Things to Do With the Kids in Ventura County When It's Wet Outside

/
iStock_RainyDay.jpg

It doesn't rain nearly often enough here in Ventura County, but when it does, that's a great excuse for staying inside. You are in the right place as we have compiled this extensive list of well over 200 indoor activities from Agoura to Simi Valley to Ventura and everywhere in between!

Arts and Crafts

These are just a sampling of the various activities and events in Conejo Valley Guide, so make sure to explore and find something fun to do!

Compilation of Arcades in Ventura County and Neighboring Areas

/

Looking to extract yourself from your phone and experience a good, old-fashioned arcade, where you can find video games, pinball machines, redemption games, claw machines, ride machines, air hockey machines, and the like? Well here’s a compilation of such places in and around Ventura County and the Conejo Valley.

The Mighty Axe at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks is well known for axe-throwing fun but it also has an arcade featuring 11 pinball machines as well as a Wednesday night IFPA (International Flipper Pinball Association) Pinball League. Learn more at themightyaxe.com/thousand-oaks or call 805-557-8686.

Moby’s on Main is located at 369 E. Main Street in Ventura, between North Palm Street and North Oak Street. Moby’s is a family-friendly arcade and bar, offering a collection of vintage arcade games, pinball machines, classic Thrifty ice cream, snacks and more. Visit www.mobysonmain.com to learn more.

Kids World Family Fun Center at 618 Lindero Canyon Road in Oak Park is geared towards kids with its large, indoor play structure, slides, and ball pit, but also contains a large arcade with over 30 video games, claw machines, skill machines, and rides. kidsworldla.com 818-338-8888

Pastime Legends, located at 2040 E. Main St, Suite A, in Ventura, has a retro arcade with approximately 40 retro video games, such as Galaga, Asteroids, Pac-Man, Dig Dug, and much more, as well as air hockey. There is a $5 minimum token purchase. www.facebook.com/PastimeLegendsWest 805-667-9190

Dave & Buster’s Thousand Oaks at 145 W. Hillcrest Drive in Janss Marketplace has a massive arcade with over 120 games, including redemption games, claw machines, racing simulators, virtual reality games, classic and modern video games, high-tech darts, and digital shuffleboard. www.daveandbusters.com/us/en/about/locations/thousand-oaks 805-857-7800

K1 Speed Indoor Go Karting Thousand Oaks at 770 Lawrence Drive has an arcade with over 30 games, prize redemption machines, classic video games, pool tables, air hockey, and more. www.k1speed.com/thousand-oaks-location.html 805-321-8258

Arcade area at K1 Speed in Thousand Oaks

Chuck E. Cheese Thousand Oaks at 130 W. Hillcrest Drive is obviously geared towards kids but the arcade contains over 50 games that are also fun for adults, including console games, hoops, alley bowling, puzzle games, redemption games, and classic arcade games. www.chuckecheese.com/thousand-oaks-ca/arcade 805-497-2522

Chuck E. Cheese also has a location at 4714 Telephone Road in Ventura. www.chuckecheese.com/ventura-ca 805-644-9777

Bowlero at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard has a large arcade with video games, skill machines, redemption games, claw machines, and more. www.bowlero.com/location/bowlero-oxnard 805-288-8953

Arcade at Bowlero at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard

Kawaii Klaws is located on the bottom floor at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura, featuring over 30 claw machines with plush toys, anime figures, and other prizes. I don’t think you’ll find another place with more claw machines than this place locally. www.kawaiiklawsco.com/ventura 820-202-1839

Kawaii Klaws at the Pacific View Mall

Lazertag Extreme at 591 Country Club Drive in Simi Valley has over 35 arcade and redemption games, including Lane Master, air hockey, claw machines, and much more, not to mention laser tag of course and its 300 sq ft Pixel interactive light arena. www.lazertagextreme.com 805-577-8400

