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.

Fun Things to Do in Historic Ojai, Ventura County's Smallest City

Ojai, Ventura County's smallest city with under 8,000 residents, is 40 miles from Thousand Oaks, the 2nd largest city in the county. This drive is well worth it if you're looking for a unique old town feeling right here in Ventura County.

Incorporated as a city in 1921, the Ojai Valley was once inhabited by the Chumash Indians. The name Ojai is derived from the Chumash word "Awhai," meaning "moon." Glass manufacturer Edward D. Libbey helped create the layout of Ojai. After a fire destroyed much of the town in 1917, the western-style town received a new Spanish Revival look.

View of the arcade and pergola in front of Libbey Park on Ojai Avenue.

The Ojai Post Office tower and portico was completed in 1917 and is a focal point for the city at the corner of Ojai Avenue and Signal Street. The tower was modeled after the Christopher Columbus Cathedral in Havana, Cuba, with additional details from Mexico. The tower complements the arcade and pergola along Ojai Avenue. You can't miss the one block arcade with its shops, eateries and art galleries.

Here's a selection of just some of the great things to do in Ojai:

The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa is a great local weekend getaway! Whether you stay there overnight or not, the Ojai Valley Inn's historic 18 hole golf course, 31,000 sq ft spa and fitness facility and four lighted tennis courts are available to local day trippers.

Libbey Bowl and Libbey Park are located in the heart of Ojai next to the downtown arcade area. Libbey Bowl, originally built in 1957 and completely renovated in 2011, is used for the annual Ojai Music Festival, Storytelling Festival, Ojai Day celebration, holiday events and much more. Libbey Park provides plenty of sitting areas, shade trees, a kids' playground in the heart of the city.

Strolling and shopping in the Ojai Arcade

Founded in 1966, the Ojai Valley Museum at 130 West Ojai Avenue maintains an extensive collection of art, Native American baskets, pioneer tools and photographs of early days in Ojai.

Meditation Mount

Located on a 32 acre site overlooking the Ojai Valley, Meditation Mount is a public meditation center that has invited the public to its beautiful grounds since opening in 1970. Two hour visitation experiences are $12 at designated time frames. meditationmount.org

The Ojai Valley Trail provides cyclists, equestrians, runners and strollers a nine mile path paralleling Highway 33 from Foster Park on the north end of Ventura to Soule Park on west of downtown Ojai. My personal favorite activity in Ojai is riding bikes on this trail.

The Ojai Playhouse is a single screen theater originally built in 1914 that has been restored to its deco-style look inside and now shows first run movies in a theater that seats over 200 people. The Ojai Film Society hosts eclectic, independently produced movies here on Sunday afternoons.

The Ojai Trolley Service provides transportation on a fixed route schedule throughout Ojai, Meiners Oaks and Mira Monte. Where else can you find a year-round trolley around here!?

Ojai Day was originally conceived in 1917, took a long hiatus in the 1920s, and came back in 1991 on the third Saturday of each October. The event showcases the best Ojai has to offer, with entertainment, a parade, art, food, games and much more. Visit www.ojaiday.com for more information.

One of my favorite activities with the kids just minutes from Ojai is the Lake Casitas Recreation Area, which includes the seasonal (Memorial Day to Labor Day weekend) Casitas Water Adventure. Though the water is not heated, the 1,200 foot lazy river and multi-level water jungle gym for the kids is sure to entertain you while cooling you off.

Casitas Water Adventure

For other year-round things to do in Ojai, click here in the Do Something section of CVG or here for kids' activities. Or here for Fitness & Sports activities. And for upcoming Ojai events, click here. To learn more about the city, visit the City of Ojai website at ojaicity.org.

Tell Me a Little Bit About Newbury Park

Newbury Park is a community located in the western portion of Thousand Oaks. Most of Newbury Park became part of Thousand Oaks by community vote sometime in the 1960s and 1970s. Thousand Oaks became a city in October 1964.

