Tex Ward Point and Olympia Farms Area in the Rancho Potrero Open Space

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Small amphitheater in the former Olympia Farms section of Rancho Potrero.

The Mountains Recreation & Conservation Authority (MRCA) purchased 638 acres of former Broome Ranch property in the Santa Monica Mountains in 1993. It transferred half the property to the National Park Service that is now part of Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa and the other half to the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA). The COSCA portion of the parcel, which was funded through contributions from the Conejo Recreation & Park District and City of Thousand Oaks, is the Rancho Potrero Open Space.

Rancho Potrero is mostly unimproved grasslands and coastal sage scrub but contains miles of maintained trails used by hikers, cyclists and equestrians. The property also houses the 20 acre Rancho Potrero Community Equestrian Center, which boards horses and offers guided trail rides.

This footage shows a picnic site on a hilltop that overlooks the former Olympia Farms facility. There is an old asphalt road leading from Lynn/Potrero Road to this site that used to be the home of the caretaker of Olympia Farms. This site is dedicated to Tex Ward, who served as General Manager for 38 years and fought hard to develop parks and maintain open space in the Conejo Valley.

The second part of the footage shows development at the former Olympia Farms site that includes an area for horses, a drinking fountain (for people and horses) and a small amphitheater. Learn more about Rancho Potrero at THIS LINK.

Tex Ward Point at Rancho Potrero. Ward was General Manager of CRPD from 1968 to 2006 and was instrumental in helping create the Conejo Valley’s public recreation programs, park system and conservation of open space.

Indoor Play Places In and Around Ventura County

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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.

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.

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

Senior Adult Centers and Programs Throughout Ventura County

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Here is a list of senior centers and programs throughout Ventura County. For more extensive information about serving the needs of seniors, visit the County of Ventura Area Agency on Aging website at www.vcaaa.org

The Goebel Senior Center is located at 1385 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, between the Thousand Oaks Teen Center and Grant R. Brimhall Library. Open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 9 p.m, Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday noon to 4 p.m. The 21,000 sq ft facility offers classes, events, excursions, drop-in programs and more. The facility also has meeting rooms, kitchen/dining room, billiards room, putting green, horseshoe pits and more. Senior Nutrition Program 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. weekdays. Suggested contribution for the meal is $4 for ages 60+. Visit www.crpd.org/adults-seniors or call 805-381-2744.

Senior Concerns is a Thousand Oaks based non-profit that serves eastern Ventura County and western Los Angeles County. Since 1975, the organization has provided support services to seniors, such as Adult Day Center that operates Monday through Friday from 10am to 2pm, caregiver support, legal, financial, and advocate services, and Meals on Wheels. Learn more at www.seniorconcerns.org or call 805-497-0189.

The Simi Valley Senior Center at 3900 Avenida Simi is a 22,000 square foot enrichment and learning center for adults. The center provides learning programs, exercise classes, meal programs, health services, excursions, computer classes, book clubs, support groups, billiard room, social services, art classes and more. For ages 50+. The Rendezvous Café operates weekdays and offers hot lunch for a suggest donation of $4 for 60+ seniors and $9 for others (as of June 2025). Visit www.simivalley.org/departments/city-manager-s-office/community-programs-and-facilities/senior-center or call 805.583.6363.

The Pleasant Valley Senior Center is located at 1605 E. Burnley Street in Camarillo. The center is open M-F from 9am to 4pm and offers a variety of recreation and leisure program, a meal site for ages 60+ and social services for local residents. Programs and activities are not limited to Camarillo residents.

Visit www.pvrpd.org/senior-center or call 805.482.4881. More information on senior meal programs available from the Camarillo Health Care District at www.camhealth.com/senior-meals-program..

City of Oxnard Recreation and Community Services offers 3 senior centers. The Wilson Senior Center at 350 N. C Street is open M-F 10am to 4pm (805.385.8028), South Oxnard Senior Center at 200 East Bard Road is open M-F 8:15am to 2:15pm (805.385.8042) and Colonia Senior Center at 126-B Amelia Court, open M-F 8:30am to 2:30pm (805.385.8163). Visit www.oxnard.org/recreation/senior-services for more information.

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The Moorpark Active Adult Center is located at 799 Moorpark Avenue. The center is open M-F from 8am to 4pm and offers classes, programs and more to ages 55+. Home delivered meals available to local 60+ residents and meals offered for low cost at the center. Visit moorparkca.gov/200/Active-Adult-Center for more information or call 805.517.6261.

The City of Agoura Hills runs a Senior Recreation Program for ages 50+ at its Recreation Center, located at 30610 Thousand Oaks Blvd.  The program offers fitness, social, educational and other great events and activities. Visit https://www.agourahillscity.org/department/community-services-parks-recreation/senior-recreation-program or call 818.597.7366 for more information.

The City of Ventura Senior Services program offers computer, recreational, specialty, social, health and fitness programs to 50+ at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center, 550 N. Ventura Avenue, 805.648.3035, and satellite sites at the Salvation Army (east Ventura), Pacific View Mall, TowneHouse, Ventura College and YMCA. A Travel Program office and special events are held at the Senior Recreation Center, 420 E. Santa Clara St, 805.648.2829. Visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/669/Adult-Senior-Services for more information.

