California ScienCenter - Exposition Park

My kids and I visit California ScienCenter in Exposition Park from time to time, roughly a 1 hour drive from Thousand Oaks. It is worth the drive. The ScienCenter is built in the location where the first State Exposition Building that opened in 1912.  The redeveloped building is modern and beautiful, with several floors of scientific exhibits of interest to all ages, including Ecosystems, Creative World, World of Life, Air and Space and Science Court. Entrance to the museum is FREE, although donations are greatly appreciated.  Parking is $12 (as of December 2017).

The "World of Life" exhibit on the third floor is a perennial favorite in our family, where we get to see everything from brains and lungs to live cockroaches, termites and animals. There's also a kids' "Discovery Room" with additional fun activities for the younger one.

If you have more time and energy on your trip to Exposition Park, visit the adjacent Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the California African American Museum as well as the Exposition Park Rose Garden (where they have 16,000 or so rose plants).

California ScienCenter is located at 700 State Drive at the corner of S. Figueroa and 39th Street in Exposition Park.  Visit www.californiasciencenter.org or call 323.SCIENCE (724.3623) for more information.

NOTE: AS OF APRIL 2021, TIMED-ENTRY RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED. THERE IS A $3 SERVICE FEE. SEE californiasciencecenter.org/visit/get-reservations-tickets.

The Space Shuttle Endeavor went on a flyover trip to the West Coast atop a Boeing 747 on Friday, September 21, 2012. The Endeavor completed 25 successful space missions between its first mission on May 7, 1992 and its final mission in May 2012 to the International Space Station, now resides at the ScienCenter in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion.

NASA named California ScienCenter one of only three museums in the U.S. to permanently exhibit a retired space shuttle.  We have visited the Endeavor and the exhibit is extraordinarily impressive. Learn more about the Endeavor at californiasciencecenter.org/exhibits/endeavour-experience/space-shuttle-endeavour.

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 April 2021, admission is $10 for ages 16-64, $8 for seniors (65+) and teens (13-17) and $7 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! 

(NOTE: HOURS LIMITED TO WED-SUN 10AM-4PM AS OF APRIL 2021.)

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

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

Malibu Lagoon Field Trips Hosted by Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society

The Santa Monica Bay Audubon Society (SMBAS) hosts Malibu Lagoon Field Trips the 4th Sunday of every month.

Adult Walk starts at 8:30 a.m. for 2-3 hrs. The group meets at the metal-shaded viewing area next to parking lot. SMBAS makes a special effort to make these monthly Malibu Lagoon walks attractive to first-time and beginner birdwatchers. Brings binoculars and cameras.

Metal shaded viewing area next to parking lot.

Children & Parents Walk starts at 10:00 a.m. for a 1 hr session. Meet at metal-shaded viewing area next to parking lot. SMBAS leaders are experienced with kids so by all means bring them down to the beach to enjoy nature. Binoculars will be provided.

Upcoming dates: 9/27/20. (SUBJECT TO CHANGE DUE TO COVID - PRIOR MONTHS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED)

If you have a Scout troop or other group 7 or larger, please call Lu at 310.395.6235 to make sure SMBAS has enough binoculars and docents on hand.

Visit smbasblog.com to learn more.

Directions: Malibu Lagoon is located at the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Cross Creek Road in Malibu. Bring water and sun protection; look around for people wearing binoculars and hats.

Parking: Self-serve parking machine in lot, $3/hr, $12 day ($11 seniors); credit cards accepted. Annual passes accepted. You may also park (read all signs carefully) on PCH west of Cross Creek Road, on Cross Creek Road, or on Civic Center.Way north (inland) of the shopping center. Lagoon parking in shopping center lots is not permitted.

Oceanview Pavilion - Performing Arts Theater in Pt. Hueneme

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.

Scarlett Belle Riverboat Cruises

The Scarlett Belle is a modern riverboat located in the scenic Channel Islands Harbor. The boat can accommodate from 40 to 150 passengers and is a fun, luxurious venue for weddings, parties, corporate events, anniversaries and more...casino nights, graduation parties, public holiday cruises, etc.

For more information, visit www.scarlettbelle.com or call 805.204.0977.

Located at A&M Boat Charters & Cruises at the Marine Emporium Landing at Channel Islands Harbor, 3600 S. Harbor Blvd., #219, Oxnard.

Exit the 101 freeway at Victoria, proceed south on Victoria, at West Channel Islands Blvd, turn right. Go to the second stop light and turn left onto Harbor/ W. Channel Islands Blvd. Go to Cabezone Circle make a left. Into the Marine Emporium. Walk to the back of the three buildings facing the street to the dock where you will see the Scarlett Belle and Sunfish. Free parking.

Two Trees Escape Rooms in Ventura

Two Trees Escape Rooms is located at 2855 Johnson Drive Unit D in Ventura, near Sky Zone Trampoline Park. For those not familiar with escape rooms, they involve being locked in a room to solve a series o puzzles and riddles by gathering clues, hints and hidden objects. The goal is to solve the problem within 60 minutes.

Current room themes include Mystery at the Manor, The Runic Ritual, The 50s Diner and Davy Jones Locker,

Learn more at www.twotreesescaperoom.com.

