Trails in the Conejo Open Space to Reopen on Weekends Beginning May 9th

Sunset Hills Trail in Thousand Oaks

Today, the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) announced that trails are now open on weekends. Trailhead parking lots, except for the lot in Hill Canyon, remain temporarily closed.

The change in policy is being implemented based on the reopening of other outdoor areas in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. Starting May 9th, some, but not all, trails will be open in Los Angeles County, making more trails available regionally. Additional Ventura County trails are also expected to open. Making more outdoor space available meets community needs related to physical and mental health and provides additional outdoor space where residents can enjoy nature while maintaining required social distance.

COSCA reminds visitors that the coronavirus will remain in our community for an extended time, and this is not the end of social distancing and County health orders. Visitors must take responsibility for their personal and community safety when out in public. Compliance with the Ventura County Stay Well at Home Order, as well as posted COSCA directives and recommendations, are essential to this effort.

Physical distancing practices should continue (at least 6 feet). Do not gather in groups. Stick with members of your household. Do not congregate.

More information at conejo-openspace.org.

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden Phased Re-Opening in the Coming Weeks

The County of Santa Barbara’s Public Health Department has recently reclassified the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden as an ‘essential business,’ paving the way for a phased re-opening of this beloved local institution in the weeks ahead.

“As the weather warms up, people continue seeking out safe outdoor activities during the Coronavirus pandemic,” said Steve Windhager, Executive Director of the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. “We are thrilled that, once proper planning is in place, the Garden can again be accessible as an outlet for nature-based recreation, inspiration, and healing to members of our community,”

While the Garden remains closed at this time, staff are planning a phased, gradual reopening that will allow an increase in visitor numbers over time based on how effectively safety protocols can be followed.

With its recent reclassification, the Garden is now permitted to host guests while adhering to a strict set of criteria that ensure the social distancing of its attendees. These will include advanced hands-free payment, on-site signage about social distancing protocols, the ability to wash and/or disinfect hands, the frequent cleaning of high-touch surfaces, and even greater limitation on the number of guests that can be in the Garden at any one time.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of both the public and our staff,” said Dr. Windhager. “As such, the Garden is actively consulting with the County, our Board of Directors, and others to ensure a healthy experience for visitors and Garden staff that follows county guidelines.”

“We are working through a number of logistical and safety details that will guide our decision-making process in the days and weeks ahead,” said Dr. Windhager. “Additional information regarding our re-opening will be made available on our website and social media channels over the coming weeks.”

The Garden’s mission to conserve California native plants and habitats for the health and well-being of people and the planet is evident on site with over 1,000 taxa of exclusively California native plants, 5.5 miles of trails, and 78 acres, with a variety of cultivated displays, oak and riparian woodlands, a redwood forest, a desert section, and much more to explore.

For more information, visit www.sbbg.org.

Residents Who Visit County of Ventura Managed Beaches Urged to Follow Distancing Guidelines

Hollywood Beach

Residents who visit County of Ventura-managed beaches are urged to follow guidelines outlined in the Stay Well At Home Order issued by County of Ventura Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin.

Kiddie Beach, Silver Strand Beach and Hollywood Beach, managed by the Ventura County Harbor Department, have remained open for outdoor activity to afford residents relief. Residents are encouraged to use the beaches for essential physical activity such as walking, running, and jogging, while practicing social distancing guidelines. Beach visitors are not allowed to gather with groups on the beach outside their household.

“Ventura County residents should be proud of their efforts during this time and we want to make sure we continue to flatten the curve,” said Mark Sandoval, Harbor Department Director. “Practicing social distancing guidelines, particularly at the beach, is important. Not following these guidelines may result in our County-managed beaches being shut down for the foreseeable future.”

Director Sandoval said the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department will increase patrolling of the three beaches to ensure guidelines are being met.

Parking lots and bathrooms at the three beaches will remain closed.

Ventura City Council Vote to Re-Open Parks and Beaches On a Limited Basis

Tonight, the Ventura City Council voted to re-open parks and beaches in the City of Ventura on a “limited closure” basis.

What this means is that parks and beaches will be open for active use only. Walking, running, hiking, cycling and other recreational uses with proper 6 foot social distancing and participants in these activities do not linger in any location.

