Twelve of My Favorite Things To Do in the City of Simi Valley

The City of Simi Valley was incorporated on October 10, 1969, less than 3 months after Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first humans to land on the Moon. The City covers 42 square miles and as of 2013 was home to just over 126,000 people. Simi Valley is neighbors with Moorpark, Thousand Oaks and the San Fernando Valley.

According to the City's website, the name of the Chumash Indian Village “Shimiji” is believed to be the origin of the City’s name and Ta’apu is the origin of the names of Tapo Street and Tapo Canyon.

But enough of that. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Simi Valley.

I love hiking the Long Canyon Trail, with its views of Wood Ranch, Bard Lake and the rest of Simi Valley (not to mention you can hike to Lang Ranch in Thousand Oaks from here).

The Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center is a 220 seat theater at 3050 Los Angeles Avenue that hosts musicals, concerts, exhibits, children's theater and other events year-round.  The theater is a landmark Gothic structure built in the 1920s that was named Ventura County Historical Landmark #67 in July 1981. Visit www.simi-arts.org to learn more.

Views from the Long Canyon Trail

The magnificent Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum is a major draw to Simi Valley. This 243,000 sq ft museum at the top of 100 acres of land is a must see for its interactive displays, history, Air Force One and outstanding rotating exhibits. And the views, particularly on clear days, are quite memorable.

Lazertag Extreme opened in the Wood Ranch section of Simi Valley in 2013 and at over 5,000 sq ft is a great indoor, multi-level laser tag facility and arcade.

Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village is a historical and cultural landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is located on a residential lot that contains shrines, walkways, sculptures and buildings from recycled items and discards, built over a 25 year old period by Tressa "Grandma" Prisbrey. An eyesore to some, a one-of-a-kind treasure to others. Open periodically to the public as the site is restored.

Grandma Prisbrey's Bottle Village

The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10049 and Simi Valley Town Center host an impressive display at the Museum of Military History Posters and Memorabilia. There are hundreds of military posters and historical artifacts on display that have been graciously provided by local veterans and collectors.

Museum of Military History Posters and Memorabilia in Simi Valley

There are two bowling alleys in Simi Valley - Harley's Simi Bowl (24 lanes) on the west side and Harley's Valley Bowl (formerly Brunswick Zone) (40 lanes) on the east side.

The Mt. McCoy Trail is located on the west side of Simi Valley, just a short hop, skip and jump around the corner from the Reagan Library. You can't miss the hill because there's a large, white cross at the top. A bit over a mile of well-maintained switchbacks takes you to the top.

Views galore from Mt. McCoy Trail peak.

Simi Valley Days takes place in mid-September each year over a four day period. The event has a long history, going back to 1934. It is a community celebration with carnival rides, games, live music, vendors, food, a parade and much more. 

Visit a fully restored Southern Pacific Railroad depot circa 1903 with both freight and passenger trains rushing by day and night at the Santa Susana Depot Museum and Model Railroad. Open on weekends from 1-4 pm, the depot is also home to the Santa Susana Model Railroad Club’s large operating HO scale model railroad, in a layout that portrays Simi Valley during the mid 1950’s. This is a lot of fun to see. And outside, you and the kids will be treated to up close views of Amtrak and Metrolink passenger trains rolling by. Wave and they'll honk at you.

The pristine Studio Movie Grill opened at the Simi Valley Town Center in October 2015. This 41,000 sq ft theater features 9 screens and over 950 seats. 

There is plenty more to see and do in Simi Valley that is not on this particular list. Check out:

• Upcoming events in Simi Valley

• Things to do in Simi Valley (all ages)

• Things to do in Simi Valley (geared towards kids)

• Fitness and sports activities in Simi Valley

Where to Play Pickleball in Ventura County

Pickleball court at Del Prado Playgrounds in Newbury Park.