Bowling Alleys in Ventura County

Click the Bowling Ball for Bowling Alleys in Ventura County

Channel Islands Boat Rides - Island Packers

Since 1968, Island Packers has provided reliable, enjoyable transportation between the Ventura/Oxnard Harbors and the Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary.

Island Packers has scheduled trips departing out of the Ventura and Oxnard Harbors and is the only exclusive boat concessionaire with authorization to transport guests to the Channel Islands National Park. Three 149-capacity catamarans and one 81-passenger mono hull vessel provide half and whole day trips year round to the Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands, with trips to the Santa Barbara, Santa Rosa and San Miguel Islands from mid-April through the fall months.

On a personal note, we've been on Islands Packers boats a number of times and they are a class act. Great service and responsiveness.

Marine Wildlife Cruises (which do not land on the island) depart from the Harbor for 3 hour narrated cruises along the shores of Anacapa or Santa Cruz Island within the Channel Islands Marine Sanctuary. Highlights include sightings of sea lions, harbor seals and marine bird life, along with the opportunity to view whales and dolphins during the channel crossing. Island Packers also offers whale watching cruises - which, depending on the time of year, are a once in a lifetime opportunity to see some of the Pacific's most magnificent creatures. While pods of dolphins can be seen nearly year-round, whales are a far more seasonal bunch:

• Late December-Mid April: Gray whales

• April-September: Humpback and Minke whales

• Summer & Fall: Giant Blue whales- not only the earth's largest mammal, but thought to be the largest known animal ever to have existed.

Whales aren't all these cruises have to offer, however. A trip to the Channel Islands can also mean sightings of rare birds! Though difficult, pelagic birding can be incredibly rewarding - but the real treasure trove is on the Islands themselves.

Santa Cruz Island is also home to the gem of the Channel Islands birding community - the Island Scrub-jay! The Island is the only place in the world this bird is found, and is highly sought after for avid bird enthusiast's 'life lists.'

For schedules, directions, tickets and more information, visit www.islandpackers.com, or call (805) 642-1393. Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Island Packers has two locations:  Ventura Harbor, 1691 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 105B, Ventura and Channel Islands Harbor, 3600 S. Harbor Boulevard, Oxnard.

Hook's Landing Sportfishing in Oxnard

Hook's Landing Sportfishing is located in Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard at 3550 South Harbor Boulevard. Hook's has 2 boats. The Coroloma is a 3/4 day boat that leaves at 6am and returns at about 3pm. The New Hustler and takes you on overnight fishing trips. The Outrider is offered up for all day trips.

More information at www.hookslanding.net or call 805.382.6233.

Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament in Buena Park

Medieval Times is a family-friendly dinner attraction inspired by an 11th century feast and tournament. Guests are served a four-course banquet meal (without utensils, of course) and then cheer for one of six knights competing in the joust and other tests of skill.

You may feel like this is goofy and you're only going for the kids.....but try it out, it's actually a lot of fun and some great entertainment! The tickets aren't "cheap" but when you factor in both the dinner and the great entertainment, it is definitely worth it. We also upgraded our tickets to the VIP/Kings Feast section to get front row seating and it was great!

My 6 year old and I loved the food. Pretty basic but quite tasty menu included tomato bisque, foccacia bread, massive quantity of roasted chicken and ribs that were also quite good, potato, apple strudel and a drink. Really was good. And they do have vegetarian options too.

Gotta love this place. And both the animals and the actors did an amazing job! I captured some scenes from our 2012 visit below.

The Buena Park location is located at 7662 Beach Boulevard, about 60 miles from the Conejo Valley, a mile from Knotts Berry Farm and 5 miles from Disneyland. Visit www.medievaltimes.com for more information.

We are lucky to have one of only 9 Medieval Times locations in North America, with others located in Dallas, Chicago, Atlanta, Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Baltimore, Lyndhurst, NJ and Toronto, Canada.

McCrea Ranch Visitor Center in Thousand Oaks

Opened in 2011, the McCrea Ranch Visitor Center is the former family home and ranch of Western film actor Joel McCrea and his wife and family.  McCrea Ranch is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Center provides a variety of interpretive, educational, and cultural programs for the community, while preserving the unique history of this property through the Conejo Recreation and Park District. At some point and as funds become available in the future, the Visitor Center will be open to the general public. Visit crpd.org/about_us/community_partners/mccrea_ranch_visitor_center.asp for upcoming events at McCrea Ranch or call 805.495.2163.

McCrea Ranch is located at 4500 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks, near the bottom of the Norwegian Grade.

Arsenal Comics & Games in Newbury Park

Arsenal Comics & Games opened its doors on September 23, 2014 and is located at 2333 Michael Drive, Newbury Park. The store serves Ventura County with comics, tabletop games, magic tournaments, Pokemon, video games and more.

I love this store because it provides such a unique array of vintage and new comics that are so fun to look at and, for many collect. 

Boardgaming 1pm to close on Sundays. Friday night magic. And other fun weekly activities.

Visit arsenalcomicsandgames.com or call 805.499.6197 for more info. Open daily 11am to 8pm.