Ten Things To Do in the City of Moorpark

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The City of Moorpark has the distinction of being the youngest city in Ventura County,  incorporating July 1, 1983.

According to the Moorpark Historical Society, the city originated when land investor Robert W. Poindexter of Los Angeles and his wife Madeline purchased the plot of land that is now Moorpark after Southern Pacific Railroad announced plans to relocate its tracks Los Angeles to San Francisco route from the coast to Chatsworth.

For many years, Moorpark was mostly farmland, with dry land crops including apricots, hay and lima beans, then later, walnuts and citrus when irrigation systems were improved. Moorpark became known as the "apricot capital of the world" and held an annual apricot festival by the late 1920s

So where did the name Moorpark come from? Apparently, Poindexter named the community after the Moorpark Apricot. Simple as that. Heck, he could have named it Poindexter!

So in any case, Moorpark is now a full-fledged city of 12.8 square miles with a population of approximately 35,000. Here is a selection of over a dozen things to do in the City of Moorpark.

For more things to do in Moorpark, visit the Do Something, Kid Fun and Fitness & Sports sections of the site. And of course the Events Calendar highlights daily goings on around the county.

A DOZEN FUN THINGS TO DO IN SIMI VALLEY

Memorial Day Weekend Events and Activities Around Ventura County

Memorial Day is a holiday to remember those who died while serving in the armed forces. Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress in 1971, but its beginnings go back to after the Civil War in 1868.

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, cities in the North and South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1866. But in 1966, Congress and President Lyndon B. Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y. as the birthplace of Memorial Day.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day.

Traditionally, Memorial Day was May 30th each year. That was changed to the last Monday in May when the Uniform Monday Holiday Act was signed into law in June 1968 and put into effect in 1971.

In 2000, the National Moment of Remembrance Act was enacted by Congress to ask Americans to pause in an act of national unity at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.

Here is a compilation of activities and events this 2026 Memorial Day weekend around Ventura County and adjacent areas.

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

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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.

Local volunteer opportunities

Corporate, School, Healthcare Career Websites

The Trade Desk: careers.thetradedesk.com/jobs (15 Ventura jobs 7/22/26)

Thermo Fisher Scientificjobs.thermofisher.com (42 Thousand Oaks jobs 7/22/26)

UCLA Health www.uclahealthcareers.org (search for local jobs)

United Water Conservation District: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/unitedwaterca (2 jobs 7/22/26)

Ventura County Community Colleges: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/vcccd (77 mostly part-time teaching jobs 7/22/26)

Ventura County Credit Unionwww.vccuonline.net/careers (12 jobs 7/22/26)

Ventura County Office of Education www.vcoe.org/employment (8 jobs 7/22/26)

Ventura County Rescue Missionvcrescuemission.org/careers (2 Ventura County jobs 7/22/26)

Ventura Unified School Districtwww.schooljobs.com/careers/venturausd (13 jobs 7/22/26)

VSolvit: www.vsolvit.com (14 local area jobs 7/22/26)

Wells Fargowww.wellsfargo.com/about/careers (Search for Ventura County jobs)

Westlake Hyatt: hyatt.jobs (2 jobs 7/22/26)

Westlake Village Inn: www.westlakevillageinn.com/career-opportunities (7 jobs 7/22/26)

Xperi: www.xperi.com/careers (2 Calabasas jobs 7/22/26)

Yamaha Guitar Groupyamahaguitargroup.com/company/#careers (general application)

Yardicareers.yardi.com (9 Oxnard/Santa Barbara jobs 7/22/26)

Zenith Insurancewww.thezenith.com/careers (7 Woodland Hills jobs 7/22/26)

Abrisa Technologiesabrisatechnologies.com/career-center (1 Santa Paula job 7/22/26)

ADPjobs.adp.com/en (3 Woodland Hills jobs 6/29/26)

ADT: jobs.adt.com (8 Chatsworth jobs 6/29/26)

Advanced Motion Controlswww.a-m-c.com/careers (11 Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

AECOMaecom.com/Careers (2 Westlake Village jobs 6/29/26)

Aerovironmentwww.avinc.com/careers/our-team (65 Simi Valley, Moorpark jobs 6/29/26)

AGIAwww.agia.com/careers (no Oxnard jobs 6/29/26)

