Eleven of My Favorite Things to Do In and Around the City of Ventura

Incorporated in 1866, the City of Ventura is the county seat of Ventura County. The official name of Ventura is the city of San Buenaventura. Mission San Buenaventura was founded by Franciscan priest Junipero Serra on March 31, 1782 and was named after Saint Bonaventure. Enough with the history lesson...here are some of my favorite things to do in this beautiful city!

You can't miss the 1,600 foot long Ventura Pier, with its panoramic views, fishing and ocean breezes. There's a cool little playground area in the sand just west of the pier, bicycle rentals nearby, miles of beachfront bike path and Surfers' Point. San Buenaventura State Beach stretches from the Ventura Pier down south past the homes of the Ventura Keys. Eateries on the pier include Eric Ericsson’s Fish Co., MadeWest Brewing Company Taproom and Beach House Tacos.

Ventura Harbor Village is home to 33 acres of harborside activities, shopping and restaurants. There's an arcade with an antique carousel, boat rides, kayaking and sailing and quick access to family-friendly Harbor Cove Beach and Surfer's Knoll Beach. Also within a short walking distance is the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, an inspirational and interactive source of information about the Channel Islands National Park. Bring the kids!

Ventura Harbor Village is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

For some of the most spectacular views of Ventura, stop by Grant Park / Serra Cross Park. You can drive up there, or park above the historic Ventura City Hall building and walk to Grant Park via the Ventura Botanical Gardens trail. This nice one mile trail will give you a nice little workout, with views along the way.

A view from the Ventura Botanical Gardens Trail near Grant Park

Golf N' Stuff is a family favorite, especially when it's really hot in the Conejo Valley and you're looking for an outdoor alternative to the beach.  The kids never tire of the two 18-hole mini golf courses, bumper boats, large, nicely appointed arcade, go karts and bumper cars.

Mini golf fun at Golf N' Stuff Ventura.

Another popular family choice is oceanfront Marina Park in the Ventura Keys, a decent sized park with plenty of grassy area, a newer playground and path to adjacent picnic and viewing area Soter Point. We enjoy riding bikes from the park to the Ventura Beach Path.

Marina Park Beach

In Downtown Ventura, the Museum of Ventura County hosts a collection of over 30,000 pieces of fine art and historical items and a changing lineup of exhibits displaying items of local relevance. The Museum's Research Library houses over 150,000 resources related to the history of Ventura County. And the Museum regularly hosts public events geared towards all ages as well as free admission the first Sunday of each month.

The city closed off five blocks of Main Street in Downtown Ventura to create “Main Street Moves.” in 2020. This allowed many businesses to thrive with outdoor dining during the pandemic, but it also caught on as a great opportunity to roam the streets of Downtown Ventura in a leisurely way, without automobile traffic. City Council voted to extend Main Street Moves on a year-round basis in November 2024. Updates at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/2165/Main-Street-Moves.

It doesn’t feel like it is in Ventura, but Lake Casitas Recreation Area, technically in Ventura (though it feels more like it is in Oak View), is a wonderland of outdoor fun - boating/kayaking on the lake (no swimming though…it is a water source), camping, disc golf, picnicking, bicycling, exploring and more.

Kayaking at Lake Casitas.

Something new! Moby’s on Main opened at 369 E. Main Street in Ventura, in late May 2024. Moby’s is Ventura’s first family-friendly arcade and bar, offering a collection of vintage arcade games, pinball machines, classic Thrifty ice cream, snacks and more. www.mobysonmain.com

Those are some highlights! But there's more!

Over 45 things to do in the City of Ventura

Over 40 kids activities in the City of Ventura

Nearly 50 sports and fitness activities in the City of Ventura

Tell Me a Little Bit About the City of Westlake Village Boundary

Westlake Village is a master-planned community that is transected diagonally by the Los Angeles/Ventura County line. 

The Ventura County side of Westlake Village, which is 8,544 acres, was annexed into the City of Thousand Oaks in 1968 and 1972. The Los Angeles County side of Westlake Village is 3,456 acres and was incorporated as the City of Westlake Village in 1981. 

Ah yes, the challenge of distinguishing between the Los Angeles and Ventura County sections of Westlake Village. It truly is a diagonal boundary that stretches from just northeast of Lindero Canyon Road, south of Blackbird Avenue on the north to South Westlake Blvd at Kirsten Lee Drive on the south.

It is impossible to drive, bike or walk the boundary line because it crosses right through the middle of Westlake Lake. Although, you could drive along the border on La Venta Drive southwest from Watergate Road.

Further north, the border cuts diagonally across Westlake Golf Course.  In fact, the driving range section of the golf course bordered on the west by Lakeview Canyon Road and on the north by the 101 is located within the City of Thousand Oaks while the rest of the course is in Westlake Village.

Costco Westlake Village and the Four Seasons Westlake Village are solely part of the City of Westlake Village, as is the Las Virgenes Reservoir.

Does it really matter what side you're on? For most, no. But there's one clear financial difference. Sales taxes. As of July 2024, sales taxes in the Thousand Oaks/Ventura County portion of Westlake Village are 7.25% as compared to 9.5% in the Los Angeles County based City of Westlake Village. The difference is 2.25% for Los Angeles County district taxes. That means if you live in the City of Westlake Village, you’ll be paying $1,125 more for a $50,000 car than those living in the Ventura County portion of Westlake Village.