Ventura's Senior Lunch Program operates the “Westside Cafe” Monday through Friday from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. $4 contribution per meal for ages 60 and up; $9 for others (as of June 2025). Nutritious hot or cold entree with fresh fruit and vegetables. Located at the Ventura Avenue Adult Center, 550 N. Ventura Avenue. Call 805.648.3035 for more information.

The Santa Paula Senior Center is located at 530 W. Main Street and is open 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone is 805.933.4272. The center offers classes, card games and meal programs to seniors. spcity.org/403/Senior-Center

The City of Fillmore Active Adult Center is located at 535 Santa Clara Avenue and is open 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. Phone is 805.524.4533. Meals, games, activities and classes are offered. www.fillmoreca.com/177/Active-Adult-Center

The Orvene S. Carpenter Community Center is located at 550 Park Avenue in Port Hueneme and is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.  The city's Senior Nutrition Program offers meals to those in need and classes are offered. Visit www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/facilities/facility/details/orvenescarpentercommunitycenter-2 or call 805.986.6542 for more information.

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The Little House Multipurpose Center in Ojai at 111 W. Santa Ana Street next to Ojai City Hall is run by Help of Ojai, Inc., a non-profit organization that has been serving the needs of Ojai's seniors since 1968. The center offers programs, services, recreation and meals. Visit www.helpofojai.org or call 805.646.5122 for more information.

And for thousands of classes each year specifically geared towards seniors, check out THESE LINKS to community recreation programs throughout Ventura County.

Wedding Reception Venues In Ventura County and Surrounding Areas

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Conejo Valley Guide focuses primarily on events, activities and things to do in the Conejo Valley, Ventura County and surrounding areas.

Since we're out and about so much, we thought it might be helpful to have a comprehensive list of over 170 local wedding, wedding reception and meeting venues within an hour radius of the Conejo Valley.

(Contact us for additions/edits to this list.)

Simi Valley Wedding Reception Venues

Moorpark, Somis Wedding Reception Venues

Ojai, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru Wedding Reception Venues

Santa Barbara, Carpinteria, Goleta

Hang Out with Motorcyclists at the Rock Store on Mulholland Drive in Cornell

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Located at 30354 Mulholland Highway, in the community of Cornell, the Rock Store is one of the most famous motorcyclist and biker hangouts in the world.

The "Rock Store," made out of volcanic rock, served as a stagecoach stop after the turn of the 20th century. Pittsburgh transplants Ed and Vern (Veronica) Savco purchased the building in 1961 and turned it into a grocery store. As the town grew, the Rock Store became a popular destination for motorcyclists, perhaps the most famous motorcycle stop in Southern California.

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Stop by the Rock Store for breakfast, lunch and beer/wine, to see celebrities and hundreds of motorcyclists/bikers.

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To get there from the Conejo Valley/Agoura Hills, take Kanan Road south just over 3 miles and take a left on Sierra Creek Road. Turn right on Mulholland, and the Rock Store will be on your left after about half a mile. Open 9am to 6pm on Fridays and 7am to 6pm on Saturday/Sunday. Learn more at www.rock-store.com.

Miniature Golf in Ventura County

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According to Golflink.com, there are approximately 1,450 miniature golf courses throughout the United States, including 45 in the State of California. Overall, this equates to about 216,000 U.S. residents for each mini golf course. But California severely lags this statistic, with nearly 850,000 residents per mini golf course. Ventura County is in line with California overall in that it currently has a single mini golf course, Golf N' Stuff in Ventura, for a total of roughly 835.000 residents.

A look at the intimidating Hole 17 on course #2 at Golf N' Stuff in Ventura.

A look at the intimidating Hole 17 on course #2 at Golf N' Stuff in Ventura.

I have enjoyed Golf N' Stuff Ventura with my kids for years. It is the closest thing we have to an amusement park in Ventura County. With two 18 hole golf courses, bumper boats, bumper cars, go karts, laser tag and a well-appointed arcade, Golf N' Stuff Ventura has something for everyone. The golf courses are neat as they have such a varied assortment of decor, from a castle and a palace to an old country town, animals and more.

The old country western town at hole 10 of course 2. I love this hole.

The old country western town at hole 10 of course 2. I love this hole.

With easy access from the 101 freeway off at Victoria Avenue, Golf N' Stuff is one of our favorite "staycation" activities. When it's 90 degrees in the Conejo Valley, we'll often find it a comfortable low 70s at Golf N' Stuff. And the facility is open 365 days a year (well, 366 days in leap years). Visit golfnstuff.com/ventura/info.html to learn more. And be sure to sign up with their Email Club to receive 2 for 1 golf coupons throughout the year.

A view of Golf N' Stuff Ventura while driving the 101 North (as if you couldn't figure that out).

A view of Golf N' Stuff Ventura while driving the 101 North (as if you couldn't figure that out).

If you are a mini golf fanatic looking for other venues within about an hour drive of, say, Thousand Oaks, try the following:

California isn't one of the more popular mini golf states in the country, perhaps because there are SO MANY OTHER GREAT THINGS TO DO HERE!

The beautiful and iconic castle at Golf N' Stuff Ventura,

The beautiful and iconic castle at Golf N' Stuff Ventura,

Batting Cages and Paintball in Ventura County

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For you baseball/softball players, here is a summary of local batting cage options, with links to additional contact information:

Paintball? No particular correlation to batting cages, but here it is:

Ambush Paintball and Airsoft Park in Moorpark