A view of Newbury Park from Boney Peak in October 2021. (Feet Model: Conejo Joe)

Egbert Starr Newbury (Photo Courtesy Conejo Valley Historical Society)

Newbury Park is named after Egbert Starr Newbury, who owned thousands of acres of land in the Conejo Valley after moving to California from Michigan for health reasons in 1871.  Newbury was one of the three largest Conejo Valley landowners of his time. He and his wife Fannie became the first postmasters in the Conejo Valley in 1875.  The post office was located in a small compound near their house, which was located at the current location of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza. 

The other major landowners at that time were John Edwards, who owned much of the current Newbury Park/Thousand Oaks area north of the 101, and Howard Mills, who owned much of what today is Westlake Village and Hidden Valley.

Edwards sold 10,000 acres of what is now central Thousand Oaks to Edwin and Harold Janss in 1893.  The Janss Corporation also bought thousands of acres of land in Newbury Park (Friedrich, Running Springs and Borchard Ranches) in 1962. 

There were efforts to incorporate Newbury Park in 1961 and 1963 that failed due to a lack of sufficient votes.

Over a 30 month period beginning in the Fall of 1876, only 6 inches of rain fell in the Conejo Valley.  This drought brought devastation to landowners, most of whom lost their crops and livestock and had to sell at a loss or went bankrupt.  The Newburys were no exception; they moved back to the midwest in 1877.  Egbert fell ill to pneumonia in 1880 and passed away at the young age of 36.

The Newburys lived here only six years, so why is it still called Newbury Park? Because the name of the Newburys' post office never changed! The Newbury Park Post Office has changed locations a number of times (including 1602 Newbury Road from May 1968 until it moved to its current location at 3401 Grande Vista Drive in 2013). So the Newbury name and legacy live on here in the Conejo Valley.

Horse tied to a sign indicating the Newbury Park Post Office, in 1909. The location was near modern-day Lynn Ranch. (Courtesy of the Thousand Oaks Library Local History Photo Collection).

Sources: "The Conejo Valley - Old and New Frontiers" by Carol A. Bidwell and "The Newburys of Newbury Park" by Miriam Sprankling

But wait...there's more to Newbury Park! Casa Conejo is also part of the Newbury Park community but is not an incorporated part of Thousand Oaks. It is considered a census-designated place in Ventura County, with its own Municipal Advisory Council. Casa Conejo is the first planned community in Newbury Park and was built in the early 1960s. It has an area of .5 square mile and is bound by Borchard to the south, Old Conejo Road to the north, Jenny Drive (east of Newbury Park High School) to the west and Sequoia Middle School to the east.

TELL ME ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE STREET NAMES IN THE CASA CONEJO NEIGHBORHOOD

Interested in historical pictures of the area going back to the 1950s?  Click here to read about the work of prolific Conejo Valley photographer, Ed Lawrence. 

Click here for a history of Thousand Oaks. Thousand Oaks is over 56 square miles and Newbury Park represents about 40% of that square footage. Thousand Oaks was incorporated as a city on October 7, 1964.

Three dozen or so things to do in Newbury Park

Another three dozen or so kids' activities in Newbury Park

Yet another three dozen or so sports and fitness activities in Newbury Park

Earth Day Events In and Around Ventura County

Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22nd each year since 1970. Earth Day events celebrate the planet we live on and helps to renew our commitment to building a safer, healthier and cleaner world. Here is a compilation of 2025 Earth Day as well as Arbor Day events in Ventura County and neighboring areas.

Sat 4/12: Calabasas Earth Day Festival (2-5PM)

Sat 4/19: Arbor/Earth Day Celebration in Thousand Oaks (10AM-2PM)

Sat 4/19: Ventura Earth Day Festival (11AM-4PM)

Fri 4/25: Earth Day Event in Simi Valley (3:30-5:30PM)

Sat 4/26: Earth Day Festival in Westlake Village (3-8PM)

Sat/Sun 4/26-27: Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival (11AM)

Sat 5/3 Moorpark Earth Festival & Arbor Day Celebration (9AM-1PM)

Easter Egg Hunts and Other Fun Easter Activities Around Ventura County

Here at Conejo Valley Guide we have a special place in our heart for Easter fun! The bunnies of the Conejo Valley and surrounding Ventura County areas are planning ahead to make this Easter memorable.