Las Virgenes Reservoir, the only body of water lying completely in the City of Westlake Village.

What Happens When You Turn 18 in the State of California?

Age 18 in the United States is considered the "age of majority" and is a major milestone.

Age 18 has been the age of majority since the 26th Amendment, signed into law by President Nixon in July 1971. Historically the age of majority was 21, but when Franklin D. Roosevelt lowered the military draft age to 18 during World War II, there was a push to align the voting age with the military draft age.

So what changes when you turn 18? The State Bar of California previously published a nice guide for teenagers to help better understand how their rights and responsibilities change at age 18.

Here's a summary of these rights and responsibilities, excerpted from the California Lawyers Foundation booklet (updated in 2021), “When You Turn 18 - A Legal Survival Guide” (pdf file) (Spanish language version):

1. Enter into binding contracts - for example, leases, opening bank accounts and applying for loans (of course, to obtain the loan, you may still need a co-signer).

2. Buy or sell property, such as real estate and stock.

3. Marry without written consent of parents or guardian.

4. Sue or be sued.

5. Compromise, settle or arbitrate a claim.

6. Make or revoke a will.

7. Inherit property outright.

8. Vote in federal, state and local elections. (Since 2016, 16 and 17 year olds may pre-register to vote at age 18.)

9. Consent to all types of medical treatment.

10. Join the military without parental consent. Male U.S. citizens or immigrants living in the U.S. generally must register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of turning 18. (Females are not currently not required to register for the draft.)

11. Get a job without a special work permit.

12. Serve jury duty.

13. Be subject to more serious consequences for breaking the law.

14. Prior to June 9, 2016, you could buy tobacco products. The law changed, however, and now you have to wait until you are age 21. This also includes e-cigarettes and vaping products.

15. At age 18 you can give blood without parental consent in California (written parental consent is required for 16 and 17 year olds).

16. At age 18 you may become an organ donor without parental consent. www.organdonor.gov/about/donors/child-infant.html

17. Apply for credit in your own name, though you will likely need to show proof of income or have a co-signer.

18. You can get a tattoo at age 18 and can do so without parental consent. You cannot get a tattoo under the age of 18. It is a misdemeanor to give or even offer to give a tattoo to someone under the age of 18 in California. (PC 653)

19. You can get a piercing without parental consent at age 18.

20. You can file a petition to change your name at age 18.

21. You can play the Lottery at age 18 in most states (except Iowa and Louisiana - party poopers).

22. In California and most states (except Arizona, Iowa, Nevada and Texas), you can bet on horse races (e.g. pari-mutuel betting).

23. You can play charity bingo at age 18 in California.

What you still cannot do:

1. Purchase tobacco products, e-cigarettes and vaping products (mentioned above). You must be age 21. In fact, federal law changed in December 2019 to require all states to change the minimum age for tobacco purchases to 21.

2. Purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. The minimum age for drinking in all states is 21.

   Some states have minor (so to speak) exceptions to the age 21 requirement. In Kansas, under 21 may drink “cereal malt beverages” under parental supervision on their own property. What is a cereal malt beverage? A beverage with no more than 3.2% alcohol by weight produced by fermentation, not by distillation. Coors Light has 4.2% alcohol as a comparison. The states of Alaska, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Ohio and Wisconsin have exceptions that allow individuals under age 21 to drink when parents or guardians are present. If you are 18 and really want to drink, the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands allow legal drinking, unencumbered by the presence of parents, at age 18.

3. You cannot sell or serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on-premises until you are age 21. However, it is allowable for someone 18 to 21 to serve alcoholic beverages to consumers in a restaurant along with food for consumption on premises.

For more information about the “When You Turn 18: A Legal Survival Guide” publication and/or to request physical copies of the booklet at calawyersfoundation.org/our-work.

Links to Over 300 Employer Job Websites in Ventura County and Adjacent Areas

Looking for local jobs in and around Ventura County!? Here are over 300 links to job listings at employers throughout Ventura County (Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Simi Valley, Moorpark, Camarillo, Oxnard, Somis, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Ojai, Ventura, Port Hueneme) and adjacent cities like Calabasas, Agoura, Malibu, Woodland Hills, Chatsworth, West Hills, Carpinteria and Santa Barbara as well as the San Fernando Valley.

Some practical resume submission tips

Local volunteer opportunities

Corporate, School, Healthcare Career Websites

Simi Valley USD (Certificated jobs) www.simivalleyusd.org/employment/certificated-job-openings (25 jobs 11/11/25)

Skurka Aerospace: www.skurka-aero.com/careers  (no Camarillo jobs 11/11/25)

Skyworks Solutions: careers.skyworksinc.com (33 Newbury Park jobs 11/11/25)

Smucker's: www.jmsmucker.com/careers (4 Oxnard jobs 11/11/25)

Sonos: www.sonos.com/jobs (7 Santa Barbara jobs 11/11/25)

Southeast Ventura County YMCA (Simi Valley, Moorpark, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village) www.sevymca.org/jobs (11 jobs 11/11/25)

Southern California Edison: www.edison.com/home/careers.html (search for jobs)

Spirent Communications: www.spirent.com/Careers/Opportunities (no Calabasas jobs 11/11/25)

Stantec: stantec.jobs (19 Ventura, Santa Barbara jobs 11/11/25)