Agilentcareers.agilent.com (6 Carpinteria jobs 6/29/26)

All Clear Aerospace & Defense goallclear.com/careers (2 Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

AMCAL Housing amcalhousing.com/careers (2 Agoura Hills jobs 6/29/26)

American Homes 4 Rentwww.amh.com/careers (6 Calabasas jobs 6/29/26)

Amgencareers.amgen.com (120 Thousand Oaks jobs 6/29/26)

Arcutis Biotherapeutics: www.arcutis.com/careers (Westlake Village)

Arete Associatesarete.com/careers (11 Northridge jobs 6/29/26)

A.R.M. Solutionswww.armsolutions.com/careers.html (2 Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

ATC Automationatcautomation.com/about/careers (4 Simi Valley jobs 6/29/26)

Athens Services athensservices.com/careers (1 Thousand Oaks job 6/29/26)

AT&Twww.att.jobs (Search here)

Avantorwww.avantorsciences.com/pages/en/careers (9 Carpinteria jobs 6/29/26)

Aveoxaveox.com/careers (1 Simi Valley job 6/29/26)

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

Blackline Systems: careers.blackline.com/careers-home (11 Woodland Hills jobs 6/29/26)

Blue Shield of Californiawww.blueshieldca.com/bsc/aboutbsc/careers/index.jhtml (57 Woodland Hills jobs 6/29/26)

BrightViewjobs.brightview.com (17 local area jobs 6/29/26)

Bruker Corpwww.bruker.com/about-us/career.html (3 Santa Barbara jobs 6/29/26)

Cabrillo Economic Development Corpwww.cabrilloedc.org/careers (7 jobs 6/29/26)

Calavo Growerscalavo.com/careers (no Santa Paula jobs 6/29/26)

Caldera Medicalcalderamedical.jobscore.com/list (3 Westlake Village jobs 6/29/26)

Cal Lutheran Universitywww.callutheran.edu/hr/ (47 staff/faculty jobs 6/29/26)

California State University Channel Islandswww.csuci.edu/careers (41 jobs 6/29/26)

Camarillo Health Care Districtwww.camhealth.com/employment-opportunities (no jobs 6/29/26)

Capsida Biotherapeutics: capsida.com/careers (1 Thousand Oaks job 6/29/26)

Capstone Energywww.capstoneenergyplus.com/about/careers (7 Van Nuys jobs 6/29/26)

Casa Pacificawww.casapacifica.org/careers (8 Camarillo, Goleta jobs 6/29/26)

Chatsworth Products, Incwww.chatsworth.com/en-us/about-cpi/careers (no Simi Valley jobs 6/29/26)

The Cheesecake Factoryjobs.thecheesecakefactory.com (34 local jobs 6/29/26)

Child and Family Guidance Center childguidance.org/careers (6 Northridge jobs 6/29/26)

Child Care Resource Centerwww.ccrcca.org/about/work-at-ccrc (14 SF Valley jobs 6/29/26)

Child Development Resourceswww.cdrv.org/careers  (7 Ventura County jobs 6/29/26)

City of Agoura Hillswww.agourahillscity.gov/government/departments/human_resources/employment.php (5 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Calabasas: www.cityofcalabasas.com/services/jobs (9 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Camarillo: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/camarillo  (1 job 6/29/26)

City of Carpinteriawww.governmentjobs.com/careers/carpinteriaca (2 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Fillmorewww.fillmoreca.com/jobs.aspx (1 job 6/29/26)

City of Malibuwww.governmentjobs.com/careers/malibucity (7 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Moorparkwww.governmentjobs.com/careers/moorparkca (3 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Ojaiojaicity.applicantpro.com/jobs (1 job 6/29/26)

City of Oxnardwww.governmentjobs.com/careers/cityofoxnard (39 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Port Huenemewww.governmentjobs.com/careers/porthueneme (2 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Santa Barbaraagency.governmentjobs.com/santabarbara/default.cfm (14 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Santa Paulaagency.governmentjobs.com/santapaulaca/default.cfm (1 job 6/29/26)

City of Simi Valleywww.calopps.org/city-of-simi-valley (16 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Thousand Oaks: toaks.gov/careers (8 jobs 6/29/26)

City of Venturawww.cityofventura.ca.gov/jobs (13 jobs 6/29/26)

