The City of Calabasas offers a wide variety of community classes and programs year-round. Includes aquatics, senior programs, sports, camps, mommy and me programs, tot classes, adult programs, workshops, etc. Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/recreation.html for more information and for winter and spring/summer and year-round schedules.
Make Meaning closed its doors on February 7, 2016.
Make Meaning opened at The Oaks Shopping Mall in February 2013. Located in the outdoor shops area of the mall, upper level, south side, first store outside of the mall, Make Meaning offers seven creative experiences to both kids and adults, including customized soap, candles, paper, ceramics, glass, jewelry and cake decorating. Walk in and start creating something unique. No admission or membership fees. Speciality classes and events are also available.
This is quite a large store, open, light and airy, with an upbeat atmosphere. How do I know? Because we checked it out! My son painted a piggy bank he hand-selected and at the table next to us I admired a pretty neat looking customized candle and cake. Everyone was happy in there!
The staff are called Associate Creativity Enthusiasts (ACEs), there to help you through the process. And that they were. I was able to just walk in and they kind of took over with my son while enjoyed watching him in his creative efforts. And they took care of the prep and the mess.
For more information, visit www.makemeaning.com or call 805.582.1107.
My son's froggy piggy bank masterpiece in it final stages. Make Meaning glazes it and fires it, then you pick it up in 4 days.
Selection of supplies to individualize your cake!
Or customize your own soap. Quite a unique concept and very well done.
The City of Agoura Hills Community Services Department includes both parks maintenance and recreational classes and events. Toddlers to teens, adults and seniors all enjoy high quality recreation activities. There are hundreds of programs, classes and events available in the quarterly catalog at ci.agoura-hills.ca.us. For more info call 818.597.7361.
Michaels Stores is North America’s largest specialty retailer of arts, crafts, framing, floral, wall décor, and seasonal merchandise for the hobbyist and do-it-yourself home decorator. Michaels is one of the funnest stores to visit for arts, crafts, framing, floral, home décor, scrapbooking and much more.
Local area Michaels Stores are in Westlake Village at 5780 Lindero Canyon Road (818.707.0013), Camarillo at 351 Carmen Drive (805.388.5001) and Moorpark at 816 New Los Angeles Avenue (805.552.9140).
In addition to offering up tens of thousands of items for your arts and crafts needs, Michaels offers classes at very low prices! Classes cover a wide range of fun activities, including cake decorating, art painting, jewelry making, paper crafting, knit and crochet, kids' programs and more.
Check out Camarillo classes at classes.michaels.com/OnlineClasses/control/dateView?storeId=9525
Westlake Village classes at classes.michaels.com/OnlineClasses/control/dateView?storeId=9822
Moorpark classes at classes.michaels.com/OnlineClasses/control/dateView?storeId=3848
For more information, visit www.michaels.com.
The Arroyo Vista Recreation Center, located at 4550 Tierra Rejada Road in Moorpark, offers a variety of recreational programs for all ages. Activities include sports, library programs, seniors programs, community events, teen events, camps and more. The facility can also be rented for private parties.
Visit www.moorparkca.gov/199/Recreation or call 805.517.6300 for a quarterly program brochure or more information. Or download the recreation guide at www.moorparkca.gov/214/Recreation-Classes.
Located at 300 N. Lantana Street (cross street Daily) in Camarillo, +EV Games is a Magic the Gathering and other Trading Card Games Tournament Center. With space for over 60 people +EV Games has one of the best places in the state to play Magic, your favorite board game or other TCG.
More information at www.plusevgames.com or call 805.389.7428.
Knott's Berry Farm is a 160 acre amusement park in Buena Park that originally opened in 1940, 15 years prior to the grand opening of Disneyland (the parks are about 7 miles apart). I like Knott's because it is low key and has a fun combination of old time Western motif with modern amusement park rides. This overview of Knott's is current as of March 2012 and of course subject to change.
The areas of the park include, Ghost Town, with over 50 themed shops, eateries and attractions, Indian Trails, Camp Snoopy, Fiesta Village, Boardwalk and more.
Knott's Resort Hotel is a 320 room hotel with 16 Snoopy-themed rooms adjacent to the park and California Marketplace, just outside of the park entrance, has over a dozen shops and restaurants outside of the main park that include Pink's Famous Hot Dogs, TGI Friday's and other businesses.
Higher intensity roller coasters at Knotts include Boomerang, GhostRider, Jaguar, Montezooma's Revenge, Pony Express, Sierra Sidewinder, Silver Bullet, Timberline Twister and Xcelerator.
Thrill rides include La Revolucion, Rip Tide, Screamin' Swing, Supreme Scream and WindSeeker.
Family rides include Butterfield Stagecoach, Calico Mine Ride, Calico Railroad, Dragon Swing, Hat Dance, High Sierra Ferris Wheel, Merry Go Round, Sky Cabin, Waveswinger, Wheeler Dealer Bumper Cars and Wipeout.
Camp Snoopy has about a dozen rides geared towards kids.
Water rides include Bigfoot Rapids, Perilous Plunge and Timber Mountain Log Ride.
