Alumni Park at Pepperdine University

Situated in front of Pepperdine's Malibu campus at 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, Alumni Park is a beautiful 30 acre expanse of lawn, rolling hills, ponds and coral trees. The two ponds are actually open reservoirs (about 40,000 square feet each) of reclaimed water, but add beauty and serenity to the park. Intramural games are played in the flat field area, and picnics can be held under the scenic coral trees lining the crest of the park.

You cannot ask for a more serene setting overlooking the Pacific Ocean on a Sunday afternoon...unless of course I'm there with my kids.  This park is not geared towards children in that there is no playground facility, etc.  But...if you're looking for a very inexpensive, yet wonderful, peaceful and romantic date, bring a picnic basket and blanket to this park with your significant other and take in the unbelievable views.

If you are looking for peace, quiet and the most amazing views of the Pacific Ocean, stop by Alumni Park in front of Pepperdine University in Malibu. Pepperdine students are blessed to have such an incredible location.

Ventura Improv Company

Ventura Improv Company has performed at 34 North Palm Street locations for 27 years, since 1994. The group announced in December 2016 that it will not be renewing its lease here in mid-January 2017 but will continue to perform and teach at other spaces in the area, including the Bell Arts Factory and Namba. 

In addition to live improv on Fri/Sat nights, VIC offers improv and acting workshops for all ages. 

More information at www.venturaimprov.com or call 805.643.5701.

Trout Dale in Agoura (Local Fishing Fun!) (CLOSED)

Trout Dale appears to be closed as of 2017. No word on future plans for the site.

Try your luck at local fishing at Troutdale, 2468 Troutdale Drive, Agoura, just off Kanan Road before Triunfo Canyon.  Troutdale has been around for 40 years and has two ponds nicely stocked with fish.

For $7 per person (as of June 2016; pricing hasn't changed for years), you get a bamboo fishing pole, corn bait and bucket.  For another $5 you can buy worm bait, which we did. Admission is applicable whether or not you fish there.

My boys loved it there, though for the wrong reasons...they quickly lost interest in fishing as they were fascinated by the worms (which we subsequently brought home and now reside in our lawn).

If you catch a fish, you can't throw it back in the pond. Fish prices range from $6 for a 10 inch fish to $11 for fish 15+ inches. Cleaning available for $1.50 per fish. $20 penalty for throwing a fish back in the pond.

Hours (as of June 2016) are 10am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 7pm Saturday/Sunday. Open on all school holidays.

For more information and pictures, visit www.allyoucanfish.com.

Grasslands Trail to Rock Pool Hike in Malibu Creek State Park

Click the image below to learn about the 3 mile round-trip Grasslands Trail hike to the popular Rock Pool area in Malibu Creek State Park.

Page Museum / La Brea Tar Pits

The La Brea Tar Pits has the largest collection of Ice Age plants and animal fossils in the world.  Over the last 100 years, more than 3 million bones, plants, bugs and other items have been retrieved from the oily asphalt that continues to ooze up out of the ground at Rancho La Brea in the heart of Los Angeles.  These bones are between 10,000 to 40,000 years old.

The Page Museum located at the La Brea Tar Pits displays many of these bones...giant mammoths, saber tooth cats, ground sloths, bears, wolves, bison and a whole assortment of animals.  The museum is open 361 days per year from 9:30am to 5pm, closed only for Independence Day, Christmas Day, Thanksgiving Day and New Year's Day.  We visited on a Sunday and were amazed by the fact that half a dozen scientists were hard at work in this amazing "fish bowl" laboratory, cleaning and restoring fossils while we watched.

Outside, you can walk around and see the gooey sticky tar-like asphalt, including "Pit 91," where the annual excavation of Ice Age fossils has taken place since 1969. 

This is a great place to take the kids, for both education and for a fun, active excursion.

Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits is located at 5801 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles 323.934.PAGE (7243) Visit www.tarpits.org for more information.

Ojai Valley Trail

The Ojai Valley Trail is a 9 to 10 mile trail that parallels Highway 33 from Foster Park on the outskirts of west Ventura, to Soule Park in Ojai. One side of the trail is paved for bicyclists, walkers, joggers and people exercising their pets. Post-and-rail wood fence separates the paved path from a dirt bridle path for horseback riders. Sections wind through wooded areas and past riverbeds. While most of the path is offset from Highway 33 (the main thoroughfare in Ojai), it does have a number of street crossings. If staying in Ojai and you run or bike, you will no doubt cross paths with this path!

At Foster Park, the Ojai Valley Trail connects with the 6.3 mile Ventura River Trail, which in turn extends to the Omer Rains Trail along the Ventura beachfront.

