CReATE STUDIO originally opened at a venue in Westlake Village in 2009 but is now a mobile art studio geared towards creative exploration using a varied array of recycled, artistic and crafty materials. All ages can create treasured masterpieces using many interesting and everyday household materials to build, tape, glue, paint and invent!
To learn more, visit www.createstudiofun.com.
The main entrance into the 1,765 acre Wildwood Park is at the corner of Avenida de los Arboles and Big Sky Drive in Thousand Oaks. The Chumash Indians lived in Wildwood Park for nearly 8,000 years, until the early 19th century, when the Spanish colonized California. Eventually the park became owned by the Janss Corporation, which sold it to the Conejo Recreation and Park District in 1967.
Main trailhead accessible from the parking lot at Ave de los Arboles and Big Sky.
Wildwood Park is an extremely popular hiking and cycling spot and CRPD frequently hosts nature hikes there. The park has 14 trails covering 17 miles, including two year-round waterfalls, Paradise Falls and Little Falls. Wildwood is known for its spring wildflower displays from January to June.
The park hosted a number of movie/TV productions in the 1930s to the 1960s, including Spartacus, Wuthering Heights, Wagon Train, The Rifleman and Gunsmoke.
The following links provide additional details for a variety of hikes in Wildwood Park:
HIKE TO THE TEEPEE, LITTLE (FORMERLY INDIAN) CAVE AND PARADISE FALLS IN WILDWOOD PARK
LIZARD ROCK HIKE IN WILDWOOD PARK
SANTA ROSA LOOP HIKE IN WILDWOOD PARK
TWO SPRINGS (FORMERLY INDIAN CREEK) AND WILDWOOD CANYON TRAILS
LIZARD ROCK, PARADISE FALLS, TWO SPRINGS LOOP HIKE
SANTA ROSA TRAIL AND LOWER BUTTE TRAIL FROM WILDWOOD PARK TO CLU
Call the CRPD at 805.495.2163 for more information about the park. But for lots of detailed information about Wildwood Park, including trail maps and pictures, visit the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at cosf.org/trails/wildwood.
As far as facilities in the park, there are drinking fountains at the main parking lot as well as at the Teepee, at Paradise Falls and the two restroom areas in the park. One of the restrooms are located at Meadows Center, a small building located across the bridge that is adjacent to the short trail to Little Cave. CRPD often hosts short hikes from the main parking lot to Meadows Center for fun, games and s'mores.
Bridge over creek that connects Wildwood Canyon Trail to Meadows Center, which has restrooms and a drinking fountain.
The other restrooms are at the bottom of Wildwood Canyon. You can get there by taking the Tepee Trail roughly 1/2 mile to the bottom of the canyon, or alternatively from Paradise Falls about 1/4 mile down the Wildwood Canyon Trail. The Arroyo Conejo Creek runs down from Paradise Falls to here and is fun to explore (keeping in mind still that this is partially urban runoff and thus you don't want to play around in it too much).
Additional restrooms at the bottom of Wildwood Canyon.
Sign at Paradise Falls indicating this particular water is partially urban runoff and best not to swim in.
Leo Carrillo State Park consists of 1.5 miles of beach for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, surf fishing and beachcombing, as well as tide pools, coastal caves and reefs. Giant sycamores shade the main campgrounds.
Among the many great features of Leo Carrillo, the most engaging activity for me and the kids is the tide pools. They are exposed twice daily at low tide and provide hours of engagement with sea stars, sea anemones, mussels, sea slugs and more.
Nature walks and campfire programs are offered and a small visitor center has interpretive displays.
Trails include Yellow Hill Fire Trail for panoramic views of the beach and the Channel Islands, and the steeper Nicholas Flat Trail, which brings you to a pond.
There are 135 family campsites at Leo Carrillo with restrooms and token-operated showers. Visit ReserveCalifornia.com and search for “Leo Carrillo SP” to make reservations.
