Pumpkin Patches in Ventura County and Adjacent Areas

The star of the Halloween show is the pumpkin. According to my favorite resource Wikipedia, the name pumpkin originated from the Greek word pepon ("large melon"). The French called it pompom. The British changed it to pumpion. Then American colonists changed it to pumpkin. Why? Heck, I dunno.

Pumpkins are gourd-like squashes and technically are a fruit. They can range in size from 1 lb to 1,000 lbs.

But who cares about all that...what we REALLY want to know is, where are the pumpkin patches in Ventura County and surrounding areas!? Well, here are some choices...but make sure to call before you go for hours, etc.

OTHER HALLOWEEN EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Big Wave Dave's Pumpkin Patch locations at 4075 Telegraph Road in Ventura (adjacent to Ventura College) is open 11am to 8pm October 12 to October 31, 2019. In addition to pumpkins, they offer free games and prizes for the kids. There's also a location at the Pacific View Mall in the Trader Joe's parking lot 9/28 to 10/31. Visit bigwavedaveschristmastrees.com/pumpkin-patch.html or call 805.218.0282. 

Bennett's Best Pumpkin Patch is now openat 28900 Roadside Drive (near Do It Center) in Agoura Hills as well as at 4995 Kanan Road (Kanan at Agoura Road). bennettsbest.net

Fillmore & Western Pumpkinliner Trail Rides in October

Boccali Ranch Pumpkin Patch at 3277 E. Ojai Avenue in Ojai will be open 7 days a week from 10am to 7pm from October 5-31, 2019. Daytime hayrides $3 for adults, $2 for children on Sat/Sun 11am to 5pm, free children’s hay maze. “Haunted” nighttime hay rides 7-9pm Fri/Sat 10/11-12, 18-19 and 25-26. www.boccalis.com/pumpkinpatch.html

McGrath Brothers Great Pacific Pumpkins is located at 5100 Olivas Park Drive in Ventura. Tractor hay rides, hay maze, horse drawn hay rides and farm animals on hand. More information at www.greatpacificpumpkins.com or call 805.644.1235. Open daily in October from 9am to 6pm.

Prancer's Pumpkin Village is open September 28 through October from 11am to 9pm weekdays and 10am to 9pm weekends at 3075 Johnson Drive in Ventura (adjacent to the 101 freeway). In addition to an array of pumpkins, they offer pony rides, bouncers, hay maze, petting zoo and other activities. Visit prancersvillage.com. Admission is $4 and includes free hay ride.

The Santa Paula Rotary's Pumpkin Patch at the Limoneira Ranch in Santa Paula will be open every weekend in October 2019, starting October 5-6, from 10am to 5pm. Gigantic corn MaiZe, hay wagon rides, the infamous "Pumpkin Chucker" and more on hand. $8 admission.

Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch is located near the Simi Valley Town Center on Erringer Road and in Thousand Oaks at 450 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Pumpkins, petting zoo, rides, inflatable attractions and more (no admission cost; activities vary in cost). www.seasonaladventures.com/locations Open October 1-31, weekdays 1-9pm and weekend 9am-9pm.

Stu Miller's Pumpkin Patch just east of the Simi Valley Town Center.

The 22nd Annual Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival in Moorpark is open September 28 to October 31, 2019 with themed events each weekend, massive pumpkin patch and lots of fun activities.

The Underwood Farm Center in Somis at 5696 Los Angeles Avenue also has a pumpkin patch along with its year-round animal center.

Calabasas Pumpkin Festival October 19-20

Bennett's Best Pumpkin Patch on Roadside Drive in Agoura Hills

Pumpkins no longer: 

McGrath Street Pumpkin Patch, which was located at 5156 McGrath Street, Ventura, is no longer operating in 2019 after 40 years in business. David McGrath bodes farewell and announces his retirement at www.mcgrathstreetpumpkinpatch.com.

Halloween Events and Activities In and Around Ventura County

Here, once again, is our boo-rific compilation of Halloween events, activities and goings on around Ventura County and surrounding areas for the 2019 Halloween season! Spooky houses, pumpkin patches, trick or treating, carnivals, community events, storytelling and more! 

