The Sycamore Canyon Nature Center is a small center located near the entrance to Sycamore Canyon Campground in Point Mugu State Park at 9000 Pacific Coast Highway. The center is open on Saturdays from noon to 3pm. Displays cover local wildlife, including specimens of a cougar, bobcat, birds of prey, and more. A volunteer is on hand to provide additional information.
Thornhill Broome Family Campground is located at 9000 Pacific Coast Highway in Point Mugu State Park. The beachfront campground offers 68 tent/RV spaces. There are no hookups for RVs or flush toilets; just chemical toilets and cold outside showers. However, you are camping ON THE BEACH!
Sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Pets are allowed on leash in the campground. Reserve a spot at www.reservecalifornia.com (type in Point Mugu SP to find Thornhill Broome). Be aware that summer months in particular book up way in advance.
Keep in mind that there is no shade when you camp at the beach. So if you don't have an RV, be sure to bring a canopy and/or umbrella.
Thornhill Broome Beach is across from the gigantic sand dune that provides for a great workout and views. And due east is Sycamore Cove and Sycamore Canyon Campground (both also in Point Mugu State Park)...which of course is the most direct path...albeit by foot or bike...to Newbury Park and the Conejo Valley from the beach.
And of course the Sycamore Canyon Campground is across from Sycamore Cove, if you're looking for additional camping possibilities.
Traveling southeast on PCH from Oxnard/Camarillo; this sign tells you you're just about there.
The cool, massive sand dune across from Thornhill Broome Beach (be careful crossing PCH!).
The Arroyo Simi Bike Path is a two lane bike path in Simi Valley that runs from Madera Road, just south of Easy Street on the west, ending at Cochran Avenue between Fig Street and Ralston Street on the east (more recently, the path has been extended east to Tapo Street).
Over seven miles in total. It is also referred to as the Arroyo Simi Greenway.
The Arroyo Simi is a waterway that begins at Corriganville Park in east Simi Valley and extends west all the way through Simi Valley until into merges into Arroyo Las Posas and Conejo Creek into Calleguas Creek. It is managed by the County of Ventura but the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District has access to the pathway for recreational use.
While this path is nowhere near as visually appealing as bike paths along Ventura Beach and such, the Arroyo Simi Bike Path is almost entirely flat and allows passageway along much of Simi Valley from east to west. You can really do a lot of exploration from this artery. We like to park at the East Street entry point and bike to Rancho Simi Community Park (2.2 miles one way), Rancho Santa Susana Park (6 miles one way) and various other areas.
Because this path is so long and flat (and not crowded), it is a nice destination for learning to ride. However, do be aware that there are a number of street crossings where you are asked to walk your bike across. They are protected by lights and signs, however.
Arroyo Simi bike path entry point at Easy Street and Madera.
Arroyo Simi Bike path may not be the most picturesque path but is nicely flat and goes a long way!
There are numerous entry points to the path, which largely parallels Los Angeles Avenue; this one is just east of Ralston off of Los Angeles Avenue.
More information at www.rsrpd.org/business_detail_T9_R7.php
The Conejo Recreation & Park District opened the 60 foot diameter Borchard Park Labyrinth and Fitness Equipment Area in September 2010. Borchard Park is located at 190 Reino Road, Newbury Park. The labyrinth, located in the southeast area of the park, is said to help strengthen memory and concentration and bring clarity by balancing the right brain/left brain.
There are also 3 pieces of outdoor fitness equipment which include a 2 person pull-down, 4 person waist-twist and 4 person leg press.
More information at www.crpd.org/park/borchard-community-park
After much anticipation, the four-lane Sunset Lanes bowling center opened in mid-January 2024 at the Sunset Terrace Restaurant & Lounge at Janss Marketplace, 235 Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks.
I had the good fortune to be walking by on apparently the first night of soft opening. No one was there. I was alone. So I had to give it a try.
