2019 Summer Beach Buses in Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark

The City of Agoura Hills 2019 Summer Beach Bus transports from three pick-up locations in Agoura Hills to Zuma Beach Station #5!  Locations are Lindero Canyon Middle School, Agoura High School and the southeast corner of Liberty Canyon and Agoura Road. The program runs Monday through Friday from 6/17 to 8/16. Bring a photo ID (Driver's License, School ID, or a home-made emergency contact card will suffice) and exact change of $2.00 each way! Visit www.ci.agoura-hills.ca.us for specific pick-up times.

The City of Thousand Oaks is offering a 2019 Summer Beach Bus to Zuma Beach (Lot 5) every Monday through Friday from June 10 through August 9 (except July 4th and 5th) for $3 each way ($1.50 for seniors/disabled). Cash only, exact fare required. Multi-ride passes are available. Departure spots for both buses include the Borchard Community Center Parking Lot and Thousand Oaks Teen Center Bus Stop. Detailed schedules at www.totransit.org. Departs 9am and 10am on Mon-Wed and 9am, 10am and 11am from Borchard Center Thu-Fri.

The 2019 City of Calabasas Beach Bus to Zuma Beach is only for residents of Calabasas and Hidden Hills from TBA. Youth under age 18 must present ID from a Calabasas/Hidden Hills school and adults must show proof of residency. $2 each way. There are five pickup locations in Calabasas ranging from 10 am to 3:25 pm. Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/beachbus.html for specifics.

The City of Moorpark offers a 2019 beach bus to Zuma Tuesdays through Thursdays, 6/19/18 to 8/16/18. Visit moorparkca.gov/794/2018-Beach-Bus for details. $5 round-trip for adults/students and $2 for seniors/disabled. Five pickup points in Moorpark, starting at 8:50 am at Campus Canyon School to 9:30 am at Peach Hill Park. Two trips per day. Open to the general public. No smoking, eating or drinking allowed on buses…but hey, you can text and talk all ya want!

Channel Islands National Park Islands Accessible to Public During Government Shutdown

During the shutdown of the federal government due to the lapse of appropriations, national parks will remain as accessible as possible while still following all applicable laws and procedures. At Channel Islands National Park the park islands, with the exception of San Miguel Island, will remain accessible to visitors, but emergency and rescue services will be limited. The park’s mainland visitor center and island visitor contact stations are closed.

There will be no National Park Service (NPS)-provided visitor services at Channel Islands National Park, including public information, and restroom and campground maintenance. Park concessioners will operate as usual.

Park visitors are advised to use extreme caution during their visit as NPS personnel will not be available to provide guidance, assistance, or emergency response. Any entry onto NPS property during this period of federal government shutdown is at the visitor’s sole risk.

All island campgrounds and restrooms are open and accessible to visitors. There will be no campground check-in/check-out services and visitors holding campground reservations should be aware that there is no guarantee their reserved campsite will be ready and available during a government shutdown.

www.nps.gov/chis/learn/news/pr122218.htm

Whale Watching Season at Channel Islands Harbor December 26, 2018 through Mid-April 2019

Blue Whale Tail (Photo Credit: David Beeninga)

It’s that time of year to catch a glimpse of nature during Whale Watching Season taking place off the coast of Oxnard.  The season officially begins the day after Christmas, December 26 and continues through mid to late April 2019.

Both Island Packers, Ventura County’s official concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, and Channel Islands Sportfishing Center offer whale watching excursions directly from Channel Islands Harbor.  Island Packers provides 3 ½ hour non-landing narrated trips with morning and afternoon departures available.  The fare is $38 for adults; $34 for seniors 55+; $28 for children (3-12), and free for children 3 and under.  Trips run through mid- April 2019.

Channel Islands Sportfishing Center provides half-day morning whale watching excursions during the week and on the weekends with a morning and afternoon departure, running from December 26 through April 30, 2019.  Rates are $55 for adults; $45 for seniors; and $35 for children under 12.

Every year, an estimated 20,000 to 25,000 Pacific Gray Whales migrate through the Santa Barbara Channel on their way to and from the warm lagoons of Baja California, Mexico.  A journey through the Channel Islands National Park and National Marine Sanctuary provide visitors the unique opportunity to experience the splendor and beauty of these giants of the deep.  Besides whales, visitors often encounter dolphins, seals, sea lions and a rich variety of bird life, some of which are endangered and protected.

For more information on Oxnard Whale Watching Season, visit the website at www.visitoxnard.com.

About Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau

Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau (OCVB) is a non-profit organization designed to increase visitor expenditures through transient occupancy tax, and tourism revenue opportunities through the promotion of Oxnard as a premier travel destination. Oxnard is an easy drive up the coast from Los Angeles or from the northern portions of California. Visitors are encouraged to enjoy Oxnard’s uncrowded beaches, explore the many diverse attractions and outdoor adventures that are unique to the area. A wide variety of hotel accommodations are available ranging from mid-priced rooms to oceanfront and seaside settings. For more information, call the Oxnard Convention & Visitors Bureau at 805-385-7545 or visit the website at www.visitoxnard.com.

Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum Opening at Simi Valley Town Center

The Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum is opening its doors at the Simi Valley Town Center on Saturday, December 15, 2018. It is located directly across from the Vans store in the mall in a space of over 10,000 square feet. The address is 1555 Simi Town Center Way, #230.

The International Skateboarding Hall of Fame is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded by Todd Huber. It was created to honor the passion, dedication and contributions to skateboarding history and culture by skateboarders and cultural icons through the decades.

The Museum displays hundreds of skateboards and other skating artifacts going back decades. There are some fascinating home-made specimens of boards on display. There will also be an skating art gallery, gift shop, theater/library (over 600 skating videos as well as skating magazines) and skate shop. They will also be able to build skateboards at the facility.

The Museum also has a mini skating ramp with a fun wall ride available to local youth for a fee.

Admission to the museum will be free, but donations are welcomed.

Visit www.facebook.com/SkateboardingHallofFame to learn more and to support the cause.

Old school. REALLY old school.

Nearly complete mini ramp at Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum.

Sapwi Trails Community Park Ribbon Cutting Ceremony in Thousand Oaks on September 22nd

The Conejo Recreation and Park District announces its Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new Sapwi Trails Community Park on Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 9 am to noon.

This 145 acre park is located in the open space between Erbes Road (at Scenicpark Street) on the west and Westlake Boulevard east, with Avenida de los Arboles on the north.

The park has numerous features, including disc golf course, trails for hiking, biking and horseback riding, playground, bike park, terraced areas with picnic benches and more.

The park will not have irrigated turf.

More information at www.crpd.org/sapwi.

2018 Dallas Cowboys Training Camp in Oxnard in July and August

The Dallas Cowboys are heading back to River Ridge Playing Fields in Oxnard at 2101 West Vineyard Avenue (next to the Marriott Residence Inn Oxnard River Ridge) again this year for 2018 pre-season training camp!

Admission is FREE, no tickets needed. "Cowboys on Tour" trucks, team merchandise and Hall of Fame trailers will be at the site throughout camp. Parking opens at 11am and the "Midway" opens at noon.

Training schedule will be posted at www.visitoxnard.com/cowboys.  Or additional Dallas Cowboys information, visit www.dallascowboys.com/news/cowboys-officially-announce-2018-training-camp-practice-schedule-459956.

2018 Schedule

• Wed 7/25: Cowboys arrive in Oxnard (no practice)
• Thu 7/26 4pm Practice
• Fri 7/27 4pm Practice
• Sat 7/28 3pm Open Ceremonies; 4pm Practice
• Sun 7/29 4pm Practice
• Mon 7/30 No practice
• Tue 8/1 4pm Practice
• Wed 8/2 4pm Practice
• Thu 8/2 4pm Practice
• Fri 8/3 No Practice
• Sat 8/4 4pm Practice
• Sun 8/5 4pm Practice
• Mon 8/6 4pm Practice
• Tue 8/7 10:30am Practice
• Wed 8/8 No Practice
• Thu 8/9 No Practice
• Fri 8/10 No Practice
• Sat 8/11 4pm Practice
• Sun 8/12 4pm Practice
• Mon 8/13 4pm Practice
• Tue 8/14 No Practice
• Wed 8/15 4pm Practice
• Thu 8/16 10:30am Practice

Parking lot opens at 11:30 am for 4 pm practices and 7:30 am for 10:30 am practices. 

Parking at River Ridge Playing Fields is $15 weekdays for small vehicles ($20 for large) and $20 on weekends for all vehicles. FREE parking passes will be provided to registered guests staying in an Oxnard hotel.  Let the front desk know that you are attending Camp when you check in. One parking pass will be provided for each day of your stay.

No bicycles, backpacks (small diaper bag ok), coolers, ice chests, outside food and pets. No strollers in the bleacher area. No tailgating or alcohol allowed.

Ventura Ranch KOA is Open While Rebuilding But With Limited Services and Amenities

The Ventura Ranch KOA in Santa Paula was significantly affected by the December 2017 Thomas Fire and was closed for awhile as a result.  However, it is now open and taking reservations, but with limited services, amenities, and activities as they continue the process of rebuilding.

All electric and water RV sites are now open and many tent sites are available. New cabins are being built, and along with the safari tents, teepees and pool, are expected to be open by the end of June. 

Learn more at koa.com/campgrounds/ventura-ranch.

Banyan Neighborhood Park Expansion Project Ribbon Cutting in Newbury Park on February 24th

Banyan Neighborhood Park at 3605 Erinlea Avenue in Newbury Park has been expanded over recent months to expand and beautify the park, including meadows, walking paths, shade structures and more. The park will open within a few days into February. A ribbon cutting event will take place on Saturday, February 24th at 10 a.m. Contact CRPD for more information at www.crpd.org.