Clinicas del Camino Real: clinicas.org/content/career-opportunities (14 Ventura County jobs 6/29/26)

Community Memorial Health System: www.mycmh.org/careers (128 local jobs 6/29/26)

Conejo Recreation & Park District: www.crpd.org/human-resources (2 jobs 6/29/26)

Conejo Valley Unified School Districtwww.conejousd.org/Departments/Human-Resources/Employment-Opportunities (over 34 full/part-time jobs 6/29/26)

Conrad Hilton Foundationwww.hiltonfoundation.org/about/careers (1 Westlake Village job 6/29/26)

County of Santa Barbaraagency.governmentjobs.com/sbcounty (38 jobs 6/29/26)

County of Ventura: www.governmentjobs.com/careers/ventura (56 jobs 6/29/26)

Crescendo Interactive www.crescendointeractive.com/misc/jobs.html (2 Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

CVS Healthjobs.cvshealth.com (Search for local jobs)

Deckers Outdoorswww.deckers.com/careers (42 Goleta jobs 6/29/26)

DEXwww.dex.com/careers.jsp (3 Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

Common Spirit (St. John's Regional Medical Center and St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital): www.commonspirit.careers/search-jobs (69 Oxnard/Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

Dole Packaged Foods dolesunshine.com/us/en/careers (6 Westlake Village jobs 6/29/26)

Drum Workshopwww.dwdrums.com/info/dwjobs.asp (4 Oxnard jobs 6/29/26)

Dytran: www.hbkworld.com/en/about/careers (4 Chatsworth jobs 6/29/26)

Ensign-Bickford Aerospacewww.ebad.com/careers (30 Moorpark jobs 6/29/26)

Farmers Groupwww.farmers.com/FarmComm/careers.html (4 Woodland Hills jobs 6/29/26)

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

First 5 Ventura Countywww.first5ventura.org/about-us/employment (1 job 6/29/26)

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

Freudenberg Medicaljobs.freudenberg.com/freudenberg (1 Carpinteria job 6/29/26)

Frontier Aerospace: frontieraerospaceaccount.bamboohr.com/careers (1 Newbury Park job 6/29/26)

Gold Coast Health Plangoldcoasthealthplan.org/about-us/careers.aspx (3 Camarillo jobs 6/29/26)

Rolling Oaks Radiologywww.radnet.com/rolling-oaks-radiology/careers (34 local jobs 6/29/26)

Gsolutionzwww.gsolutionz.com/careers (1 Ventura job 6/29/26)

Guitar Center: www.guitarcenter.com/pages/careers (39 Westlake Village jobs 6/29/26)

Haas Automationwww.haascnc.com/about/careers.html (26 Oxnard jobs 6/29/26)

Harbor Freightwww.harborfreightjobs.com (25 local jobs 6/28/26)

Harman: jobs.harman.com (24 Northridge jobs 6/28/26)

HRL Laboratoriesjobs.lever.co/dodmg (11 local jobs 6/28/26)

Hygiena www.hygiena.com/careers.html (12 Camarillo jobs 6/28/26)

Impact Sciencesimpactsciences.com/careers (3 Camarillo jobs 6/28/26)

Input 1: www.input1.com/careers#JOB-LISTINGS (2 Westlake Village/remote jobs 6/28/26)

Interface Family Servicesicfs.org/employment.html (1 Ventura County job 6/28/26)

Jordano'sjordanos.com/careers (1 Oxnard job 6/28/26)

Kaiser Permanentekaiserpermanentejobs.org (56 local jobs 6/28/26)

KBR: kbr.com/careers (3 Ventura County jobs 6/28/26)

L3Harris careers.l3harris.com/search-jobs (47 L.A., Simi Valley jobs 6//28/26)

Lamps Pluswww.lampsplus.com/careers/positions (2 SF Valley jobs 5/5/26)

Laritechwww.laritech.com/careers (1 Moorpark job 5/5/26)

Las Virgenes Unified School District www.edjoin.org/Home/Jobs?countyID=19&districtID=382 (42 jobs 5/5/26)

Latigo Bio: latigobio.com/careers (2 Thousand Oaks jobs 5/5/26)

Limoneiralimoneira.com/corporate/employment-opportunities (4 Santa Paula jobs 5/5/26)