The park was named after Leo Carrillo (1880-1961), actor, preservationist and conservationist. Leo Carrillo served on the California Beach and Parks commission for 18 years and was instrumental in the state's acquisition of the Hearst property at San Simeon. Leo's greatest fame came from his portrayal of Pancho, the sidekick to Duncan Renaldo's Cisco Kid, an early 1950's TV series.
Leo Carrillo State Park is located at 35000 W. Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. The park office phone is 310.457.8143. Visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=616 for more information.
Parking is currently $12 in the parking lot for the day (or $3 per hour)...but free on PCH if you can find a spot. There are plenty of parking spots available in the lot. After you park, you can walk in a tunnel underneath PCH to get to the beach.
The muraled tunnel that takes you underneath PCH to Leo Carrillo Beach.
Dogs on a leash are allowed in the Park's day use areas, campground and north beach (north of lifeguard tower 3). Dogs are not allowed on backcountry trails or south beach (south of lifeguard tower 3).
DIRECTIONS
The most direct way of getting to Leo Carrillo from the Conejo Valley is via Westlake Boulevard (CA-23) (aka Decker Canyon) south, which for some is a fun 14 mile drive, but for others, not so much. It is a bit winding, hilly, steep at many junctures. I take this route during daytime hours but coming home I'm not too keen on it. After getting to PCH, turn right and drive 2 1/2 miles to get to Leo Carrillo.
Another more popular, though less direct route is via Kanan Road. Either take Kanan Road straight down to PCH, turn right (west) on PCH about 9 miles to Leo Carrillo, or take Kanan to Encinal Canyon, which is about a 3 mile drive on PCH to Leo Carrillo.
Lastly, if you are in Newbury Park, you can take Potrero Road west to Las Posas down to PCH. In about 11 miles you will reach Leo Carrillo.
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.
SVN2 Indoor Golf is a premium TrackMan golf simulation facility offering any level of golfer the opportunity to learn, practice, and play on the best simulation technology in the business. Explore your swing utilizing shot analysis or play from 230+ courses, anywhere from the sea cliffs of Pebble Beach to the historic bridge at St. Andrew’s in Scotland.
Located at 3311 Grande Vista Drive in Newbury Park and open 8am to 10pm Daily. Four hitting bay facility starts at $45/hour. Learn more at www.svn2golf.com or call 805-376-0276.
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/trolley.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach is where Malibu Creek meets the Pacific Ocean. To get there, park either at the state lot (corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Cross Creek Road) for a fee, along Pacific Coast Highway or across the street in spots available near Malibu Country Mart and the Malibu Civic Center.
The lagoon is serene, with a sandbar of pelicans enjoying their summer day. This beach extends southeast to Surfrider Beach and the Malibu Pier, which is just a short walk away. While you're there try to check out the Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum.
More information at www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=835. Dogs are not allowed at Malibu Lagoon State Beach and trails.
There’s a new monthly flea market at the Ventura County Fairgrounds on designated dates. The Seaside Sunday Flea Market will be open from 9am to 2pm for $5 admission (ages 13 and under free) with early bird admission 5am to 9am for $10. Fairgrounds parking $10.
Current planned dates are: June 25, July 9, Sept 3 and Nov 12.
https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=987743032504597&set=pb.100038067289863.-2207520000.
Since this is a new flea market, we suggest you check the organizer’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VenturaWednesdayFleaMarket805 before going.
If you’re looking for a great spot to dine at the beach, the Paradise Cove Beach Cafe in Malibu is a great choice. Located at 28128 E. Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, it’s about a 30 minute drive from Thousand Oaks via Kanan Road. Learn more at www.paradisecovemalibu.com.
The public is welcome to access Paradise Cove Beach, including the dry stretch of beach around the pier (49 feet in width) as well as use the area of the beach below the mean high tide line for the entire shoreline length of the Paradise Cove property. You can either park on PCH and walk to the beach, or you can pay to park in the Cafe parking lot. But yes, it is expensive. It is much less expensive to park and dine at the cafe, which covers you for up to 4 hours of parking.
