Free Concerts and Live Music All Summer Long Around Ventura County

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Summer 2024 will be here soon and we’ll have another outstanding summer of free live music throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas! Rock, jazz, pops, R&B, reggae, classical, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, Classic Rock, Latin, tribute bands, etc. The compilation below has links to more detailed information.

Concerts subject to change. List will be updated regularly as new events are added.

Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village/Newbury Park

Agoura/Oak Park/Calabasas/Woodland Hills

  • City of Agoura Hills Free Summer Concert in the Park at Chumash Park (except 7/21 concert at the Agoura Hills High PAEC. Concerts start at 6pm.

    • Sun, June 16: Foo Fighters Tribute

    • Sun, July 7: Neil Diamond Tribute

    • Sun, July 21: Conejo Valley Community Concert and Jazz Bands (at AHS PAEC)

    • Sun, Aug 4: Taylor Swift Tribute

    • Sun, Aug 18: The Yacht Groove

  • Valley Cultural Foundation’s Free Concerts at Warner Park in Woodland Hills on Sunday nights from June 16 to August 25 at 5:30PM (emerging artist) followed by headline acts.

    • June 16: Linda Ronstadt Tribute

    • June 23: The Soul Juice Band

    • June 30: The Doors Tribute

    • Thursday, July 4: 4th of July Event with Angela O’Neill and Outrageous8

    • July 14: Foreigner Tribute

    • July 21: Fleetwood Mac Tribute

    • July 28: Prince Tribute

    • Aug 4: Bon Jovi Tribute

    • Aug 11: ABBA Tribute

    • Aug 18: Taylor Swift Tribute

    • Aug 25: Aerosmith Tribute

  • Sun Sets Summer Concert Series at Calabasas Lake on Sunday nights at 6pm.

    • June 2: Tribute to Grease

    • July 21: On Tap Band (80s/90s)

    • Aug 11: U2 Tribute

    • Aug 25: R&B/Motown

  • Music in the Park at Oak Canyon Community Park in Oak Park on Saturday, July 13th (DSB - Journey Tribute)

Moorpark/Simi Valley

  • Summer Music in the Park Free Concerts at Rancho Simi Community Park on Saturday nights at 6:30pm.

    • Sat, June 15: Garth Brooks Tribute

    • Sat, July 20: Foo Fighters Tribute

    • Sat, August 17: Queen Nation (Queen Tribute)

  • Simi Civic Center Plaza Concerts in the Courtyard on six designated Sat nights from 6-9pm.

    • Saturday, June 29: 805 Social Club (Dance/Pop)

    • Saturday, July 13: Sidetracs (Top 40, R&B, Latin)

    • Saturday, July 27: Little Alice (Top 40)

    • Saturday, August 10: Beatles Tribute

    • Saturday, August 24: Pat Benatar Tribute

    • Saturday, September 7: The Dirty Lowdown (Yacht Rock/80s)

  • City of Moorpark Concerts in the Park at Arroyo Vista Park at 6pm

    • June 22: Rockin’ Oldies

    • July 27: Country/Pop/Rock

    • Aug 24: Classic Piano Rock

    • Sept 28: Moorpark Symphony Orchestra

Camarillo/Oxnard/Port Hueneme/Ventura

Santa Barbara

Free Thursday Night Concerts at Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara on Thursday nights, June 27 and July 11, 18, 25 and August 8 from 6-7:30pm.

Have something to add to this list? CONTACT US!!

Check the Events Calendar for things going on around town as well as the Local Events and Community Messages sections of Conejo Valley Guide.

Erbes Road in Thousand Oaks Named After Early Settlers in the Conejo Valley

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Courtesy of Thousand Oaks Library calisphere.org/item/ark:/13030/c8w093ww

Courtesy of Thousand Oaks Library

calisphere.org/item/ark:/13030/c8w093ww

This is Elizabeth Opper Erbes. She is the mother of Ernest and Otto Erbes, who were early settlers in the Conejo Valley.

Otto (born in 1885, passed in 1959) owned a walnut orchard on what is now Erbes Road.

Estella Park on Erbes Road just south of Hillcrest is located on land donated to the city by Otto Erbes and his wife.

Erbes Road is a major north/south artery in the City of Thousand Oaks, stretching just over 5 miles, from Calle Zocolo, north of Olsen Road, on the north, to Thousand Oaks Boulevard on the south.

Olsen Road is also named after early Conejo Valley pioneer Nils Olsen. Olsen and four Norwegian compatriots purchased 650 acres of land from George Edwards in 1890.

Stay Cool in the Pool! Community Swimming Throughout Ventura County

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Stay cool this summer and year-round at some of these community swimming pools, water parks and splash pads in Ventura County and surrounding areas. For updates and additions, contact us!

Conejo Valley (Conejo Recreation & Park District)

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Community Pool at Cal Lutheran University Samuelson Aquatics Center is a year-round facility, offering recreational and lap swimming 7 days a week. Call 805.241.0894 or visit www.crpd.org. General admission is $4 ($3 for 62+ with ID). Water is heated up to 82 degrees year round.  www.crpd.org/aquatics.

Newbury Park High School Community Swimming Pool is at 456 Reino Road. Open during the summer only. Entry fee $4 per person. Call 805.498.6906 or visit www.crpd.org/facilities/community-pools.

Thousand Oaks High School Community Swimming Pool is at 2323 N. Moorpark Road is open during the summer only. Call 805.496.8564 or visit www.crpd.org/facilities/community-pools.

