2024 Surf Rodeo Music & Surf Festival in Ventura on July 5-6

Surf Rodeo will take place on Friday/Saturday, July 5-6, 2024 at Surfer’s Point in Ventura.

Featuring over 30 bands, a surf rodeo competition, a bikini cowgirl and bikini cowboy contest, cornhole tournament, skateboard demos, over 70 vendors, and more. Hours are 2-10pm on Friday and noon to 10pm on Saturday.

More information and tickets at www.surfrodeo.org.

Sea Center Celebrates World Oceans Day with Free Admission in Santa Barbara on June 8, 2024

Sea Center Celebrates World Oceans Day with Free Admission

Sea Center on Stearns Wharf Celebrates World Oceans Day

Come celebrate World Oceans Day at the Sea Center on Stearns Wharf during a festival from 10:00 AM–3:00 PM on Saturday, June 8, 2024. Free admission from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM will be made possible with the generous support of the UCSB Associated Students Coastal Fund and the Stearns Wharf Merchants Association.

During the festival, guests can meet an array of community partners dedicated to ocean conservation and celebration, including Santa Barbara Channelkeeper, California State Parks, UCSB's Caselle Lab, The Fish Reef Project, Channel Islands Naturalist Corps, Channel Islands Marine and Wildlife Institute, Santa Barbara Channel Whale Heritage Area, Channel Islands Restoration, and Celebration Cruises, who will be raffling off a Lil’ Toot trip package at their table.

The Sea Center features life-size models of a Gray Whale mother and calf, touchpool habitats where guests can touch sea stars and sea anemones, a Wet Deck modeled after a scientific research vessel’s lab, and Shark Cove, where visitors can get up close with small local sharks. In addition to exploring the Sea Center’s interactive exhibits, guests can enjoy storytimes, meeting the Sea Center's very own Toothy the Shark, an announcement of the winners of a marine-themed student art contest, and a display by the Harbor Patrol’s fireboat.

Scheduled activities:

  • Storytimes and appearances by Toothy the Shark at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM

  • Art contest winners announced at 1:00 PM

  • Harbor Patrol Fireboat Display at 3:00 PM

No reservations required. For more information and upcoming events, please visit sbnature.org/calendar

Free Photos with Santa, Toy Drive and Winter Wonderland at Hollywood Storage Center of Thousand Oaks December 9, 10, 16 and 17

Hollywood Storage Center of Thousand Oaks Hosts Toy Drive & Winter Wonderland Event

Bring along your loved ones and meet Santa Claus at the Hollywood Storage Center of Thousand Oaks during their yearly toy drive and Winter Wonderland celebration on December 9, 10, 16, and 17. Join in all the festive fun from 10 am to 4 pm each day.

After taking a free photo with Santa, stick around for Christmas-themed coloring and games. Then, experience the magic as Hollywood Storage Center morphs into a Winter Wonderland! Santa's weather elves predict intermittent snowfall throughout each day of the event.

New, unwrapped toys will be gathered and donated to Play Conejo, the charitable division of the Conejo Recreation & Park District, which will then be distributed directly to low-income children in our neighborhood. While donations are appreciated, they are not a requirement for participation in the photo sessions and activities. This is a wonderful opportunity to give back to the community while having some holiday fun.

About Hollywood Storage Center of Thousand Oaks
Situated at 3425 Old Conejo Road, a half-mile off the 101 Freeway at Wendy Drive, Hollywood Storage Center of Thousand Oaks is a locally owned enterprise committed to offering a superior space for the things you cherish.

For more information about this event, call 805-804-5432 or visit HollywoodStorageCenter.com.

Chanukah Celebration at The Shoppes at Westlake Village on Monday, December 11, 2023

Join the Chabad of Conejo at The Shoppes at Westlake Village on Monday, December 11, 2023 from 5:30-7PM for their annual Chanukah Festival. Enjoy special performances, live music, festive sweets, crafts, dreidels, grand menorah lighting and more. Free and open to the community! shoppesatwestlakevillage.com/events

Fall Festival at the Ojai Raptor Center on Sunday, November 12, 2023

The Ojai Raptor Center (ORC) is hosting its 2023 Fall Festival on Sunday, November 12, 2023 from 11am to 3pm, after a four year hiatus. The public is invited for a fun afternoon of performances, presentations, interactive games, activities, live music and an auction.

There will also be bird walks, a tour of ORC’s Freedom Flight, California’s largest flight cage for raptors in rehabilitation and bird-friendly native plant seed packets, as well as lunch available from on-site food trucks.