Golf N’ Stuff Ventura at 5555 Walker Street boasts a large arcade with nearly 100 games, including plenty of redemption games, video games, air hockey, claw machines, skeeball, and more. Always a favorite with the kids, and of course they have two 18-hole mini golf courses, go karts, bumper cars, and bumper boats. www.golfnstuff.com/ventura 805-644-7131

Arcade Palace on the second level (near Target) of the Pacific View Mall in Ventura contains around 30 games, include video games, bowling, a pool table, and air hockey. www.shoppacificview.com/Directory/Details/865936 805-982-0218

Arcade Palace at the Pacific View Mall

Round1 Bowling & Arcade is coming soon to the Pacific View Mall, 3301 E. Main Street, Ventura. Stay tuned. www.round1usa.com

Harley’s Bowl locations in East Simi Valley, West Simi Valley and Camarillo have arcades with 30 to 40 games, including redemption games, air hockey, retro games, and more. Visit www.harleysbowl.com for more information.

Big Z Family Fun Center at 2425 Stearns Street in Simi Valley has an arcade with redemption games, rides for little ones, classic and modern video games, hoops, and skee ball. www.bigzsimi.com 805-526-3000

Buena Lanes at 1788 Mesa Verde Avenue in Ventura has an arcade with newer video games, claw machines, shooting games, and air hockey. The sports bar has a pool table and dart machines. www.buenalanes.com 805-677-7770

The Loose Cannon at Ventura Harbor Village, 1583 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura is a waterfront bar, arcade and eatery that hosts over 20 classic and modern arcade games, claw machines and virtual reality games. www.theloosecannonventura.com 805-350-2728

Skating Plus at 1720 Mesa Verde Ave in Ventura has an arcade with video games and redemption games. skatingplus.com 805-644-2121

Lucky Strike Moorpark bowling lanes at 706 East Los Angeles Avenue offers a large arcade with over 60 video games, redemption games, claw machines, ride games, air hockey, and more. www.luckystrikeent.com/location/lucky-strike-moorpark 805-222-3757

999 Pizza at 1980 Ventura Blvd in Camarillo opened in 2025 that also has an arcade with video games, redemption games, and more. In addition to pizza, you’ll find a tiki bar here! 999pizza.com 626-999-2535

Sky Zone locations at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks and 2825 Johnson Drive in Ventura both have arcades. www.skyzone.com

Joystick Arcade at The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks is located on the first level, near JC Penney. Video games, skill games, claw machines, and more. joystickarcades.com

Over 25 Things to Do in Agoura Hills

/
Agoura Hills Sign.JPG

The City of Agoura Hills incorporated in 1982 and is part of Los Angeles County. But we consider Agoura to be part of our family, consisting of Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Oak Park and other communities that form the Conejo Valley.

Agoura Hills has an area of 7.86 square miles, with a population of approximately 20,000. It became the 83rd city in Los Angeles County when residents voted to incorporate, just one year after neighboring city Westlake Village incorporated.

Here is a compilation of things to do in the City of Agoura Hills.

Trails and Hiking

A "must do" in the Agoura Hills area is the hike to the old M*A*S*H TV series set in Malibu Creek State Park.

A "must do" in the Agoura Hills area is the hike to the old M*A*S*H TV series set in Malibu Creek State Park.

Kids

Fitness Related

Ah yes, comic relief courtesy of Caltrans signmakers in 2013 when a new Agoura Hills sign on the 101 was put up filled with typos. It was subsequently corrected.

Ah yes, comic relief courtesy of Caltrans signmakers in 2013 when a new Agoura Hills sign on the 101 was put up filled with typos. It was subsequently corrected.

Other Entertainment, Things to Do and Annual Events

  • The Canyon is the "go to" local club for a wide variety of great performers.

  • Whizin Market Square on Roadside Drive is a collection of eateries and unique stores.

  • The Reyes Adobe Historical Site in the heart of Agoura Hills is the first home built in the area, dating back to 1850. The City owns and maintains this adobe structure as a museum and cultural center, with an adjoining park.

