Things to Do With the Kids in Ventura County When It's Wet Outside

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It doesn't rain nearly often enough here in Ventura County, but when it does, that's a great excuse for staying inside. You are in the right place as we have compiled this extensive list of well over 200 indoor activities from Agoura to Simi Valley to Ventura and everywhere in between!

Arts and Crafts

These are just a sampling of the various activities and events in Conejo Valley Guide, so make sure to explore and find something fun to do!

Hiking in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve in Calabasas

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Trailhead at northern end of Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas

Trailhead at northern end of Las Virgenes Road in Calabasas

The Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space is owned and maintained by the Mountains Recreation Conservation Authority. The 2,983 acres of open space was part of the Ahmanson Ranch in the Simi Hills of eastern Ventura County and western Los Angeles County, bordering the cities of Calabasas, Hidden Hills, West Hills, Bell Canyon, Simi Valley and Agoura Hills.  The land, purchased in 2003, is contiguous with the existing 2,650 acres of open space in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon.

This is a vast space of rolling hills, native perennial grasslands, oak trees and woodlands. Two plant communities, Southern Coast Live Oaks Riparian Forest and Southern Willow Scrub, make up over 20 miles of riparian corridors in the park.

The Victory Trailhead at the eastern end of Victory Boulevard is the main entrance into the Preserve, with a large gravel parking lot (there is a fee).

The Victory Trailhead at the eastern end of Victory Boulevard is the main entrance into the Preserve, with a large gravel parking lot (there is a fee).

There are two main trailheads into the area. The Las Virgenes Canyon Road Trailhead is accessed at the northern terminus of Las Virgenes Road. Offstreet parking is available here; there is no official parking lot or facilities. The Victory Trailhead is the main trailhead for the preserve, located at the western terminus of Victory Boulevard in West Hills. There is a large gravel parking lot at the Victory Trailhead, where parking (as of February 2019) is $3.

Excerpt of map posted at the Victory Trailhead

Excerpt of map posted at the Victory Trailhead

If you are looking for a hike of roughly 4 to 5 miles round trip, take the East Las Virgenes Canyon Trail that links the Las Virgenes Road and Victory trailheads. To explore more within the Preserve, check out the Lasky Mesa area southwest of the Victory Trailhead via the Mary Weisbrock Loop Trail. Or from the Las Virgenes Road trailhead, instead of heading east, continue north, where you can veer off into to the adjacent Cheeseboro Canyon area or find a loop that connects you back to the main trail. (See map for details.)

Peaceful and serene back here, albeit a bit dry.

Peaceful and serene back here, albeit a bit dry.

While it can be quite dry during much of the year - particularly during times of drought - it sure greens up nicely after the winter rains (shown here in February 2019).

While it can be quite dry during much of the year - particularly during times of drought - it sure greens up nicely after the winter rains (shown here in February 2019).

From a historical perspective, the Preserve was part of the 113,000 acre Rancho San Jose de Gracias de Simi tract granted to Javier, Miguel and Particio Pico by the King of Spain in 1795, later transferred to Jose de la Guerra y Noriega and sold in the late 1800s to Thomas R. Bard. Bard divided the Rancho into tracts to build homes.

The property was later owned by a William Randolph Hearst company, which unsuccessfully drilled for oil in the 1930s and later sold it to George E. Barrett, Jr. Barrett built a ranch here in the late 1930s. R. E. Crummer bought the property in 1949. H. F. Ahmanson Company bought the land in 1963 and failed in the 1960s in its attempt to develop the land.

In 1986, Ahmanson initiated a new attempt at a master-planned community centered atop Lasky Mesa and stretching across the surrounding hills and valleys. The Ventura County Board of Supervisors approved the project in 1992, but there were numerous opponents that ultimately led to the sale of the property to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy tin 2003. The public parkland was dedicated on April 10, 2004.

More information at mrca.ca.gov/parks/park-listing/upper-las-virgenes-canyon-open-space-preserve-formerly-ahmanson-ranch.

Another shot after lots of rain in February 2019.

Another shot after lots of rain in February 2019.

Earth Day Events In and Around Ventura County

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Earth Day has been celebrated on April 22nd each year since 1970. Earth Day events celebrate the planet we live on and helps to renew our commitment to building a safer, healthier and cleaner world. Here is a compilation of 2026 Earth Day as well as Arbor Day events in Ventura County and neighboring areas.

Sat 4/18: Calabasas Earth Day Festival (2-5PM)

Sat 4/18: Arbor/Earth Day Celebration in Thousand Oaks (10AM-2PM)

Sat 4/18: Ventura Earth Day Festival (11AM-4PM)

Sat 4/18: Earth Day Event at the Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College (11AM-4:30PM)

Fri 4/24: Earth Day and Arbor Day Events in Simi Valley (1-2PM, 3:30-5:30PM)

Sat 4/25: Earth Day Festival in Westlake Village (3-5:30PM)

Sat/Sun 4/25-26: Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival (11AM)

Sat 5/3 Moorpark Earth Festival & Arbor Day Celebration (9AM-1PM)

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

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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.

Easter Egg Hunts and Other Fun Easter Activities Around Ventura County

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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

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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.

How Do I Find the Nearest Mailbox to Me?

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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.