Pickleball is oversized ping pong played on a badminton sized court with a tennis sized net. Pickleball originated in Bainsbridge Island, Washington in 1965 when congressman Joel Pritchard and his friend Bill Bell created the game for their families to play.

Pickleball is played with a perforated plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball that weighs about an ounce and composite or wooden paddles about twice the size of ping pong paddles. Pickleball is an indoor/outdoor sport that is easy to learn and, like tennis and ping pong, can be played singles or doubles. Learn more about pickleball at www.usapa.org.

Today, the sport of pickleball is governed in the U.S. by the USA Pickleball Association. which was founded in 2005 to promote the sport. There are over 19.8 million pickleball players in the United States over the age of six and over 68,000 pickleball courts across the country.

Pickleball continues to grow in popularity here in the Ventura County area. Here is a list of pickleball courts in and around Ventura County as well as adjacent areas:

Thousand Oaks:

• Two pickleball courts at Del Prado Playfield in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park. Lighted from sunset to 10pm. www.crpd.org/del-prado-playfield

• Six courts at Rancho Conejo Playfield at 950 North Ventu Park Road, Newbury Park that are lighted from sunset to 10pm www.crpd.org/rancho-conejo-playfields

• Picklewall (pickleball played in a racquetball court) at the Thousand Oaks Community Center www.crpd.org/picklewall

• Two courts at Estella Park, 300 Erbes Road, Thousand Oaks. www.crpd.org/estella-park

• The Pickleball Athletic Club at 2000-B Anchor Court, Thousand Oaks has 9 indoor, temperature-controlled acrylic courts. Open daily. There are monthly membership fees, but guests will also be able to reserve courts. Learn more at playatpac.com.

Westlake Village:

The City of Westlake Village constructed four pickleball courts for public use at Westlake Village Community Park, 31107 Thousand Oaks Boulevard. The courts are located in the northeast corner of the existing parking lot, east of the Yarrow Family YMCA and south of the skate park. Courts are open from sunrise to 9pm and have lights. www.wlv.org/pickleball.

There are 8 dedicated pickleball courts at the Westlake Athletic Club available to its members. wac.caclubs.com/pickleball

Simi Valley:

• Pickleball courts at Rancho Tapo Community Park, 3700 Avenida Simi offers 4 dedicated courts and 2 shared courts available daily from 7am to 10pm.

• Pickleball courts at Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Avenue offers 6 dedicated courts daily from 7am to 10pm.

• There are 12 pickleball courts available at Sinaloa Middle School, 601 Royal Avenue, on weekdays when school is in session from 4:30pm to dusk and on weekends, school holidays and summer break from 7am to dusk. www.rsrpd.org/recreation/sports___field_conditions/sv_tennis_pickleball/index.php

Oak Park:

There are six pickleball courts at Deerhill Park, 6700 Doubletree Road. www.rsrpd.org/business_detail_T9_R26.php

Port Hueneme:

Pickleball is available at Walter B. Moranda Park, 200 Moranda Parkway, Port Hueneme. There are 10 courts; 5 of them are reservable. www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/1169/Moranda-Park

Moorpark:

Pickleball courts at Tierra Rejada Park, 11900 Mountain Trail Street open 8am to sunset and dual tennis/pickleball courts at Miller Park, 4530 Miller Parkway open 7am to 10pm.

Camarillo:

• Six pickleball courts (4 permanent, 2 dual use courts) at Bob Kildee Community Park, 1030 Temple Avenue.

• Two dual use courts with lights and rollaway nets at Springville Park, 81 Via Zamora. as well as at Pitts Ranch Park, 1400 Flynn Road.

• Dual-use court at Springville Park, 801 Via Zamora. www.pvrpd.org/springville-park-pickleball

• There are four indoor pickleball courts at Camarillo Athletics that can be reserved for a fee. Located at 487 Dawson Drive #3S. camarilloathletics.com

Ventura www.cityofventura.ca.gov/pickleball

• Harry A. Lyon Park, 150 De Anza Drive, Ventura on Tuesdays from 3:30pm to dusk and Saturdays from 9am to noon.