While some would argue that the food isn’t great and prices (including parking) is too high, my opinion is….it’s all about location, location, location.
About half a mile south on PCH is the access point to Escondido Falls, a four mile round trip hike to the tallest waterfall in the Santa Monica Mountains (over 150 feet). A fun excursion - park on PCH and do the Escondido Falls hike. Then walk down the street to the Paradise Cove Cafe. Of course don’t leave valuables in your car.
Parking fees as of June 2023.
We are fortunate to have such great trails and views of Boney Peak from in Newbury Park. At Wendy and Potrero is the Western edge of the Santa Monica Mountains where Sycamore Canyon cuts through Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa and Point Mugu State Park.
Roughly a mile easy hike from Wendy/Potrero gets you to the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center where you can explore some native Chumash items and educational information and chat with rangers. This is a nice little hike to take the kids on. There are restrooms and water at the center, which is open from 9 to 5 on weekends.
Learn more about hiking in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa at THIS LINK.
You can get easier access to the center by parking in the adjacent National Park Service parking lot via Lynn Road to the access road at Via Goleta in Newbury Park.
Another mile and a half of hiking gets you to a small waterfall, which is fun to check out with the kids but somewhat more strenuous of a hike. Note that in recent years (2012-2015), the waterfall has barely flowed due to low rainfall.
Here is more information about the Boney Mountain Trail, leading up to Hidden Valley Overlook, the waterfall and Danielson Monument.
Visit www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/rsvsatwiwa.htm for a map and site information on the National Park Service website.
Trailhead at the corner of Wendy Drive and Potrero Road in Newbury Park. Park on the dirt on the south side of Potrero or on the street on Wendy.
This is one in a series of posts about trails in the 1,765 acre Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks.
Lizard Rock at Wildwood Park
Lizard Rock is a popular 2 mile round trip destination for hikers from the main parking area in Wildwood Park, mostly on the Mesa Trail. It is a moderate hike with an elevation gain of about 300 feet to its peak at 931 feet.
Sign just south of Lizard Rock indication direction of Lizard Rock Trail towards Wildwood Canyon
After reaching Lizard Rock, some folks (hikers and bikers) venture further south on the Lizard Rock Trail about .8 mile of downhill that takes you past the City of Thousand Oaks Hill Canyon Water Treatment Facility to the Wildwood Canyon area, a drop of about 600 feet in elevation.
View of Hill Canyon Waste Treatment Plan from near Lizard Rock
The descent down the Lizard Rock Trail provides nice views into the Santa Rosa Valley as it zigs and zags towards the bottom. You can see Hill Canyon from Lizard Rock but as you move down the hill you will get a much clearer view of this high tech facility that converts wastewater into a reusable water source. You will indeed catch some whiffs of smells that aren't particularly pleasing down there but having been down there myself a number of times, it ain't that bad.
The descent down Lizard Rock Trail
Before you reach the bottom, there are several overlook benches available to take a break as you look towards the Arroyo Conejo, Santa Rosa Valley and beyond.
The first of two overlook benches facing west on the Lizard Rock Trail
A view of the same bench looking back up (north) towards Lizard Rock (yes, that's the lizard head poking out of the hill on the right).
And here's the 2nd bench, further down the Lizard Rock Trail. Is that actual green I see up ahead in late September!? Yes it is. Must be drought-tolerant native shrubs!
Hill Canyon comes into closer view
As you can see, the Lizard Rock Trail starts heading back east as it traverses the Hill Canyon Treatment Plant. Amazing facility. I wouldn't want to go swimming in the green liquid however.
At the very bottom of the trail, after you have completely passed the water treatment plant, you see this sign that indicates you are on your way towards Lower Wildwood Canyon.
So you've reached the bottom of Wildwood Canyon and other than heading back up that steep Lizard Rock Trail to where you just came from, you can take the more interesting loop route following the Wildwood Canyon Trail to Wildwood Canyon. There are restrooms, drinking fountain and picnic tables in there.
