Conejo Grade from Green in March to Golden in October 2019

The Conejo Grade is the section of Highway 101 that connects the Conejo Valley with Camarillo.

It is a four mile stretch of freeway with a significant 7% grade. The original Conejo Grade was constructed by the California Highway Commission in 1914-1915 - a route that had 49 twists and turns, making it somewhat hazardous to drive. It has been widened and realigned several times since the 1930s to remove most of those twists and turns.

Today the main change we see along the grade is the color of the surrounding hills; from green in the spring to gold in the fall. Here’s a view of that change in color in March 2019 to October 2019 as seen from the Western Plateau Trail in Thousand Oaks.

EVOLUTION OF THE CONEJO GRADE OVER THE YEARS

Undercrossing From La Conchita to La Conchita Beach in Ventura County

La Conchita Beach is a pleasant, sparsely occupied mile or so long strip of pristine beach sandwiched between Mussel Shoals and Rincon Beach. There's no parking or facilities. To get there, your options are to ride or walk in from Rincon Beach or find a spot in La Conchita and take this tunnel that takes you from Surfside St in La Conchita to the beach. Or you can park in one of the few available spots on Old Pacific Coast Highway in Mussel Shoals (same street the Cliff House Inn is located on.)

Fun to explore around here on this beautiful beach. I can see why residents of this community, which has been devastated by landslides several times over the years, stay in this unique location paralleling the 101 and the Pacific Ocean. Ventura and Carpinteria area beaches compiled at THIS LINK.

Murals at the South End of Silver Strand Beach in Oxnard, Labor Day 2019

Labor Day 2019 was actually my first time at the far south end of Silver Strand Beach, south of the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard. I ran there from the Harbor via Victoria Avenue down to the end of Ocean Drive, where it dead ends at Sawtelle Avenue.

BEACHES IN MALIBU, POINT MUGU, POINT HUENEME AND OXNARD

On the other side of this wall is a park dedicated to the 500 foot La Jenelle shipwreck here in April 1970. Portions of the ship remain, filled with rocks, as part of a jetty there at the south end of Silver Strand. La Jenelle Park lies on the other side of the wall and fence.

September 2 (Labor Day 2019) will be a day of mourning in the local area, as it was the day that 34 people lost their lives aboard the Conception off the coast of Santa Cruz Island.after a fire broke out on the ship around 3 in the morning. Five crew members escaped. The Conception was chartered for a 3-day scuba diving voyage.

Recurring Gourmet Food Truck Events In and Around Ventura County

Gourmet Food Trucks are one of the hottest trends around town today. Here's a compilation of recurring food truck events in and around Ventura County and adjacent areas for your dining pleasure!

Note: Dates/times can vary and change, so check with organizers, particularly if there is inclement weather.

Monthly Gourmet Food Truck Events

Downtown Oxnard First Thursdays Gourmet Food Trucks:  First Thursday of the month from 5:30pm to 9:30pm at Plaza Park, 500 South C Street. Enjoy over a dozen food trucks and live music. downtownoxnard.org/activities/food-trucks

#TBT Throwback Thursdays Food Truck Fest at Camarillo Ranch House: Every last Thursday of the month, Spring through October, at 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo from 5pm to 9pm. Ten food trucks on hand plus beer and wine available for purchase. camarilloranch.org/home/ranch-events

Tuesday Food Trucks at Los Robles Greens in Thousand Oaks on the 2nd Tuesday of the month from May through October from 5-8PM.

Gourmet Food Trucks at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura: Every 3rd Friday of the month in the parking lot next to Trader Joe's, along Mills Road, from 5pm to 9pm. Features over 20 food trucks and live music. shoppacificview.com

Ojai Valley Food Truck Friday is the 1st Friday of each month from 5-9PM at Mira Monte Elementary School, 1216 Loma Drive, Ojai. Free family movie screening at 7:30pm. www.facebook.com/pg/ojaifoodtruckfriday

Food Trucks the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at Sunland Vintage Winery, 1321 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, #108 in Thousand Oaks. 

Annual and Periodic Gourmet Food Truck Events

Here are a few annual gourmet food truck events for your dining pleasure. Food trucks make an appearance of course at hundreds of events throughout the year, but those listed here have them as a primary focal point of the event.

These are just a few. Something to add? Contact us!

Zuma Beach in Malibu, One of the Largest and Most Popular Beaches in Los Angeles County

Zuma Beach is located at 30000 Pacific Coast Highway.. At four miles long, Zuma is one of the largest and most popular beaches in Los Angeles County,

Zuma is known for its long, wide sands and excellent surf, as well as plenty of facilities, including several food stands, restrooms, showers and volleyball. The Zuma boardwalk is well over a mile and a great place to take a walk.

There are over 2,000 parking spaces in the massive parking lot. Parking varies but ranges from $8 to $15 (summer weekends).

Visit beaches.lacounty.gov/zuma-beach for more information.

NOTE: Fires, including BBQs, are not allowed on any beach in Malibu; the exception is that fires may be allowed in designated spots at some state beaches. Dogs are not allowed on state beaches.

Zuma Beach boardwalk is great for walking.

Seabirds like it here too.

A Flock of Pelicans Performing in Malibu Last Weekend

I could watch this all day...flocks of pelicans hovering together above the waves in Malibu. These particular pelicans were flying at El Pescador and La Piedra State Beaches, which, along with El Matador, form a triage of "pocket beaches" along the west end of Malibu that constitute Robert H. Meyer Memorial State Beach.

More on these and other beaches in Malibu, stretching to Oxnard, at THIS LINK.

Special Needs Screenings at Studio Movie Grill on Designated Saturday Mornings

Studio Movie Grill, including our local Simi Valley location at the Simi Valley Town Center, offers Special Needs Screenings on designated Saturdays at 11am.

Special Needs Screenings are shown with the lights on and volume lowered. Children are free to move around, talk, even dance in the aisles during the movie.

These special sensory friendly screenings are free of charge for children with special needs, as well as their siblings. Accompanying parents pay the “before-noon” price.

For upcoming shows, visit studiomoviegrill.com/movie/film-series/special-needs-screenings.