Heritage Square Oxnard - Historic Tours

Visit Heritage Square in Oxnard for an information-filled tour of the historic structures of Heritage Square and learn more about Oxnard.

Docent led tours are Sunday through Friday from 10am to 4pm for $7 per guest and Saturdays from 11am to 2pm for $5 per guest. The tours are 45-55 minutes long and include 3 interiors and 8 exteriors of the 15 structures on this block. Tours start at the Heritage Square Visitor Center at 715 South A Street, next to the water tower.

More information at www.heritagesquareoxnard.com.

Harmon Canyon Preserve in Ventura

Established in 2020, the Harmon Canyon Preserve is owned and managed by the Ventura Land Trust. The 2,100 acre preserve located at 7511 Foothill Road, Ventura (just west of Kimball Road) contains about 6 1/2 miles of well-maintained trails in the canyons and hills. It is the largest permanently protected open space in the Ventura area with public access.

Open to hikers, bikers and runners. Dogs on leash allowed, but only to the 1.8 mile marker. Open daily, sunrise to sunset.

Plenty of free parking is available at the preserve trailhead off of McVittie Place (at Foothill Road).

More details and trail map at www.venturalandtrust.org/harmoncanyon.

Entrance to parking area and trailhead off of McViittie Place.

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.

Peter Strauss Ranch in Agoura Hills

Peter Strauss Ranch sign on Kanan Road southbound before Troutdale.

The 64 acre Peter Strauss Ranch is located at the juncture of Troutdale Drive and Mulholland Highway in Agoura Hills. The property is managed by the National Park Service (NPS) and is part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It features a ranch house, .6 mile hiking trail, restrooms and an amphitheater area.

To get to the ranch area, park in the main lot, then take the short trail near the entrance north to the bridge that crosses Triunfo Creek.

Parking lot access off of Mulholland Highway on northeast side of ranch.

Bridge on Mulholland that crosses Triunfo Creek to the Ranch Entrance.

Entrance to the Ranch, seen at the juncture of Troutdale and Mulholland.

The Ranch has quite a history. According to the NPS, auto manufacturer Harry Miller bought the ranch at the turn of the 20th century as his weekend retreat. He built many of the structures on the site in the 1920s, including the stone ranch house, lookout tower and aviary.  He lost the ranch in the Depression.

Warren Shobert and Arthur Edeson purchased the ranch in the 1930s and created “Shoson”—a fairyland of charm and a paradise for children and adults. Later, a dam was constructed on Triunfo Creek, creating a small lake. The resort was renamed “Lake Enchanto.” Competition from other, larger amusement parks and resorts led to the decline of Lake Enchanto. It fell into disrepair and closed around 1960.

Actor Peter Strauss purchased the property in 1976, restored the site, lived there until 1983, and later sold it to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.  The NPS purchased the ranch in 1987 and the site will be preserved as part of our local natural and cultural history.

Here is the ruins of the 650,000 gallon Lake Enchanto pool on the Peter Strauss Ranch site. The circular pool was 125 feet in diameter, ranging in depth from 2 to 9 1/2 feet. The pool was said to be the largest filtered, fresh-water swimming pool in California.

More on the history of the Peter Strauss Ranch at peterstrauss.net/storyofranch.html.

Visit the NPS Peter Strauss Ranch page at www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/straussranch.htm.

Lake Enchanto ad from the early 1940s.

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

Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail in Thousand Oaks

The Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail is about a mile hike that is great to do with the kids near the Los Robles Trail in Thousand Oaks.

Get there by taking Moorpark Road south of the 101 until it ends at Greenmeadow Avenue. Turn right and drive about half a mile to the parking lot.

Signs along the Oak Creek Canyon Whole Access Interpretative Trail are in braille.

The first .4 mile section of trail is called the Oak Creek Canyon Whole Access Interpretive Trail and is a mostly shaded oak grove area that is accessible by all, including equestrians, bicycles, hikers, wheelchairs, disabled and blind individuals. There is actually a "guide cable" along the fence as well as informational signs in braille.

One of three picnic benches along the Interpretive Trail.

There is a restroom, drinking fountain and picnic bench at the trailhead as well as two other picnic tables and a bench on this portion of the trail. There is also abundant poison oak on the sides of the trails, so be careful to stay on the trail.

At the end of the Interpretive Trail section of the loop, you reach a well maintained dirt trail through the chaparral that is a bit more challenging and ok for most kids. There's a few moderate hills to be aware of, making it somewhat of a challenge with a stroller but in my opinion, a do-able challenge. And of course, you can always turn around and take the Interpretive Trail back. 

The loop trail continues on the left.

One of the moderate hills on the trail.