Livingston Memorialwww.lmvna.org/joblistings (9 local jobs 5/5/26)

Logix www.logixbanking.com/careers (various local jobs 5/5/26)

Los Angeles Rams: www.teamworkonline.com/football-jobs/la-rams-careers/los-angeles-rams (6 Woodland Hills jobs 5/5/26)

Los Robles Medical Center losrobleshospital.com/careers (40 Thousand Oaks jobs 5/5/26)

MannKind Corporationmannkindcorp.com/careers (6 Westlake Village jobs 5/5/26)

Many Mansionswww.manymansions.org/employment (4 local jobs 5/5/26)

Meathead Moverswww.meatheadmovers.com/about-us/careers

Medtronicjobs.medtronic.com (6 Northridge jobs 5/5/26)

Meissner Filtration Products www.meissner.com/career-opportunities (34 Camarillo jobs 5/5/26)

Mission Producemissionproduce.com/careers (no Oxnard jobs 5/5/26)

Moorpark Unified School Districtwww.edjoin.org/MoorparkUnified (35 jobs 5/5/26)

Motion Picture & Television Fund: www.mptf.com/employment (17 Woodland Hills jobs 5/5/26)

National Notary Associationwww.nationalnotary.org/about-the-nna/job-listings (no local jobs 5/5/26)

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

Nova Developmentnovadevelopment.com/company/careers/jobs.html (3 Calabasas jobs 5/5/26)

NTS: www.nts.com/careers (2 Santa Clarita jobs 5/5/26)

Oceanaire Federal Credit Unionoceanair.org/careers (4 local jobs 5/5/26)

ODU: odu-connectors.com/us/career (No Camarillo jobs 5/5/26)

Ojai Valley Sanitary District: www.ojaisan.org/employment_opportunities.php (no jobs 5/5/26)

Onticwww.ontic.com/careers/opportunities (28 Chatsworth jobs 5/5/26)

Oxnard School District www.oxnardsd.org/departments/human-resources/current-employment-opportunities (8 jobs 5/5/26)

Oxnard Union H.S. District www.edjoin.org/Home/Jobs?stateID=24&countyID=57&districtID=1067 (12 jobs 5/5/26)

Parker: parkercareers.ttcportals.com (47 Camarillo, Simi Valley jobs 5/5/26)

Patagonia www.patagonia.com/jobs-at-patagonia (12 Ventura jobs 5/5/26)

PennyMacwww.pennymacusa.com/careers (43 Moorpark, Westlake Village jobs 5/5/26)

Pepperdine University: jobs.pepperdine.edu/jobs/search (77 Malibu, Calabasas jobs 5/5/26)

Pleasant Valley School DistrictJOBS LINK (9 Camarillo jobs 5/5/26)

Premier America Credit Unionwww.premieramerica.com/about-us/careers (10 local jobs 5/5/26)

Procorewww.procore.com/jobs/openings.php (3 Carpinteria jobs 5/5/26)

Quest Diagnostics: careers.questdiagnostics.com (29 West Hills, Agoura jobs 5/5/26)

Rancho Simi Rec & Park District: rsrpd.applicantpro.com/jobs (14 part-time Simi Valley jobs 5/5/26)

Reagan Foundationwww.reaganfoundation.org/about-us/employment-opportunities (2 Simi Valley jobs 5/5/26)

Regency Lighting www.regencylighting.com/about-regency-lighting/careers (3 Chatsworth jobs 5/5/26)

Reiter Affiliated Companieswww.berry.net/careers (3 Oxnard jobs 5/5/26)

Reyes Holdings: jobs.reyesholdings.com (4 Ventura jobs 5/5/26)

Rincon Consultantswww.rinconconsultants.com/careers (10 Ventura jobs 5/5/26)

Ronlo Engineeringwww.ronlo.com/careers.php (2 Camarillo jobs 5/5/26)

R. R. Donnellywww.rrdonnelley.com/about/rrdonnelley-jobs.aspx (8 Westlake Village jobs 5/5/26)

RTC Aerospace: www.rtcaerospace.com/chatsworth/career (8 Simi Valley, Chatsworth jobs 5/5/26)

Rusnak Auto Groupcareers-rusnak.icims.com/jobs/intro (18 Thousand Oaks jobs 5/5/26)

