Spring Canyon Trail Hike in Thousand Oaks

The Spring Canyon Trail is a short, fairly easy hike in the Newbury Park/Thousand Oaks section of the Los Robles Trail system that is great family fun.

Although a good portion of the Spring Canyon Trail is flat like this, there definitely are some moderately hilly sections.

This one mile trail runs east from the vicinity of Lynn Oaks Park, 359 Capitan Street, Newbury Park as well from the eastern terminus of Hemlock Lane, at Heavenly Valley Road in Newbury Park (in the Ventu Park community) to a juncture where you can either continue straight ahead for about a half a mile towards the Los Robles Trail access point at South Moorpark Road and Greenmeadow Avenue in Thousand Oaks or veer up "Space Mountain" on the right. (The views at the top of Space Mountain are awesome but this is a bit of a climb and is very popular with mountain bikers...probably not the best direction with little ones).

The path that takes you from Lynn Oaks Park to the Spring Canyon Trail.

Sign above Lynn Oaks Park that tells you that to the left is Los Robles Trail and to the right is the Hemlock Lane gate in Ventu Park.

Out and back you can make this a 2 to 3 mile moderate hike or more if you add in the Oak Creek Canyon Loop or Los Robles Nature Walk.

Sign at the east terminus of Spring Canyon Trail indicating Moorpark Road is half a mile away. Behind me is the trail toward "Space Mountain" and Los Robles Trail going east towards Newbury Park.

You can also park your car at the Moorpark Road/Greenmeadow trailhead and make your way west towards the Spring Canyon Trail and perhaps eat lunch or snack at Lynn Oaks Park (which by the way also has a nice playground area, basketball court and more...but no restroom however).

Paramount Ranch Recreation Area in Agoura

The Woolsey Fire in November 2018 destroyed the historic structures at Paramount Ranch described below. However, there is a plan to rebuild four of the structures in 2023-2024. More information at www.nps.gov/samo/learn/historyculture/paramount-past-present-and-future.htm.

Paramount Ranch Western Town Aerial View (Courtesy NPS)

Paramount Ranch is located in Agoura off of Cornell Road, between Kanan Road and Mulholland.  Click here for a map in a pdf file on the National Park Service website.

Paramount Pictures originally purchased 2,700 acres here for use as a "movie ranch" in 1927 and since then, hundreds of movies and TV shows have been filmed there.  A permanent western town was built on the site in the early 1950s using old Paramount Pictures props.  Before the Woolsey Fire of 2018, you could walk freely around these old sets.

Before the Woolsey Fire of November 2018.

The Western Town sign and bridge is still there but most everything surrounding it is burnt after the Woolsey Fire of November 2018.

Western Town at Paramount Ranch destroyed in the Woolsey Fire.

A beacon of hope. Two structures were unharmed in the Woolsey Fire - this church building seen in the TV series “Westworld” and the train station.

A list of movies filmed at Paramount Ranch is here.  These include films like The Last Outlaw (Gary Cooper), The Virginian (Gary Cooper), Tom Sawyer, Huckleberry Finn (Jackie Coogan), Million Dollar Legs (W.C. Fields), Adventures of Marco Polo, Remember  the Night (Barbara Stanwyck) and many more.  From 1992 to 1997, the TV show, Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (featuring Jane Seymour) was filmed there.

Beyond the western town, there are plenty of hiking trails at the park.  More information at www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/paramountranch.htm or call the NPS at 805.370.2301.

Sunset Hills Trail in Thousand Oaks

The Sunset Hills Trail is easily accessible off of Erbes Road in Thousand Oaks, just 7/10ths of a mile north of Sunset Hills Boulevard, just past Fernleaf Court.

There's a triangular dirt parking lot on the east.

This is a pretty easy mile or so trail that takes you past the Bard Lake Reservoir. The reservoir is of course is fenced in but you'll be treated to its beauty as you make your way up. Lake Bard is owned by the Calleguas Water District for storage of up to 10,000 acre-feet (3.3 billion gallons) of water used to meet peak summer demand and emergency requirements.

In fact, most all the way up this fairly gentle, hilly slope, you'll get some great panoramic views of the entire area, including the Conejo Valley, Simi Hills and looking west towards Camarillo/Oxnard. Continue east and you will reach the Woodridge Open Space in Thousand Oaks.