Sunrise Senior Living: www.sunrise-careers.com (Dozens of local jobs)

Sysco: careers.sysco.com (4 Ventura jobs 11/11/25)

Takeda: www.takedajobs.com  (9 Thousand Oaks jobs 11/11/25)

Teledyne: flir.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/flircareers/jobs (46 Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Chatsworth, Goleta jobs 11/11/25)

Teradyne: www.teradyne.com/careers/job-opportunities (18 Agoura jobs 11/11/25)

The Trade Desk: careers.thetradedesk.com/jobs (14 Ventura jobs 11/11/25)

Thermo Fisher Scientific: jobs.thermofisher.com (4 Thousand Oaks jobs 11/11/25)

UCLA Health www.uclahealthcareers.org (57 West Hills, Conejo Valley jobs 11/11/25)

United Water Conservation District: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/unitedwaterca (no jobs 11/11/25)

Ventura County Community Colleges: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/vcccd (90 mostly part-time teaching jobs 11/11/25)

Ventura County Credit Union: www.vccuonline.net/careers (8 jobs 11/11/25)

Ventura County Office of Education www.vcoe.org/employment (3 jobs 11/11/25)

Ventura County Rescue Mission: vcrescuemission.org/careers (2 Ventura County jobs 11/11/25)

Ventura Unified School District: www.schooljobs.com/careers/venturausd (26 jobs 11/11/25)

VSolvit: www.vsolvit.com (6 local area jobs 11/11/25)

Wells Fargo: www.wellsfargo.com/about/careers (Search for Ventura County jobs)

Westlake Hyatt: hyatt.jobs (5 jobs 11/11/25)

Westlake Village Inn: www.westlakevillageinn.com/career-opportunities (8 jobs 11/11/25)

Xperi: www.xperi.com/careers (1 Calabasas job 11/11/25)

XYPRO: www.xypro.com/careers (no Simi Valley jobs 11/11/25)

Yamaha Guitar Group: yamahaguitargroup.com/company/#careers (general application)

Yardi: careers.yardi.com (10 Oxnard/Santa Barbara jobs 11/11/25)

Zenith Insurance: www.thezenith.com/careers (6 Woodland Hills jobs 11/11/25)

Abrisa Technologies: abrisatechnologies.com/career-center (5 Santa Paula jobs 11/11/25)

Accessory Power: www.accessorypower.com/jobs (1 Westlake Village job 11/11/25)

ADP: www.adp-jobs.com (8 Woodland Hills jobs 11/11/25)

ADT: jobs.adt.com (8 Chatsworth jobs 11/11/25)

Advanced Motion Controls: www.a-m-c.com/careers (12 Camarillo jobs 11/4/25)

AECOM: aecom.com/Careers (1 Westlake Village job 11/4/25)

Aerovironment: www.avinc.com/careers/our-team (87 Simi Valley, Moorpark jobs 11/4/25)

AGIA: www.agia.com/careers (2 Oxnard jobs 11/4/25)

Agilent: careers.agilent.com (6 Carpinteria jobs 11/4/25)

All Clear Aerospace & Defense goallclear.com/careers (3 Camarillo jobs 11/4/25)

AMCAL Housing amcalhousing.com/careers (no Agoura Hills jobs 11/4/25)

American Homes 4 Rent: www.amh.com/careers (6 Calabasas jobs 11/4/25)

Amgen: careers.amgen.com (61 Thousand Oaks jobs 11/4/25)

Arcutis Biotherapeutics: www.arcutis.com/careers (no Westlake Village jobs 11/4/25)

Arete Associates: arete.com/careers (3 Northridge jobs 11/4/25)

A.R.M. Solutions: www.armsolutions.com/careers.html (2 Camarillo jobs 11/4/25)

Arnold Magnetics: www.amcpower.com/careers/view-open-positions (1 Camarillo job 11/4/25)

Atara Bio: www.atarabio.com/job-search (no Thousand Oaks jobs 11/4/25)

Athens Services athensservices.com/careers (3 Thousand Oaks jobs 11/4/25)

AT&T: www.att.jobs (Search here)

Avantor: www.avantorsciences.com/pages/en/careers (23 Carpinteria jobs 11/4/25)

Aveox: aveox.com/careers (1 Simi Valley job 11/4/25)

Bank of America: careers.bankofamerica.com/en-us/job-search (search for jobs)

Blackline Systems: careers.blackline.com/careers-home (8 local jobs 11/4/25)

Blue Shield of California: www.blueshieldca.com/bsc/aboutbsc/careers/index.jhtml (92 Woodland Hills jobs 11/4/25)

BrightView : jobs.brightview.com (6 local area jobs 11/4/25)

Bruker Corp: www.bruker.com/about-us/career.html (1 Santa Barbara job 11/4/25)

Cabrillo Economic Development Corp: www.cabrilloedc.org/careers (10 jobs 11/4/25)

Calavo Growers: calavo.com/careers (no Santa Paula jobs 11/4/25)

Caldera Medical: calderamedical.jobscore.com/list (8 Westlake Village jobs 11/4/25)

Cal Lutheran University: www.callutheran.edu/hr/ (46 staff/faculty jobs 11/4/25)

California State University Channel Islands: www.csuci.edu/careers (42 jobs 11/4/25)

CallSource: www.callsource.com/careers (contact them)

