Laugh it Up! Live Comedy in and Around Ventura County

Looking for laughs around Ventura County? Here are some great options to consider.

Levity Live Comedy Club at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard offers a weekly lineup of stand-up comedy. oxnard.levitylive.com

The Hillcrest Center for the Arts hosts “Stand-Up Comedy on the Hill” on designated Saturday nights, hosted by Jason Love. Visit www.hillcrestarts.com for upcoming shows.

The Conejo Valley Comedy Festival is a multi-day event featuring stand-up comics, improv groups, youth comedy showcase, and more. The 2nd annual event is February 13-15, 2026. Learn more at www.conejovalleycomedyfest.com.

The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills is known primarily for music also hosts top-notch comedians. Reserve a dinner table and get guaranteed seating! www.canyonclub.net

The Bank of America Performing Arts Center Thousand Oaks hosts all types of performances...musicals, concerts, lecture, ballet, dances, plays and comedy! bapacthousandoaks.com

Comedy Nights at the High Street Arts Center in Moorpark on designated Saturday nights posted at highstreetartscenter.com.

Ventura Improv Company has brought made up on the spot laughs to Ventura County since 1989, include monthly live shows and more. www.venturaimprov.com

Jest Improv is a Ventura-based comedy school that offers shows at the Bunker Theater in Ventura, improv classes, workshops and more. www.jestimprov.com

Funny Girl Events - Local comedian Steph Clark hosts events at various local are venues. More info at www.funnygirlevents.com.

Free Range Comedy is a comedy improv troupe that performs periodic comedy shows throughout Ventura County. www.instagram.com/freerangecomedysocal

Humor No More

The Copa Comedy Club (formerly Ventura Harbor Comedy Club), at Ventura Harbor Village), closed its doors on December 19, 2023.

Sushi Bars and Fish Eateries In and Around the Conejo Valley

Some of our favorite sushi rolls at Cho Cho San in Thousand Oaks

According to the Michelin Guide, although sushi existed in American in the early 1900s, the first “real” sushi restaurant, Kawafuku, opened in Los Angeles in 1966. Since then, according to market research firm IBISWorld, there were nearly 17,000 sushi restaurants in the U.S. in 2024.

Separately, approximately 4-5% of the U.S. adult population identifies as pescatarian. A pescatarian diet is a vegetarian whose diet also includes fish and seafood ad the only source of meat. Pescetarian is a portmanteau of the Italian word “pesce” (fish) and the English word “vegetarian” that was coined in the U.K. in the late 1980s.

That aside, if you’re looking for a sushi bar or eatery that specializes in fish dishes in the Conejo Valley areas encompassing Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, and Calabasas west of the grade, you’ve come to the right place!

(Note: Information below is subject to change at any time. Contact the eateries directly for the most updated info regarding days/times open, etc.)

Sushi Bars In and Around the Conejo Valley

(in alphabetical order, starting with S, for, well, you know)

Seabutter opened in May 2022 at The Promenade at Westlake, 180 Promenade Way, Westlake Village. Open daily for lunch and dinner. seabuttersushi.com 805-221-6096

Shibuya Sushi has plans to open a 2nd Calabasas location, on Las Virgenes Road, about a mile north of the 101. Updates at www.instagram.com/shibuya_calabasas

Sumo Japanese Restaurant is located at 1714 Newbury Road, Suite C, Newbury Park. Open daily at 11:30am for lunch and dinner. Happy hour from 3-6pm and “reverse” happy hour from 8:30pm to close daily. www.sumojapaneserestaurants.com 805-499-9977

Sushi & Wasabi is located in the Agoura Hills City Mall at 5895 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills. Open daily. Hours vary. https://www.sushi-wasabi.com 818-889-9334

Sushi Oaks is located at 2160 Newbury Road, Suite D, Newbury Park. This popular sushi bar has operated since 1990, recently changing ownership in September 2025 with the retirement of the original owner. No website. Call 805-498-3357.