The cost is $60 per hour, up to six bowlers per lane, plus the cost of renting shoes. Years ago I told myself I need to buy a pair of bowling shoes and put them in my trunk. I never did.
In any case, I thought, since it’s just me, I’ll just bowl for 30 minutes, which I did. I got a total of 2 1/2 games in. They have nice selection of bowling balls. I was actually impressed by how many they had on hand for just a four-lane alley.
The only thing I did not like is that the approach felt too short. There’s a table behind the lanes that I’d prefer to have a couple feet back. But I made due. It just felt like I was not able to take long enough steps in my approach. But I adjusted.
The latest trend in bowling alleys is the pins attached to strings. After you bowl, the machine lifts all the pins, then places back the pins that were not knocked down. To me, while it does not have the same feel and sound of traditional pin setting machines, it didn’t impact my bowling that much. I’m terrible at bowling, regardless. Pins on strings saves quite a bit in operational costs and repairs compared to traditional bowling, so I suspect this trend is here to stay.
Overall, this is an awesome addition to our local community. Some will complain, “it’s only four lanes,” to which I’ll reply, “it’s better than NO lanes!” Looking for something fun to do nearby…this is a great new option.
Janss Marketplace at 275 North Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks (corner of Moorpark Road and Hillcrest) is an open air mall that has a large outdoor eating area, interactive water fountain, monthly Kids Fun Zone and outdoor kids play area.
Retailers and other businesses at Janss Marketplace include Gold's Gym, Ulta Beauty, Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Aldi, Five Below, Petco and others.
Eateries include Buca di Beppo, Panera Bread, Karma Indian Cuisine, Crazy King Kong Sushi, Lucky's Dog House, Sunset Terrace Restaurant, Greco's New York Pizzeria, Cold Stone Creamery, Sharky's, Matcha Tea and Boba, Janchi Korean BBQ, California Fish Grill, Eureka Brewing Company, Starbucks, Wingstop, O’t Bistro and Pieology.
And for entertainment, there’s Regal Cinemas, Defy Extreme Sports, Dave & Buster’s and The Mighty Axe.
There are plans for a 5-story, 216 room Homewood Suites & Home2 Suites hotel on the property that includes 13,000 sq ft of retail space. Pending zoning approvals for a 75 foot height, construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2024, with a target opening date of winter 2025.
For more information visit www.janssmarketplace.net or call 805.495.4662.
In 2009 the Janss Marketplace added a NEOS Wall, a fun interactive game right outside the Golds Gym. This game is free.
Some former occupants of Janss Marketplace: Toys R Us (summer 2018) Wachovia Banking Center (closed April 2011), Akio’s Sushi (Oct 2012; now Crazy King Kong Sushi), Sizzler/Fuddruckers/Hooters (currently vacant), TGI Fridays (2012)/DISH (Nov 2013) (now Janchi), Aaron Brothers (2018), Tuesday Morning (June 2012), Radio Shack, Marshalls, Mervyn’s, Mann 9 Theatres/Regency Theatres (now Regal Cinemas), Burger King/Salad Gourmet (2016)/Poke Tiki (Apr 2019). Subway (August 2019)., The Dudes' Brewing Company (March 2020). Burlington Coat Factory (July 2021) and Naru Bento (June 2022).
Janss Marketplace History
Originated in the 1960s as the Conejo Village Shopping Center. Also referred to as “The Mall.”
Changed its name to Janss Mall in August 1978. This came four months after The Oaks mall opened in Thousand Oaks. A key reason for the name change was to distinguish the “old” mall from the new mall.
Changed its name to Janss Marketplace in 1995, when it added the Mann 9 Theatres, Mervyns, Linens N’ Things, Best Products and other businesses.
Janss Mall sign in Thousand Oaks News Chronicle - November 12, 1978
Glass Arts Collective opened its doors on February 5, 2020 at 31139 Via Colinas, # 201 in Westlake Village. Glass Arts Collective offers classes and workshops in fused glass, mosaic and stained glass. They are equipped to cut glass, shape it, melt it, glue it, solder it and make beautiful objects from it.