• Juanamaria Park, Kimball Road and Loma Vista Road on Thursdays from 3:30pm to dusk and 2pm to dusk.

• There are three pickleball courts at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area that are open daily during regular park hours. They are available with a park entry fee or annual pass. Located at Picnic 1 Area. www.casitaswater.org/pickleball

Ojai

• The City of Ojai has 4 pickleball courts on City Hall Grounds at 401 S. Ventura Street, Ojai. Visit ojairec.com/389/Pickleball-Courts for hours and other information.

• Pickleball court are under construction at Soule Park, 1301 Soule Park Road, through July 2024. www.ventura.org/parks-department/inland-parks/soule-park-ojai

Calabasas

The privately-owned Calabasas Pickleball Club opened on June 1, 2024, with 16 courts at 5155 Old Scandia Lane. It is a members only club. Visit calabasaspb.com for more information.

Pickleball is offered at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/tennis-swim-center/tennis-pickleball

There are 4 mixed-used pickleball courts at De Anza Park, 3701 Lost Hills Road, Calabasas. www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/sport-fields-and-courts

Clubs:

Ventura County Pickleball Club venturacountypickleballclub.com

Ojai Valley Pickleball www.ojaivalleypickleball.com

Ventura County Pickleball League camarilloathletics.com/ventura-county-pickleball-league

Visit camarillopickleball.fun to connect with other pickleball players.

Over 40 Things to Do in Malibu

This "27 Miles of Scenic Beauty" sign was swapped out for "21 Miles of Scenic Beauty" sign in April 2017 in order to correct the actual length of City of Malibu coastline.

The new sign updated in 2017.

Malibu was incorporated as a separate city in Los Angeles County on March 28, 1991, with 84% of Malibu voters supporting incorporation in a 1990 election.

The Conejo Valley lies just 8 to 10 miles away from the Malibu beachfront, making Malibu a natural choice to beat the heat and enjoy to its south-facing beaches. Here's a compilation of over 40 things to do in and around Malibu.

Beaches (East to West)

• Las Tunas Beach

• Carbon Beach

• Malibu Surfrider Beach

• Malibu Lagoon State Beach

• Dan Blocker Beach

• Escondido Beach

• Paradise Cove Beach

• Point Dume State Beach

• Westward Beach

• Zuma Beach

• Lechuza Beach

• El Matador State Beach

• La Piedra State Beach

• El Pescador State Beach

• Nicholas Canyon County Beach

• Leo Carrillo State Beach

• County Line Beach

• Sycamore Cove Beach

• Thornhill Broome Beach

• Mugu Beach

Surfrider Beach from the Malibu Pier

Hiking and Camping

• Solstice Canyon

• Grotto Trail

• Arroyo Sequit (Woolsey Fire Closure)

• Charmlee Wilderness Park

• Escondido Canyon and Waterfalls

• Chumash Trail in Point Mugu State Park

• Ray Miller Trail in Point Mugu State Park

• Sandstone Peak

• Mishe Mokwa Trail

• Rocky Oaks Nature Reserve

• Big Sycamore Canyon Campground

• Thornhill Broome Campground

• Leo Carrillo State Park Campground

Adamson House

Other Places

• Malibu Pier

• Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum

• Alumni Park at Pepperdine University

• Legacy Park

• Malibu Bluffs Park

• Serra Retreat

• Frederick R. Weisman Museum of Art at Pepperdine University

• Lisa Smith Wengler Center for the Arts at Pepperdine University

• Malibu Country Mart

• Large Sand Dune at Thornhill Broome Beach

• Mugu Rock

Halloween Events and Activities In and Around Ventura County

Halloween season is upon us again! Halloween 2025 looks to be a fun time with this compilation of Halloween events taking place in Ventura County and surrounding areas.

Dates/times subject to change; contact event organizers to confirm. This list will be updated regularly. For calendar view, click here.