Sushi Planet is located at 951 S. Westlake Blvd.,#114 in Westlake Village, offering both indoor and outdoor seating seven days a week. Open from noon to 2pm daily for lunch and back at 4pm for dinner. www.sushiplanetwestlake.com 805-379-9844

Sushi Raku is located at 5190 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills. Raku means “heaven in mouth” in Japanese. (See, you learned something new here!) sushi-raku.com 818-707-2765

Sushi Su is currently located inside the Chili & Lime Thai restaurant at 2705 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd in Thousand Oaks, after its Agoura Hills location was demolished to make way for a new multi-use apartment complex in 2025. www.sushisurestaurant.com 818-865-8622

The Landing Grill & Sushi Bar is located at The Landing at Westlake Lake at 32123 W. Lindero Canyon Road, #109, Westlake Village. Offering both indoor and plenty of outdoor seating with a view of the lake, next to sister restaurant, Boccaccio’s. Open daily from 11am to 9pm. www.thelandinggrillandsushibar.com 818-706-8887

Tomodachi Sushi has two locations in the Conejo Valley - 2779 Agoura Road in Westlake Village (805-777-7578) and 771 Wendy Drive in Newbury Park (805-499-8889). It has operated in Westlake Village since 1997. www.tomodachisushi.com

Whole Foods Market at 740 North Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks has a fresh sushi counter, with made-to-order rolls and plant-based options. www.wholefoodsmarket.com/stores/thousandoaks 805-777-4730

Cho Cho San has been a Thousand Oaks mainstay since 1988 at 400 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, offering both a sushi bar and teppanyaki grill (you know - where they cook the food on a large grill in front of you). www.chochosan.com 805-379-9300

E+Mon Sushi opened in late 2020 in the Westlake Commons at 2805 Agoura Road in Thousand Oaks. A small spot offering delicious sushi at tables indoors and outdoors. https://www.eplusmon.com 805-371-3693

Gelson’s Thousand Oaks (1736 E. Avenida De Los Arboles) (805-493-4301) and Westlake Village (2734 Townsgate Road) (805-495-0353) stores offer fresh made sushi. www.gelsons.com

Go Fish Sushi opened at 299 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Suite 6, Thousand Oaks (across the street from Tarantula Hill Brewing) in November 2024. Open for lunch and dinner daily at 11am. to.gofishsushibar.com 805-418-7117

Rainbow roll at Go Fish Sushi in Thousand Oaks

Hanami Sushi at 26527 Agoura Road, Suite 116, Calabasas opened in 2002 and is open daily for lunch and dinner. www.hanamisushiusa.com 818-880-0073

Hikari Sushi Westlake Village opened in the former Sushi Ai at 5790 Lindero Canyon Road, Suite 2A, in October 2022. Open daily at 11:30am for lunch and dinner. The first Hikari location is in the little town of Montrose. www.ushikarisushi.com 818-707-9064

Isaki Sushi opened in the former Sushi Yusho location at 2365 Michael Drive, Newbury Park in 2024. Open Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. www.isakisushi.com 805-375-2269

Kanda Sushi is located at 3637 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks at the Paseo Market Place, near Stonefire Grill. Kanda was named after the Kanda River in Japan. It opened its doors on November 22, 2009. No website. 805-230-0101

Kaze Omakase opened in January 2026 at 1610 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Suite B, Thousand Oaks, just west of Erbes. Kaze offers a 19 course omakase in two 12 guest seatings per night on Wed-Sun. Learn more and reserve a spot at www.exploretock.com/kazethousandoaks.

Love Sushi opened at the former Yomama Sushi location in the Lincoln Oaks Plaza, 140 W. Hillcrest Drive #118, Thousand Oaks, in November 2017. It is open daily for lunch and dinner. lovesushito2go.com 805-496-9102

Ma-Kin Vegan Sushi opened in the Plaza Reyes Adobe at 30313 Canwood Street, Agoura Hills, in July 2021. We’re including this in this list of sushi eateries, although truth be told, their sushi is 100% plant-based. Worth a try if you’re looking for something different. Open daily. Hours vary. makinvegan.com 818-699-6716

Minato Sushi at 1688 N. Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks opens daily from 11:30am to 9pm for lunch and dinner. This popular eatery opened in 2003. iloveminato.com 805-557-0758

Muzen Sushi in the North Ranch Gateway at 30819 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Suite A, Westlake Village, is open Monday to Saturday for lunch and daily for dinner. It rolled its first roll in 2017. muzensushi.restaurant 818-706-7772

Nori Japanese Grill at 2871 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, has offered sushi among its other Japanese items since opening in 2005. Open Monday through Saturday from 11am to 8pm. www.nori805.com 805-497-3277

Onyx Restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village at 2 Dole Drive is a high-end Japanese eatery offering fresh sushi and sashimi Wednesday through Saturday for dinner. www.fourseasons.com/westlakevillage/dining/restaurants/onyx_restaurant 818-575-3000