We have the Germans to thank for the Easter Bunny concept, which came about in the 1500s. Hares and bunnies are signs of fertility and eggs signify rebirth. The Germans brought Easter traditions to America and it wasn't until after the Civil War that Easter became widely celebrated.

Easter Sunday 2025 is April 20th! Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern hemisphere's vernal equinox. As a result, Easter Sunday ranges from March 22nd to April 25th

Upcoming Easter season events and activities in and around Ventura County (list will be updated regularly; dates/time subject to change, so check with event organizers to be sure):

March 22-23, 29-30 Spring Spectacular at America's Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

Sat, April 5: Springtime at the Adobe at Leonis Adobe Calabasas (1-4pm)

Sat, April 5: The Hunt Holiday Egg Hunt in Ventura (10am-3pm: RSVP required)

Sat, April 5: Easter Bunny Arrival and Family Fun at the Simi Valley Town Center (11am-5pm)

Fri, April 11: Flashlight Egg Hunt at 5 Locations in Thousand Oaks (6-9pm)

Sat, April 12: The Bunny Trail Junior Egg Hunt in Calabasas (SOLD OUT)

Sat, April 12: Breakfast with the Bunny at Reyes Adobe Park in Agoura (SOLD OUT)

Sat, April 12: Selfies with the Bunny at The Collection at Riverpark (1-3PM)

Thu, April 17: Spring Egg Hunt at Century Academy/Shine Homeschool Thousand Oaks (RSVP)

Sat, April 19: Egg Scramble Event at Rancho Santa Susana Park in Simi Valley (9-10am)

Sat, April 19 Easter Eggstravaganza Event in Camarillo (10am-1pm)

Sat, April 19: City of Moorpark Easter Egg Hunt (10am-1pm; Purchase wristbands in advance beginning March 3rd)

Sat, April 19: Egg Scramble Event Mae Boyar Park in Oak Park (9:30-11:30am)

Sat, April 19: Selfies with the Bunny at The Collection at Riverpark (1-3pm)

Sat, April 19: Spring Conejo & Easter Hunt at Stagecoach Inn Museum (1-4pm)

Sun, April 20: Easter Egg Hunt at Christ the King Newbury Park (11am)

Sun, April 20: Easter Sunrise Service at Pierce Brothers Westlake Village (6am)

Sun, April 20: Easter Egg Hunt at the Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge (noon)

Sun, April 20: Meet & Greet with the Seaside Bunny at Ventura Harbor Village (1-4pm)

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Mar 22 to Apr 21; Springtime Easter Festival at Underwood Family Farms

Mar 24 to Mar 28: Visit the Bunny at Strathearn Historical Park in Simi Valley

Mar 28 to Apr 19: Photos with the Bunny at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura

Mar 21 to Apr 19: Bunny Photos at The Oaks Mall

April 1-30: Spring Scavenger Hunt at The Collection at Riverpark

April 5-6, 12-19: Bunny Photos at the Simi Valley Town Center

Century Lake at Malibu Creek State Park

According to the Malibu Creek Docents, around 1903, the Crags Country Club constructed a 50 foot tall dam on its 2,000 acre property on what is now Malibu Creek State Park. The dam created a seven acre lake that club members used for fishing and duck hunting.

The Club closed in 1936, and 10 years later, 20th Century Fox Studios purchased the property to film movies and TV shows on what was renamed Century Ranch. The 1968 "Planet of the Apes" featured many prominent scenes shot here.

This is an awesome video showing Planet of the Apes (1968) film scenes at Malibu Creek State Park and local area beaches then and today.