Glass is a friendly material-- everyone can learn to use it to create beautiful decorative and functional works of art. Whatever your level, from beginner to advanced, our fully equipped glass studio and enthusiastic instructors welcome you to explore and play.
You can also book team events at the studio, purchase glass supplies and tools and explore the gift shop.
Learn more at www.glassartscollective.com or call 818.318.1462.
Santa Barbara Trolley Company is Santa Barbara's longest running trolley tour, with a fleet of 15 renovated trolleys at 1 Garden Street.
90 minute daily tours of Santa Barbara run Thursday to Monday at 10am, noon and 2pm. You can board the trolley and catch another one anytime during these hours. Pricing as of April 2023 is $28 for adults and $10 for children.
Highlights of the trolley tour of Santa Barbara include Stearns Wharf and the Dolphin Fountain, East Beach, Andrea Clark Bird Refuge and Santa Barbara Zoo, The Harbor, Museum of Natural History and Old Santa Barbara Mission.
The trolleys are also available for weddings, private parties, wine tours and more.
Visit www.sbtrolley.com or call 805.965.0353 for more information.
Players Casino reopened in February 2022 at its new location at the Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 W. Harbor Blvd., 2nd Floor, Ventura. Open daily from 11 am to 3 am.
Players Casino is one of only about 70 active cardrooms in the state of California. Although it is called a casino, technically is it a cardroom. There are over 60 Indian casinos in the state that can offer games other than card games, such as roulette, slots and craps. Another distinction is that in a cardroom, you cannot play against the house; you can only play against other players.
Games offered at Players Casino include Texas Holdem, “21st Century Blackjack,” “EZ Baccarat,” Pai Gow Poker and Three Card Poker.
For more information, visit www.pcventura.com or call 805.643.1392.
Galactic Challenge opened recently in the outdoor shops section of The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks. What is Galactic Challenge? It is an Airsoft BB Target Range venue. You can purchase 60 BBs for $10 and shoot them at targets. You can then earn a prize, based on how many targets you shoot down. Open 10am to 9pm daily, except 11am to 7pm on Sundays. More information at galactichallenge.com.
Established in 1924, Toastmasters International is a world leader at helping people become more competent and comfortable in front of an audience. The nonprofit has over 280,000 members in 14,700 clubs around the world, offering a proven, fun way to practice and hone communication and leadership skills.
Most meetings are comprised of approximately 20 people who meet weekly for an hour or two. Participants practice and learn skills by filling a meeting role, ranging from giving a prepared speech or an impromptu one to serving as timer, evaluator or grammarian. There is no instructor; instead, each speech and meeting is critiqued by a member in a positive manner, focusing on what was done right and what could be improved.
There are over 80 local Toastmasters clubs throughout Ventura County. They meet on different days of the week in various locations, in the morning, during the day or at night.
First step is to find a local club. There is a search function at www.toastmasters.org that allows you to search for a club by zip code, by meeting day and by meeting time.
Here is just a sampling of some of the 80+ local Toastmasters clubs in Ventura County and adjacent areas:
Camarillo Evening Toastmasters (camarillo.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Tuesday evenings
Conejo Valley Toastmasters (1864.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Monday nights in Thousand Oaks on Janss Road near the 23.
Daybreakers of Westlake Toastmasters (3332.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Wednesday mornings in Westlake Village.
Rhetorical Link Toastmasters of Conejo Valley (6765.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Thursday nights in Thousand Oaks.
Ventura Toastmasters (since 1934) (www.venturatoastmasters.com) meets Monday nights.
Moorpark Toastmasters (1038927.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Wednesday nights at the Moorpark Chamber of Commerce.
Calabasas Toastmasters (9655.toastmastersclubs.org) meets alternate Monday nights.
