BREAKING NEWS: Thousand Oaks’ First 24 Story Residential Tower Quietly Completed Overnight

Officials confirmed early this morning that a 24 story high rise has been completed behind the Civic Arts Plaza as part of a “pilot program to test vertical living in the Conejo Valley.”

According to spokesperson Bea Leevme, the project was approved during a special meeting held at 6:12 a.m. on a Tuesday in late December, “when most residents were understandably busy.”

The tower includes 312 units, a rooftop meditation deck overlooking the 101, and a “Conejo Vista Observation Lounge” on the 23rd floor. Rent is expected to start at $4,900 for a studio, with parking available in an underground structure located beneath City Hall.

When asked why no one noticed the construction, public works representative April Fuel cited “advanced noise reduction technology” and “a general tendency for residents to avoid the area during rush hour.”

More details to come as this story develops.

Compilation of Happy Hours in the Conejo Valley

Merriam-Webster dictionary defines “happy hour” as a period of time during which the price of drinks (as at a bar) is reduced or hors d’oeuvres are served free or at a discount. According to a Wikipedia article, as of July 2015, happy hour bans existed in Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, Utah and Vermont.

The Massachusetts law was put into place in 1984. It prohibits discounted or free drinks at any time of day and prohibits sale of beer or other drinks by the pitcher except to two or more persons at a time. It does not prohibit offering free or discounted food or entertainment, however.

In any case, California does not have such law, so here’s a compilation of happy hours at establishments in the Conejo Valley - Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Agoura Hills and part of Calabasas. CONTACT US with any updates, or additions to this list.

(Note that the information below is as of one point in time and subject to change at any time. Check directly with restaurants to confirm.)

Azar’s Sports Bar at 2215 Michael Drive, Newbury Park offers happy hour Monday through Friday from 4-7pm, $1 off all beer, wine, shots and cocktails and discounted prices on appetizers. azarsportsbar.com 805-498-2365 (updated June 2026)

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse at 3955 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Westlake Village offers happy hour in the bar and patio area Monday through Friday 3-7PM and Sunday through Thursday 9PM to close. $4 domestic bottles, $6 margaritas and well drinks, $7 appetizers and more. www.bjsrestaurants.com/happyhour 805-497-9393 (updated September 2025)

Breakers Sports Bar & Grill in the Best Buy Plaza at 398 N. Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks hosts happy hour specials Tuesday through Friday from 3-6PM, including $5 beers and margaritas, $20 beer buckets, and 20% off all apps. www.instagram.com/reel/DJZhd60MGFB (805-494-8454) (updated July 2025)

Brent’s Bar at Brent’s Deli Westlake Village, 2799 Townsgate Road offers a happy hour menu in the bar and patio from 3PM to 6PM Tuesday through Sunday. $10 signature cocktails, $7 well drinks, $2 off draft beers and wine and happy hour menu. www.brentsdeli.com/happy-hour 805-557-1882 (updated September 2025)

California Pizza Kitchen at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks offers happy hour specials from 3-6pm Monday through Friday. www.cpk.com/locations/california-pizza-kitchen-lakes-at-thousand-oaks 805-777-1778 (updated September 2025)

Crawford’s Social at 974 South Westlake Blvd, Westlake Village offers happy hour specials from 2-5PM Monday through Friday. www.crawfordssocial.com/happyhour 805-510-0105 (updated February 2025)

Cronies, with Conejo Valley locations at 1620 Newbury Road, Newbury Park (805-498-7888) and 5687 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills (818-889-0889) offers happy hour specials on weekdays from 3-6PM. cronies.com (updated July 2025)

Dog Haus at 50 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks, offers happy hour specials Mon-Thu from 3-6PM, such as $2 off draft beer and wine, $3 off wings and more. See doghaus.com/location/thousand-oaks (updated June 2025)

Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company at The Shoppes at Westlake Village, 30770 Russell Ranch Road, offers “Hoppy Hour” Monday through Thursday from 3-6PM. $2 off draft pints, $20 select pitchers and more. www.figmtnbrew.com/westlake-village 818-874-1305 (updated June 2025)

Finney's Crafthouse & Kitchen in the Westlake Plaza, 982 S. Westlake Boulevard, Westlake Village offers happy hour specials from 3-5PM Monday through Friday. www.finneyscrafthouse.com/westlake-village (805) 230-9950 (updated February 2025) Other locations at 494 E. Main St, Ventura (805) 628-3312 and 580 Ventura Blvd, Camarillo (805) 702-0010.

