The Pond at Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens in Santa Barbara

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Alice Keck Park Memorial Gardens is located within the entire city block of Santa Barbara, Micheltorena, Garden and Arrellaga Streets in Santa Barbara, adjacent to the two city block Alameda Park (which has a great kids' play area).

Formerly at this spot was the El Mirasol Hotel, which was purchased by an anonymous donor and donated to the city in 1975. The donor was subsequently revealed as Alice Keck Park, daughter of William Myron Keck, the founder of Superior Oil Company (now part of ExxonMobil).

The Memorial Gardens is a beautiful botanic garden with over 75 tree and plant species. There's also a large pond with ducks and turtles, picnic area, gazebo and walking paths.

Visit the City of Santa Barbara website at www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/parksrec/parks/features/horticulture/alicekeck.asp or call 805.564.5418 to make reservations.

Cisco's, 3 Amigos and Los Agaves Top List of CVG Followers' Favorite Local Mexican Eateries

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A random, delicious looking burrito combo plate from an unnamed Mexican eatery (from the Conejo Valley Guide archives).

A random, delicious looking burrito combo plate from an unnamed Mexican eatery (from the Conejo Valley Guide archives).

In a recent drawing on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page, followers commented on their favorite Mexican eatery in the Conejo Valley and nearby Ventura County areas. There were nearly 300 responses in less than a day.

We tabulated the responses and it was quite a horse race. But in the end, Cisco's, with restaurants on Westlake Boulevard in Westlake Village and Avenida de los Arboles (at the 23 freeway) in Thousand Oaks, was mentioned the most, a total of 32 times.

Close behind with 30 mentions was 3 Amigos, with locations on Avenida de los Arboles (at Moorpark Road) in Thousand Oaks and on Reino Road (at Borchard) in Newbury Park.

In third place was Los Agaves at The Shoppes at Westlake, with 29 mentions...oh so close to 3 Amigos. Coming in at #4 was The Alamo in Newbury Park, with 24 mentions. And, amazingly, but not surprisingly, Lupe's Restaurant, which closed its doors on August 29, 2016, garnered a 5th place sentimental vote with 20 mentions.

Here is a rundown of all of eateries mentioned by Facebook followers in order of number of mentions (when more than one eatery was listed, we tabulated only the eatery mentioned first).

  • Cisco's (33 votes)
  • 3 Amigos (30)
  • Los Agaves (29)
  • The Alamo (24)
  • Lupe's (20) (closed in August 2016)
  • Yolanda's (Camarillo/Simi Valley) (12)
  • Sabor (Westlake Village) (12)
  • Latigo Kid (Agoura) (11)
  • Los Dos Amigos (Thousand Oaks) (10)
  • Habanero Mexican Grill (Newbury Park) (8)
  • Bad Ass Tacos (Thousand Oaks) (8)
  • Don Cuco's (Simi Valley) (8)
  • El Sancho Loco (Newbury Park) (8)
  • Money Pancho (Camarillo) (6)
  • Sea Casa (Westlake Village) (6)
  • Plata Taqueria (Agoura) (5)
  • Margaritas Mexican Grill (Oak Park) (4)
  • Taqueria Jalisco (Moorpark/Simi Valley) (4)
  • Lalo's Mexican Food (Moorpark) (5)
  • Manny's Mexican Grill (Thousand Oaks) (4)
  • Patron Mexican Bar & Grill (Newbury Park) (4)
  • Snapper Jack's (Camarillo) (4)
  • Others mentioned 3 times: El Tecolote (Camarillo), Mariscos Cancun (Thousand Oaks)(closed in Feb 2018), Establos Meat Market (Thousand Oaks), El Tapatio (Moorpark) and Tacos de Mexico (Simi Valley)
  • Mentioned 2 times: Adobe Cantina (Agoura), Burger Express and Mexican Grill (Simi Valley) and Chipotle
  • Also mentioned: Somis Market, Antonio's Mexican Food (Port Hueneme), Taqueria Tlaquepaque (Santa Paula), Rosabella's (Ventura), Baja Fresh, Rubio's, El Pollo Loco, Cinqo, Ay Chihuahua (Fillmore), Tito's Mexican Food (Simi Valley), Mercado Guadalajara (Newbury Park), Campos Famous Burritos (Simi Valley), Luna Llena (Simi Valley), Los Toros (Chatsworth), Vallarta Restaurant (Fillmore), La Fiesta Mexican Grill (Moorpark), Sharky's and Los Arroyos (Camarillo)

Enjoy exploring this list of nearly 50 popular Mexican eateries in Thousand Oaks and neighboring cities.

El Tecolote opened its doors in 1948 and moved to its current Camarillo location in 1952.

El Tecolote opened its doors in 1948 and moved to its current Camarillo location in 1952.

Five of My Favorite Hikes with Great Views and Scenery in the Conejo Valley

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Roughly one third of the land in Thousand Oaks is designated as permanent public open space. This includes a ring of 15,000 acres of open space with over 150 miles of trails for public use surrounding the Conejo Valley. What a spectacular feature we have here in our backyards!

Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park

Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park

Three key organizations involved with the Conejo open space:

Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) holds and manages most of the Conejo open space to preserve its natural characteristics while providing opportunities for passive recreational enjoyment of the natural resources. Visit www.conejo-openspace.org to learn more.