Camarillo Health Care District: www.camhealth.com/employment-opportunities (1 job 11/4/25)

Capsida Biotherapeutics: capsida.com/careers (no Thousand Oaks jobs as of 11/4/25)

Capstone Turbine: www.capstoneturbine.com/careers (5 Van Nuys jobs 11/4/25)

Casa Pacifica: www.casapacifica.org/careers (19 Camarillo, Goleta jobs 11/4/25)

Chatsworth Products, Inc. www.chatsworth.com/en-us/about-cpi/careers (no Simi Valley jobs 8/8/25)

The Cheesecake Factory: jobs.thecheesecakefactory.com (36 local jobs 8/8/25)

Child and Family Guidance Center childguidance.org/careers (8 Northridge jobs 8/8/25)

Child Care Resource Center: www.ccrcca.org/about/work-at-ccrc (13 SF Valley jobs 8/8/25)

Child Development Resources: www.cdrv.org/careers  (7 Ventura County jobs 8/8/25)

City of Agoura Hills: www.agourahillscity.gov/government/departments/human_resources/employment.php (3 jobs 8/8/25)

City of Calabasas: www.cityofcalabasas.com/services/jobs (7 jobs 8/8/25)

City of Camarillo: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/camarillo  (1 job 8/8/25)

City of Carpinteria: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/carpinteriaca (1 job 8/8/25)

City of Fillmore: www.fillmoreca.com/jobs.aspx (1 job 8/8/25)

City of Malibu: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/malibucity (14 jobs 8/5/25)

City of Moorpark: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/moorparkca (4 jobs 8/5/25)

City of Ojai: ojaicity.applicantpro.com/jobs (2 jobs 8/5/25)

City of Oxnard: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofoxnard (44 jobs 8/5/25)

City of Port Hueneme: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/porthueneme (1 job 8/5/25)

City of Santa Barbara: agency.governmentjobs.com/santabarbara/default.cfm (11 jobs 8/5/25)

City of Santa Paula: agency.governmentjobs.com/santapaulaca/default.cfm (no jobs 8/5/25)

City of Simi Valley: www.calopps.org/city-of-simi-valley (14 jobs 8/5/25)

City of Thousand Oaks: toaks.gov/careers (5 jobs 8/5/25)

City of Ventura: www.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs (16 jobs 8/5/25)

Clinicas del Camino Real: clinicas.org/content/career-opportunities (12 Ventura County jobs 8/5/25)

Community Memorial Health System: www.mycmh.org/careers (152 local jobs 8/5/25)

Conejo Recreation & Park District: www.crpd.org/about-us/human-resources (6 jobs 8/5/25)

Conejo Valley Unified School District: www.conejousd.org/Departments/Human-Resources/Employment-Opportunities (over 23 full/part-time jobs 8/5/25)

Conrad Hilton Foundation: www.hiltonfoundation.org/about/careers (1 Westlake Village job 8/5/25)

County of Santa Barbara: agency.governmentjobs.com/sbcounty (41 jobs 8/5/25)

County of Ventura: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura (115 jobs 8/5/25)

Crescendo Interactive www.crescendointeractive.com/misc/jobs.html (2 Camarillo jobs 8/5/25)

CVS Health: jobs.cvshealth.com (Search for local jobs)

Cydcor: www.cydcor.com/cydcor-openings (2 Agoura Hills jobs 8/5/25)

Danaher: jobs.danaher.com/global/en (3 Thousand Oaks jobs 8/5/25)

Deckers Outdoors: www.deckers.com/careers (21 Goleta, Camarillo jobs 8/5/25)

DEX: www.dex.com/careers.jsp (3 Camarillo jobs 8/5/25)

Common Spirit (St. John's Regional Medical Center and St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital): www.commonspirit.careers/search-jobs (71 Oxnard/Camarillo jobs 8/5/25)

Dole Packaged Foods dolesunshine.com/us/en/careers (9 Westlake Village jobs 8/5/25)

Drum Workshop: www.dwdrums.com/info/dwjobs.asp (1 Oxnard job 8/5/25)

Dynamic Automation: atcautomation.com/about/careers (4 Simi Valley jobs 8/5/25)

Dytran: www.hbkworld.com/en/about/careers (4 Chatsworth jobs 8/5/25)

Eaton: www.eaton.com/content/eaton/us/en-us/company/careers.html (4 Camarillo jobs 8/5/25)

Edwards Label: www.edwardslabel.com/career (2 Ventura jobs 8/5/25)

Ensign-Bickford Aerospace: www.ebad.com/careers (19 Moorpark jobs 7/8/25)

Farmers Group: www.farmers.com/FarmComm/careers.html (20 local area jobs 7/8/25)

FedEx: www.fedex.com/us/ (Check for Woodland Hills, Ventura jobs)

First 5 Ventura County: www.first5ventura.org/about-us/employment (3 jobs 7/8/25)

Four Seasons Hotel: http://jobs.fourseasons.com (Search for Westlake Village jobs)

Freudenberg Medical: jobs.freudenberg.com/freudenberg (2 Carpinteria jobs 7/8/25)

Frontier Aerospace: frontieraerospaceaccount.bamboohr.com/careers (1 Newbury Park job 7/8/25)

Giant Bicycles: www.giant-bicycles.com/us/job-openings (1 Newbury Park job 7/8/25)