The Promenade, pier, sidewalks, walking paths, trails and tracks within all City of Ventura beaches are open for use by the public so long as gatherings are socially distanced and no more than 5 people (under the most current VC Public Health Order).

Large group gatherings and picnics will not be allowed at this time to abide by current Ventura County Stay at Home orders.

Parking lots, playgrounds, restrooms, pools, sports/recreational fields and picnic areas will continue to be closed.

Failure to comply with these rules could result in closures as necessary. Parks and beaches can be shut down when overcrowding becomes an issue.

More details at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/DocumentCenter/View/21039/12A

Conejo Creek Dog Park, Other Off-Leash Dog Parks and Pickleball Parks Have Reopened in the Conejo Valley

This was Conejo Creek Dog Park at 1350 E Avenida De Las Flores, Thousand Oaks on Saturday.

Today, CPRD announced that the Conejo Creek Dog Park is back open, along with off-leash dog areas at Estella, Kimber and Walnut Grove Parks. They were previously closed on April 2nd. Humans must practice appropriate (6 foof minimum) social distancing at the parks. Dogs may continue smelling and sniffing other doggies as appropriate. Pickleball courts at Conejo Valley parks have also reopened (though other facilities e.g. playgrounds, etc.) are still closed

These and other Ventura County area dog parks at THIS LINK.

City of Port Hueneme Announces "Soft Re-Opening" of Hueneme Beach on April 18th

The City of Port Hueneme closed Hueneme Beach to all activity on April 1st but has announced a “soft re-opening” after the Ventura County Public Health’s updated Stay at Home Order announced on April 18th.

The soft re-opening is contingent upon everyone visiting the beach adhering to the listed guidelines and restrictions. The city asks beachgoers to continue to wear masks while outside as people may continue to be asymptotic.

If beachgoers follow social distancing guidelines and these new beach restrictions, we will not need to reinstate another beach closure.

The city has asked visitors to use the beach to exercise and get fresh air but not as a place to hang out and socialize. Activities allowed on Hueneme Beach: Walking, running, exercise, surfing, biking, swimming, and other uses that require physical activity. None of these activities shall be done in groups.

The city is highly discouraging people from the following activities: Sunbathing, congregating, and sitting. In addition, items not allowed on the beach include blankets, chairs, coolers, umbrellas, tents and any item that promotes a stationary presence. The pier, picnic areas, restrooms, and playground equipment will continue to be closed.

There is no open street parking as ithis helps prevent people from simply congregating and hanging out in their vehicles. It continues to help expand our walkways for people walking in both directions and it creates and even bigger bicycle lane for those at the beach.

More detailed information and updates at porthuenemeemergency.org.

Virtual Collections on the Getty Center Website

We’re in the midst of a Stay at Home Order that has been extended to May 15th. When there’s not pandemic-driven Stay at Home order, you’ve always meant to check out the Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades. Now you have all the time in the world, but the museums of course are closed.

Not to worry! There are plenty of things to virtually explore on their website at www.getty.edu!

Virtual Publications Library: More than 300 of books to read and download for free www.getty.edu/publications/virtuallibrary/index.html

Current exhibitions online www.getty.edu/whats-on

Online exhibitions www.getty.edu/art

Getty artwork collection: www.getty.edu/art/collection

Getty online special collections: www.getty.edu/research/special_collections/index.html

Open content - over 149,000 images at THIS LINK.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art Has at Home Activities Available on its Website

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art, like other venues in the area,, is closed during the Covid-19 Stay at Home order. But there are a variety of free activities to partake in on its website at www.sbma.net/events/sbmaathome. These activities include:

• Family Activities: At Home Activities for Kids, Studio Sunday Instructions and Videos and Art Making at Home Videos.

• Tours and Videos: Virtual Exhibition Tours and SBMA on YouTube

• SBMA Zoom Backgrounds to spice up your Zoom meetings.

• Explore permanent collections online - several thousand images are on display.

Learn more at www.sbma.net.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art Has an Array of Free Online Content to Explore

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is closed due to the COVID-19 emergency but offers on its website at www.lacma.org a variety of free content:

• Short films, exhibition walkthroughs and documentaries.

• Curated audio soundtracks, compositions and live recordings.

• Online courses, lectures and teaching resources.

• Articles, interviews and exhibition catalogs.

You can also browse through current exhibitions at www.lacma.org/art/exhibitions/current.