Dates/times subject to change; contact event organizers to confirm. For calendar view, click here.

Pumpkin Patches in Ventura County and Surrounding Areas

Ongoing Events/Activities

• 9/28-11/2: Reign of Terror Haunted House at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks

• 9/28-10/31: 22nd Annual Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival in Moorpark

• 10/3-11/3: Nights of the Jack Halloween Jack O’Lantern Experience (nights)

• 9/21-10/31: Rotary Club of Simi Sunrise Haunted House at Simi Valley Town Center

• 9/9-10/31: Discounted Passes to Knott’s Scary Farm in Buena Park

• Weekends in Oct: Pumpkinliner Train Rides at Fillmore & Western Railway

Other Events/Activities

• Fri 10/18: Haunted Float Night at CLU Community Pool (5-9:30PM)

• Sat 10/19: Harvest Fest at The Shoppes at Westlake (Noon-3PM)

• Sat 10/26: Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest at Ventura Harbor Village (11AM)

• Sat 10/26: Pumpkin Party at the Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas (1-4PM)

• Sat 10/19: Heritage Halloween and Movie at Strathearn Park Simi Valley (5-9PM)

• Sat 10/19: Family-Friendly "Lights On" at Reign of Terror Haunted House (1-4PM)

• Fri-Sun 10/18-20: Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Barbara Zoo

• Sat/Sun 10/19-20: Calabasas Pumpkin Festival (10AM-5PM)

• Fri 10/25: Halloween Carnival at Malibu Bluffs Park (3-6PM)

• Fri 10/25: Spooky Swim at Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center (5:30-8:30PM)

• Fri 10/25: Spooky Town Event at Simi Valley Town Center (5-8PM)

• Sat 10/26: Herman Bennett Foundation Halloween Party in Camarillo (4-8PM)

• Sat 10/26: Creatures of the Night Family Event at Rancho Sierra Vista in NP (5-9PM)

• Sat 10/26: 9th Annual Peace Pumpkin Fest in Camarillo

• Sat 10/26: Trick or Treating at Ventura Harbor Village (1-3PM)

• Sat 10/26: Howl-O-Ween Event at Mission Oaks Park in Camarillo (9am-Noon)

• Sat 10/26: Trick-or-Treat Trail & Health Fair at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks (10am-3pm)

• Sat 10/26: Pumpkin Fest at Christ the King Newbury Park (2-6PM) Details TBA

• Sat 10/26: Halloween Haunt at Plaza Park in Oxnard (4-7PM)

• Sat 10/26: Halloween Haunted Trail, Costume Contest, Trick-or-Treating in Thousand Oaks (6-9PM)

• Sat 10/26: Family-Friendly "Lights On" at Reign of Terror Haunted House (1-4PM)

• Sat/Sun 10/26-27: Boo at the Zoo at Moorpark College Teaching Zoo (11AM-5PM)

• Weekends in Oct: Pumpkin Patch at Limoneira Ranch in Santa Paula (10AM-5PM)

• Sun 10/27: Dia de los Muertos at Strathearn Historical Park Simi Valley (2-7PM)

• Sun 10/27: The Haunted Pit at United Methodist Church Westlake Village (6-9PM)

• Sun 10/27: Superheroes of the Symphonyat T.O. Civic Arts Plaza (Noon-4PM) ( RSVP)

• Sun 10/27: Halloween Fun at “Malibooo” Country Mart (Noon-3PM)

• Sun 10/27: Farmers' Market Family Fun Day at Channel Islands Harbor (10AM-2PM)

• Tue 10/29: Halloween Boo Bash at The Commons at Calabasas (5-7PM)

• Tue 10/29: Trick-or-Treating at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard (RSVP) (5-7PM)

• Wed 10/30: Halloween Night at Conejo Valley YMCA in Thousand Oaks (6-8PM)

• Wed 10/30: Halloween Haunt at E.P. Foster Library in Ventura (7:30-9PM)

• Thu 10/31: 14th Annual Halloween Carnival in Oak Park (5:30-8PM)

• Thu 10/31: Halloween Festival for Kids at Thousand Oaks Library (4-6PM)