Gold Coast Health Plan: goldcoasthealthplan.org/about-us/careers.aspx (13 Camarillo jobs 7/8/25)

Rolling Oaks Radiology: www.radnet.com/rolling-oaks-radiology/careers (52 local jobs 7/8/25)

Gsolutionz: www.gsolutionz.com/careers (1 Ventura job 7/8/25)

Guitar Center: www.guitarcenter.com/pages/careers (36 Westlake Village, Los Angeles jobs 7/8/25)

Haas Automation: www.haasjobs.com (no Oxnard jobs 7/8/25)

Harbor Freight: www.harborfreightjobs.com (5 Calabasas jobs 7/8/25)

Harman: jobs.harman.com (22 Northridge jobs 7/8/25)

HRL Laboratories: jobs.lever.co/dodmg (Over 100 Malibu jobs 7/8/25)

Hygiena www.hygiena.com/careers.html (5 Camarillo jobs 7/8/25)

Impact Sciences: impactsciences.com/careers (3 Camarillo jobs 7/6/25)

Input 1: www.input1.com/careers#JOB-LISTINGS (3 Westlake Village/remote jobs 7/6/25)

Interface Family Services: icfs.org/employment.html (3 part/full-time Ventura County jobs 7/6/25)

Intuit: careers.intuit.com (15 Westlake Village jobs 7/6/25)

Invoca: www.invoca.com/company/careers (8 remote jobs 4/22/25)

JH Biotech: jhbiotech.com/careers (2 Ventura jobs 4/22/25)

Jensen Design jdscivil.com/careers (7 Ventura jobs 4/22/25)

Jordano's: jordanos.com/careers (1 Santa Barbara job 4/22/25)

Kaiser Permanente: kaiserpermanentejobs.org (over 110 local jobs 4/22/25)

KBR: kbr.com/careers (over 20 Point Mugu, LA jobs 4/22/25)

L3Harris careers.l3harris.com/search-jobs (over 35 L.A., Simi Valley jobs 4/22/25)

Lamps Plus: www.lampsplus.com/careers/positions (4 SF Valley jobs 4/22/25)

Laritech: www.laritech.com/careers (5 Moorpark jobs 4/22/25)

Las Virgenes Unified School District www.edjoin.org/Home/Jobs?countyID=19&districtID=382 (31 jobs 4/22/25)

Latigo Bio: latigobio.com/careers (3 Thousand Oaks jobs 4/22/25)

Limoneira: limoneira.com/corporate/employment-opportunities (1 Santa Paula job 4/22/25)

Livingston Memorial: www.lmvna.org/joblistings (3 local jobs 4/22/25)

Logix www.logixbanking.com/about-us/careers?hdr (2 local jobs 4/22/25)

Los Angeles Rams: www.teamworkonline.com/football-jobs/la-rams-careers/los-angeles-rams (12 Agoura Hills, Woodland Hills jobs 4/22/25)

Los Robles Medical Center losrobleshospital.com/careers (53 Thousand Oaks jobs 4/22/25)

MannKind Corporation: mannkindcorp.com/careers (8 Westlake Village jobs 4/22/25)

Many Mansions: www.manymansions.org/employment (1 local job 4/22/25)

Meathead Movers: www.meatheadmovers.com/about-us/careers

Medtronic: jobs.medtronic.com (21 Northridge jobs 4/22/25)

Meissner Filtration Products www.meissner.com/career-opportunities (24 Camarillo jobs 4/22/25)

Mission Produce: missionproduce.com/careers (5 Oxnard jobs 4/22/25)

Moorpark Unified School District: www.edjoin.org/MoorparkUnified (52 jobs 4/22/25)

Motion Picture & Television Fund: www.mptf.com/employment (22 Woodland Hills jobs 4/22/25)

National Notary Association: www.nationalnotary.org/about-the-nna/job-listings (1 local job 4/22/25)

Northrop Grumman: www.northropgrumman.com/careers/experienced-professionals (search for Ventura/San Fernando Valley/Carpinteria jobs)

Nova Development: novadevelopment.com/company/careers/jobs.html (3 Calabasas jobs 4/22/25)

NTS: www.nts.com/careers (1 Santa Clarita job 4/22/25)

Oceanaire Federal Credit Union: oceanair.org/careers (6 local jobs 8/8/25)

ODU: odu-connectors.com/us/career (No Camarillo jobs 4/22/25)

Ojai Valley Inn: www.ojaivalleyinn.com/jobs/job-openings (56 full/part-time jobs 4/22/25)

Ojai Valley Sanitary District: www.ojaisan.org/employment_opportunities.php (1 job 4/22/25)

Ontic: www.ontic.com/careers/opportunities (19 Chatsworth jobs 4/22/25)

Oxnard School District www.oxnardsd.org/departments/human-resources/current-employment-opportunities (7 jobs 4/22/25)

Oxnard Union H.S. District www.edjoin.org/Home/Jobs?stateID=24&countyID=57&districtID=1067 (10 jobs 4/22/25)

Parker: parkercareers.ttcportals.com (31 Camarillo, Simi Valley jobs 4/22/25)

Patagonia www.patagonia.com/jobs-at-patagonia (6 Ventura jobs 4/22/25)

PennyMac: www.pennymacusa.com/careers (83 Moorpark, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills jobs 4/22/25)