The Sunset Hills Trail is maintained by the Conejo Open Space Foundation. More information at cosf.org/trails/other-trails/easy-hike-sunset-hills-trail.

An additional, and perhaps more popular hike provides even better view of the Bard Reservoir. Take the additional loop in the shape of Maine (kind of) either clockwise or from the first juncture or counterclockwise after cresting the hill. If you go to the top of the hill take the trail on the left and continue onwards. You will see some steps and a bench to take in the views along the way.

(Map courtesy of the conejo Open Space Foundation) Green highlighted section is a nice loop to hike - good family hike.

After cresting the first hill from Erbes Road, find the loop trail on the left.

A short walk to this bench that overlooks Bard Reservoir.

Continue on the trail until it loops around and goes south., parallel to Highway 23

Soon you will be back at the main trail, passing through this tree-tunneled section.

DOZENS OF TRAILS IN AND AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Triunfo Canyon Trail in Westlake Village

If you are looking for peaceful trails and outstanding panoramic views of the Conejo Valley from Thousand Oaks to Westlake Village, Hidden Valley and beyond, take a look at the Triunfo Canyon Trail, accessible from Triunfo Community Park, Triunfo Canyon Road at Tamarack Street in Westlake Village.

The trailhead is on the northwest end of the park, near the tennis courts. It is a beautiful, winding, single track canyon trail for most of the first mile or so, then links up to the main Los Robles Trail and utility road, which is much wider.

Views of the Westlake Lake area from the Triunfo Canyon Trail.

You'll discover some steps to a bench at the top offering a birds eye view of the surrounding areas. It really is spectacular up there and the images here don't come close to doing the view justice.

Bench at the top of the hill allows you to catch your breath and take in the sights.

From the bench, either turn around and go back down the hill or continue your way on if you'd like to the Los Robles Trail, above the Los Padres Trail.

One thing I'll say about these trails is that they seem particularly rocky, so wear decent shoes, as you don't want to twist your ankle. A bit of a climb to get up there; about 1,000 feet.

Learn more about the trail on the Conejo Open Space Foundation website at cosf.org/trails/los-robles/los-robles-moderate-hike-triunfo-park-to-east-los-robles-trail.

COMPILATION OF GREAT TRAILS AND HIKES AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks

Janss Marketplace at 275 North Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks (corner of Moorpark Road and Hillcrest) is an open air mall that has a large outdoor eating area, interactive water fountain, monthly Kids Fun Zone and outdoor kids play area.

Retailers and other businesses at Janss Marketplace include Gold's Gym, Ulta Beauty, Old Navy, Nordstrom Rack, DSW Shoe Warehouse, Aldi, Five Below, Petco and others.

Eateries include Buca di Beppo, Panera Bread, Karma Indian Cuisine, Crazy King Kong Sushi, Lucky's Dog House, Sunset Terrace Restaurant, Greco's New York Pizzeria, Cold Stone Creamery, Sharky's, Matcha Tea and Boba, Janchi Korean BBQ, California Fish Grill, Eureka Brewing Company, Starbucks, Wingstop, O’t Bistro and Pieology.

And for entertainment, there’s Regal Cinemas, Defy Extreme Sports, Dave & Buster’s and The Mighty Axe.

There are plans for a 5-story, 216 room Homewood Suites & Home2 Suites hotel on the property that includes 13,000 sq ft of retail space. Pending zoning approvals for a 75 foot height, construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2024, with a target opening date of winter 2025.

For more information visit www.janssmarketplace.net or call 805.495.4662.

In 2009 the Janss Marketplace added a NEOS Wall, a fun interactive game right outside the Golds Gym.  This game is free. 

Some former occupants of Janss Marketplace: Toys R Us (summer 2018) Wachovia Banking Center (closed April 2011), Akio’s Sushi (Oct 2012; now Crazy King Kong Sushi), Sizzler/Fuddruckers/Hooters (currently vacant), TGI Fridays (2012)/DISH (Nov 2013) (now Janchi), Aaron Brothers (2018), Tuesday Morning (June 2012), Radio Shack, Marshalls, Mervyn’s, Mann 9 Theatres/Regency Theatres (now Regal Cinemas), Burger King/Salad Gourmet (2016)/Poke Tiki (Apr 2019). Subway (August 2019)., The Dudes' Brewing Company (March 2020). Burlington Coat Factory (July 2021) and Naru Bento (June 2022).