• Thu 10/31: Haunted High Street Event in Moorpark (5-8PM)

• Thu 10/31: Trick or Treating at the Camarillo Premium Outlets (4-6PM)

• Thu 10/31: Halloween Spooktacular Trick-or-Treat at Agoura Hills/Calabasas Cty Center (3:30-5:30PM)

• Thu 10/31: 58th Annual Halloween Carnival in Simi Valley (5:30-8PM)

Upcoming 5K, 10K and Other Ventura County Area Running and Fitness Events

Start training for upcoming 5K, 10K, half marathon and other Ventura County running and fitness events! We've made it easy for you to find a local race by tracking local events right here. So go on, get moving, lace up those shoes and start training! CLICK HERE for local running groups and clubs.  Training for a marathon? Check out 26.2 Training Tips for Your First Marathon!

Sat, Oct 19: Rocky Peak 50K, 30K, 15K Trail Runs in Simi Valley

Sat, Oct 19: Lexus Ventura Marathon - 5K and Downtown Mile Races

Sun, Oct 20: Lexus Ventura Marathon and Half Marathon

Sat, Oct 26: October Classic 5K/10K Walk/Run in Ojai

Sat, Oct 26: Haunted Housing Run 5K, 10K and Kids Dash at Ventura Beach

Sat, Nov 2: 2nd Annual Dole 5K Family Fun Run & Walk at Sherwood Country Club

Sun, Nov 3: Malibu Half Marathon and 5K

Sun, Nov 3: 26th Annual Salmon Run 5K at Patagonia Ventura

Sun, Nov 10: 7th Annual Surfers’ Point Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K/10K in Ventura

Sun, Nov 24: Muddy Warriors Experience 5K/10K Trail/Obstacle Runs in Simi Valley

Thu, Nov 28: 15th Annual Turkey Day Dash in Thousand Oaks

Thu, Nov 28: 13th Annual Ventura Turkey Trot 5K and Kids’ 1K

Thu, Nov 28: 6th Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K in Simi Valley

Sun, Dec 1: Holly Jolly Half Marathon, 5K and 10K in Camarillo

Sun, Dec 8: Santa to the Sea Half Marathon and 5K in Oxnard

Sun, Dec 15: 2nd Annual Ladin Subaru 805 Strong 5K in Thousand Oaks

2020

Sun, Feb 16: Seaside Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K/10K in Ventura

Sat, Mar 14: 2nd Annual Calabasas Shamrock Shuffle 5K and Kids’ Fun Run

Previous Events - Want to see what ya missed!?  CLICK HERE

26.2 Miles or Bust: Marathons Within a One Hour Drive of Ventura County

CONEJO JOE'S TRAINING BLOG

For great running shoes from local businesses that know a lot about them, try the following:

Future Track Running Shoe Store (30125 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills)

Mile 26 Sports ( 2222 E. Thompson Blvd, Ventura)

Road Runner Sports (1714 Newbury Road, Newbury Park)

Foot Pursuit Run Shop (4324 Cochran Street, Simi Valley)

Inside Track Running Shoe Store (2437 E. Harbor Blvd., Ventura)

Fleet Feet Sports (982 South Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village)

Also:

lululemon Run Club Monday nights in Calabasas (March to December)

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Options for Thousand Oaks Residents

The City of Thousand Oaks Public Works Department's "GoGreen" website has hundreds of conservation tips relating to composting, energy conservation, hazardous waste disposal, recycling and trash, reuse programs, water conservation, living green advice, and much more. Check it out at www.toaks.org/GoGreen.

Like me, you may have a lot of junk lying around the house that you'd like to get rid of but are not allowed to place in the trash. 

Since May 2014, the City has run a permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility located next to the Service Center at 2010 Conejo Center Drive, Newbury Park.

Residents of Thousand Oaks and unincorporated areas of Ventura County may sign up to drop off items at this facility on Fridays/Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, except certain holiday weekends, at THIS LINK. Advance registration is required.

Items accepted at these monthly collection events include acids, motor oil, antifreeze, asbestos, nail polish/remover, automatic switches, oil filters, batteries, paints, cement, paint thinners, chlorine, fertilizers, pool chemicals, fluorescent lights, propane cylinders, fire extinguishers, rodent poison, garden chemicals, smoke detectors, gasoline, solvents, used frying oil, household cleaners, weed killers and more. They do not accept tires, medications. business waste and other items.