Holdren’s Steaks & Seafood at 1714-A Newbury Road in Newbury Park offers happy hour specials from 4-6PM Tuesday through Sunday. www.holdrens.com/menus/np 805-498-1314

Lazy Dog Cafe at The Oaks mall hosts happy hour from 3-6PM Monday through Friday and 9PM to close Sunday through Thursday. www.lazydogrestaurants.com/locations/thousand-oaks-ca 805-449-5206 (updated July 2025) Also at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard.

Lure Fish House locations at 60 California Street, Ventura, 30970 Russell Ranch Road in Westlake Village and 259 W. Ventura Blvd, Camarillo offer happy hour food and drink specials Monday through Friday from 3-6PM and Sunday from 11:30AM to 5PM. www.lurefishhouse.com (updated September 2025)

Marmalade Cafe at The Promenade at Westlake Village offers a happy hour menu daily from 3-6PM. All happy hour food and drink offerings just $7. www.marmaladecafe.com/menus (updated March 2026)

Mikey’s Restaurant at 579 N. Ventura Park Road in Newbury Park offers happy hour specials from 3-6PM Monday through Friday, including 50% off appetizers and drink specials. mikeysrestaurants.com/specials 805-262-2153 (updated April 2026)

Novo Cafe at The Shoppes at Westlake Village hosts happy hour specials Tuesday through Thursday from 4-6PM and Friday to Sunday 4-5:30PM. www.novocafe.com/westlake-menu#menu=happy-hour-westlake 818.318.1466 (updated September 2025)

Patron Mexican Bar & Grill at 1620 Newbury Road in Newbury Park and 3709 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Westlake Village, offers happy hour drink and food specials daily from 3-6:30PM in Newbury Park and 3PM-Close Mon-Tue and 3-6:30PM Wed-Sun in Westlake Village. patronmex.com/happy-hour (updated September 2025)

Paul Martin’s American Grill at The Promenade at Westlake offers happy hour specials Sunday through Thursday 3-7PM and Friday/Saturday 2-6PM in the bar. Happy hour menu is at paulmartinsamericangrill.com/menus/happy-hour 805-373-9300 (updated September 2025)

Phil’s at 3316 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd in Thousand Oaks offers happy hour specials from 3-6PM Monday through Friday. Menu at www.phils1000oaks.com/menu-1 805-371-7773 (updated September 2025)

Plata Taqueria & Cantina offers happy hour specials from 2-6PM at both of its locations - Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills (818-735-9982) and The Oaks mall in Thousand Oaks (805-750-5957) www.eatplata.com/menu/happy-hour (updated September 2025)

Q Sushi at The Shoppes at Westlake Village offers happy hour specials 4-6PM daily on the patio, at the bar, sushi bar and community table. See details at www.qsushi.com/menus/happy-hour 818-540-3231 (updated September 2025)

Sumo Sushi at 1714 Newbury Road in Newbury Park offers happy hour daily from 3-6pm and “reverse” happy hour 8:30pm to close, with discounted prices on drinks, appetizers, specialty rolls, and other salads. www.sumojapaneserestaurants.com/newburypark 805-499-9977 (updated September 2025)

Sunset Terrace at Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks has daily specials Monday through Thursday from 3pm to 2am. Mai Tai Mondays, Taco Tuesdays, Waffle & Wing Wednesdays, and Sushi Thursdays sunsetterracerestaurant.com/daily-specials%2Fgallery 805-497-4847 (updated September 2025)

Tavern 101 Grill & Tap House at 28434 Roadside Drive in Agoura Hills hosts happy hour specials on cocktails, draft beer, wine and food from 2-6PM Monday through Thursday and 3-5PM Friday through Sunday. www.tavern101agoura.com/menus/#happy-hour-menu 818-991-7227 (updated September 2025)

The Cheesecake Factory at The Oaks Mall hosts happy hour 4-6PM Monday through Friday. locations.thecheesecakefactory.com/ca/thousand-oaks-29.html 805-371-9705 (updated February 2026)