  • The Annual Reyes Adobe Days Fall Festival takes place in October each year at the Reyes Adobe Historical Site and Park. Great family fun.

  • The Agoura Hills Recreation and Event Center hosts senior programs and teen programs "The Garage" and has a cool outdoor interpretive play area.

  • Water Wings Swim School is an indoor facility located in the Agoura Hills Town Center on Agoura Road.

  • The Agoura Hills Library is an 18,000 square foot facility near Agoura City Hall. It is part of the County of Los Angeles Public Library System.

  • The Great Race of Agoura Hills is the largest annual running/walking event in the Conejo Valley - an assortment of 7 races on roads and trails ranging from a family fun run to a 5K, 10K and two half marathons. Takes place in the March/April time frame.

  • For other events in Agoura Hills, visit THIS LINK.

The old Agoura sign on Agoura Road at Lewis Road.

The old Agoura sign on Agoura Road at Lewis Road.

Closed: Troutdale was a local fishing pond for those looking for the experience of fishing but without the hassle of driving far! Located just off of Kanan Road, near Triunfo Canyon. It appears to be closed as of summer 2018. Regency Agoura Hills 8 movie theater closed in February 2025.

U.S. National Park Service Free Entrance Days

/
NationalParkService.jpg

There are over 400 national parks covering over 84 million acres throughout the United States and its territories.  The majority of these parks do not charge entrance fees (though parking fees often apply). As for the roughly 110 national parks that do have entrance fees, there are a number of designated "fee free" days each year.

Here are the National Park Service Free Entrance Days in 2025:

  • January 20 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day)

  • April 19 (First Day of National Park Week)

  • June 19: (Juneteenth National Independence Day)

  • July 16 (Bureau of Land Management’s Birthday)

  • August 4 (Great American Outdoors Day)

  • September 27 (National Public Lands Day)

  • October 12 (First Sunday of National Wildlife Refuge Week)

  • November 11 (Veterans Day)

Here are the National Park Service Free Entrance Days in 2026:

  • February 16: Presidents Day (Washington's Birthday)

  • May 25: Memorial Day

  • June 14: Flag Day/President Trump's birthday

  • July 3–5: Independence Day weekend

  • August 25: 110th Birthday of the National Park Service

  • September 17: Constitution Day

  • October 27: Theodore Roosevelt's birthday

  • November 11: Veterans Day

The parks that normally charge a fee that are free on the above dates are listed at www.nps.gov/findapark/feefreeparksbystate.htm. California parks in this category include:

Plenty of other amazing national treasures are on this list, like Grand Canyon National Park.

And of course there are two national parks in Ventura County that are always worth exploring:

For more information about the National Park Service, visit www.nps.gov.

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

/
WelcomeToSimiValley.JPG

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

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.

ReaganLib_AF1.JPG

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

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

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.

HarleysSimiBowl_pic.jpg

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.

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.

SantaSusanaDepot.jpg

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:

Where to Play Pickleball in Ventura County

/
Pickleball court at Del Prado Playgrounds in Newbury Park.

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:

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:

Ventura www.cityofventura.ca.gov/pickleball

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.

Forty-Seven Things to Do In Thousand Oaks

/

The City of Thousand Oaks was incorporated on September 29, 1964. Most of Newbury Park was annexed by the city in the 1960s/1970s. Casa Conejo, Newbury Park's first planned community built in the early 1960s and the Lynn Ranch area of Thousand Oaks are unincorporated areas of Ventura County that technically are not annexed into the City of Thousand Oaks. The City of Thousand Oaks also annexed the Ventura County portions of Westlake Village in 1968 and 1972. That said, this list also includes a few things to do in the City of Westlake Village.

Enough history for now! Let's look at the future...like tomorrow or this coming weekend. Here are 47* things to do in the City of Thousand Oaks in random order.

*It started out as 47 things to do but we've lost count since originally posting this.

View of Boney Mountain from the Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa area.

View of Boney Mountain from the Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa area.

Older version of City of Thousand Oaks sign.

Older version of City of Thousand Oaks sign.