Poke Land Thousand Oaks is located in the Conejo Valley Plaza at 1396 N. Moorpark Road, where it opened in January 2017. It was not the first poke place to open in Thousand Oaks, but it is now the oldest poke eatery (others like Honeyfish Poke, Big Fish Poke, and Poke Tike, came and went). gopokeland.com 805-777-8898

Pokitomik in the Paseo Market Place at 3679 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks has been offering poke bowls and poke and tempura burritos since opening in November 2021. www.pokitomik.com 805-852-5150

Q Sushi and Kieu Hoang Wine Lounge opened at The Shoppes at Westlake Village, 30770 Russell Ranch Road, in April 2016. Open Tuesday through Sunday. Beautiful, upscale environment. www.qsushi.com 818-540-3231

Roast and Rice Kitchen - Asian Fusion has operated at 30990 Russell Ranch Road, Westlake Village since February 2022. Offers a full sushi bar menu, among other Asian favorites. roastandrice.com 818-699-6369

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Fish Restaurants In and Around the Conejo Valley

(in alphabetical order, starting with F, aren’t we clever?)

Fishbone Seafood premiered in the Palm Plaza in Thousand Oaks at 2709 Thousand Oaks Boulevard on August 16, 2025, offering southern style seafood specialties, grilled or fried. www.fishboneseafood.com 805-906-2000

Lure Fish House Westlake Village opened on March 7, 2013 at 30970 Russell Ranch Road, immediately becoming one of the most popular fish eateries in the Conejo Valley. Open daily for lunch and dinner at 11:30am. www.lurefishhouse.com 818-651-6611

Pacific Fresh Seafood Grill is a family-owned eatery located in the Oakbrook Plaza at 2060 E. Avenida De Los Arboles, Suite #E, in Thousand Oaks, serving fresh, delicious fish dishes since 1992. Opens for dinner daily at 4pm. They offer indoor and outdoor seating. www.pacificfreshseafoodgrill.com 805-493-0104

Shrimp vs Chef opened in the Northstar Plaza at 1321 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks in late summer 2024. It’s menu includes a number of items that contain shrimp and fish. www.shrimpvschef.com 805-660-4992

Cajun Crab Shack opened in the North Oaks Plaza at 1074 E. Avenida De Los Arboles in Thousand Oaks in October 2018, offering fresh seafood with a Cajun twist. They specialize in seafood boils with crab, lobster tail, shrimp, clams, and more, as well as seafood baskets. www.cajuncrabshackto.com 805-241-3600

California Fish Grill opened at Janss Marketplace in the east parking lot (Moorpark Road) on July 26, 2021, offering a variety of fish dishes in a casual, fast-serve setting. www.cafishgrill.com 805-510-7877

No More Fishing

Crazy King Kong Sushi, which opened in the former Akio’s Sushi at Janss Marketplace in October 2012, closed its doors in November 2025.

Compilation of Great Trails and Hikes In and Around Ventura County

Looking for a good hike around Ventura County and nearby areas? We've highlighted a number of our favorite hikes in the Do Something section of Conejo Valley Guide.

HIKE TO A CONEJO VALLEY BENCH WITH A VIEW

HIKE TO AUTOMOTIVE RELICS IN THE CONEJO VALLEY OPEN SPACE

SEVEN FLAT, STROLLER FRIENDLY TRAILS IN THE CONEJO VALLEY

DOG-FRIENDLY TRAILS IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS

Reminder: Please refrain from using the trails during rain events and afterwards, until they have dried. Doing otherwise causes damage to the trails.

Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park Trails

Rosewood Trail/Angel Vista Peak in Newbury Park

Los Robles Trail System in Thousand Oaks

• Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail in Thousand Oaks

• Triunfo Canyon Trail in Westlake Village

• Los Padres Trail in Thousand Oaks

• White Horse Canyon Trail in Westlake Village

• Los Robles Trail West in Thousand Oaks

• Spring Canyon Trail Hike

• Los Robles Trail East

Oakbrook Regional Park in Thousand Oaks

Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space in Thousand Oaks

• Albertson Motorway Fire Road Trail in Lang Ranch Open Space

Lone Oak at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa

Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park

• Hike from Satwiwa to the Waterfall in the Boney Mountain Wilderness

• Hidden Valley Overlook in Rancho Sierra Vista and Danielson Monument and Waterfall Hike in Boney Mountain Wilderness