Ojai Valley Trail near Foster Park

Cory Kruseman's Sprint Car and Midget Driving School in Ventura

Cory Kruseman's Sprint Car and Midget Driving School at Seaside Park in Ventura (Ventura County Fairgrounds) give Fans and Race Car Driver some safe seat time and instruction in a Sprint Car or Ford. Their team takes pride in teaching each student how to safely operate these race cars, from teaching you to dress in safety equipment to taking the checkered flag.

Cory is a professional race car driver and knows quality equipment is what makes a winning formula and provides the most up to date race cars at the school.

Visit www.Kruseman.com or call 805.649.1243 for more information.

Explorers' Emporium in Simi Valley (CLOSED)

Update 11/3/17: Owners announced via Facebook that they will be moving out of state 1/1/18 but that their online store will remain open.

Explorers' Emporium in Simi Valley offers a large assortment of items for creative types in Ventura County and beyond. One of the most unique stores in the local area, there's an entire section containing replicas of dinosaur teeth, shark teeth and other items. There is a huge assortment of archery supplies, Dungeons & Dragons gaming, crafts, steampunk, Renaissance Faire costumes, science projects, board games and much more.

Located in the Stone Gate Shopping Center at 5766 E. Los Angeles Avenue (at Yosemite). Explorers' Emporium opened in Summer 2015 but its owners have been providing creative, science and learning programs to the local community for over 25 years.

Emplorers' Emporium offers a variety of programs, both on-site and at local schools and organizations, including fossil/dinosaur programs, archaic man programs, Dungeon and Dragons encounters, science/nature workshops, Magic: the Gathering sessions, Tandy leather classes, miniature/figurine painting, music, gaming and more. Visit explorersemporium.com/programs.html for details.

Learn more at explorersemporium.com or call 805.791.3002.

Dinosaur tooth and claw replicas...I bought a T rex tooth!

Park View Trail in Dos Vientos Section of Newbury Park

The Park View Trail is a short little 1/2 mile trail adjacent to Dos Vientos Community Park in Newbury Park. There are two main access points. There is a trailhead near the corner of Rancho Dos Vientos and Via Rincon at the southwest corner of the park, and there is another trailhead on Via Ricardo, one block east of Via Pisa.

Views of Dos Vientos Community Park from the Park View Trail.

This short hike is perfect with the kids as it is not too strenuous and is adjacent to the park. Good for a quick getaway. There's also at least one geocache on this trail that's pretty cool.

Moderate trail it is. Not too steep, yet not completely flat.

View of the Edison power lines going up Conejo Mountain from Park View Trail.

Nice quick access to views of the park, Dos Vientos, the Powerline Trail and beyond. And speaking of the Powerline trail, the trailhead is directly across the street from the west end of the trail.

Trailhead on west side of Park View Trail off of Via Ricardo

Interested in other Dos Vientos trails? Learn about the El Rincon, El Cerro and Las Brisas trails and the nearby (access point just south on Via Ricardo) Vista Del Mar Trail.

Levity Live Comedy & Dinner Theater Coming to The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard

When it comes to having a good laugh nothing beats live comedy, and Levity Live Comedy & Dinner Theater at The Collection at RiverPark is Oxnard's place to catch top stand-ups throughout the week. Whether it's SNL legends like Kevin Nealon and Jon Lovitz; stars of TV and film like Craig Robinson, Mo'Nique and Jay Mohr; or hot national headliners like Ralphie May, Bobby Lee and Carlos Mencia, Levity Live brings the funniest comics around to the stage. The club also features a full restaurant and cocktails galore, so you can make a night of it. Learn more at oxnard.levitylive.com/calendar.

DISCOUNTED TICKETS TO UPCOMING LEVITY LIVE SHOWS AT GOLDSTAR.COM

Fossil Trail Loop Hike in Point Mugu State Park

If you have two to three hours to spare and are looking to do about six miles of strenuous local hiking, consider trying the Fossil Trail loop in Point Mugu State Park, starting at the adjacent Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa managed by the National Park Service in Newbury Park . If you're looking for a FLAT hike, this one isn't for you! Click the image below for detailed information and photos.

Chumash Trail in Simi Valley

The Chumash Trail in Simi Valley is a roughly 2.7 mile trail that takes you from near Chumash Park to the trailhead at the north end of Flanagan Drive to the Rocky Peak Trail. It is a moderate, uphill trail with plenty of views of Simi Valley. No trees and thus no shade. Dogs allowed on leash.

To get to the Chumash Trail trailhead, take the 118 to Yosemite, go north, turn right on Flanagan to the end. Park on the street. More information at www.rsrpd.org/simi_valley/trails/chumash_park_and_trail.php.

Sandstone formations appear on the upper portion of the trail.

Point Mugu Missile Park in Port Hueneme

Click the image for information regarding the Naval Base Ventura County "Missile Park" open to the public from sunrise to sunset daily.