Saalex Solutions: www.saalex.com (5 Camarillo jobs 5/5/26)

Sage Publicationsgroup.sagepub.com/careers (2 Thousand Oaks jobs 5/5/26)

SAIC: jobs.saic.com (4 Point Mugu jobs 5/5/26)

Salem Media Groupsalemmedia.com/salem_careers (no Oxnard jobs 5/5/26)

Sanbell sanbell.com/join-our-team (3 Ventura jobs 6/28/26)

Scosche Industrieswww.scosche.com/careers (1 Oxnard job 5/5/26)

Seek Thermalwww.thermal.com/careers (2 Santa Barbara jobs 5/5/26)

Semtechwww.semtech.com/careers (5 Camarillo jobs 5/5/26)

Senecasenecafoa.org/careers (no Oxnard jobs 5/5/26)

Sensata Technologieswww.sensata.com/careers (3 Thousand Oaks jobs 5/5/26)

Sideshow Collectibleswww.sideshowtoy.com/careers (3 Thousand Oaks jobs 5/5/26)

Silgan Containers: silgancontainers.com/careers/#careers2-section-1 (n1 Woodland Hills job 5/5/26)

Simi Valley Hospital: careers.adventisthealth.org (51 local jobs 5/5/26)

Simi Valley USD (Classified jobs) www.governmentjobs.com/careers/simivalleyusd (28 jobs 5/5/26)

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

Skurka Aerospacewww.skurka-aero.com/careers  (no Camarillo jobs 11/11/25)

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

Smucker'swww.jmsmucker.com/careers (4 Oxnard jobs 2/20/26)

Sonoswww.sonos.com/jobs (4 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 Edisonwww.edison.com/home/careers.html (search for jobs)

Spirent Communications: www.spirent.com/Careers/Opportunities (no Calabasas jobs 2/20/26)

Stantecstantec.jobs (19 Ventura, Santa Barbara jobs 11/11/25)

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

Syscocareers.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)

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 (97 jobs within a 30 mile radius of Thousand Oaks as of 6/28/26)

EdJoin.org: Search for education jobs by state, school district, county, etc. at edjoin.org  (274 job postings as of 6/29/26 in Ventura County at THIS LINK)

The Oldest Restaurants in Ventura County and Nearby Areas

We do our best to support local restaurants here in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County. But local eateries come and go, for many reasons. Running a restaurant is not easy, but some of them manage to operate longer than others.

Here’s a compilation of some of the longest-operating restaurants in Ventura County.

1946: El Tecolote originated in Moorpark in 1946 and moved to its current location at 333 N. Lewis Road in Camarillo in 1952, serving traditional Mexican fare. It is the longest operating eatery under the same name in Ventura County. www.facebook.com/eltecoloterestaurant

1947: Johnny’s Mexican Food originated in Santa Paula in 1947 and moved to its current location at 176 N. Ventura Avenue, Ventura in 1961, offering, well, you know. Johnny Lopez passed away in December 1994. Before he passed, he convinced his family to keep the eatery. New ownership kept things the same when the eatery changed hands in 2004.

1949: Dominick’s Italian Restaurant at 477 North Oxnard Boulevard in Oxnard has been family owned and operated since 1949, serving delicious pasta, New York style pizza and more. dominicksoxnard.com

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1952: Otani’s Seafood is a family owned seafood restaurant in Downtown Oxnard that has operated since 1952, featuring Japanese style seafood with a twist of Mexican flair. Located at 608 South A Street in Oxnard. www.otanis-seafood.com

1957: Thousand Oaks Meat Locker started out as a custom butcher shop in 1957, then transformed into a BBQ eatery since the mid-1970s at 2684 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks. www.thousandoaksmeatlocker.com

1958: Casa De Soria Mexican Restaurant opened at 1961 E. Thompson Avenue in Ventura in 1958. They claim to have served over 7 million meals since then to Mexican food lovers! www.casadesoria.com

1959: Tony’s Pizzaria has been family owned and operated since June 1959 at 186 E. Thompson Blvd in Ventura. Founded by Johnny “Tony” Barrios and now operated by his children and nephew., Tony’s Pizzaria specializes in New York style hand tossed pizza. www.tonyspizzaria.net