Pumpkin Patches in Ventura County and Surrounding Areas

EVENTS COMING UP

Thu, Oct 30: SHINE Homeschool Halloween Carnival in Thousand Oaks (12:30PM RSVP)

Thu, Oct 30: Moorpark College Music “Requiem X Dia de Los Muertos” (1PM, 7PM)

Fri, Oct 31: Halloween Carnival in Oak Park (3-6PM)

Fri, Oct 31: Halloween Carnival in Simi Valley (3-6PM)

Fri, Oct 31: Trick or Treating at The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks (3-6PM)

Fri, Oct 31: Trick or Treat at the Camarillo Premium Outlets (4-6PM)

Fri, Oct 31: Haunted High Street Event in Moorpark (4-7PM)

Sat, Nov 1: Dia de los Muertos Celebration in Downtown Ventura (11AM-6PM)

Sat, Nov 1: Festival de los Muertos Event in Newbury Park (4-8PM)

Sun, Nov 2: Dia de los Muertos Events at Three Locations in Santa Paula (11AM-5PM)

ONGOING EVENTS

Sep 27 to Oct 31: Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest on the Farm in Moorpark

Sep 26 to Nov 2: Reign of Terror Haunted House at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks

Sep 26 to Nov 1: Nights of the Jack Halloween Experience at King Gillette Ranch

Sep 27 to Oct 31: Fall Festival at Prancer’s Farm in Santa Paula

Oct 10-12, 17-19, 24-26: Santa Paula Theater Center “Ghostwalk” Event

Through Oct 26: Imaginarium’s “Atlantis” at the Camarillo Premium Outlets

Cool Residential Displays (Click links for footage and more info)

10 Carob Drive, south of Borchard in Newbury Park

Residential display synchronized to music at 1455 Valley High, Thousand Oaks

Golden Crest Avenue in Newbury Park (Cross Street Antelope Place) - Two homes

Lakota Loop Family-Friendly Walkthrough Halloween Experience at 1881 Lakota Street, Simi Valley on October 26, 30 and 31 from 6:30-9PM.

“Blackwood Cemetery” annual display at home on Blackwood Street in Newbury Park

Mapleleaf Ave west of Madrid Ave in Newbury Park

Camino Dos Rios west of Lynn Road in Thousand Oaks

Flaming Star and Shenandoah in Thousand Oaks

Donald Avenue, just east of Wendy Drive in Newbury Park

Annual awesome display at this home on Yew Drive in Newbury Park

Bernadine St and Wauneta St in Newbury Park

Orangewood and Felton in Newbury Park

Backwoods Massacre Haunted House at 2360 Bryson Place in Simi Valley (quite scary - not for all ages).

PAST EVENTS

Sun, Oct 5: Trunk or Treat at Iceoplex Simi Valley (2:15-6PM)

Sat/Sun Oct 11-12: Mizel Family Foundation Harvest Festival in Thousand Oaks (10AM-2PM)

Sat, Oct 12: California Joe Halloween Magic Show at Camarillo Library (11AM-Noon)

Sat, Oct 18: Free Pumpkin Patch at Simi Valley Town Center (10AM)

Sat, Oct 18: Simi Valley YMCA Fall Festival and Trunk or Treat (3-6PM) (RSVP)

Sat, Oct 18: Trail or Treat at Camarillo Grove Park (10AM-1PM; $10 hike requires RSVP)

Sat, Oct 18: Halloween Haunted Trail, Costume Contest and Trick or Treat Street in Thousand Oaks (6-9PM)

Oct 17-19: Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Barbara Zoo (5-8PM)

Oct 18-19: Boo at the Zoo at The Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

Sun, Oct 19: Calabasas Pumpkin Festival (10AM-5PM)

Wed, Oct 22: VC Dept of CSS 4th Annual Trunk or Treat in Camarillo (4-6PM)