Normally, ORC is closed to the public year-round because of the sensitive nature of wildlife in rehabilitation. This is a great opportunity to check it out. Note that no live birds will be present at the event. Dogs are not allowed. 
 
The Ojai Raptor Center is located at 370 Baldwin Road, Ojai. Admission is $8 for children ages 4 to 15, $15 for adults, $10 for age 65+ and free for 3 and under.

Buy tickets at www.ojairaptorcenter.org.
 
About Ojai Raptor Center
Ojai Raptor Center is a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization, is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of birds of prey and other wildlife and to providing educational programs to teach communities about wildlife and our shared environment. This facility takes in an average of 1,000 animals a year, specializing in raptors, with a release rate of 65%. ORC provides permanent sanctuary to some of the non-releasable raptors who go on to become education ambassadors in the Wildlife Education Program.

2022 Santa Paula Rotary Pumpkin Patch at Limoneira Ranch (2023 Event Has Been Cancelled)

THE 2023 PUMPKIN PATCH AT LIMONEIRA RANCH HAS BEEN CANCELLED. Updates at www.sppumpkinpatch.com.

The Santa Paula Rotary Pumpkin Patch at the Limoneira Ranch, 12471 Foothill Road, Santa Paula will be back every Saturday and Sunday this October 2022.

Admission to the pumpkin patch is $12 (2 and under free) and includes hay ride, hay maze, hay pyramid, live music and plenty of great photo opps. Additional activities are $5 and up. The Corn MAiZE is $12. Other activities include corn maize, pony rides, face painting, the "Pumpkin Chucker" and more. No reservations needed - you can buy tickets online or at the door.

Families can easily spend a full day at the patch enjoying music, delicious fall food favorites, and old-fashioned hay wagon rides through acres of pumpkins, squash and gourds. 

Hours are 10am to 5 pm on October 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 and 39-30.

Visit sppumpkinpatch.com to learn more.

2023 Ventura Harbor Village Outdoor Movie Nights in June, July and August

Mark your calendars for free Outdoor Movie Nights at Ventura Harbor Village on June 24th (Jaws), July 29th (Goonies) and August 26th (Moana). Movies start at sunset on the main lawn at Ventura Harbor Village, 1591 Spinnaker Drive in Ventura.

Arrive early for dessert and pre-show entertainment and to secure a spot on the grass.

Jaws costume contest on June 24th - dress as a shark or in 1970s era attire. Special guest Susan Jane Backlinie (aka Chrissie Watkins), the first shark victim from the original Jaws will be on hand to introduce the movie and answer audience questions.

www.venturaharborvillage.com/blog/2023-movie-nights

150th Anniversary of Ventura County Kick-Off Celebration in Ventura on Friday, June 23rd

In 1873, Ventura County separated from Santa Barbara County creating a unique community in charge of its own destiny. In the 150 years since, Ventura County has become known for its agriculture, industry and innovation all the while cultivating a charming and laid-back cultural atmosphere.

As this year marks the significant distinction of celebrating 150 years, five groups have come together to honor our community, history and diversity. County of Ventura, Museum of Ventura County, Ventura County Community Foundation, Pacific Coast Business Times and Economic Development Collaborative present 150 days of celebration kicking off June 23 at Museum of Ventura County.

You are cordially invited to The 150th Anniversary of Ventura County Kick-Off Celebration on Friday, June 23 5:30 – 8:00 pm at 100 E. Main St. Ventura, CA 93001. Enjoy 3 exciting new exhibits, food trucks, live music, guest speakers, a specially crafted 150th cocktail and MORE!

This event is FREE of charge and open to ALL. Stay tuned for many more exciting events, programs, festivals and interactive experiences over the following 150 days.

venturamuseum.org/event/ventura-county-150th-kick-off-event

Star Gazing Event at Moorpark College Observatory on Saturday, June 10th

Summer Triangle and Milky Way Sky Tour

Moorpark College and the Ventura County Astronomical Society will host a guided tour of the summer sky at the Moorpark College Observatory, 7075 Campus Road, on Saturday, June 10, 2023 at 8:00 pm. Join them for an exploration of our own galaxy, the Milky Way!

At 9 pm, the sky darkens, and the telescope viewing begins!

You are encouraged to bring your own binoculars or telescope. If the sky is cloudy, a PowerPoint presentation will still be shown.

This is a free event for students, staff and the community. Not recommended for children under 6 years old. RSVP at bit.ly/SUMMERTRIANGLE.

Seating is limited. You are welcome to bring your own lawn or folding chairs.