• Ranch Overlook Trail

• Hike to the Waterfall in the Boney Mountain Wilderness

• Hiking and Exploring in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa

Fossil Trail Loop in the Boney Mountain Wilderness

Oakbrook Vista Trail in Thousand Oaks

Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park

Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

• Paradise Falls Hike in Wildwood Park

• Hike to the Teepee, Paradise Falls and Little Cave (formerly Indian Cave) in Wildwood Park

• Wildwood to CLU via the Santa Rosa and Lower Butte Trails

• Lizard Rock Hike in Thousand Oaks

• Santa Rosa Loop Hike in Wildwood Park

• Two Springs Trail (formerly Indian Creek Trail) and Wildwood Canyon Trail

Lynnmere Trail in Thousand Oaks (south of Wildwood Park)

Conejo Canyons Open Space (Western Plateau)

• Conejo Canyons accessible via pedestrian bridge next to Santa Rosa Valley Regional Park in Camarillo (main Hill Canyon trailhead entry)

• Elliot Mountain Trail and Outlaw Loop in the Conejo Canyons Open Space

• Western Plateau Trail Loop From Newbury Park

• Hill Canyon, Hawk Canyon and Western Plateau Trails in Thousand Oaks

Tarantula Hill Hike in Thousand Oaks

Arroyo Conejo Trail in Thousand Oaks

Sunset Hills Trail in Thousand Oaks

Conejo Ridge Open Space in Thousand Oaks

North Ranch Open Space in Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village

Wishbone Trail in the North Ranch Open Space - Westlake Village

Hillcrest Open Space Preserve in Thousand Oaks

Powerline Trail in Newbury Park to Conejo Mountain

Lake Eleanor Open Space Hike in Westlake Village

Conejo Valley Botanic Garden in Thousand Oaks

Potrero Ridge Trail in Newbury Park

Marview Drive Trail in Thousand Oaks

Pentachaeta Trail and Westlake Vista Trail in Westlake Village

Rabbit Hill (Knoll Open Space) in Newbury Park

Hike to the Cross in the Hills Above Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks

The Conejo Open Space Foundation is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to preserving, promoting, and protecting the Conejo Open Space through community education and involvement. To learn more, visit cosf.org.

Trails in Dos Vientos Section of Newbury Park

• Sierra Vista Trail

• Park View Trail

• Vista Del Mar Trail

• El Rincon, El Cerro and Las Brisas Trails

• El Encanto Trail

• Prickly Pear Trail

Lynnmere Open Space views to the west.

Malibu Hills and Point Mugu Area Trails

Point Mugu State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains

• Chumash Trail in Point Mugu State Park

• Ray Miller Trail at La Jolla Canyon in Point Mugu State Park

• Ranch Center Road, Wood Canyon Fire Road in North Point Mugu State Park

• Old Boney Trail

• Sycamore to the Sea (Newbury Park to Sycamore Cove Beach)

• La Jolla Canyon Loop Trail in Point Mugu State Park

• Mugu Peak Hike in Point Mugu State Park

• "Scenic Trail" in Point Mugu State Park

• Serrano Canyon Hike in Pt Mugu State Park

• Boney Mountain Peak Hike in Newbury Park

• Upper Sycamore Canyon Trail in Point Mugu State Park

Circle X Ranch Area of Santa Monica Mountains in Malibu

• Sandstone Peak Hike in the Malibu Hills

• Sandstone Peak to Inspiration Point and Tri Peaks

• Mishe Mokwa Trail to Sandstone Peak at Circle X Ranch

• Mishe Mokwa Trail to Split Rock and Balance Rock

• Grotto Trail Hike at Circle X Ranch

Charmlee Wilderness Park in Malibu

Leo Carrillo State Park in Malibu

Solstice Canyon in Malibu

Escondido Canyon Trail and Waterfalls in Malibu

Rocky Oaks Nature Reserve in the Hills of Malibu

Arroyo Sequit in Malibu Hills (Santa Monica Mountains) WOOLSEY FIRE CLOSURE - UPDATES AT THIS LINK

View fullsize

Views from the Ray Miller Trail in Malibu.

Danielson Road trail in the Boney Mountain Wilderness.

Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Oak Park Trails

• China Flat Trailhead in Oak Park

• Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyons in Agoura Hills

• Palo Comado Canyon Trail in Agoura Hills to Oak Park

• Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve in Calabasas

• Paramount Ranch Recreation Area in Agoura Hills

• King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas

• Malibu Creek State Park in Agoura Hills/Calabasas

• M*A*S*H Site at Malibu Creek State Park

• Medea Creek Natural Park in Oak Park

• Reagan Ranch section of Malibu Creek State Park

• The Rock Pool at Malibu Creek State Park

• Century Lake at Malibu Creek State Park

• Zev Yaroslavsky Las Virgenes Highlands Park in Calabasas

• Bark Park Trail in Calabasas

• Palo Comado to Simi Peak Hike

• Las Virgenes View Park Trail in Calabasas

• Peter Strauss Ranch in Agoura Hills

• Anza Loop Trail in Calabasas

Camarillo, Ventura, Santa Paula and Ojai Area Trails

• Seaside Wilderness Park in Ventura

• Camarillo Grove Park Hiking Trail

• University Park at CSU Channel Islands in Camarillo

• Ventura Botanical Gardens

• Wheeler Gorge Area in Ojai

• Hike to "The Punch Bowls" in the Los Padres Forest in Santa Paula

• Harmon Canyon Preserve in Ventura

Views of Simi Valley from the peak of Mt. McCoy in Simi Valley.

Simi Valley and Moorpark Area Trails

• Rocky Peak Park in East Simi Valley

• Mt. McCoy Trail in Simi Valley

• Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park in Moorpark

• Long Canyon Trail in Simi Valley

• Corriganville Park in Simi Valley

• Chumash Trail Simi Valley

Sunset Hills Trail in Thousand Oaks.

Tree encampment along Los Padres Trail in Thousand Oaks.

Volunteer Opportunities in Ventura County

Looking for a job? Why not help yourself by filling in the gaps in your resume with new experiences while helping others! Or if you are just looking to give back to the local community, there are hundreds of opportunities to volunteer throughout Ventura County. Here's where to find volunteer opportunities:

The United Way of Ventura County hosts www.VolunteerVenturaCounty.org, which lists numerous upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Since 1998, VolunteerMatch.org has helped volunteers find over 4 million volunteer matches at over 60,000 non-profits across the country.

Or visit the Local Charities section of Conejo Valley Guide and you'll find over 100 Ventura County area non-profit organizations, most of which could use your help. I clicked a few and found plenty of volunteer needs publicized on each entity's website, like MANNA Food Bank, L.I.F.E. Animal Rescue in Agoura, Hospice of the Conejo, Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library, and CareGivers - Volunteers Assisting the Elderly.

You could also join one of over 80 service organizations in the Service Clubs section of CVG. The Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimist, Assistance League, Lions Club and other organizations provide needed services to others in need. 

ActionVC is a non-profit that seeks volunteers to serve the vulnerable in our local community. www.actionvc.org/volunteer

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County seeks volunteers at www.habitatventura.org/volunteer.

The Ventura County Resource Conservation District seeks volunteers to further its mission to conserve the natural resources of Ventura County at www.vcrcd.org/volunteer.

The Ventura County Medical Reserve Corps is a volunteer network that provides support for public health, emergency response, first aid services for local events and other local needs. www.venturacountymrc.org

Volunteer opportunities in Thousand Oaks: toaks.org/departments/human-resources/volunteer

Volunteer opportunities in Simi Valley: www.simivalley.org/index.aspx?page=355

Volunteer opportunities in Camarillo: www.cityofcamarillo.org/departments/city_manager/volunteers.php

Volunteer opportunities in Moorpark: moorparkca.gov/389/Volunteering-in-Moorpark

Volunteering in the City of Westlake Village: www.wlv.org/index.aspx?nid=320

Volunteering for the County of Ventura: hr.ventura.org/volunteer

How about the National Park Service? Check the local Santa Monica Mountains volunteer opportunities and Channel Islands National Park volunteer opportunities.

Also check out the volunteer opportunities with the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. mrca.ca.gov/educational-outreach-programs/volunteer-2

And more links to volunteering opportunities:

Conejo Recreation and Park District www.crpd.org/support/volunteer

Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District www.pvrpd.org/volunteer

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District www.rsrpd.org/recreation/volunteers.php

Los Robles Hospital volunteer opportunities for adults and high school students www.losrobleshospitalvolunteers.com

Thousand Oaks Library www.tolibrary.org/services/get-involved/library-volunteers

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley www.bgcconejo.org/get-involved/volunteer

Food Share of Ventura County foodshare.com/volunteer

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo and Port Hueneme) www.oxnard.org/recreation/senior-services/rsvp-volunteer