Ventura Sunrise Toastmasters (5575.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Tuesday mornings.
Sandpiper Toastmasters (1224.toastmastersclubs.org) meets Wednesday mornings in Ventura.
ACE Toastmasters (1038926.toastmastersclubs.org) meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday nights in Newbury Park.
Speaking 101 Toastmaster’s Club (7548.toastmastersclubs.org) meets at lunch on Tuesdays at Cal Lutheran.
Thousand Oaks Toastmasters at Lunch (TOTAL) (1934.toastmastersclubs.org/) meets on Thursdays at noon at Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza.
Thousand Oaks Toastmasters (2847612.toastmastersclubs.org/) meets on Tuesdays at noon at the Civic Arts Plaza Oak Room.
Los Amigos Toastmasters (2224.toastmastersclubs.org) is a bilingual club that meets Thursday nights in Oxnard
A local must see is the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, located at 40 Presidential Drive, Simi Valley. With sweeping hilltop views of the surrounding valleys, this 153,000 sq ft museum on 100 acres is educational and interesting for all ages. A wealth of memorabilia and artifacts from throughout Reagan's life is on display.
In February 2011, over 26,000 sq ft of new exhibits and dozens of interactive displays spanning Reagan's life were introduced. There are 24 galleries that pay tribute to our 40th President's life. You can act in a movie with Reagan, deliver his inaugural address with a teleprompter, set the table for a state dinner, learn about his economic policies in interactive games, read his handwritten diary, ride a horse alongside Reagan at Rancho del Cielo, and much more. There is also a full-scale Oval Office replica and a 9 1/2 foot, 6,300 lb section of the Berlin Wall on display.
Volunteer docents are very friendly, helpful and extremely knowledgeable. They are there to help guide you through your visit and answer your questions.
Exhibits include the Air Force One Pavilion, sections of the Berlin Wall, F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter, F-14 Tomcat aircraft, Reagan Memorial Site, M-1 Abrams Tank, Marine One helicopter, Oval Office and more.
In addition to the permanent exhibits discussed above, there are usually temporary exhibits on display. Check out the museum's website for details.
Dine at the Reagan Library! The Gipper’s Bar + Bistro offers panoramic views and is open and is open from 10:30am to 3pm seven days a week. You can access this eatery without entering the Library. The Ronald Reagan Pub is located inside the Air Force One Pavilion and offers drinks and prepackaged sandwiches and other items.
The museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Parking is free of charge. Admission costs vary based on the special exhibit on hand.
More information at www.reaganfoundation.org.
With a number of locations in Ventura and Santa Barbara, Wheel Fun Rentals provides an assortment of bicycles, quads, coupes, surreys, tag-alongs and other two to four wheel human powered vehicles for rides along the beach. They also offer a wide assortment of water vehicles...boats, surfboards, boogie boards, etc.
Nearby locations as of September 2022 are:
Oxnard- Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach, 2101 Mandalay Beach Road (805.984.1994)
Oxnard - Channel Islands Marine Emporium Landing, 3600 S. Harbor Blvd (805.910.7257)
Oxnard - Residence Inn Oxnard River Ridge, 2101 W. Vineyard Avenue (805.278.2200)
Port Hueneme - Holiday Inn Express, 350 E. Port Hueneme Road (805.986.5353)
Ventura - Crowne Plaza, 450 E. Harbor Blvd (805.648.2100)
Ventura Pier 850 Harbor Blvd., Ventura (805.765.5795)
Ventura State Beach Picnic Area 901 San Pedro, Ventura (805.650.7770)
Santa Barbara - Hilton Beachfront Resort 633 East Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara (805.966.2282)
Santa Barbara - Near Stearns Wharf 24 E. Mason Street (805.966.2282)
Santa Barbara Train Station 215 State Street (805.966.2282)
For more information visit www.wheelfunrentals.com or call 805.650.7770.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
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