Janss Marketplace History

• Originated in the 1960s as the Conejo Village Shopping Center. Also referred to as “The Mall.”

• Changed its name to Janss Mall in August 1978. This came four months after The Oaks mall opened in Thousand Oaks. A key reason for the name change was to distinguish the “old” mall from the new mall.

• Changed its name to Janss Marketplace in 1995, when it added the Mann 9 Theatres, Mervyns, Linens N’ Things, Best Products and other businesses.

Janss Mall sign in Thousand Oaks News Chronicle - November 12, 1978

Conejo Canyons Bridge and Trails in Thousand Oaks

In 2012, the Conejo Canyons bridge was constructed in Thousand Oaks, opening up more trails to explore in the Western Plateau area of Thousand Oaks, which ties into Wildwood Park. Check the map at cosf.org/conejo-canyons for trail maps.

Access the Conejo Canyons bridge via Santa Rosa Road. Coming from Thousand Oaks, take Moorpark Road north down the Norwegian Grade, where it intersects with Santa Rosa Road. Continue about 3.7 miles on Santa Rosa Road and make a left on Hill Canyon Road. Drive down Hill Canyon Road and you will see a large, flat dirt parking area on the right, adjacent to Santa Rosa Valley Regional Park.

Sign on Santa Rosa Road at Hill Canyon (coming from Camarillo)

Parking area on Hill Canyon Road, as seen from the Canyon Overlook Trail leading to Lizard Rock.

Park and you'll see the Conejo Canyons bridge just south, which takes you to the Hill Canyon Trail, a flat path that after a mile takes you to an intersection. At the intersection, you can turn around, go straight ahead to the Hawk Canyon Trail, take a right turn to the hilly Western Plateau Trail or veer left to make your way to the Arroyo Conejo Trail that ultimately takes you about 2 1/2 miles to the Rancho Conejo Playfields in Newbury Park.

Or go west to the steep Canyon Overlook Trail, a zig zagging hill that takes you to Lizard Rock in Wildwood Park. The hill is a fun challenge with the kids and you'll be rewarded with great panoramic views towards Boney Mountain, Camarillo, Ojai and Simi.

Conejo Canyons Bridge that takes you to the Hill Canyon Trail

Conejo Canyons views

View towards Lizard Rock

Libbey Bowl and Libbey Park in Ojai

Libbey Bowl and Libbey Park are located in the heart of Ojai near the corner of Ojai Avenue and Signal Street. Libbey Bowl was originally built in 1957 and has been used for the annual Ojai Music Festival, Storytelling Festival, Ojai Day event, holiday celebrations and many other community events through the years. Beginning in 2008, the bowl was renovated and in 2011 was reopened with a new look and design. It accommodates 1,300 people. Learn more about Libbey Bowl at www.libbeybowl.org.

Both Libbey Bowl and Libbey Park are named after Ojai's greatest benefactor, Edward Libbey, a glass manufacturer from Toledo, Ohio. Libbey donated the park to the city in 1917. In front of the park is a shaded pergola along the main "arcade" section of Downtown Ojai.

The park contains a community playground that was designed and built with the help of over 500 volunteers in 2015. It contains a beautiful new play structure and other features that leapfrog what used to be a fairly outdated play area to one of the nicest ones in Ventura County. Visit THIS POST for more information.

This is a photo of the OLD play structure that was replaced in October 2015.

The new playground!

There are also plenty of benches and seating areas, restrooms, shade trees and tennis courts at Libbey Park. Learn more on the City of Ojai website at www.ojairec.com/460/Libbey-Park.

The Canyon Club - Agoura Hills

Looking for some of the top music acts of the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s nearby in an intimate setting with a great dinner?  Visit the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills!

Tickets vary in price based on the artist and reserved seating requires dinner reservations.  Unreserved seats typically require a two drink minimum.

The dinner menu includes grilled ribeye, filet mignon, salmon, lasagna and more, with a variety of mouth watering starters, salads, sides and desserts. 