As for the lake, it is now referred to as Century Lake, a hiking destination in Malibu Creek State Park. Only 1 1/2 miles from the parking area, Century Lake is in a secluded area, where you can eat your lunch at the picnic table and enjoy serenity (usually, depending on who else is there). I believe it is fine to wade in the water and even kayak in there if desired. although I've never seen anyone do so.

Century Lake is a left hand turn from the main Crags Road trail, after cresting the only significant hill going down the other side. The only indicator is this narrow sign.

The hike has a moderately steep hill in it, but otherwise is quite flat and easy to do with kids and/or a stroller.

Malibu Creek State Park has something for everyone...camping, a visitor center, the "Rock Pool," the M*A*S*H set, the old Reagan Ranch, Century Lake, over 35 miles of trails, rock climbing (near the Rock Pool) and more.

The Century Dam is shown in this image. You don't wanna fall down that dam. Off limits.

Ventura County Area Car Shows, Car Clubs and Car Museums

Looking for automotive fun around Ventura County?  Here are some options.

Monthly and Annual Car Shows:

County Line Cars and Coffee meets the 2nd Saturday of the month from 8-10AM at The Promenade at Westlake. www.facebook.com/countylinecarsandcoffee

Conejo Valley Cars and Coffee meets the 1st and 3rd Saturday of each month from 7-10AM at Firestone Tire at The Oaks mall, 598 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. www.cvcarsandcoffee.com

Firebill Tim Wheels & Waves monthly car show is currently at the Channel Islands Maritime Museum at the 3900 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard the first Sunday of the month from 8-10AM. Free to the public, featuring classic cars, coffee, art, donuts, and more. www.cimmvc.org/events-activities

Ventura Raceway offers racing events for dwarf cars, hobby stocks, motorcycles and more. Pricing varies. Visit venturaraceway.com for more information.

The Annual Touch-a-Truck Event in Thousand Oaks for kids and their families takes place on Father’s Day weekend each year.

The Thousand Oaks Rotary Annual Street Fair in October always has a fantastic vintage and eclectic auto show worth stopping by for. www.tostreetfair.com

Father’s Day Car Show at Channel Islands Harbor every June www.channelislandsfathersdaycarshow.com

The annual Thousand Oaks Chili Cook-Off, Car Show and Craft Brew Fest takes place usually the first Sunday of May each year at Conejo Creek Park North.

Sespe Creek Car Show in Fillmore every 4th of July sespecreekevents.org

Simi Valley Knights of Columbus Chili Cook-Off & Car Show every June chilikc.com

Tri-County Mustang Club Ponies by the Sea Car Show at Channel Islands Harbor is every October www.tricountymustangclub.com/car-show

Central Coast British Car Club Car Show is in the Sept/Oct time frame each year at the Channel Islands Harbor centralcoastbritishcarclub.com/car-show

Camarillo Old Town Friday Night Car Cruise takes place every 4th Friday in April through October. www.camarillooldtown.org/car-cruise

Ventura Nationals every Labor Day weekend in Ventura venturanationals.com

Annual shows usually pop up in the CVG Events Calendar.

---

The Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar (free admission; open Tuesday to Saturday).

Looking for local car clubs? Check the Social/Hobby Clubs section of CVG. Or here's a list of car and motorcycle clubs.

And also check the Events Calendar and Event Listings for additional events that you will enjoy!

Have something to add to this list? CONTACT US

CLOSED OR STATUS ON HIATUS OR UNCLEAR

Malibu Cars and Coffee on hiatus (still on hiatus as of December 2023).. www.malibucarsandcoffee.com

Muscles & Mojo Cars and Coffee took place every 3rd Sunday at the Murphy Auto Museum in Oxnard, but it’s finale was June 16, 2024 as the museum is closing on July 7th.

The Mullin Auto Museum in Oxnard closed its doors on Feb 10, 2024.

The Murphy Auto Museum in Oxnard closes its doors on July 7, 2024.