The Cliffdiver at 720 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks offers happy hour 3-6PM and 8PM-close (bar only) Wednesday to Sunday and other daily specials starting at 3pm www.thecliffdiver.com 805-370-1585 (updated February 2026)

The Local Table at 360 Via Las Brisas in Newbury Park has happy hour specials in the bar daily from 4:30-6:30PM. www.dvlocaltable.com/menu 805-498-4013 (updated Feb 2026)

The Paddock Restaurant and Sports Bar in the Northstar Plaza at 1345 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd in Thousand Oaks offers happy hour specials all day Monday/Tuesday and 3-6PM Wednesday through Friday. www.paddocksportsbar.com 805-309-4400

The Tipsy Goat at 159 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks has happy hour specials from 4-7PM Monday through Friday. tipsygoat.com/thousand-oaks-the-tipsy-goat-happy-hours-specials 805-494-9996 (updated Feb 2026)

Wood Ranch BBQ at 5050 Cornell Road in Agoura Hills and at The Oaks mall offers happy hour specials from 3-6PM weekdays in the bar area only. www.woodranch.com (updated Feb 2026)

Zin Bistro Americana at The Landing, 32131 Lindero Canyon Road in Westlake Village offers happy hour specials Monday through Friday from 4-6PM www.zinwestlake.com/our-menus?location=Location+1&menu=happy-hour (818-865-0095) (updated September 2025)

Zinqué at 2809 Agoura Road in Westlake Village offers happy hour prices 4-6pm Monday to Friday. (805) 418-7127 (NOTE: CLOSED until further notice as of 5/27/25 due to a fire. They indicate they will be rebuilding.) lezinque.com/westlake-village

Outside the Conejo Valley

Twisted Oak Tavern at 2433 Ventura Boulevard in Old Town Camarillo offers happy hour drinks and bites from 4-6pm daily. Variety of starters and flatbreads available. www.twistedoaktavern.pub/menuhappy-hour 805-586-4005 (updated February 2025)

The Arena Grill & Lounge at 999 Enchanted Way, Simi Valley offers happy hour drink specials and 25% off appetizers from 4-7PM. Also, “Power Hour” is 9-10PM, with $4 well drinks and $2.50 street tacos. arenasimi.com 805-915-1528 (updated June 2026)

Aloha Steakhouse at 364 S. California Street in Ventura has happy hour pricing 3-6PM Monday to Friday on selected drinks and appetizers. www.alohasteakhouse.com/menus#menu=happy-hour 805-652-1799 (updated June 2026)

Eric Ericsson’s Fish Co. is located on the Ventura Pier at 668 Harbor Blvd., offering happy hour Monday through Thursday 3-6PM and Friday through Sunday from 6PM to close. Discounted drinks and select appetizers. ericericssonsfishco.com/happy-hour-1 805-643-4783 (updated June 2026)

Latitude 34 at 660 Ventura Boulevard, Camarillo (Promenade section of the Camarillo Premium Outlets) offers happy hour specials daily from 3-6PM. l34camarillo.com (updated June 2026)

Social Tap at 1105 S. Seaward Avenue, Ventura offers “Social Hour” Monday to Friday from 3-6PM, featuring discounted appetizers and drinks. socialtapventuraca.com/menu/#HHVentura (805) 667-8485 (updated June 2026)

Winchesters Grill & Saloon at 632 East Main St in Ventura offers happy hour food and drink specials Tuesday-Friday from 3-6PM. www.winchestersgrill.com/food#menu=happy-hour (805) 653-7446 (updated June 2026)

Yolanda’s Mexican Cafe in Camarillo (86 Daily Drive), Simi Valley (590 E. Los Angeles Ave) and Oxnard (1601 S. Victoria Ave, #190) offers happy hour specials from 3-6PM Monday through Friday. Bar and patio only. www.yolandasmexicancafe.com/happy-hour-menu (updated June 2026)

Casa Bella at 391 East Main St, Ventura offers happy hour specials Monday and Tuesday all night, Wednesday-Friday from 4-7PM, Saturday 4-6PM and Sunday 1-6PM. www.casabellaventura.com (805) 340-1118 (updated June 2026)