Pepperdine University: jobs.pepperdine.edu/jobs/search (58 Malibu, Calabasas jobs 4/22/25)

Pleasant Valley School District: JOBS LINK (7 jobs 4/22/25)

Premier America Credit Union: www.premieramerica.com/about-us/careers (14 local jobs 4/22/25)

Procore: www.procore.com/jobs/openings.php (5 Carpinteria jobs 4/22/25)

Procter & Gamble: www.pgcareers.com (3 Oxnard jobs 4/22/25)

Quest Diagnostics: careers.questdiagnostics.com (14 local jobs 4/22/25)

Rancho Simi Rec & Park District: rsrpd.applicantpro.com/jobs (13 part-time Simi Valley jobs 2/22/25)

RTX: careers.rtx.com (search for Goleta jobs)

Reagan Foundation: www.reaganfoundation.org/about-us/employment-opportunities (6 Simi Valley jobs 2/22/25)

Regency Lighting www.regencylighting.com/about-regency-lighting/careers (no Chatsworth jobs 2/22/25)

Reiter Affiliated Companies: www.berry.net/careers (6 Oxnard jobs 2/22/25)

Reyes Holdings: jobs.reyesholdings.com (6 Ventura jobs 2/22/25)

Rincon Consultants: www.rinconconsultants.com/careers (2 Ventura jobs 2/22/25)

Ronlo Engineering: www.ronlo.com/careers.php (2 Camarillo jobs 2/22/25)

R. R. Donnelly: www.rrdonnelley.com/about/rrdonnelley-jobs.aspx (2 Thousand Oaks jobs 2/22/25)

RTC Aerospace: www.rtcaerospace.com/chatsworth/career (6 Simi Valley, Chatsworth jobs 2/22/25)

Rusnak Auto Group: careers-rusnak.icims.com/jobs/intro (24 Thousand Oaks jobs 2/22/25)

Saalex Solutions: www.saalex.com (2 Point Mugu jobs 2/22/25)

Sage Publications: group.sagepub.com/careers (3 Thousand Oaks jobs 2/22/25)

SAIC: jobs.saic.com (5 Point Mugu jobs 2/22/5)

Salem Media Group: salemmedia.com/salem_careers (no Oxnard jobs 2/22/25)

Scosche Industries: www.scosche.com/careers (no Oxnard jobs 2/22/25)

Seek Thermal: www.thermal.com/careers (1 Santa Barbara job 2/22/25)

Semtech: www.semtech.com/careers (6 Camarillo jobs 7/2/24)

Seneca: senecafoa.org/careers (4 Oxnard jobs 2/22/25)

Sensata Technologies: www.sensata.com/careers (2 Thousand Oaks jobs 7/2/24)

Sideshow Collectibles: www.sideshowtoy.com/careers (3 Thousand Oaks jobs 2/22/25)

Silgan Containers: silgancontainers.com/careers/#careers2-section-1 (no Woodland Hills jobs as of 7/2/24)

Simi Valley Hospital: careers.adventisthealth.org (33 local jobs 2/22/25)

Simi Valley USD (Classified jobs) www.governmentjobs.com/careers/simivalleyusd (24 jobs 2/22/25)

Other Local Job Sources

Craigslist Ventura County: ventura.craigslist.org/jjj/

Craigslist Los Angeles: losangeles.craigslist.org/jjj/

Snagajob.com (hourly, fast food, retail): www.snagajob.com

Federal Government Jobs: www.usajobs.gov

AppleOne: www.appleone.com/CareerSearch/mcs_findcareer2.aspx (65 jobs within a 30 mile radius of Thousand Oaks as of 7/6/25)

EdJoin.org: Search for education jobs by state, school district, county, etc. at edjoin.org  (278 job postings as of 7/6/25 in Ventura County at THIS LINK)

The History of Lake Sherwood

Lake Sherwood as seen from the Sandstone Peak trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Lake Sherwood is an unincorporated community of about 1,500 residents in Ventura County overlooking the Lake Sherwood reservoir. It is south of Thousand Oaks and west of Westlake Village, off of Potrero Road,  accessible via Westlake Boulevard on the east and Wendy Drive and Reino Road in Newbury Park on the west.

For centuries, the Conejo Valley was inhabited by the Chumash. The Spanish came into the picture in the late 18th century and, when passing through what is now Hidden Valley, named the area the Potrero Valley.

The Potrero Valley was part of the original 48,761 acres constituting Rancho El Conejo. After California became the 31st state in 1850, a land commission was appointed to determine who owned land grants in the area.

Rancho El Conejo was sold in 1872 to John Edwards and Howard Mills. Mills received 22,240 acres that included the Potrero Valley in 1874. Mills sold the southeastern 8,476 acres to Joseph and Isabell McLaren Howard in 1875.

Photo of the Howard Ranch in the 1880s. The Howard residence was near where Triunfo Park is today in Westlake Village. (Courtesy of Conejo Through the Lens Collection; Thousand Oaks Library Special Collections.)

In 1888, the Howards sold the land to the Banning Company of Long Beach. In 1896, W. H. Matthiessen bought the Potrero Ranch from Banning. Then in 1904, Matthiessen built a 45 foot dam (originally called Alturas Dam) that created Potrero Lake (also referred to as Lake Matthiessen). Total capacity of the 156 acre lake, which today is called Lake Sherwood, is 877 million gallons of water.