Live shows and entertainment include a Wild West Stunt Show, Mystery Lodge, Calico Saloon Show, Native American Dancers, Peanuts Character Show and Snoopy and the Peanuts Gang.
Visit www.knotts.com or call 714.220.5200 to learn more. Knotts is located at 8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park.
We visited The New Children's Museum in downtown San Diego (200 West Island Avenue at the corner Island Avenue and Front Street) the day after Thankgiving with our young boys. We have taken our kids to a lot of different places and have to say that this place is very unique. I've never seen anything like this museum.
The NCM opened in May 2008. It is a very modern, open, airy building with lots and lots of windows. The museum offers all sorts of sensory exhibits and activities that encourage kids of all ages to experience creativity and the arts.
In the 2 hours that we were there our kids painted, worked with clay, painted (both with paintbrushes and hands) a VW Bug that was completely slathered with paint (quite unusual...and messy...though the paint was washable and they provided washing stations in close proximity of the exhibit). The kids crawled through tunnels, climbed climbing walls, ran around in an oversized playhouse and an igloo, frolicked in beanbags and couches, and much much more.
We were told that all of the materials used in the exhibits of this 50,000 square foot, 3 story building were made out of recycled materials. That made for some quite unusual and unconventional looking exhibits. The building is one of the first completely "green" museums in California.
Across the street from the museum is a new park with plenty of room to run, play, swing, teeter-totter and spin.
So if you are looking to do something completely different and unique with your kids, check it out! Admission as of January 2022 is $15 for ages 1+, $10 for seniors 65+ and military with ID. For more information, visit www.thinkplaycreate.org or call 619.233.8792.
The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District serves an area of approximately 44 square miles and has grown from one park to 29 parks since its inception in 1962. Within the District, numerous recreational facilities exists, including indoor swimming pool, lighted ball fields, tennis courts, racquetball courts, skate park, senior center, a running track at Arneill Ranch Park, children's play equipment, picnic shelters, barbecues and much more.
Visit www.pvrpd.org for more information and for the PVRPD's latest Recreation Magazine with hundreds and hundreds of community classes, special events, summer camps and programs. Or call 805.482.1996.
LEGOLAND® California in Carlsbad is a 128-acre park geared towards kids ages two through 12. With over 60 family rides, "hands-on" attractions and shows, LEGOLAND California provides education, adventure and fun in this first park of its kind in the United States (the 150-acre LEGOLAND Florida, 45 minutes from Orlando and Tampa, opened on October 15, 2011). LEGOLAND is only a 2 1/2 hour drive from the Conejo Valley.
There are over 15,000 LEGO® models in the park created from more than 35 million LEGO bricks. These models range from a Brontosaurus named Bronte (made of more than 2 million LEGO bricks) to a tiny rabbit in a magician’s hat in Miniland Las Vegas made of just four bricks.
The park is divided into various sections in a full circle, with the amazing Miniland USA in the middle. Sections going clockwise from the front gate are The Beginning, Dino Island, DUPLO® Village, Fun Town, Pirate Shores, Castle Hill, Land of Adventure and Imagination Zone. My family's favorite treat are Granny's Apple Fries in the Castle Hill section. Apple fries with whipped cream and milk (or coffee in my case). Mmmmm.
This is a no-brainer for anyone with young children. My kids are thrilled with this park up to at least ages 8 to 10. There are rides and activities for all ages and while geared towards kids, the park is certainly amazing for adults to experience too. Learn all about LEGOLAND California at california.legoland.com.
Plan ahead and get discounts on your tickets. Currently AAA has discounts (either in advance or in person) as well as Metrolink Rewards.
In addition to LEGOLAND, the world's first LEGOLAND Water Park opened on May 28, 2010. It is located at the north end of LEGOLAND® California adjacent to Fun Town. The entrance is located between the Factory Tour and the Adventurer’s Club. There is a 45 foot tall water tall with 4 slides and all sorts of fun water play. Only a $12 upgrade (as of October 2011) to LEGOLAND admission.
Additionally, the SEA LIFE Carlsbad Aquarium opened adjacent to LEGOLAND. I walked through quickly with the family. Pretty cool though not nearly as substantial as the Aquarium of the Pacific. Gotta see it though if you go to LEGOLAND. You can buy a park hopper pass or a separate ticket. More info at www.visitsealife.com/California.
Ventura Sportfishing Landing and Tackle Shop is located in the Ventura Harbor at 1500 Anchors Way Drive. They have daily departures to the Channel Islands and on 3 different boats. Visit www.VenturaSportfishing.com or call 805.676.3474 to learn more and to make reservations.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
Conejo Valley Guide® covers thousands of events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County, California and surrounding areas.
Conejo Valley Guide is a participant in the following affiliate programs: Amazon Associates, Groupon Affiliates and from time to time other affiliate programs. These affiliate advertising programs are designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to the respective eCommerce sites. Some links on the site may be affiliate links. We get paid if you buy something or take an action after clicking one of these links on our site. Learn more at paidforadvertising.com.