Bellringer Brewing Co at 472 E. Main Street, Ventura offers happy hour specials from 4-6pm Monday through Friday. bellringerbrewco.com/menus/food 805-643-2337 (updated February 2025)

Yard House at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard offers happy hour specials, including 1/2 off select apps and all pizzas and $2 off beer, wine, spirits and cocktails Monday-Friday 3-6PM and Sunday-Wednesday 10PM to close. www.yardhouse.com/happy-hour/ca/oxnard-restaurant/8349 805-981-8707 (updated June 2026)

Larson’s Grill at The Collection at Riverpark, 590 Town Center Drive, Oxnard (805-983-6600) as well as at the Simi Valley Town Center (805-522-4800) offers happy hour specials in the bar and patio only from 5-7PM daily (excluding holidays). 805-983-6600 www.larsensrestaurants.com (updated June 2026)

Kabuki Japanese Restaurant at The Collection at Riverpark offers happy hour specials Monday to Friday 3-6PM, Saturday-Sunday 2-5PM and Sunday-Thursday 8:30PM-close and Friday-Saturday 9PM to close. www.kabukirestaurants.com/location/kabuki-restaurants-oxnard/#happy-hour-copy-1 805-981-2973 (updated June 2026)

The Ojai Pub at 914 E. Ojai Avenue offers happy hour Monday-Friday 4-6pm and Monday-Thursday 10pm to midnight. www.ojaipub.com

Easter Egg Hunts and Other Fun Easter Activities Around Ventura County

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

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

Easter Sunday 2026 is April 5th! Easter Sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon following the northern hemisphere's vernal equinox. As a result, Easter Sunday ranges from March 22nd to April 25th

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

Sat, Mar 21: Easter Bunny Arrival, Egg Hunt at Simi Valley Town Center (11am-4pm)

Mar 21-22, 28-29 Spring Spectacular at America's Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

Fri, Mar 27: Flashlight Egg Hunt at 5 Locations in Thousand Oaks (6-9pm)

Sat, Mar 28: Springtime at the Adobe at Leonis Adobe Calabasas (1-4pm)

Sat, Mar 28: The Hunt Holiday Egg Hunt in Ventura (10am-3pm: RSVP required)

Sat, Mar 28: The Bunny Trail Junior Egg Hunt in Calabasas (SOLD OUT - No walk-ups)

Sat, Mar 28: Little Oaks Garden Party with the Easter Bunny (10am-1pm RSVP reqd)

Sat, Mar 28: Breakfast with the Bunny at Reyes Adobe Park in Agoura (10-12; SOLD OUT)

Sat, Mar 28: Easter Egg Hunt at St. Patrick’s Parish Hall in Thousand Oaks (9:45am)

Sat, Mar 28: Easter Egg Hunt at Church of Latter-day Saints Simi Valley (10am-noon)

Sat, Mar 28: City of Port Hueneme Egg-Stravaganza (9-11am)

Sat, Mar 28: City of Santa Paula Easter Egg Hunt (11am-3pm)

Sun, Mar 29: Selfies with the Bunny at The Collection at Riverpark (Noon-3pm)

Thu, Apr 2: Easter Egg Hunt in Thousand Oaks (Century Academy / Shine Homeschool).

Sat, Apr 2: Little Oaks Garden Party with the Easter Bunny (10am-1pm RSVP reqd)

Sat, Apr 4: Egg Scramble Event at Rancho Santa Susana Park in Simi Valley (9am start)

Sat, Apr 4: Easter Eggstravaganza Event in Camarillo (10am-1pm)

Sat, Apr 4: City of Moorpark Easter Egg Hunt (10am-1pm; Purchase wristbands in advance beginning March 2nd)

Sat, Apr 4: Egg Scramble Event Mae Boyar Park in Oak Park (9:15-11am)

Sat, Apr 4: Bunnies & Baskets at the Stagecoach Inn Museum (1-4pm)

Sat, Apr 5: Meet & Greet with the Seaside Bunny at Ventura Harbor Village (12-3pm)

Sun, Apr 5: Easter Sunrise Service at Pierce Brothers Valley Oaks in Westlake Village (6am)