In the early 1920s, the area around the lake was transformed into Sherwood Forest for the filming of Robin Hood, featuring Douglas Fairbanks. And of course that's where the name Lake Sherwood originated.

Meanwhile, W. H.'s son F. W. "Christy" Matthiessen married Elsie Mack in 1917. The couple made plans to develop the surrounding area as the Las Turas Lake Club in the 1920s. Except...they divorced in 1925, with Elsie receiving the portion of the ranch with the lake.

Elsie remarried. Her new husband's name was James Canterbury and briefly the lake became Lake Canterbury. After the stock market crash of 1929, the Canterburys sold the property to William Randolph Hearst. Hearst allowed the property to be used for filming of many films, including the 1938 The Adventures of Robin Hood.

In 1963, Dayton Realty purchased the lake and surrounding property. Dayton wanted to rezone the land to develop nearly 1,400 homes and commercial properties. This plan was fought off by local residents and rejected by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.

From late 1983 to summer 1984, Dayton drained the lake, indicating that it needed to test the dam...which never happened...then never refilled the lake, leaving thousands of fish stranded and left to die in the mud. (Photo of draining of lake in January 1984)

Lake Sherwood was made available to the public after the depression of the 1930s until the lake was emptied in 1984.

A view of Lake Sherwood from the north off of Lake Sherwood Drive.

In 1985, billionaire businessman David Murdock bought the dry Lake Sherwood lake bed and surrounding property.  His Ventura Farms and Lake Sherwood Ranch are located on the old F. W. Matthiessen property in Hidden Valley.

In 1986, heavy rains filled Lake Sherwood back up, though it would take many years for the lake to regain the wildlife it lost after it was emptied.

Murdock developed the community with over 650 homes in three gated neighborhoods along with the Sherwood Country Club and Sherwood Lake Club. The lake is now privately owned and is not open to the general public. Murdock passed away at the age of 102 on June 9, 2025.

What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Means for Your Individual Taxes in 2025 and Beyond

When Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act signed into law on July 4, 2025, it triggered the most sweeping overhaul of the U.S. tax system since 2017. While headlines focused on Trump Accounts and repealed EV credits, the bill quietly reshaped the rules for everyday taxpayers—introducing new deductions, revising old ones, and locking in key provisions that affect how millions of Americans will file in the years ahead. Here is a high-level summary that breaks down the major individual income tax changes that could shape your bottom line from 2025 through 2028—and beyond.

TAX RATES

The new law retains the current individual income tax rate structure that ranges from 10% to 37%. The income ranges these apply to are permanently adjusted for inflation each year.

STATE AND LOCAL TAX DEDUCTION

The “SALT” itemized deduction cap was raised from $10,000 to $40,000 in 2025, then increases 1% annually through 2029, before dropping back to $10,000 in 2030. However, if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is over $500K, the deduction is reduced by 30% of the excess over $500K, but can’t fall below $10,000.

SENIOR BONUS DEDUCTION

The bill provides an additional standard deduction of up to $6,000 per person for seniors ages 65+ in tax years 2025-2028. The deduction is reduced by 6% of MAGI that exceeds $75K (single) and $150K (joint), which means that the senior bonus deduction phases out completely when MAGI reaches $175K single and $250K married filing jointly. You don't have to be receiving Social Security benefits to receive the deduction.

So for example, if your MAGI is $100K and you are single, you will receive an additional tax deduction in 2025 of $4,500 ($6,000 less 6% of the excess of $100K over $75K).

STANDARD DEDUCTION

The standard deduction in 2025 is $15,750 for single/married filing separately, $23,625 for head of household, and $31,500 for married filing jointly, up from $14,600, $21,900, and $29,200, respectively, in 2024. There is a regular extra standard deduction for 65+ seniors of $2,000 single and $3,200 married filing jointly (both 65+; $1,600 if one spouse is 65+), up slightly from $1,950, $3,100, and $1,550 in 2024. The standard deduction will be indexed for inflation annually.

Here’s another example. If you are married, both 65+ with income of $150K or less in 2025, you will be receiving a standard deduction of $46,700 ($31,500 base deduction + $3,200 extra 65+ deduction + $12,000 bonus 65+ deduction). Of course, if your itemized deductions are greater than your standard deduction of $46,700, we should still take the higher of the two on your 2025 return.

TIP INCOME DEDUCTION

Workers in traditionally tipped industries, such as food service, salons, and spas, can deduct up to $25,000 in tips per year from 2025 to 2028. The deduction phases out for AGIs exceeding $150K single, $300K joint filers.

OVERTIME PAY DEDUCTION

From 2025 to 2028, there is an overtime pay deduction of up to $12,500 in overtime pay per person ($25,000 for joint filers). The deduction phases out $100 for every $1,000 over MAGI of $150K single, $300K joint filers. Only the overtime premium (e.g. the extra pay above your regular hourly rate) is deductible.

PERSONAL CAR LOAN INTEREST

Taxpayers can deduct up to $10,000 in car loan interest for new cars purchased between 1/1/25 and 12/31/28 that were assembled in the U.S. This is an “above the line” deduction, meaning, you can take the deduction whether or not you itemize deductions. The deduction is reduced by $100 for every $1,000 over MAGI of $100K single and $200K joint returns.