Wed, Oct 22: Trick-or-Treat at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard (5PM) (RSVP)

Wed, Oct 22: 4th Annual Spook-Tacular Celebration in Port Hueneme (5-8PM)

Thu, Oct 23: Oxnard Police Department Trunk or Treat Spooktacular (5-7PM)

Fri, Oct 24: Ventura Harbor Witches Paddle (4-5:30PM)

Fri, Oct 24: Spooky Swim at Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center in Camarillo (5:30PM) (RSVP)

Fri, Oct 24: City of Malibu Bu Bash Halloween Carnival (Ages 2-10) (3-6PM)

Fri, Oct 24: Spooktacular Bash at Camarillo Community Center (5-7PM Age 50+)

Fri, Oct 24: Spooky Town at the Simi Valley Town Center (5-9PM)

Fri, Oct 24: Terrifying True Stories in a Haunted Church at Heritage Square Oxnard (6-10:30PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Inaugural Pumpkin Paddle at Channel Islands Harbor (10AM)

Sat, Oct 25: Halloween “BooFest” Event in Old Town Camarillo (Noon-4PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Harvest Festival at Stagecoach Inn Museum (1-4PM)

Oct 25-26: Boo at the Zoo at The Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

Sat, Oct 25: Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest in Camarillo (10AM-1PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Peace Pumpkin Fest in Camarillo (10AM-3PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Trick or Treat Event at Mae Boyar Park in Oak Park (10AM-1PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest at Ventura Harbor Village (Noon)

Sat, Oct 25: Pumpkin Party at the Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas (1-4PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Eastside Little League Trunk or Treat in Oxnard (2-7PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Pumpkin Festival at Christ the King Newbury Park (3-6PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Downtown Ventura Costume Contest and Trick-or-Treating (3-7PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Halloween Haunt in the Park at Plaza Park in Oxnard (4-7PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Parade of Frights Marketplace at Channel Islands Harbor (2-8PM; Parade at 7PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Ventura Family YMCA Trunk-or-Treat in Ventura (5-7PM)

Sat, Oct 25: Fall Festival at Conejo Valley Church of Christ (4-6PM)

Sat Oct 25: Terrifying True Stories in a Haunted Church at Heritage Square Oxnard (6-10:30PM)

Oct 24-26: Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Barbara Zoo (5-8PM)

Sun, Oct 26: Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Strathearn Historical Park (11AM-5PM)

Sun, Oct 26: Seaside Trick or Treat at Ventura Harbor Village (1-3PM)

Sun, Oct 26: Thriller Zombie Dance at Ventura Harbor Village (2:45-3:15PM)

Sun, Oct 26: Trunk or Treat at Inside Car Guys Newbury Park (4-6PM)

Wed, Oct 29: Trunk or Treat at Thousand Oaks Post Acute (5-7PM)

Wed, Oct 29: Halloween in the Park in Camarillo (5:30-8PM)

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 ancient Greek word pepon ("large melon"). The French called it pompom. The British changed it to pumpion. Then American colonists changed it to pumpkin.

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 for the 2025 fall season!? 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 will be operating its pumpkin patch again this year at the Pacific View Mall under the big tent in the Trader Joe's/Target parking lot from September 26th through October 31st, 2025. Free admission to the pumpkin patch, with kids’ activities, photo opps and more. BBQ tri tip sandwiches available on weekends. Open Wednesday to Sunday. Hours 2:30pm-7:30pm Wed/Thu, 2:30pm-8:30pm Fri, 11am-8pm Sat and 11am-6pm Sun. Visit bigwavedaveschristmastrees.com/pumpkin-patch.html

Conejo Family Farms is a new local pumpkin patch in 2025 located at 5937 Ridge View Street in Camarillo. There is a pumpkin patch, 5 acre corn maze, hay rides, bounce house, weekend music, and more. Opens Wednesday, September 17th. Entry fee $10 for ages 5 and up. Visit www.conejofamilyfarms.com for more information. From Thousand Oaks, take the 101 north to Camarillo Springs Road, go south to Ridge View Street and take a right. The patch will be on the right.