You go about .4 mile back towards Greenmeadow. Before you get to the street you will see a bench on the west side of the trail. Do be aware that there is no sidewalk on this section of Greenmeadow as you walk back towards the parking area. More information and a map available on the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at cosf.org/trails/los-robles.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Military History Museum at the Simi Valley Town Center

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10049 and Simi Valley Town Center host an impressive display of historic military posters and memorabilia at the VFW Military History Museum.

Hundreds of military posters and historical artifacts are on display that were graciously provided by local veterans and collectors. Artifacts include old weapons, munitions, posters, newspapers, uniforms and much more. Several Vietnam Veterans were on hand, imparting stories and background information to us as we strolled around.

Hours are 11am to 4pm on weekends and noon to 3pm on Wednesdays. There is no admission fee, though donations are encouraged to support local veterans.

Call 805.583.9722 for more information.

Military Mule with armament (not live of course lol) on display.

Oakbrook Vista Trail in Thousand Oaks

The Oakbrook Vista Trail is a moderate out and back climb that provides nice panoramic views of the Lang Ranch area of Thousand Oaks. Access to the trail is on the south side of Lang Ranch Parkway, just east of Westlake Boulevard. See access point below.

The first portion is a narrow trail that zig zags its way to a bench, where you can rest and enjoy the views. But I'd estimate this is only 1/4 of a mile, so keep going if you're game!

After the bench, the trail opens up and continues up and up and up and if you reach the top, roughly a mile or so up the hill, you'll be enjoying 360 degree views towards Boney Mountain on the west, Lang Ranch/Woodridge trails on the north and more.

Same view as above, in May 2020.www.cosf.org/website/html/oakbrook-vista-trail.html

For a trail map and additional information, visit the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at cosf.org/trails/lang-ranch/lang-ranch-woodridge-easy-hike-oakbrook-vista-trail.

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.

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.

Libbey Bowl and Libbey Park in Ojai

Libbey Bowl and Libbey Park are located in the heart of Ojai near the corner of Ojai Avenue and Signal Street. Libbey Bowl was originally built in 1957 and has been used for the annual Ojai Music Festival, Storytelling Festival, Ojai Day event, holiday celebrations and many other community events through the years. Beginning in 2008, the bowl was renovated and in 2011 was reopened with a new look and design. It accommodates 1,300 people. Learn more about Libbey Bowl at www.libbeybowl.org.

Both Libbey Bowl and Libbey Park are named after Ojai's greatest benefactor, Edward Libbey, a glass manufacturer from Toledo, Ohio. Libbey donated the park to the city in 1917. In front of the park is a shaded pergola along the main "arcade" section of Downtown Ojai.

The park contains a community playground that was designed and built with the help of over 500 volunteers in 2015.

This is a photo of the OLD play structure that was replaced in October 2015.

The new playground!

There are also plenty of benches and seating areas, restrooms, shade trees and tennis courts at Libbey Park. Learn more on the City of Ojai website at www.ojairec.com/460/Libbey-Park.

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.

The Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar

The Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar houses a spectacular collection of over 130 antique, vintage, black iron and classic automobiles. A truly gorgeous collection of cars, including numerous winners of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and other famed auto shows.

Particularly eye opening is the sheer number of different car manufacturers on display that I'd never heard of, like Tucker, Simplex, Cord, REO, Maybah, Ruxton, Westinghouse, Pierce-Arrow, Moon etc as well as autos made by Daimler, Rolls Royce, Cadillac, Packard, Lincoln, Ford, Duesenberg, Oldsmobile, Bugatti and others. There is also a large number of hood ornaments, headlamps and other vintage paraphernalia on display.

The Nethercutt Museum is open for self-guided tours 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Thursday through Saturday. Admission is just $5 and is free for children 12 and under. Visit www.nethercuttcollection.org for more information. Open to all ages.

Located at 15151 Bledsoe Steet, Sylmar. When I went I took the 101 east to the 405 south towards Santa Clarita, which becomes the 5 freeway. Get off at Roxford exit east (exit 159A; don't get confused and take the NEXT Roxford exit). Turn right on Roxford, right on San Fernando Road and left on Bledsoe. Museum is a few blocks up on the left hand side. Turn left on Bradley (at Bledsoe) and an immediate left into the parking lot.

Outside the Museum you can walk through a 1912 Pullman Rail Car and a 1937 Canadian Pacific Royal Hudson Locomotive. Open twice a day (weather permitting) at 12:30 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. for 15 minutes.

In addition to the main Museum, next door at 15200 Bledsoe is The Nethercutt Collection, which has over 50 automobiles along with what they call the world's finest assemblage of mechanical musical instruments. Admission here is also free but you must make reservations for the 2 hour docent-led tour, kids must be 12 and older, and no video recording or flash photography is allowed. Tours are currently offered at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.