Painting with a Twist in Camarillo

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Painting with a Twist is located at 2298 E. Ventura Boulevard in Old Town Camarillo (at the intersection of Arneill), next to the El Rey Cantina.

Painting with a Twist provides customers with paint, a canvas and brushes that lead to a fun evening with friends and a finished piece of art.  And yes, you receive professional instruction to create your work of art as well as access to wine.

For updates, visit paintingwithatwist.com/camarillo.

Universal Studios Hollywood

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Universal Studios Hollywood includes a full-day, movie-based theme park and Studio Tour, the CityWalk entertainment, shopping and dining complex, the Universal CityWalk Cinemas and the Gibson Amphitheatre concert and special event venue.

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The theme park features such groundbreaking attractions as "Revenge of the Mummy The Ride," "Shrek 4-D™," "Jurassic Park® The Ride" and the world-renowned Studio Tour, which takes guests behind-the-scenes of such landmark TV and movie locations and sets as Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds."

There is an upper and lower lot at Universal Studios. The upper lot is where to catch the Studio Tour, Simpsons Ride, Special Effects Stage, WaterWorld, Animal Actors, House of Horrors and more. The lower lot is a long series of escalators down to the Jurassic Park water ride and Revenge of the Mummy ride.

Universal Studios is great. However, I will say that my 5 and 8 year olds seemed to get antsy here quickly, even with characters like Shrek, Spongebob, Curious George, The Simpsons and Scooby Doo in abundance. The rides are not particularly geared towards young kids. And while the Studio Tour is awesome, but even with the fun sights and narration (and of course Jaws, King Kong, earthquake and othe spectacular effects), at 45 minutes, the ride for some little ones may be a bit long. Just wanted to get that out there...not that you'll necessarily have the same experience as me!

Universal CityWalk features many entertainment-themed restaurants, nightclubs, shops and dynamic entertainment options. CityWalk alone is plenty of entertainment for the better part of a day. There are 19 theaters, including an 8-story IMAX®. There's indoor skydiving with iFLY Hollywood, Jillian's Hi Life Lanes (bowling and games), Jon Lovitz Comedy Club and more.

One thing we did was to purchase a 2 day pass, which allowed us to stay half a day at the park and then hang out on Citywalk. One other word of caution. We visited on December 31, 2010. Big M-I-S-T-A-K-E! It was horrendously crowded and the lines were crazy and packed with out of towners here for the Rose Bowl. So I'd advice against that if you are a local. But our return trip in April was perfectly fine. Lines were not bad at all :> Visit www.universalstudioshollywood.com for more information.

The Simpsons' Krustyland Virtual Coaster Ride and The Flintstones BBQ. One of many long escalators from lower to upper lot. Getting a bit wet at the end of the Jurassic Park ride.

The Simpsons Family as popular as ever!

Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills

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Located at 28914 Roadside Drive in Agoura Hills, Whizin Market Square is an eclectic mix of shops, eateries, services and entertainment.

As of July 2022, restaurants and entertainment at the Square include The Canyon Club, Wood Ranch BBQ, Tifa Chocolate, Sage Plant Based Bistro & Brewery, Plata Taqueria, Carrara Pastries, Blue Table an Two Doughs Pizza.

You will find a variety of very unique, non-franchise type stores in here, including antiques, The Flying Owl Paper Boutique, beauty stores and more. Visit the Whizins Facebook page at www.facebook.com/WhizinMarketSquare and website at www.whizinmarketsquare.com for more information.

Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center

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The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center is a 220 seat theater at 3050 Los Angeles Avenue that hosts musicals, concerts, exhibits, children's theater and other events year-round.  The theater is a landmark Gothic structure built in the 1920s that was named as Ventura County Historical Landmark #67 in July 1981.  The building has served numerous purposes since inception and became the Cultural Arts Center in November 1995. 

For more information visit www.simi-arts.org or call 805.583.7905 (administrative office) or the box office at 805.583.7900.

The Young Artists Ensemble - Thousand Oaks

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Since 1981, talented kids between the ages of 10 to 19 have performed with The Young Artists Ensemble in Thousand Oaks.  Over 6,000 people attend YAE events each year and shows are all family friendly. YAE presents six or seven productions each year.

Performances take place at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 West Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks.  Phone is 805.381.2747.

For tickets, contact the box office at 805.381.1246 or visit www.yaeonline.com.

Oceanview Pavilion - Performing Arts Theater in Pt. Hueneme

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Theater by the Beach at Oceanview Pavilion

The Oceanview Pavilion located at 575 E. Surfside Drive in Port Hueneme (directly across from the beach) offers concerts, theater, fairs, shows and a variety of other events for all ages.  The venue has a capacity for up to 1400 people and can be rented out for special events. Banquet hall can accommodate 450 guests. A full bar is available.  For more information, visit www.oceanviewinfo.com or call the box office at 805.986.4818.

Elite Theatre Company in Oxnard

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The Elite Theatre Company (ETC) has been entertaining, educating and enriching its audience since 1994. It is located at the Fisherman's Wharf at Channel Islands Harbor at 2731 S. Victoria Avenue, Oxnard.

ETC brings together the local talents of amateurs and professionals who share a passion for theater and who generously volunteer their time on the stage and behind the scenes. This collaboration creates a variety of quality live theatrical productions showcased in ETC's unique setting.

ETC is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization as well as a proud member of the Four Star Theater Awards Committee and the alliance of Ventura County Theaters.

Learn more at www.theelite.org.

Ventura County Wine Trail

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Ventura County Wine Trail offers 14 family-owned, award winning wineries right here in Ventura County and adjacent areas! Unique wine tasting tours, five star restaurants, luxury hotels, wine events and attractions, make an amazing wine country destination getaway.

Visit www.venturacountywinetrail.com.

Here are the 14 wineries (updated April 2019) that are part of this trail.

Alma Sol Winery in Thousand Oaks www.almasolwinery.com

Back Patio Cellars in Camarillo www.backpatiocellars.com

Boccali Vineyards and Winery in Ojai www.boccalivineyards.com

Camarillo Custom Crush Winery www.camarillocustomcrush.com

Clos des Amis in Ventura www.closdesamis.com

Herzog Wine Cellars in Oxnard www.herzogwinecellars.com

Labyrinth Winery and Tasting Room in Ventura www.LabyrinthWinery.com

Magnavino Cellars in Oxnard www.magnavino.com

Malibu Sundowner in Westlake Village www.malibusundownerwines.com

Millesime Cellars in Camarillo www.millesimecellars.com

Panaro Brothers Winery in Ventura www.panarobrotherswinery.com

Rancho Ventano Cellars in Oxnard www.ranchoventavo.com

Strey Cellars in Oxnard www.StreyCellars.com

Sunland Vintage Winery and Tasting Room in Thousand Oaks www.SunlandVintageWinery.com

NAMBA Performing Arts Space in Downtown Ventura

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NAMBA is a multi-disciplinary performance space located in Ventura’s historic downtown arts district. The programming focus is on culturally relevant stories that serve our community.

Namba provides the community with an intimate experience where artists entertain and share stories through artistic collaboration, unique programming, showcases, workshops, and classes.

Learn more at nambaarts.com or call 805.628.9250.