Performers have included Kansas, Styx, Cheap Trick, Berlin, Peter Frampton, Blues Traveler, Boys II Men, Hootie and the Blowfish, Pat Benatar, Bonnie Tyler, Don Rickles, Davy Jones of the Monkees, The Smothers Brothers, B-52s, Air Supply, Rick Springfield, John Hiatt, Frankie Valle, Leon Russell, Jonny Lang, Foreigner and more.

Visit wheremusicmeetsthesoul.com/canyon-agoura-hills for schedules, ticket sales, menu and other information. Located at 28912 Roadside Drive, Agoura Hills.

One of the most recognizable features of the Canyon Club...the blue star thingys hanging from the ceiling.

Santa Barbara Arts & Crafts Show

The Santa Barbara Arts and Crafts Show runs along Cabrillo Boulevard from State Street east about a mile every Sunday as well as Saturdays of major holiday weekends, barring bad weather. Hours are 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. This is truly a unique show in that only local Santa Barbara artists and artisans, around 200 of them, display their original drawings, paintings, sculptures, crafts and photos. This show has operated since 1965 and has been sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Department since 1966.

So make a day of it and check out the show and take in some of the other great activities in Santa Barbara while you're at it. And of course buy something to support local artists!

Learn more about the show at sbparksandrec.santabarbaraca.gov/activities/community-events/santa-barbara-arts-crafts-show.

Thousand Oaks Community Gallery

The Thousand Oaks Community Gallery at 2331-A Borchard Road, Newbury Park opened in February 1991 and was the realization of the combined efforts of the City Of Thousand Oaks, area art organizations and dedicated art patrons. The 3,000 sq ft gallery hosts visual arts exhibitions, workshops, artist presentations and special events, and is enhanced with a multi-purpose area that includes kitchen facilities and is available for group tours and special events. Original art is available for purchase for personal or corporate collections. The gallery showcases outstanding work of acclaimed, professional and emerging artists who present an exceptional array of original imagery, artistic techniques and visual styles.

Gallery operations are under the direction of City staff and a steering committee, consisting of regional visual arts association representatives and dedicated arts leaders. Operating costs are covered by a modest user fee paid by exhibiting artists and an active volunteer corps serve as staff. Gallery hours vary by exhibit.

More information at www.tolibrary.org/services/get-involved/thousand-oaks-community-art-gallery

Conejo Players Theatre in Thousand Oaks

The Conejo Players is a community based theatre arts group that has entertained local residents since 1958.  It is a volunteer based non-profit organization that hosts six productions each year, as well as several productions geared towards kids.

The 185 seat Conejo Players Theatre is located at 351 South Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks, just south of the 101 near the Los Robles Greens entrance.  Phone is 805.495.3715.  www.conejoplayers.org

Thousand Oaks Philharmonic

Founded in 2000, the Thousand Oaks Philharmonic is a non-profit educational organization with a mission of providing young artists opportunities to perform with a professional symphony.

The Philharmonic performs three series of concerts per year at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center Thousand Oaks and several other locations.

For information about upcoming concerts, visit www.tophil.org.

Santa Barbara Museum of Art

The Santa Barbara Museum of Art was established in June 1941 at 1130 State Street, in a building that housed the Santa Barbara Post Office from 1914 to 1932. The Museum has been expanded to 60,000 sq ft over the years, including exhibition galleries, Museum store, cafe, a 154-seat auditorium, a library containing 50,000 books and 55,000 slides, a children’s gallery dedicated to participatory interactive programming and an 11,500 sq ft off-site facility, the Ridley-Tree Education Center at McCormick House.

As one of the leading art museums on the West Coast, the Santa Barbara Museum of Art serves a diverse audience of approximately 150,000 people annually. The Museum offers a wide variety of educational and interpretive programs.

The Museum’s strengths lie in the following areas: Ancient Art, Asian Art (Chinese, Japanese, Indian and Tibetan), French and English 19th and early 20th Century Art, 19th and early 20th Century American Art, International Modernism, Works on Paper, Photography and Contemporary Art.

Hours of operation are Tuesday through Sunday, 11am to 5pm; FREE Thursday evening admission from 5-8PM! Admission (as of September 2023) is $10 for adults and $6 for seniors, students with ID and children ages 6-17. Under 6is free. Free to Museum members. Closed most major holidays.

Visit www.sbma.net or call 805.963.4364 for more information.