Mizel Family Foundation You Pick Pumpkin Days in Hidden Valley on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 4-5:30PM, October 14-30. Visit Mizel Estate Wines on a fall afternoon where you can select and harvest your own pumpkins. Mizel’s Pumpkin Patch features a wide variety of pumpkins in all sizes, shapes and colors. Located at 1050 W. Potrero Road. www.mizelestate.com

Boccali Ranch Pumpkin Patch at 3277 E. Ojai Avenue in Ojai will be open 7 days a week from 10am to 7pm from October 4-31, 2025. They offer tiny to extra-large “Big Mac” pumpkins, squash, gourds, Indian corn and seasonal produce. More details at boccalipumpkins.com.

Prancer's Pumpkin Patch Santa Paula is located at 18540 East Telegraph Road and their Fall Fest will take place September 27 to October 31, 2025. Pumpkin patch events on weekends from 9am to 6pm with the following themes:

• 9/27-9/28: Animals of the Farm

• 10/4-10/5: Heroes on the Farm

• 10/11-10/12: Wild West on the Farm

• 10/18-10/19: Fiesta at the Farm

• 10/25-10/26: Harvest Fest on the Farm

Fall fest includes 10 acres of pumpkin patch, wagon hay ride, animal center, corn field expedition, farm games, live entertainment and more. Admission $26 ages 3 and up. Ages 2 and under free. Check for details at prancersfarm.com.

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

The 2025 Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival in Moorpark is back from September 27 to October 31 at 3370 Sunset Valley Road. Admission includes huge pumpkin patch, tractor-drawn wagon rides, corn maze, giant tractor display, hay pyramids, animal center, and many other family-friendly activities. Themed weekend events include animal shows, pig races, live performers, roaming entertainment and more. Weekday admission is $16 at the gate only. Weekend admission varies from $25 to $34 per person purchased online. Children 2 and under and parking are free. More details at www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com/fall-harvest.

The Underwood Farm Center in Somis at 5696 Los Angeles Avenue also has a pumpkin patch along with its year-round animal center. Open 9am to 6pm.

McGrath Brothers Great Pacific Pumpkins is located at 5100 Olivas Park Drive in Ventura. Call 805.644.1235. They are open the entire month of October from 9am to 6pm. Admission is $3. Tractor ride is $2. Hay Maze is $2. Check their Instagram page at www.instagram.com/mcgrathgreatpacificpumpkins for updates.

Bennett's Best Pumpkin Patch has locations next to the Whizin Market Square at 28900 Roadside Drive and at the corner of Kanan and Agoura Roads.

The Four Seasons of Fun Adventureland pumpkin patch at the Simi Valley Town Center in the parking lot open daily through November 2nd. Hours vary. Bounce house activities available. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581115013603

There will not be a Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch this year in Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley as in years past. However, they will be hosting a Pumpkin Patch at the Pierce College Farm Center, 7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills. The patch will be open daily from October 1st to 31st, 2025. Hours 4-9pm Mon-Thu, 4-10pm Fri, 11am-10pm Sat and 11am-9pm Sun. Free admission and parking. Attractions require tickets. www.seasonaladventures.com/pierce-college

Indoor Play Places In and Around Ventura County

There are hundreds of parks with play areas throughout the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County compiled at THIS LINK, but if you are looking for an indoor playtime experience with your little ones, from toddlers to teens, here are a number of options to check out.

• My Gym Children's Fitness Center in Thousand Oaks and Ventura has both classes for various age groups as well as open play at designated times.

• The Oaks Mall Indoor Play Area is a small area open for kids up to age 5 anytime the mall is open. Located on the first floor, adjacent to the Food Court area and near JC Penney.