1958: Neptune’s Net, with an address of 42505 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, is technically located in Ventura County in the unincorporated community of Solromar (it uses Malibu for its zip code). Neptune’s Net is open 364 days a year, closed only for Thanksgiving. This is a casual, order at the counter and find a table type of place that is located across from County Line Beach. neptunesnet.com

1961: Harold’s House of Omelettes at 2440 Thousand Oaks Blvd in Thousand Oaks. Harold Warner originally opened Harold’s at 1938 Thousand Oaks Blvd. The eatery closed May 7, 2021 but subsequently was acquired and reopened as Bo’s House of Omelettes & Waffles, so they are staying on the list. More information at houseofomelettesto.com.

1961: The Rock Store opened in 1961 at 30354 Mulholland Highway in Cornell (an unincorporated community of Los Angeles County located near Agoura Hills). originally as a small town grocery store. An extremely popular motorcyclist hangout, It currently offers breakfast and lunch Friday to Sunday. www.facebook.com/p/The-Rock-Store-100064273106365

RockStore.jpg

1963: Chester’s Asia Restaurant has operated in Camarillo since 1963 at 2216 Pickwick Drive in the Pickwick Shopping Center. chestersasiarestaurant.com

1965: Thousand Oaks Fish & Chips is currently located at 3825 Thousand Oaks Blvd in the North Ranch Shopping Center. It established itself in the Conejo Valley in 1965. www.thousandoaksfishandchips.com

t.o. fish and chips`.jpg

1966: Little Tony’s Italian Restaurant is located at 1441 Redwood Street in Oxnard, next to Weinerschnitzel. Open daily at 4pm for dinner. 805-486-1414 www.yelp.com/biz/little-tonys-italian-restaurant-oxnard

1968: Boccaccio’s Restaurant at the Westlake Landing, 32123 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, has been operating since 1968. www.boccacciosrestaurant.com

Boccccio’s ad circa 1969.

Boccccio’s ad circa 1969.

1968: Jack in the Box Thousand Oaks opened at 484 Moorpark Road this year and still operates today. it was completely remodeled in 2025.

1969: Ottavio and Noella Belvedere opened Pizza Villa on Ventura Blvd in Camarillo in 1969 and changed the name to Ottavio’s Italian Restaurant in 1974, so we’re going to credit them for 1969. The moved to a larger location at 1620 Ventura Blvd in 1977 and have operated there ever since. www.ottavio.com

1970: Cactus Patch Restaurant is a diner located at 197 E. High Street in Moorpark that has served breakfast and lunch since 1970. The original owner passed away in 2020 but other family members and staff continue to operate this eatery. www.facebook.com/CactusPatchRestaurant

cactus patch.jpg

1970: The Old Place Cornell restaurant opened at 29983 Mulholland Hwy in Cornell (Agoura Hills) in 1970. This is Los Angeles County but close to us here in the Conejo Valley . oldplacecornell.com

1973: The Newbury Park McDonald’s at 850 Wendy Drive premiered in the spring of 1970. (There’s probably other fast food places we need to research and add to this list.)

1974: The first Cisco’s Mexican Restaurant opened in Westlake Village in 1974. That location closed in 2018 but Cisco’s continues to operate at 1712 E. Avenida De Los Arboles in Thousand Oaks, making it one of the oldest eateries in the Conejo Valley. www.ciscosthousandoaks.com

1974: The first Eggs ‘n” Things restaurant opened in the same building as its current Camarillo location at 1200 Paseo Camarillo. Now Eggs “n” Things has locations in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Ventura as well. www.eggsnthings.net

1974: Rhineland Deli Thousand Oaks has been open since 1974. It relocated to 1817 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd in 2022 as it continues to serve its signature delicious German-inspired sandwiches and other items. www.instagram.com/rhineland_deli

1974: Mrs. Olson’s Coffee Hut opened in 1974 at the Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, 2800 South Harbor Blvd. www.mrsolsons.com

1976: The Alamo Restaurant was established in 1976 at 2311 Borchard Road in Newbury Park, specializing in Mexican dishes. www.alamo-rest.com

1979: Azar’s Sport Bar & Grill originated as Azar’s Red Robin on September 19, 1976 at 2215 Michael Drive in Newbury Park, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and live music. www.azarsportsbar.com