St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo www.dignityhealth.org/central-coast/locations/pleasantvalley/about-us/volunteering

Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship in Newbury Park www.rideon.org/volunteer.php

Shelter Hope Pet Shop in Thousand Oaks shelterhopepetshop.org/help

Conejo Players Theatre in Thousand Oaks conejoplayers.org/volunteer

Rancho St. Francis in Newbury Park www.ranchostfrancis.org/Volunteers.htm

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Volunteers in Policing Program www.venturasheriff.org/volunteers/volunteers-in-policing

New West Symphony in Thousand Oaks newwestsymphony.org/volunteer

Conejo Free Clinic www.conejofreeclinic.org/volunteers

Interface Children & Family Services www.icfs.org/volunteer

Make-A-Wish Central Coast & Southern Central Valley volunteer opportunities at wish.org/cvs/volunteer

Boys and Girls Clubs of Conejo Valley www.bgcconejo.org/get-involved/volunteer

Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks seeks volunteers for its Adult Day Care Center, Meals on Wheels and other programs. www.seniorconcerns.org/volunteer

James Storehouse in Newbury Park seeks volunteers for its work supporting children in need. Visit www.jamesstorehouse.org/volunteer to apply.

Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara seeks volunteers cancersupportvvsb.org/about-us/volunteer-opportunities

Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency seeks volunteers for trail watch, trail work days, Adopt-a-Trail and more. conejo-openspace.org/about/volunteer-opportunities

The Conejo Senior Volunteer Program provides opportunities for adults age 55+ to use their life experience and skills to meet local community needs. www.crpd.org/programs-sports/conejo-senior-volunteer-program

School on Wheels seeks volunteers to tutor children experiencing homelessness. schoolonwheels.org/apply-to-be-a-volunteer

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary seeks volunteers ages 17 and up to join its local Channel Islands flotilla. Bring the USCG AUX your skills or join to develop your leadership skills through numerous free classes and workshops offered. The USCG AUX was established by Congress in 1939 to assist the Coast Guard in promoting boating safety. Volunteers assist the Coast Guard in non-law enforcement programs such as safety patrols, search and rescue, maritime security, vessel safety checks, public safe boating classes and watchstanding. Visit www.d11s.org to learn more.

Non-profit Step Up Tutoring seeks volunteers ages 16+ to tutor students online in underserved communities. Learn more at www.stepuptutoring.org/volunteer-tutor.

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.

Delis and Sandwich Places in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Oak Park and Calabasas

Looking for a deli or a sandwich in the Conejo Valley? Here’s a compilation of eateries that are known for sandwiches in Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Oak Park and nearby Calabasas for your dining pleasure. This list starts with the letter M, for meal.

Are we missing an eatery that primarily focuses on sandwiches? LET US KNOW

Mendocino Farms in the Westlake Plaza at 966 S. Westlake Blvd., with its vast array of interesting and unique sandwiches, deserves inclusion on this list. Some delicious alternatives include the Peruvian Steak sandwich, Vegan Banh Mi and “Unreal” Reuben (plant-based) sandwiches and others. www.mendocinofarms.com 805-379-9055

Mythpoint Greek Deli & Grill is a small Greek eatery that has operated since 2017 at 3825 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Suite E, Westlake Village in the North Ranch Shopping Plaza. In addition to delicious gyros, falafel and other Mediterranean specialties, they offer a variety of cheesesteak sandwiches that will knock your taste buds off. mythpoint.com 805-443-4242

Pickles Deli is located in the Kohl’s center in Newbury Park at 1940 Newbury Road. Pickles is a full-service Jewish deli serving specialties like pastrami on rye and matzo ball soup, as well as a full range of breakfast, lunch and dinner items. Pickles has served the Conejo Valley since 2006. picklesdeli.com 805-480-4800

Rhineland Deli recently relocated to the Oak Leaf Square, 1817 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks, offering delicious German style deli sandwiches and platters including roast beef, turkey breast, Black Forest ham, salami and more. www.facebook.com/RhinelandDeli 805-496-2045

Sienna Deli is located near the T.O. Auto Mall at 3900 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Established in 1994, Sienna offers Italian subs, roast beef, turkey and other delicious sandwiches. 805-494-7799 siennadeli.net

Jersey Mike’s Subs has the following locations in the Conejo Valley. www.jerseymikes.com

• Newbury Park - 761 North Wendy Drive

• Thousand Oaks - 605 E. Janss Road

• Thousand Oaks - 2000 E. Avenida De Los Arboles

• Thousand Oaks - 3825 Thousand Oaks Blvd.