• Jumpify Indoor Playground is located at The Oaks Mall on the 2nd floor. Inflatables, bounce houses, ball/foam block pits and more. Geared towards ages 1 to 12.

• Jump n’ Jammin Children’s Entertainment Center opened at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard in January 2020. Fun indoor place with similarities to Kids World in Oak Park.

• Rockin' Kids Play Center at Simi Valley Town Center is for kids up to age 7 for open play seven days a week.

• Reign & Shine Play Lab in Oak Park opened in September 2025, providing imaginative, sensory-based interactive play areas for kids ages 6 months to 10 years.

• We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym in Agoura Hills has open play for kids up to age 13 on weekdays and weekends when there are no special events planned.

• Kids World Indoor Playground in Oak Park is open daily for open play, geared towards ages 2 to 15. Huge play structure, climbing tubes, slides, foam balls and much more.

• Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Ventura offers open jump and toddler time on designated days and times.

• Sky Zone Trampoline Park Thousand Oaks at Janss Marketplace offers wall to wall trampolines, ball pits, foam block pit and much more.

• Imagymnation Gymnastics in Simi Valley offers open play on designated days and times.

• Play Out Loud Indoor Playground in Agoura Hills is a 3100 sq ft facility that opened 2/16/24. Geared towards little kids.

• How could we leave Chuck E. Cheese’s off this list for indoor play! A local staple for young set birthday parties and drop-in play.

• K1 Speed Indoor Go Karting and Arcade in Thousand Oaks has karts for kids that go up to 20 mph as well as an arcade.

This is just a small sampling of kids' activities highlighted here on Conejo Valley Guide.

FUN FOR THE KIDS AT LOCAL VENTURA COUNTY AREA SHOPPING MALLS

The three story foam ball projectile and climbing area at Kids World in Oak Park.

Hike to the Teepee, Paradise Falls and Little Cave at Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

One hiking experience that everyone in the Conejo Valley and neighboring areas has to experience is Wildwood Park. With 14 trails covering 17 miles in the nearly 1,800 acre park managed by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, there is plenty to see and do in Wildwood Park.

One particularly fun and fairly easy family hike at Wildwood takes you from the main parking lot at the west end of Avenida de los Arboles to the Teepee, Paradise Falls and Little Cave (formerly Indian Cave**). Take the Mesa Trail about a 3rd of a mile until you see the sign below, then take a left.

Another third of a mile and you're at the teepee, where you'll find another clearly marked sign pointing you in the direction of Paradise Falls.

Hike down some switchbacks and stairs and you'll see be at the beautiful Paradise Falls. Always a fun place to take the kids, though we're warned not to go into the water, which is largely urban runoff.

But it is sure popular and enjoyable to sit back and enjoy this year-round waterfall that is so nicely hidden yet so close to hustle and bustle of suburban Thousand Oaks.

The Little Cave is roughly half a mile east of Paradise Falls and can be accessed from the trail directly above the falls or by hiking back up to the teepee and going the other direction.

Trail adjacent to Paradise Falls that takes you towards little Cave.

A quarter of a mile or so and you'll see the sign below.

Little Cave (Formerly Indian Cave) sign

Formerly called indian cave

Another 100 yards or so and you've reached the staircase that will take you up to the Cave.

Large enough to actually hang out in, though the last time we walked in there were signs of rodents.

You can literally climb through the cave to an exit at the top and hike your way up to a connector trail that will lead you back towards the parking lot. My kids love this and so do I!

** The change in name was approved by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) in May 2022. COSCA received a request to change the Indian Creek Trail name earlier that year. On its own, the work "Indian" refers to individuals from India, rather than Native Americans, and thus did not accurately reflect the origin of the people to whom it refers.

The Indian Cave and Indian Cave Trail were renamed Little Cave as it was unclear if the cave was naturally formed and/or historically used by Native Americans.

The Indian Creek Trail in Wildwood Park was renamed Two Springs Trail as two natural springs contribute to the stream flow in this portion of the channel.