Lake Shrine Meditation Gardens in Pacific Palisades

The Self-Realization Fellowship Lake Shrine was dedicated by Paramahansa Yogananda in 1950. This is a 10 acre spiritual sanctuary located at 17190 Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades, about 25 miles from the Conejo Valley.

The beautiful site hosts a natural spring-fed lake along with gardens, swans, ducks, koi and trees and flowers from around the world.

The grounds include a Court of Religions honoring the five principal religions of the world, the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial where a portion of Gandhi's ashes is enshrined, a museum with exhibits on Paramahansa Yogananda's work, and a gift shop with arts and crafts from India.

The temple itself is on a hilltop overlooking the lake. A beautiful and peaceful place indeed.

The Gardens and Lake are open Tuesday - Saturday: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday: 12:00 noon to 4:30 pm (closed on Monday)

The Visitors' Center is open Tuesday - Saturday: 9:00 am to 4:30 pm and Sunday: 12:00 noon to 4:30 pm

Learn more at www.lakeshrine.org.

Ventura County Trails Website

For maps, descriptions, photos, videos and news about local Ventura County trails, check out www.VenturaCountyTrails.org.

If you are looking for extremely detailed information, like trailhead locations, trail distances, ascents and descents, this is the site for you.  A great resource for local hikers, bikers and runners.

FOR DETAILS ON LOCAL HIKES HERE ON CONEJO VALLEY GUIDE, CLICK HERE

Malibu Wines Tasting Room

Malibu Wines Tasting Room is an outdoor tasting room open to guests ages 21 and older, 7 days a week from 11am-6pm. Malibu Wines has live music year round on Saturday and Sunday from 1-3 (weather permitting) and in the summer through September, also has Thursday movie showings and live music from 7-9 on Fridays and Saturdays through October. There is never an entrance fee, but there is a one bottle minimum purchase per group of 4 (most bottles range from $20-$35). Guests are welcome to bring their own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Reservations are not necessary unless you have a group of 10 or more.

Malibu Wines is located at 31740 Mulholland Drive in Malibu. Visit www.malibuwines.com or call 818.865.0605 to learn more.

BeadTime Beading Shop in Camarillo

BeadTime is located in the Mission Oaks Business Park at 5217 Verdugo Way, Suite F, Camarillo, offering a full line of quality stones, pearls, glass, seed beeds, sterling silver, classes and more for the serious beader. Visit www.beadtime.com or call 805.482.5256 for more information.

City of Agoura Hills Community Programs and Activities

The City of Agoura Hills Community Services Department includes both parks maintenance and recreational classes and events. Toddlers to teens, adults and seniors all enjoy high quality recreation activities.  There are hundreds of programs, classes and events available in the quarterly catalog at ci.agoura-hills.ca.us. For more info call 818.597.7361.

Stiix Billiards in Ventura

Stiix Billiards at 2520 E. Main St in Ventura is a family billiards center open 7 days a week, with over a dozen billiards table, weekly leagues/tournaments, several dozen types of beer, music, TV, music, food and more. Visit www.stiixbilliards.com or call 805.641.2020.

Farmers' Market in Thousand Oaks

The Thousand Oaks Farmers’ Market is located at The Oaks Shopping Center located on the east end parking lot at the corner of Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Wilbur Road. Operating hours are 1:30 pm to 6:30 pm. on THURSDAYS.

This long-running farmers' market is a great place to buy fruits, vegetables, plants, eggs, nuts, honey and flowers from local farmers, as well as delicacies such as fresh tamales, baked goods and other goodies from local vendors.

Visit the VCCFM website at www.vccfarmersmarkets.com for details.

FOR MORE INFO ABOUT VENTURA COUNTY FARMERS' MARKETS, CLICK HERE

+EV Games in Camarillo

Located at 300 N. Lantana Street (cross street Daily) in Camarillo, +EV Games is a Magic the Gathering and other Trading Card Games Tournament Center. With space for over 60 people +EV Games has one of the best places in the state to play Magic, your favorite board game or other TCG.

More information at www.plusevgames.com or call 805.389.7428.

Social, Hobby, Cultural and Networking Clubs and Groups Around Ventura County

For well over 100 groups, clubs and organizations covering a wide range of interests, throughout Ventura County, click THIS LINK.

Service Groups and Professional Organizations In and Around Ventura County

Click THIS LINK for a list of service clubs (e.g. Kiwanis, Rotary, Assistance League, etc.) and professional organizations and groups throughout Ventura County.

Music, Art and Dance Clubs and Organizations Around Ventura County

Click HERE for a list of links to music, art and dance clubs and groups in and around Ventura County.

The Derby Club at Ventura County Fairgrounds

Bet the ponies from across the country in a beautiful setting by the Pacific Ocean.  And I'm not talking Del Mar.  The Derby Club located at Ventura County Fairgrounds features full service bars and restaurants combined with the ability to watch races and bet on them through satellite wagering. Have a snack, a drink or a meal while you watch your favorite horse at your favorite track. There is no membership.

Located at 10 W. Harbor Boulevard, Ventura. Visit http://venturacountyfair.org/pages/3780/ or call 805.653.2533 for more information.

Open Wednesday through Monday. Hours of operation and admission vary according to the area to be enjoyed, the type of racing to be simulcast (thoroughbred, harness, or quarter horse) and whether racing is during the day or the evening. Information and pricing below was last updated in Summer 2012:

The Island View Room is open for any racing on Saturdays, Sundays and special race days. Admission is $12 (seniors 62 and older and military personnel $10.00)

The Surfside Room is open for all southern host track thoroughbred racing. Admission is $8.00 (seniors 62 and older and military personnel $6.00)

The Shore Room is open for all racing, day and night. Admission is $4.00 (seniors 62 and older and military personnel $2.00)

Admission for nighttime quarter horse and harness racing is free, except when southern host track thoroughbreds are racing. No one under the age of 18 is permitted to the Derby Club.

Special Events: Kentucky Derby, Belmont Stakes, Preakness Stakes, Breeder’s Cup

Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District Programs in Camarillo

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District serves an area of approximately 44 square miles and has grown from one park to 29 parks since its inception in 1962. Within the District, numerous recreational facilities exists, including indoor swimming pool, lighted ball fields, tennis courts, racquetball courts, skate park, senior center, a running track at Arneill Ranch Park, children's play equipment, picnic shelters, barbecues and much more.

Visit www.pvrpd.org for more information and for the PVRPD's latest Recreation Magazine with hundreds and hundreds of community classes, special events, summer camps and programs.  Or call 805.482.1996.