Pick Your Own Produce at Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark

For a fun, inexpensive local family activity, stop by Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark for some "Pick Your Own" fun. Open most of the year, weather and farm conditions permitting. They've got everything from avocados, beans, beets, blackberries, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, onions, cucumbers, on through spinach, squash and tomatoes, depending on time of year.

Underwood offers pull wagons, bags and containers for you to stash your haul. Then of course you pay for it. And if you can't find what you want in the fields, they may have it in their Farm Market.

• Weekday Admission: $7 (as of June 2023)

• Weekend and Holiday Admission: $10 (as of June 2023) (subject to change during spring, fall and Christmas festivals)

• Children under 2 and parking free.

• Wagon rides included with admission.

• Seniors (65+), Military, Veterans and 1st Responders w/ID get $2 off.

Learn more at underwoodfamilyfarms.com/pick-your-own.

Throwback Moment: Price-Costco Store Opened in Westlake Village in August 1996

Costco Westlake Village seen from the North Ranch Open Space

Let’s face it…the Westlake Village Costco is one of the most popular places to go in the Conejo Valley. Always teeming with shoppers and sample hunters, it seems the local community would be lost without this store.

Let’s go back in time to when it opened…

The store opened its doors as PriceCostco on Thursday, August 8, 1996 at 5700 Lindero Canyon Road. Price-Costco was formed in 1993 with the merger of Price Club (which opened its first location on July 12, 1976 in San Diego) and Costco (which opened its first warehouse in Seattle on September 15, 1983).

One of my guilty pleasures…the $1.50 Costco Hot Dog and Soda deal.

Who remembers PriceCostco? The merger between the two companies took place in 1993. Price Club was being pursued by Walmart to merge with the Sam’s Club warehouse store chain. Price opted to merge with Costco instead. And wallah…PriceCostco was created. At the time, there were 206 locations. As of August 2022, there are 838 Costco locations worldwide.

The prior management team from Price Club, the Price brothers, left the company in 1994 and in 1997, “Price” was dropped from the name and it became Costco.

According to a 1/4/96 VC Star article, PriceCostco purchased the 30 acre site at Lindero Canyon Road and Westlake Boulevard in Westlake Village for $9.3 million, with plans for a 136,000 sq ft Price Club.

Local residents were against the addition of the warehouse club to the community. City Council approved the project as it was allowed as part of a long-term commercial development agreement in place with owners of the property. However, the city stipulated approval was required for specifics like exterior color scheme, roofing materials in earth tone colors, etc.

Flashback to 2009: There were high hopes for a 2nd Conejo Valley Costco location in Newbury Park at the corner of Grande Vista Drive and Academy Drive. But according to a T.O. Acorn article on 1/29/09, Costco could not make the project economically feasible as it was “unable to finalize a lease for the site.”

It is clear that Costco prefers to own its land and buildings, not lease them. In Costco’s annual Form 10-K filing for the fiscal year ended August 29, 2021, fully 79% of its 815 warehouses around the world were owned; the remaining 19% were leased.

Lowe’s and LA Fitness were able to work a deal with owners of the property in Newbury Park and the City of Thousand Oaks Planning Commission approved the project to build locations there at a meeting on 12/13/10. Lowe’s Newbury Park opened on July 4, 2019.

Conejo Valley Guide Social Media Followers Say What They Enjoy the Most About the Conejo Valley

As part of a drawing for passes to the upcoming Conejo Valley Days event in Thousand Oaks, we asked Conejo Valley Guide Facebook and Instagram followers to tell us what they enjoy the most about living here in the Conejo Valley. Here’s a compilation of just a small sampling of their responses. Recurring themes - our open space and trails and sense of community.

I enjoy most the variety of places to eat and places to be outside in nature!

I love our beautiful hillsides and the wonderful local dining spots we’ve got.

I love the openness (when compared with the density of much of LA), the ease of parking almost anywhere, and all of the beautiful hiking trails!

The beautiful trees and rolling hills! So great for hiking and walking

Open space to enjoy year round thanks to always perfect weather & the overall safe feeling of the community.

The beautiful hiking trails and amazing school district.

I love the different types on nature we get to enjoy. Hiking through the hills, the beach, the (occasionally snow capped) mountains, visiting farms and seeing beautiful sunsets. So much beauty.