From Wildwood Canyon, either continue onward up the Wildwood Canyon Trail about a third of a mile to Paradise Falls, or the Tepee Trail (yes, this is what it is called on the map), which largely parallels the Wildwood Canyon Trail, up towards, yes, the Tee Pee. Then follow the signs back
There is a great map that covers this Lizard Rock to Paradise Falls to Two Springs (formerly Indian Creek) Trail loop, about 4 1/2 miles in total, on the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at www.cosf.org/website/html/lizard-waterfall-creek.html.
Since we're down at the bottom of the canyon, you will see a sign for "Skunk Hollow." This is a tree-lined area adjacent to the creek with a picnic bench. Kind of nice little area, just around the corner from the waste treatment plant, albeit not within view of the plant.
And in that area, you will see a sign indicating Eagle Point Trail. Eagle Point Trail is a hilly little 1/3 of a mile alternate route that gets you into Wildwood Canyon. The first section has dozens of steps. The remainder has a few steep sections. Just a small side attraction to check out.
For a nice, fairly moderate hike in Westlake Village, take Triunfo Canyon Road south to Highgate Road and head up to the southeast endpoint of Highgate, past Hillsbury Road, to the end of the road, where you'll see a trailhead sign. Park on the street.
It doesn't actually say "Lake Eleanor Open Space Hike" but this is indeed the way to get to this trail maintained by the Conejo Open Space Foundation (COSF). Walk past the fence on the pavement, and in about 60 steps, the trailhead is on the right. There's no sign. In fact, I've never seen any signs indicating which way to go on this trail. But once you reach this path, for the most part the trail is pretty obvious.
COSF has some helpful images and a trail map at cosf.org/trails/other-trails/easy-lake-eleanor-open-space-hike.
There are some brief, slightly challenging hilly sections on this hike, along with some rocky sections, but for the most part, this trail is perfectly fine for all ages. I generally wouldn't recommend strollers on this trail though because of these sections, but if you have a solid off-road stroller, it is possible.
After record rainfalls in January/February 2017, this place is looking quite green.
On the left you'll see the beautiful Las Virgenes Reservoir for most of the 1 1/2 mile hike.
You can't go swimming in the Las Virgenes Reservoir but it sure makes for gorgeous views.
Towards the endpoint (Denver Springs Drive), on the right you can look down towards Westlake Boulevard/Decker Canyon and see the eight acre Lake Eleanor. Pretty cool to see from above as it is not accessible to the public.
There is also a trailhead and some parking on Hillsbury Road.
The main trail is on the left; veer right however for best views of Lake Eleanor.
Lake Eleanor along with the Lake Eleanor Dam (also called Banning Dam) and surrounding 529 acres of open space has been named City of Thousand Oaks Historical Landmark #9.
Lake Eleanor, which is fenced off to protect the wildlife, is clearly visible from the trail.
I love this little hike. It is quiet and peaceful and the views are just wonderful up here. And you are just minutes from civilization.
CLICK HERE FOR DOZENS OF OTHER GREAT HIKING TRAILS AROUND VENTURA COUNTY
In the heart of Dos Vientos (Spanish for Two Winds), there are three trails that are accessible from multiple spots by walkers, hikers, runners and bikers. These are the El Rincon, El Cerro and Las Brisas trails. These trails are all nicely maintained, single track and provide great views of the surrounding areas. Other trails surrounding Dos Vientos include the Vista Del Mar Trail, Sierra Vista Trail, Sumac Trail (kind of parallels Sierra Vista Trail), El Encanto Trail and Powerline (Edison Road) Trail, as well as the Potrero Ridge Trail.
Access to the El Rincon Trail is near the corner of Via Rincon and Rancho Dos Vientos. The trail is about 4/10ths of a mile and connects with the El Cerro and Las Brisas trails.
Access to El Cerro and Las Brisas trails is at the juncture of Via Las Brisas and Calle Del Prado and several other points. Visit https://cosf.org/files/maps/dos_vientos_trail_map.pdf for a trail map on the Conejo Open Space Foundation website.
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