EV TAX CREDITS

The tax credits for both new (up to $7,500) and used (up to $4,000) EVs expire this October, which means only three months remain to purchase an EV and potentially receive those credits (subject to current MAGI limits). These credits were previously set to expire after 2032.

RESIDENTIAL CLEAN ENERGY (e.g. SOLAR) CREDITS

Solar tax credits go away in 2026, which means taxpayers have limited time remaining this year to purchase, install, and place in service a home solar system by 12/31/25 to receive a 30% tax credit on the system. This also applies to batteries – if you have an existing solar system, you can install batteries by year-end and receive a tax credit on that purchase. If you have unused solar tax credits, they carry forward to future tax years.

ENERGY EFFICIENT HOME IMPROVEMENT CREDITS

These credits also go away in 2026. This applies to certain energy-efficient windows, doors, insulation, heat pumps, central A/C, etc. These credits can be as much as $1,200 to $3,200 per year. They do not carry forward to future years.

CHILD TAX CREDIT

The child tax credit increases from $2,000 to $2,200 for children under the age of 17 at the end of 2025. It phases out when MAGI reaches $200K single and $400K joint.

CHARITABLE DEDUCTIONS

The new law adds a permanent provision for non-itemizers to deduct up to $1,000 (single) and $2,000 (joint returns) in cash donations to 501(c)3 charities, beginning in 2026. In other words, you can deduct cash donations starting next year, even if you don’t itemize deductions.

The new law introduces a floor of .5% (half of a percent) of AGI for those itemizing charitable donations, beginning in 2026. What this means is that you can deduct charitable donations to the extent they exceed .5% of your AGI. So if your AGI is $200K and your charitable donations are $5,000, you can deduct $4,000 ($5,000 less .5% of $200K).

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMIZED DEDUCTIONS

The bill permanently eliminates various deductions that were previously subject to 2% of AGI prior to 2018, such as unreimbursed employee expenses, tax preparation fees, investment advisory fees, safe deposit box rental, etc.

OTHER ITEMS

Moving expenses associated with work are now permanently not deductible (unless you are active-duty military moving under orders).

After 2025, gambling losses will only be deductible up to 90% of your gambling losses. It is still 100% in 2025. And remember, you must itemize deductions to claim gambling losses. I know a couple of you that this will impact.

“Trump Accounts” are a new type of tax-deferred investment account for every child born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028. The government funds the first $1,000. It is invested in a diversified U.S. stock index fund. Up to $5,000 of additional funds can be invested per year, plus an extra $2,500 from employers.  The funds can be withdrawn starting at age 18 for education and other specified uses. For those with newborns this year, the IRS should be coming out with information about these accounts by the end of the year.

There’s a provision in the new law that allows for a tax credit of up to $1,700 per taxpayer for contributions made to “Scholarship Granting Organizations” that support K-12 private or religious school scholarships. The tax credit must be taken in the year of donation. It cannot be carried forward. And you can’t take both the credit and an itemized deduction for the payment.

The new law made the $750,000 cap on mortgage loan interest deduction permanent. The cap is not tied to inflation.

The estate tax exemption increases from $13.99 million in 2025 to $15 million per individual in 2026 and will be indexed for inflation going forward. If the law hadn’t passed, the exemption would have dropped to about $7 million in 2026.

View the 870 page bill at www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr1/BILLS-119hr1eas.pdf.

What's the Deal With All of Those Signs Posted at the Swimming Pool

My kids get a laugh from time to time when they notice the sign at the public swimming pool that states, "Persons having currently active diarrhea or who have had active diarrhea within the previous 14 days shall not be allowed to enter the pool water." 

The thought comes to mind, should one have had this issue, how many people would actually remember if it was within the last 14 days. Heck, I can't even remember what I ate for breakfast yesterday and what I watched on TV last Sunday.

But the sign is well intended as waterborne disease is no laughing matter. Waterborne disease outbreaks in pools have often been caused by individuals with recent diarrhea; chlorine doesn't always take care of removing the viruses or parasites that can come from those with recent symptoms.

The requirement for this and other community pool signs comes from California Building Code Chapter 31B "Public Pools," Section 3120B "Required Signs."

Section 3120B.11 "Diarrhea" indicates the sign must have letters at least 1 inch high, clearly states what is noted above, and is posted at the entrance area of a public pool. Public pools include municipal/park district pools, hotel pools, water parks, swim schools, homeowner shared pools, apartment pools, campground pools, etc. One is thus not required to post this sign at your home pool (unless you really want to).

CDC ADVICE TO PREVENT INFECTIONS FROM PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS

According to this source, the diarrhea sign and a variety of other pool signs were put into law in late 2012. Some examples of other public pool sign requirements include:

• "No Diving" sign for pools with maximum depth of 6 feet or less

• "No Lifeguard" sign when applicable

• Emergency sign with 911 and nearest emergency services

• "No use after dark" sign for pools without lighting

• Artificial respiration and CPR sign

• Pool user capacity sign (1 person per 10 sq ft in spa; 1 person per 20 sq ft in pool)

So you've learned something new. If you'd like to read the entire Chapter 31B “Public Pools” of the California Building Code, or any section of the Code for that matter, visit www.bsc.ca.gov/Codes.aspx.

DOZENS OF VENTURA COUNTY AREAS SWIMMING POOLS AND WATER PLAY PLACES