Sun, Apr 5: Easter Egg Hunt at Thousand Oaks Elks Lodge (1pm)

ONGOING ACTIVITIES

Mar 21 to Apr 12; Springtime Easter Festival at Underwood Family Farms

Mar 13 to Apr 4: Photos with the Bunny at the Pacific View Mall in Ventura

Mar 20 to Apr 30: Spring Scavenger Hunt at The Collection at Riverpark

Mar 21 to Apr 4: Bunny Photos at the Simi Valley Town Center

Drive-In Movie Theaters That Once Were Located in Ventura County

Once upon a time there were drive-in theaters around Ventura County, providing family entertainment combined with fresh air.

The Simi Drive-In was located at 361 Tierra Rejada Road. It opened in 1963 and closed in 1997, for a 34 year run.

The Pacific 101 Drive-In in Ventura was located at 4826 E. Telephone Road (at the 101). This theater opened in 1948 and closed in 1998. Fifty years!

Sky View Drive-In in Oxnard at 1250 S. Oxnard Blvd opened in 1955 and closed in 1988.

The Santa Paula Drive-In Theatre was located on Harvard Blvd at Barkla (which I believe today is Palm Ave). It opened on Thursday, May 18, 1950 and closed in the 1978 time frame.

Pacific’s Thousand Oaks Drive-In Grand Opening in August 1967

The Thousand Oaks Drive-In was located at Kelley Road and Newbury Road in Newbury Park (now Kohl's) It opened in 1967 and closed in 1983.

The West Wind All Digital Drive-In in Goleta closed in September 2022 after operating from 1966 to 1991, then 2010 to 2019, then once again from 2020 to 2022.

MOVIE THEATERS IN VENTURA COUNTY AND ADJACENT AREAS

How Do I Find the Nearest Mailbox to Me?

My wife asked me if there is a way of finding the nearest local mailbox.  Sure, we know of a couple mailboxes within a mile of our home in the Conejo Valley but it's nice to be able to find other mailboxes when you're out and about.

She used to put letters and bills and such in the mailbox for our mail carrier to pick up, but with the rash of folks swiping things out of home mailboxes, she would prefer to drop letters off into a more secure "blue" mailbox.

The US Post Office has a "Find Locations" section on its website to find a variety of locations, including post offices, approved postal providers, self-service kiosks and collection boxes (aka mailboxes). Find your local mailbox at tools.usps.com/find-location.htm. This tool on the USPS site works great and provides additional information, including daily pickup times.

And of course since there's data out there on where the mailboxes are, there are websites that take that this data and create their own mailbox map. Mailboxmap.com does just this. Simply type in your location and the map will clearly lay out mailbox, post offices and UPS stores for your mailing needs. 

The Ventura County Classical Guitar Society Meets Monthly and is Open to the Public

The Ventura County Classical Guitar Society is a group of classical guitar enthusiasts that meets the last Wednesday of the month at Studio Channel Islands Art Center, 2222 E. Ventura Blvd, Camarillo.

Each session is free to attend and open to the public. There are no fees or dues. Doors open at 6PM. Members of the group as well as guests perform for the group starting at 7PM (guest performers start at 8PM). Donations are accepted for guest performers.

So if you're up for an enjoyable evening of live classical guitar, visit www.vccgs.com and check out upcoming performances.

Upcoming planned performances:

• 2/25/26: Jack Sanders

• 3/25/26: Carlos Bedoya

• 4/29/26: Jennifer Kim

• 5/27/26: Folias Duo

Bank of America "Museums on Us" Program Offers Free Admission to Over 225 Museums Nationwide

If you are a Bank of America or Merrill customer, your bank credit or debit card and photo ID will gain you one free admission to over 225 cultural institutions across the country on the first full weekend of each month. Visit the "Museums on Us" program website at museums.bankofamerica.com for details.

And while there are no Ventura County museums on the list, there are a number of other choices within driving range:

• Autry Museum of the American West

• Skirball Cultural Center

• Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach (Saturdays only)

• Discovery Science Center, DiscoveryCube Orange County (Sundays only)

• Santa Barbara Museum of Art

• MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation in Santa Barbara

Free admission is limited to individual cardholder at participating institutions.