~1980: Don’t have the exact date, but A-Burger opened over 40 years ago at 155 S. Oxnard Blvd in Oxnard. I’m told that this was originally a Whataburger. www.facebook.com/ABurgerOxnard

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1982: Andria’s Seafood Restaurant and Market opened at Ventura Harbor Village on May 13, 1982 and this family business has operated continuously since that date. www.andriasseafood.com

1982: Don Cuco Mexican Restaurant opened in Simi Valley in 1982. It is located at 3991 Cochran Street. www.doncuco.com

1984: P & L Burgers at 2000-A East Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks originally opened in 1984, making it the oldest burger place in the Conejo Valley. pandlburgers.com

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The Oldest Eateries in Ventura County that closed in recent years:

1947: Lupe’s Mexican Restaurant on Thousand Oaks Blvd in Thousand Oaks closed its doors in August 2016, after 69 years in business.

Lupe’s Mexican Food in Thousand Oaks in 1975. (Photo courtesy Thousand Oaks Library Conejo Through the Lens Collection.)

Lupe’s Mexican Food in Thousand Oaks in 1975. (Photo courtesy Thousand Oaks Library Conejo Through the Lens Collection.)

1949: The Sportsman Restaurant at 53 S. California Street in Ventura closed in 2018. The Camarillo location at 4426 Central Avenue is still open. www.sportsmancamarillo.com

Familia Diaz operated at 245 S. 10th Street in Santa Paula from 1936 to 2015. It was sold to new owners, and now operates as Chapala Mexican Restaurant. chapalamexicanrestaurantca.com

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Familia Diaz in Santa Paula changed ownership and is now called Chapala Mexican Restaurant. We’ll keep this image here in memory of the previous occupant.

Dorothy’s Chuck Wagon Cafe was located at 2344 Ventura Blvd in Old Town Camarillo. The building was constructed in 1944 and original owner Larry Logue opened Larry’s Malt Shop there in 1946. It was Carmen’s Snack Bar when owned by Ed and Carmen Quinn. Dorothy Johnson took over as new owner in 1983. In June 2022 she announced the cafe had closed. The building was sold in May 2022.

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The former Dorothy’s Chuck Wagon Cafe in Old Town Camarillo (closed in June 2022).

The Golden Chicken Inn was located at 701 S. Oxnard Boulevard in Oxnard (at 7th Street) opened in 1929 but changed ownership and became New Chicken in the summer of 2025. It is one of the last remaining Chinese structures in the area. www.newchickenoxnard.com

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Golden Chicken Inn in Oxnard opened in 1929 and became “new chicken” under new ownership in 2025.

The Ranch House originally opened at its quaint location at 102 Besant Road in Ojai in 1956. In July 2025 it was reopened under new ownership as The Rochers at the Ranch House. Learn more at www.therochersrh.com.

Mugu Rock Then and Now

Mugu Rock is a large rock formation formed when a 200 foot deep cut was made into the rocky ridge from October 1937 to February 1940. Prior to the modern day PCH at Mugu Rock (at the time called U.S. 101 Alternate (State Route 60), drivers went around a 275 foot radius curve that is now fenced off.

The photos in the video above from the October 1940 edition of California Highways and Public Works show what it looked like before, during and after the cut was made, compared to what it looks like today.

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

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

NEW: kidSTREAM Children’s Museum is premiering on Thursday, May 21, 2026 at 3100 E. Ponderosa Drive in Camarillo. With a focus on science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math (the “STREAM” in kidSTREAM), this children’s museum inspires curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking skills in young learners.

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

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.

Over 40 Things To Do in Santa Barbara

Incorporated on April 9, 1850, the city of Santa Barbara is a popular destination for Ventura County residents as it can be reached in an hour or less via the 101.  Santa Barbara is referred to as the American Riviera, with the longest south-facing section of coastline on the west coast.

The city was inhabited by the Chumash over 13,000 years ago. But it received its name from Spanish explorer Sebastian Vizcaino in 1602 when he entered the channel on the 4th of December, the day of the feast of Santa Barbara.

If I had to move from the Conejo Valley to some other place in the world, Santa Barbara would be on my short list for its temperate weather, laid back feel and so many things to do, which we highlight below.

Santa Barbara Harbor