• Westlake Village - 30817 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd.

• Calabasas - 26799 Agoura Road

Subway has the following Conejo Valley locations. www.subway.com

• Newbury Park - 501B S. Reino Road

• Newbury Park - 105 Broadbeck Drive

• Thousand Oaks - 440 North Moorpark Road

• Thousand Oaks - 1772 Avenida De Los Arboles (Oakbrook Plaza)

• Oak Park - 702 Lindero Canyon Road

• Agoura Hills - 5801 Kanan Road

• Calabasas - 26500 Agoura Road

The Sandwich Spot in the Smart & Final Extra plaza at 2110 Newbury Road, Newbury Park offers an array of signature sandwiches made to order. All of their sandwiches have clever names, like The Lennox Lewis (turkey, ham, roast beef and jack cheese) and The Dodger Blue (marinated chicken, hot sauce, blue cheese dressing and pepperjack cheese). www.thesandwichspot.com/newbury-park-menu 805-375-3400

Tasty sandwich from The Sandwich Spot.

Uncle Af's International Sandwiches opened in the Agoura Hills City Mall at 5901 Kanan Road in 2017. Uncle Af's is a father and son owned business offering a delicious array of European paninis, salads and breakfast items. www.instagram.com/uncleafs 818-584-3556

Village Trader Neighborhood Market & Deli at 330 Via Las Brisas, Suite 110, Newbury Park (Dos Vientos) offers 19 delicious classic and specialty sandwiches. The deli is open from 9am to 7pm daily. Phone orders welcomed at 805-499-7533 www.facebook.com/villagetrader

Agoura’s Famous Deli, established in 1995, is the 3rd full-service Jewish deli in the Conejo Valley. Located at 5915 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills. Like the other Jewish delis, Agoura’s Famous serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and more. www.agourasfamousdeli.com 818-889-9113

Alpine Deli is located in the Conejo Valley Plaza next to Eggs n Things at 1530 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Since 1989, Alpine is one of the most well-stocked European delis in the Conejo Valley, offering German, Hungarian, Dutch, Austrian and Italian specialties, sandwiches, subs and more. www.alpinegermandeli.com 805-496-4707

Board & Brew is a specialty sandwich place that opened in the spring of 2023 at The Shoppes at Westlake, 30734 Russell Ranch Road. They offer an assortment of 15 specialty cold and hot sandwiches, such as Turkado, Chicken Club, Left Coast Pastrami and others. Plenty of indoor seating and a variety of craft beers on tap. boardandbrew.com (818) 318-1448

Bottega Italian Deli is located at 3184 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd in Thousand Oaks, offering delicious Italian sandwiches on fresh baked bread… Turkey & Fontina, Speck & Gorgonzola, Meatballs & Provolone, Roast Beef & Parmigiano and many more. bottegafoods.com 805-449-8733

Brent’s Deli has operated at 2799 Townsgate Road in Westlake Village since 2006 in a large dine-in location near the Hyatt Westlake. Full service Jewish deli serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. www.brentsdeli.com 805-557-1882

D. Mongeon’s Deli has operated as long as my brain can remember (actually 1987) at 1111 Rancho Conejo Blvd. #104, Newbury Park, offering a delicious assortment of subs made on fresh French rolls. www.facebook.com/MongeonsDeli 805-499-8713

Firehouse Subs, which opened in May 2024, is located in the Northgate Plaza, 111 S. Westlake Blvd in Westlake Village. Visit www.firehousesubs.com 818-337-1032

Italia Deli & Bakery at 5657 Kanan Road in Agoura Hills has served the local community since 1981. Italia bakes delicious Italian rolls and bread daily from scratch and carries a wide array of meat, cheeses and imported Italian groceries and of course a large selection of sandwiches. italiadeli.com 818-991-4838

Lovi’s Deli is just over the Calabasas grade at 24005 Calabasas Road. Another popular Jewish deli that also serves a wide range of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Indoor and outdoor seating available. www.lovisdeli.com 818-223-8777

SANDWICHES NO MORE

Togo’s Sandwiches in Westlake Village closed in the spring of 2022

Which Wich at The Shoppes at Westlake Village closed in December 2021

Peebee & Jay’s opened in August 2020 in the Thousand Oaks Marketplace (Walmart/Walgreen plaza) in Newbury Park and closed in the fall of 2022.