I love the wonderful people that live here, and all of the beauty that surrounds us!

We love the Conejo valley for its family atmosphere and beautiful open spaces. Also a bonus is that we are not too far from the ocean or LA.

Love the sense of commitment that exists here! Great place to raise families!

We have amazing community events and beautiful hiking trails.

Love all the nature around, it’s been preserved so well and still have so many fun things to do. Love the hikes and beautiful parks!

I love how close to nature we are here, how beautiful our town is.

I love how family friendly this town is!

The thing myself and my family loves most about the Conejo valley is how beautiful, safe and close knit it is. We wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!

Look around us! It's beautiful here!! Clean and peaceful.

The view of Boney! We’re so lucky to live in this gorgeous town.

I love the parks, the scenery, the amazing people, the kind neighbors, the rich sense of community and support for each other, so family friendly and dog friendly, and it feels safe.

The sense of community.

Hiking and making memories with my family at all the wonderful spots CV has to offer.

So many parks to choose from for my kids and the trails are great for hiking and running!

It’s a great dog friendly community!

One thing I love most about the Conejo Valley, is all the backroads that can be taken instead of the 23 or 101. And when it’s really quiet out, going for drives that go through hillsides where there isn’t a lot of traffic and noise, being able to look at everything from above. It really calms me down even when I’m just commuting.

We love the weather, the strong sense of community and how safe it is!

Love still having a small town feel with a lot of local owned business to support!

The parks for the kids.

I love that Conejo Valley is full of beautiful, relaxing scenery and outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and more!

¡Me gusta los conejos!

Too many things to list!! Oak trees, hills, trails, parks, restaurants!! They are all my favorites.

I love the natural beauty that surrounds us, as well as the kind, wonderful community of people!

I love the clean air and beautiful people.

I love all the access to trails for hiking and running.

We just moved out here about a year ago and I still just get can’t over how beautiful it is. I love all the pretty flowers, trees, and Boney Mountain!

I love the Conejo Valley mostly because of its location, close proximity to beaches, city, and of course its natural beauty.

Kind neighbors.

The Conejo Valley has the best concerts in the park, hiking trails, breweries and so much more! I love it here!

How we are in a sweet spot where we can enjoy both the peacefulness but also enjoy knowing we're not far from the beach or LA.

What I enjoy the most are the beautiful sunsets, watching the baby bunnies that munch grass in my front yard and the parade of quails running across the trail in front of me.

My kids and I love the parks, hiking trails, beautiful oak trees, and a sense of feeling safe.

I enjoy the beautiful hiking trails and the awesome local events.

The bunnies!

California Minimum Wages Increased to $15.50 Per Hour on January 1, 2023

Effective January 1, 2023, the minimum wage for all California hourly employees is $15.50 per hour, up from $15 per hour for employers of 26 or more and $14 per hour for employers of 25 or less in 2022.

The federal minimum wage for 2023 is still $7.25, a rate unchanged since it became effective on July 24, 2009.

California minimum wage rates apply to Ventura County residents.

The City of Los Angeles minimum wage rate has been $16.04 per hour since July 1, 2022. Each year, the minimum wage is adjusted for inflation; the adjusted rate is announced on February 1st of each year and becomes effective on July 1st of each year. The city’s 2023 minimum wage rate increases to $16.78 effective July 1, 2023. See wagesla.lacity.org.

The County of Los Angeles minimum wage rate became $15.96 per hour effective July 1, 2022 and increases to $16.90 per hour starting July 1, 2023. See dcba.lacounty.gov/minimum-wage-for-businesses.

Why the City of Los Angeles and County of Los Angeles can’t align their rates to be the same is beyond me.

Looking for a higher minimum wage? Move to San Francisco, where the rate has been $16.99 per hour since July 1, 2022 and will be adjusted for inflation again on July 1, 2023 to $18.07 per hour. See sf.gov/information/understanding-minimum-wage-ordinance.

Or better yet, the City of Emeryville, CA minimum wage effective July 1, 2022 became $17.68 and increases to $18.67 on July 1, 2023. See www.ci.emeryville.ca.us/1024/Minimum-Wage-Ordinance.

