located on the northeast side of the 101 freeway in Oxnard, between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits.

The 650,000 sq ft center includes a combination of entertainment, retail, restaurants, various services, open space with fountains, parks and playgrounds and quality art. Parking is available on the streets as well as several parking lots.

Here’s a rundown of some of the businesses that operate at The Collection:

Retail: Here’s a small fraction of stores at The Collection - Carter’s, Cotton On, Ethan Allen, H&M, Lane Bryant, lululemon, MAC Cosmetics, Pandora, Pet Food Express, REI, Sleep Number, Soma Intimates, Target, ULTA Beauty, Urban Outfitters, Vans, Victoria’s Secret, Whole Foods Market, Pacsun, Roadrunner Sports, Tillys, Zumiez, and more.

Entertainment: Levity Live Comedy Club & Dinner Theater, Century RiverPark 16, Jump ‘N Jammin Indoor Play. Bowlero, Activate, Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen, Red Door Escape Room, The Mighty Axe, and The Slime Kitchen (coming soon).

Other: Bank of America, 24 Hour Fitness SuperSport, Massage Envy Spa, Ventura County Credit Union and more.

Restaurants include:

• After’s Ice Cream

• bb.q Chicken (Korean Chicken)

• Bottle & Pint (at The Annex)

• Copper Blues Rock Pub & Kitchen

• Five Guys Burgers & Fries

• GEN Korean BBQ

• GOM Snow Desserts

• Gordo’s Hot Chicken -

• Immigrant Son Caffe

• It’s Boba Time

• It’Sugar

• Kabuki Japanese Restaurant

• Larsen’s Grill

• Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar.

• Love Pho Cafe

• Luna Grill

• Menchie's Frozen Yogurt

• Mong Q Mongolian BBQ

• Panera Bread

• Pokeworks

• Pizza Man Dan’s

• Pokeworks

• Ragamuffin Coffee Roasters

• Red Robin

• Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana

• Silverlake Ramen

• Starbucks

• The Blend Superfood Bar (at The Annex)

• The Cheesecake Factory

• Two Hands Corn Dogs

• Wetzel’s Pretzels

• Whole Foods Bar Rincon

• Yard House.

Also at The Collection: The Annex, a 16,000 sq ft collection of micro shops, boutiques and eateries (included above). Across the street from Levity Live/Copper Blues.

There is unique public art placed throughout the center, including metal sculptures, ceramic tile murals, fountains and more. Shea Properties has spent around $1 million on art, bringing in seven artists for 18 individual art installations. Artists include Frank Bauer with his ceramic tile murals and benches and tile sidewalk medallions, and Michael Amescua with his cut metal sculptures.

Visit www.thecollectionrp.com or visit their Facebook page to learn more. To get there from the 101 North, exit on Oxnard Boulevard and turn right. Turn right again on Town Center Drive.

Playground at The Collection

Places that have come and gone from The Collection: Toby Keith's Bar & Grill closed in Spring 2015. Sabra Fish Grill opened in 2015 and closed in late 2017. Famous Dave’s BBQ. Gandolfo’s New York Deli, ANGL. General Chow closed in October 2019, EMC Seafood, Maria’s Italian Kitchen (closed April 2020), Seoul Sausage Company, PokeCeviche, The Painted Cabernet, Ben & Jerry’s, Texas de Brazil Churrascari (2019-2024), Burrata House, Da Hickory House, King & Queen Cantina, The Container Store (closing in 2026).

Murals of Santa Paula

The Murals of Santa Paula is a non-profit organization that has brought 9 murals depicting scenes from the city's history within a few mile radius. The murals are as follows:

1. Trains, Planes & Automobiles (1890s-1940s): 815 Santa Barbara Street

2. Our First Inhabitants: The Chumash Indians: 119 North 8th Street

3. Santa Paula Family Farms (1880s-1930s): 715 East Main Street

4. Santa Paula Citrus Capital of the World: Corner of Main and Davis Streets

5. Main Street Santa Paula (1910): Corner of Main and Mill Streets

6. Celebrating Santa Paula's Latino Culture: Corner of Main and 10th Streets

7. Discovering Black Gold in Santa Paula (1860s-1950s): 123 N. 10th Street

8. Santa Paula Artists and Architects: 136 North 10th Street

9. Honoring Founders and Pilots of Santa Paula Airport (1890s-1940s): 560 E. Main Street

10. Harding Park Mural (Baseball pastime): 1330 East Harvard Blvd.

11. De Colores of the Community (Celebration of life at the Santa Paula Community Center): 530 W. Main Street

Visit spcity.org/743/Murals for more information.

Disc Golf in Ventura County

Looking for disc golf options in Ventura County? You’ve come to the right place. These are all available to the public, free of charge.

The newest disc golf option is at Sapwi Trails Community Park in Thousand Oaks. The course has 19 holes. Hole #1 is located off the parking lot on Avenida de los Arboles at Kensington Drive. The park and course opened in March 2019. and is managed by the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD).

Rabbit Flats Disc Golf Course is located on the west end of Thousand Oaks Community Park, 2525 N. Moorpark Road (next to Thousand Oaks High School). This course opened to the public in May 2010. Park managed by CRPD.

Coyote Point Disc Golf Course is an 18 hole course located at Lake Casitas, 11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura.

Chaparral Park, located at 217 N. Medea Creek Lane in Oak Park, has a newer 10 hole course. Course map at THIS LINK (that link also provides detailed instructions on how to play!). Park is managed by the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District (RSRPD). Learn more at www.rsrpd.org/business_detail_T9_R25.php.

Also managed by RSRPD is a 12 hole disc Sycamore Park Disc Golf Course at Sycamore Park, 855 N. Planetree Avenue, Simi Valley. Detailed map and instructions at THIS LINK.

There is yet another disc golf course located at Sequoia Park, 2150 Tracy Avenue, Simi Valley. Also managed by RSRPD, this is a 9-hole course. Course map and instructions at THIS LINK.

Finally, there is a 9-hole disc golf course located at Lake Piru Recreation Area, 4780 Piru Canyon Road, Piru.

INNOVA Disc Golf Starter Set – Colors May Vary 160-180g – DX Putter, Mid-Range, Driver