Conejo Open Space Trails Advisory Committee (COSTAC) is composed of hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians appointed by the COSCA Board and advises the Board by reviewing issues and making recommendations regarding open space and trails. COSTAC also coordinates activities such as Trail Watch, Trail Patrol, Trail Work, Adopt-a-Trail, Non-Native Plant Removal/Resource Management, Trails Education Days, and Public Outreach.

Conejo Open Space Foundation (COSF) is a non-profit that promotes and maintains multi-use trail and open space and helps educate the public about our open space and the environment. COSF provides funding to support COSTAC programs and to create and publish open space trail maps. Visit www.cosf.org to learn more.

Now here are five of my favorite place to hike for views in the Conejo Open Space and other local areas:

Angel Vista Peak in Newbury Park has arguably the most expansive views of the Conejo Valley, ranging from the Conejo Grade to Agoura Hills, as well as portions of Hidden Valley.

A bench with a view at Angel Peak.

A bench with a view at Angel Peak.

Boney Mountain in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is NOT part of the Conejo Open Space but is managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Additionally, there is no "official" maintained trail to Boney Peak. That said, if you are courageous, energetic and have 4 to 6 hours to spare for a day hike, you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the Conejo Valley, Camarillo Grade and Channel Islands.

Views from near Boney Peak

Views from near Boney Peak

Tarantula Hill (also known as Dawn's Peak) in the heart of Thousand Oaks is easy to get to compared to more substantial hikes around town. A short walk up a fairly steep paved path off of Gainsborough Road gets you to a 1,056 foot peak with panoramic views of the Conejo Valley and beyond. Great place to catch a sunset.

Bench at the top of Tarantula Hill provides a nice spot for viewing the sunset.

Bench at the top of Tarantula Hill provides a nice spot for viewing the sunset.

Another great spot for views in the heart of the Conejo Valley is the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, a 33 acre retreat managed by a non-profit group. The only thing I don't like about this true retreat is that it closes at 5 p.m. and thus is not available for sunset views like at the adjacent Tarantula Hill. But there is so much to see in here that you must stop by.

One of dozens of benches atop the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden

One of dozens of benches atop the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden

Last but not least (and I've ignored some other incredible views like Wildwood Park and others) is the Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space area in Thousand Oaks. You will find stunning views of the Conejo Valley to the Simi Hills from these 1,025 acres in northern Thousand Oaks.

Very picturesque views from the Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space.

Very picturesque views from the Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space.

For a sampling of other trails and hikes in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas, click THIS LINK!

Ventura Botanical Gardens Demonstration Trail is Quite Colorful in Spring 2017

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The Ventura Botanical Gardens Demonstration Trail is a nearly 1 mile trail between Ventura City Hall and Grant Park. The trail offers awesome views of Downtown Ventura and the coastline. And this time of year is a great time to go as there are still plenty of beautiful colors on the trail. More on the Gardens at www.venturabotanicalgardens.com.

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Fans Chime In On Favorite Staycation Options

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In a recent drawing on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page, folks were asked to comment on some of their favorite local area "staycation" alternatives this summer.  Here's a compilation of their responses.

LOCAL AREA HIKING AND TRAILS

LOCAL AREA CAMPING

LOCAL AREA BEACHES

Beach Options

  • Surfrider Beach in Malibu
  • Kanan to Malibu, lunch at Malibu Seafood, then El Matador Beach
  • Avila Beach
  • Leo Carrillo Beach
  • Silverstrand Beach
  • Pismo Beach

Hiking

Day Trips and Short Overnight Trips

  • Emerald Iguana Inn in Ojai
  • Solvang and Chumash Casino
  • Visit Malibu, Ventura or Santa Barbara, take a walk and eat seafood by the shore
  • Disneyland
  • Santa Monica Pier / Pacific Park
  • Las Vegas
  • San Diego
  • Laguna Woods
  • Bike riding at Venice boardwalk
  • Universal Studios
  • Palm Springs / Rancho Mirage
  • Santa Barbara Pier - Stearns Wharf
  • Wine tasting in Los Olivos
  • Catalina Island

LOCAL AREA BIKE PATHS

COMMUNITY SWIMMING POOLS

Other Outdoor Activities

Other

  • Stay home but eat dinner out with friends
  • Local area beer and wine tasting
  • Catch a concert at the Canyon Club
  • Drive through Hidden Valley and lunch in Westlake Village
  • The spa at Four Seasons Westlake Village
  • Movie marathon at home
  • Dodger game
  • Westlake Village Inn
  • Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park
  • Reagan Library
  • Los Angeles Zoo with the kids

Tadpoles on Display at Seasonal Pond at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park

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The seasonal pond next to the parking lot at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park is still looking good after several months of solid rainstorms this winter. We discovered there are tadpoles galore in the pond and the kids were just mesmerized by them. In the latter part of this footage, the kids decided to "save the tadpoles" that were stuck in mud pit cut off from the main pond. We also discovered tiny frogs, the same size as the tadpoles. 

GREAT TRAILS AND HIKING IN AND AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Try the Strenuous Fossil Trail Loop in Point Mugu State Park for a Weekend Challenge

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If you have two to three hours to spare and are looking to do about six miles of strenuous local hiking, consider trying the Fossil Trail loop in Point Mugu State Park, starting at the adjacent Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa managed by the National Park Service in Newbury Park . If you're looking for a FLAT hike, this one isn't for you!  (But do check out these other great local trails.)

Find your way to the main parking lot at Via Goleta off of Lynn Road (or alternatively park at the Wendy/Potrero Trailhead for an extra few miles of hiking). From there, hike towards the Satwiwa Native American Indian

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