Roxy’s Deli in Thousand Oaks closed its doors in June 2011, after 20 years serving the Conejo Valley.

Nate ‘n Al Deli operated at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks from November 2009 to the beginning of January 2012.

Subway Westlake Village at the Westlake Commons closed in March 2026

Highlights of a Dozen Fun Things to See and Do In and Around Camarillo

Residents voted to incorporate Camarillo as a city on September 29, 1964 (the same day that Thousand Oaks residents voted to do the same). Today Camarillo has the 5th largest population out of 10 cities in Ventura County, with about 71,000 residents.

One neat feature of Camarillo is its revitalized Old Town on Ventura Boulevard, a one mile stretch adjacent to Highway 101 between Lewis Road and Carmen Drive. There is a mixture of eateries, galleries, salons, boutiques and shopping along the pedestrian friendly thoroughfare that has transformed the area. Parking is free. More at www.facebook.com/camarillooldtown.

Here are a dozen other fun things to explore, see and do in Camarillo:

The roughly 2 mile Calleguas Creek Bike Path from Pleasant Valley Fields to the corner of Flynn and Upland Road in Camarillo is a family favorite, providing 4 miles of bicycling round-trip. The path is adjacent to Calleguas Creek with several street underpasses, keeping the path completely free of vehicular traffic.

Calleugas Creek Bike Path

McGrath Family Farm off the Central Avenue 101 offramp grows organic fruits, vegetables and flowers and is open 7 days a week from spring through fall. McGrath also offers farm tours, visits with the farm animals and "pick your own" produce. A quick, healthy and fun stop with the kids.

The Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing Aviation Museum is open Friday through Sunday at the Camarillo Airport with hangars devoted to preserving, displaying and flying World War II aircraft. Docents are extremely knowledgeable and eager to share information.  This is a Camarillo must-see.

Also at the Camarillo Airport is the annual Wings Over Camarillo Air Show in the August time frame. This is a weekend display of restored World War II military aircraft in flight, aerobatic, vintage and experimental aircraft displays, classic cars and plenty of family fun. This is one event in Camarillo that you have to see up close at least once. Visit wingsovercamarillo.com for more information.

The Camarillo Ranch House is a 3-story, 14 room, 6,000 square foot Victorian home built by Adolfo Camarillo in 1892. The City restored the beautiful home to what it looked like during the 1914 to 1930 time frame. Today the house is a popular event venue and is open for docent-led tours several days a week. The Camarillo Ranch was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2003.

The Camarillo Ranch House is a popular wedding and other special events destination.

I'm amazed at how few of the people I talk to have heard of the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology, more popularly known as the Camarillo Bird Museum. The 22,000 sq ft non-descript facility in an industrial office park hosts a collection of over 250,000 sets of bird eggs representing approximately 4,000 species; 18,000 nests and 56,000 bird study skins. The Museum is open to the public for one-hour tours on Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 2pm.

The Camarillo Premium Outlets is Ventura County's premiere outlet mall, featuring over 160 shops and eateries. On the east side are the original outlets, including the Main Court and Fashion Court, while on the west is the newer The Promenade section. In between is the Edwards Camarillo Palace 12.

Harley's Camarillo Bowl is the go-to spot for most kids that I know in the Conejo Valley who throw bowling birthday parties. I know because when the kids go bowling, I make sure to join them. Harley's gets the job done with 20 lanes, a small arcade, and a bar that serves up cold beer.

There are dozens of great farmers' markets around Ventura County, including the Saturday morning Camarillo Certified Farmers Market in Old Town Camarillo from 8am to noon.

There are a number of nicely appointed parks of all shapes and sizes in Camarillo, including six larger parks. One of my favorites is the hidden away Camarillo Grove Park at the bottom of the Conejo Grade, 6968 E. Camarillo Springs Road. This 24.5 acre park offers hiking trails, a dog park, outdoor nature center and more.

A trail at Camarillo Grove Park

The Pleasant Valley Historical Museum is dedicated to the preservation of local history and the adjoining Charles L. Honn Botanical Garden features plants and trees indigenous to the Pleasant Valley and the surrounding region. Both are fun, short, worthwhile visits, which is good because the Museum and Garden are only open from noon to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, except holidays. Admission is free. (MUSEUM IS UNDERGOING EXPANSION AND IS STILL CLOSED AS OF JANUARY 2026. Check their website for updates at pvhsonline.org.