Santa Barbara Zoo

Click the friendly Santa Barbara Zoo giraffe for information!

Golf N' Stuff Ventura

For hours of amusement check out Golf N' Stuff off the 101 freeway in eastern Ventura, just 20 miles west of Newbury Park. Golf N' Stuff features two 18-hole miniature golf courses, Indy style race cars (go-karts), bumper boats, bumper cars and laser tag (offered at designated time frames) and a large arcade. You must be 4' 8" tall to drive the go-karts and at least 4' tall to drive the bumper boats/cars, so make sure to wear heels if you're really short.

The famous Golf N' Stuff castle seen from Highway 101 in Ventura.

Each activity is priced separately. Mini golf as of March 2019 costs $11.00. You can also purchase a 2 hour unlimited use wristband on weekends for $30.00 (as of March 2019) and try everything. I highly recommend registering in the Golf N Stuff Email Club as they email periodic 2 for 1 mini golf coupons that come in handy. There are also printable coupons on the Golf N Stuff site at golfnstuff.com/ventura/coupons.html.

Golf N' Stuff is open 365 days per year (366 on leap years)! Yes, it is even open Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day!

There is also a snack bar that serves an assortment of items, like mini pizzas, hot dogs and pretzels. Enough to provide plenty of carbs for your activities.

Golf N' Stuff is located at 5555 Walker Street, Ventura. More info at www.golfnstuff.com or call 805.644.7131.

Exit the 101 off Victoria, head North to Moon Drive, which turns into Walker, and turn left to the park.

Parks Highlighted in the "Do Something" Section of Conejo Valley Guide

Click the pic below for more great local area parks throughout Ventura County!

Fillmore Skate Park

Fillmore Skate Park, located at River Street and C Street in Fillmore, is a 22,000 square foot outdoor facility that opened in March 2009. It is open daily from dawn to dusk and is free of charge.

Learn more about it at www.fillmoreca.com/departments/parks-and-recreation-department/parks-and-sports-fields/two-rivers-park/fillmore-skate-park

Borchard Skate Park in Newbury Park

Borchard Skate Park is located at 190 North Reino Road (corner of Reino and Borchard) in Newbury Park at the southwest corner of the parking lot at Borchard Community Park. This outdoor facility opened in 2002 and is free of charge.  It opens at 8 a.m. until dusk.  The Conejo Recreation & Park District offers classes and there are designated times for 12 and under, scooters and bikes.  Call the Borchard Community Center at 805.381.2791 for more information. More info at www.crpd.org/park/borchard-community-park.

Duck Pond at Conejo Creek Park North in Thousand Oaks

This is the largest duck pond that I'm aware of certainly in the Conejo Valley if not all of Ventura County. Conejo Creek Park North is a great park in Thousand Oaks with a creek running through it down to a pond full of duckies quacking around. There's also a pond at the top of the creek as the water recirculates. There must be a couple hundred ducks on hand at this park and they're pretty friendly.

You're really not supposed to be feeding the ducks but it is hard to resist. The problem though is that feeding bread to ducks is really bad for them because of all the refined sugar. They need cracked corn, oats and other grains. So while I do mention "feeding the ducks" in the video, if you're really interested in feeding them, stop by a feed store for some duck food if you want to do the right thing.  In any case, these ducks are cute and entertaining so go pay them as visit!

Channel Islands YMCA - 2 Ventura County Locations

The Channel Islands YMCA is an association of seven YMCA branches serving Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.

The Camarillo Family YMCA at 3111 Village at the Park Drive (805.484.0423) provides access to health and wellness information and activities for all ages. The Camarillo Family YMCA- Hiji Center has a wide variety of adult and senior programs, including aquatics, aerobics and cardiovascular exercise, weight and strength training, yoga, basketball and volleyball leagues, triathlon training and more!

The Aquatics Center at the Camarillo Family YMCA provides instructional swim programs for all ages, ability levels and interests. Youth and adult lessons are offered year round as well as special classes for those with physical limitations. More info at www.ciymca.org/locations/camarillo-family-ymca.

The Ventura Family YMCA at 3760 Telegraph Road (805.642.2131) has served the City of Ventura for over 130 years. It got its start on September 30, 1887 with a house that was purchased on the corner of Santa Clara and Oak Street. Today, the Ventura Family YMCA has grown with an expansive 6,000 facility members and provides childcare to over 200 children in its after-school programs. More information at www.ciymca.org/locations/ventura-family-ymca.

www.ciymca.org

Brandon's Buddies Free Kids Club in Calabasas

Brandon's Buddies is a free kids club that meets every month at Brandon's Village at Gates Canyon Park located at 25801 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Calabasas. This playground is the first fully-accessible playground in the region. The day may include integrated play, face painting, arts and crafts, entertainment and treats.  Feel free to bring a sack lunch.

All children with and without disabilities and their families who want to spend a great day playing in the sunshine and making friends are invited to participate!

Brandon's Buddies gives children with disabilities the opportunity to play with their typically-able peers, while giving their parents a chance to share experiences and advice with other parents/caregivers.  It gives children without disabilities the chance to get to know their peers and gain greater awareness and compassion.

For more information, visit The K.E.N. Project website at www.kenproject.com or call 818.222.8118.  Or visit the KEN Project calendar at www.kenproject.com/calendar. 

Note from Conejo Joe: The group meets USUALLY (some exceptions noted) the first Saturday of each month from 10:30 am to 12:30 pm. But make sure to check in advance.  Or just show up.

Upcoming dates: TBA

YMCA of Southeast Ventura County - 4 Locations

YMCA of Southeast Ventura County serves the areas of Agoura, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. General information at www.triunfoymca.org or call 805.497.3081 x104.

Conejo Valley YMCA is located at 4031 North Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks (805.523.7613). Open 7 days a week. Facility has a 25-yard indoor heated pool) activity room, fitness center, gym, outdoor multi-sport court, frisbee golf/horseshoes, hiking and biking trail, babysitting, swim lessons, etc. www.triunfoymca.org/conejo

Yarrow Family YMCA in Westlake Village opened to the public in late April 2019 at 31105 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, at Westlake Village Community Park. This brand new 60,000 sq ft facility features a fitness center, eight lane indoor lap pool, warm water pool, gym, group exercise classes, and more. The Kids’ Zone is massive. Visit www.yarrowymca.org or call 818.707-9622.

Simi Valley YMCA is at 3200 Cochran Street (805.583.5338). Open 7 days a week. 25 yard swimming pool, fitness center, indoor cycling, child care, camps, classes, sports, etc. www.triunfoymca.org/SimiValley

Freedom Park BMX Raceway in Camarillo

Developed through the generous support of the Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District, Freedom Park BMX Raceway is a bicycle motocross facility offering year-round recreational riding and competitive racing opportunities. Sanctioned by the American Bicycle Association - FP BMX provides a healthy, positive cycling environment for participants of all ages.

Freedom Park, at 528 Freedom Park Drive, Camarillo, is a 30 acre park featuring sports facilities of six soccer fields, three lighted softball fields, RC racetrack, BMX track and inline-hockey rink. Located at the Camarillo Airport, it also has a community center, playground and a 24-table group picnic shelter with barbecue grills.

For more information, visit www.freedomparkbmx.com or call 805.824.7854.