The highest city minimum wage rate in the country in 2023 is $18.69 per hour for employers in Seattle, Washington. www.seattle.gov/laborstandards/ordinances/minimum-wage

Looking for states with minimum wages set at the federal rate of $7.25/hour? That would be Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

California’s minimum wage rate in 2022 was the third highest in the country. Washington D.C. is at $16.50 per hour, increasing to $17 per hour on July 1, 2023. The state of Washington is at $15.74 per hour for workers 16 and older. Massachusetts is currently at $15 per hour effective January 1, 2023. www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-minimum-wage

Caspar Borchard and Family Have a Permanent Presence in the Conejo Valley

Caspar Borchard was born in 1842 in Werxhausen, Germany. He sailed to the U.S. with his uncle Christian Borchard in 1867. He liked it so much here that he went back to Germany to get funds (Bitcoin wasn't around back then apparently) to buy land. While back in Germany, he married Theresa Diedrich, who died 3 years later. Within a year he married Theresa Maring. They came back to the U.S. and he bought 205 acres in what is now El Rio (Oxnard).

In 1882, Caspar bought 3,285 acres in the Conejo Valley after his brother Johannes bought 4,000 acres. Theresa Maring died in 1898 at age 49. Their youngest daughter (8 total kids) was also named Theresa. Caspar retired in 1918 and died in 1930. leaving a large family and a permanent presence in the Conejo Valley (Borchard Road, Borchard Park and Community Center). Theresa Drive parallels Borchard from Wendy to Sequoia Middle School in Newbury Park.

This is an undated photo from Thousand Oaks Library archives. Pictured: Back row: Caspar, Rosa, Mary, and Leo. Middle row: Frank, Theresa Maring, holding Charles, Caspar holding Theresa, Antone.

Farm motif playground at Borchard Park in Newbury Park

Borchard Park Labyrinth and Fitness Equipment Area

Borchard Skate Park

Borchard Community Park

Hike to the Rock Pool at Malibu Creek State Park in Agoura Hills

One of the most popular destinations in Malibu Creek State Park is the Rock Pool, a picturesque place that is easily accessible for all ages.

As seen in the photo above, it can be stunning to see after solid rains but can also dry up. One fun way to get to the Rock Pool is via the Grassland Trail, accessible on Mulholland Highway just west of Las Virgenes Road, where street parking is available.

Take the Grassland trail, with moderate hills, .7 miles to the Crags Road main fire road/trail in Malibu Creek State Park, and turn right. Alternatively, you can park in the Park's lower parking lot, pay $12 for a bit more secure parking, and take the main trail into the park.

The scenery along the Grassland Trail can be quite beautiful, particularly after the rainy season.

Soon you'll see the sign where you can see the Visitor Center is on the left. That's the direction you'll be taking to get to the Rock Pool. Veering to the right gets you to another popular site at the Park, the old M*A*S*H television series set.

You'll see a bridge over the creek (seen below after the winter rains) that takes you to the Visitor Center (open weekends noon to 4pm). The Rock Pool is the trail on the right (west) before reaching the bridge. Look carefully and you may see the little sign that says "Rock Pool."

Malibu Creek free flowing after some decent winter rainstorms

Well known Rock Wall used by rock climbers seen in the original Planet of the Apes (1968)

You'll walk through a shaded area with picnic benches through to a Rock Wall that is popular with local rock climbers. The video above shows scenes from the movie Planet of the Apes (1968) shot in Malibu Creek State Park. From there, the Rock Pool is a short walk further.

California State Parks, which manages the Park, warns visitors not to jump or dive into the Rock Pool as it is dangerous. But it is certainly fun to explore and is quite a beautiful area.

All told, getting to the Rock Pool is only about 3 miles round trip and worth it. I would put this hike on par with hiking to Paradise Falls in Thousand Oaks' Wildwood Park in terms of ease of access and family enjoyment. Learn more about Malibu Creek State Park at this link.

988 Is the Three Digit Dialing Code for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988 Is the new three-digit dialing code that connects directly to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline is now called the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a United States-wide suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline using the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

The Lifeline has received over 23 million calls from 2005 through 2021 from people in distress, looking for support when they needed it most.

Learn more at 988lifeline.org.