One person's hazardous waste is another's gold! The City's Hazardous Waste Material Reuse Program allows residents to take away certain items previously disposed of, such as cleaners, paint, pool chemicals, motor oils, adhesives, etc. Selection obviously will vary. No appointment needed. Just stop by ReUse Store (same location as waste collection facility) on Friday/Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the weekly collection events described above.

The ReUse store will be closed weekends associated with the following holidays: President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

There are also convenient hazardous waste disposal for other items:

Batteries: Community Centers at Borchard Park, Dos Vientos and Thousand Oaks (next to TOHS), Goebel Senior Center, Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park Libraries, City Hall and Thousand Oaks Transportation Center.

Motor Oil/Filters: See THIS LINK.

Electronic Waste: Best Buy, Goodwill Industries, PC Recycle, Waste Management and Gold Coast Recycling Center. More info at THIS LINK.

Fluorescent Lights/CFL's: You may bring any size or type of flourescent and LED bulbs to the City's Hazardous Waste Facility.

Unwanted and/or expired medications can be dropped off throughout Ventura County at designated police stations, such as the East Valley Police Station Lobby at 2101 E. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Open Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm.

Visit toaks.org/GoGreen for updates.

Roller Skating, Roller Blading, Ice Skating and Skateboarding Around Ventura County

Looking for some wheel fun around the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County? Look no further than this list of nearby skating, blading and boarding venues in and around the area.

ICE SKATING

Iceoplex Ice Skating Rink in Simi Valley

Hockey Alley Ice Skating Training Facility in Newbury Park

The Holiday Ice Rink at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks for years has opened mid-November through January

ROLLER SKATING, ROLLER HOCKEY

Skating Plus Indoor Roller Rink in Ventura

Tri-Valley Roller Hockey League in Calabasas

Ventura County Derby Darlins - Roller Derby Team!

SKATEBOARDING

Pleasant Valley Skate Park in Camarillo

Bedford Pinkard Skate Park in Oxnard

Westlake Skate Park in Westlake Village

The new Skateboarding Hall of Fame and Museum opened at the Simi Valley Town Center in December 2018. There is a small ramp available at this 10,000 sq ft facility.

Fillmore Skate Park

Santa Paula Skate Park

Borchard Skate Park in Newbury Park

Poindexter Skate Park in Moorpark

Westpark, Hobert Park and Pacific Skate Parks in Ventura

Ojai Skate Park

Nearby in Chatsworth is the 13,000 sq ft The SkateHouse Indoor Skate Park

CLOSED

Channel Islands Ice Center in Oxnard (closed its doors in April 2016 but is looking to raise funds for a new home)

Skatelab Skate Park in Simi Valley closed its doors 1/6/19 after 21 years in operation, but its founder indicated a new location is coming.

Scenes from the 12th Annual Sounds of Conejo Marching Band Field Show Exhibition at Thousand Oaks High School on Saturday, September 28, 2019

The 12th Annual Sounds of Conejo marching band field show exhibition took place the night of Saturday, September 28, 2019 at Thousand Oaks High School Lancer Stadum.

There were 10 local area bands showing off their outstanding performances this year, including, Buena, Camarillo, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Oxnard, Oxnard, Royal, Saugus, Westlake and Thousand Oaks high schools.

This footage captures snippets of some of the bands’ performances. Every single band, large or small, did a fantastic job! Kudos to the Thousand Oaks High School Instrumental Music Department and supporting team of parents to pull off such a great event every year.

The grand finale included all 10 bands on the field at the same time, along with fantastic color guards (flag and dance sections) of the respective bands. What a fun evening on this beautiful, crisp early fall night in the Conejo Valley.

Nice job, Oxnard HS Marching Band!

Missed you in the video footage, Oak Park, but you were great!

All 10 bands congregating together for the grand finale!

That’s a lot of band members together on the field at Thousand Oaks High School!

Thousand Oaks High School Band and Color Guard putting on a great show.