Conejo Valley/Agoura - Other

Children’s Splash Pad/Water Area at Oak Canyon Community Park, 5600 Hollytree Drive, Oak Park. Hours of operation are 10am to 7pm. 2024 Splash Pad season opens Saturday, May 25 and ends on Monday, September 2. Free of charge. 818.865.9304

Kids love the Interactive Fountain at Janss Marketplace.

Moorpark/Simi Valley

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District offers a large community swimming pool at Rancho Simi Community Park, 1765 Royal Avenue. Pool hours at www.rsrpd.org/recreation/aquatics.php but open rec hours are 1-3pm M-F 6/10 to 8/14 and 1-4pm Sat/Sun 6/8 to 9/8 . Admission $4 for ages 2 to 49 and $2 ages 50+.

Rancho Tapo Splash Pad

Rancho Tapo Splash Pad

Childrens' Splash Pad Area at Rancho Tapo Community Park, 3700 Avenida Simi. Free. Opens Saturday, May 25, 2024 and closes on Monday, September 2nd. Hours are 11am to 2pm and 3-7pm daily. www.rsrpd.org/business_detail_T9_R45.php

Simi Valley Aquatics is available for swim lessons and birthday parties only.

Simi Valley Family YMCA heated indoor swimming pool open 7 days/week.

Camarillo/Oxnard

Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center offers an indoor swimming pool with eight swimming lanes, a one meter diving board, 65 foot spiral water slide and more. Pool heated between 81 and 83 degrees. Open Tues/Thur/Fri/Sat for recreational swim from 1:30-4pm 6/17 to 8/23. $4 for ages 4+, free to ages 3 and under and $3 ages 60+. Visit www.pvrpd.org/aquatics or call 805.987.8198. 

Camarillo Family YMCA swimming pool open Mon-Sat. Call 805.484.0423 or visit www.ciymca.org/locations/camarillo-family-ymca

There's a "Pop Jet Fountain" at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard, on Town Center Drive in front of the Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar and adjacent to Larsen's Grill.

Ventura and Up the Coast

Ventura Aquatic Center has a 25 meter recreational pool, 50 meter competition pool, playground pool, two slides, and more! Open swim free for age 2 and under, $10 for ages 3 and up. Visit www.cityofventura.ca.gov/612/Aquatics or call 805.654.7511 for details. BEST TO RESERVE A SPOT IN ADVANCE AS CAPACITY IS LIMITED. Open swim schedule for summer 2024 (June 17-Aug 9) is 1-4:30pm Mon-Fri and 12:30-4pm Sat/Sun.

Casitas Water Adventure is open all summer on select days - the Lazy River, Mega Play Unit Structure with 2 water buckets and 5 slides (2 for children; 3 for teens/adults), Splash Pad and Lagoon. 2024 season runs from May 25 to August 13 (weekdays); September 14 (for weekends). Weekend morning sessions 10:30 am to 2 pm and afternoon sessions 3 to 6:30 pm. Weekday hours are 11am to 6pm.

Call 805.649.2233 or visit www.casitaswater.org/casitas-water-adventure to learn more and reserve a spot. Cost is $20 per person on weekdays and $23 for weekends. Free entry for under two years of age.

Ventura Family YMCA has 2 indoor heated swimming pools and is open 7 days/week.

Carpinteria Community Pool is located at 5305 Carpinteria Avenue. Day passes are $5 for 12 and under, $7.00 for ages 13-64, $5 for seniors. Recreational swimming on weekdays varies; Saturdays from 11am to 3pm. Visit carpinteriaca.gov/parks-and-recreation/carpinteria-community-pool for more information.

The Leo Robbins Community Sailing Center at Marina Park in Ventura is a U.S. Sailing Association certified facility for lessons in sailing, kayaking and navigation for all ages.

Other Places Around Town

The Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center located at 23400 Park Sorrento is open 7 days/week. $7 for adults, $4 for seniors $1 for kids under 13. (3 and under are free). Pool hours vary. Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/tennis-swim-center or call 818.222.2782. Pools heated to 82 degrees year-round.

The Splash Pad at De Anza Park at 3701 Lost Hills Road, Calabasas is usually open during the summer Mon-Fri 11am to 5pm

Malibu Community Pool at Malibu High School, 30215 Morning View Drive. Outdoor pool heated to 82 degrees. $3 per person. Visit www.malibucity.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Malibu-Community-Pool-7 or call 310.589.1933 for details.

The Fillmore Aquatics Center at 575 1st Street opens Memorial Day through Labor Day each year for recreational swimming Monday through Friday from 11:30am-3:45pm and Saturdays 10am to 4pm. More information and fees at www.fillmoreca.com/176/Parks-Recreation or 805.524.4902. 

And let's not forget the incredible BEACHES close by! CLICK HERE for links to over 40 public beaches throughout Ventura County, stretching north to Carpinteria and south to Malibu.

Water Parks Outside of Ventura County

Knott's Soak City in Buena Park (about 70 miles from Thousand Oaks)

Legoland California Water Park in Carlsbad (135 miles from Thousand Oaks)

Raging Waters Water Park in San Dimas (75 miles from Thousand Oaks)

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor in Valencia (50 miles from Thousand Oaks)

Hansen Dam Aquatic Center in Lakeview Terrace with a large pool, cabanas and two water slides. 

The Pedestrian Tunnel Under Avenida De Los Arboles in Thousand Oaks

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There's a pedestrian tunnel that connects the Wildflower Playfield on Avenida De Los Arboles at Canna Street that goes underneath Arboles to Wildwood Neighborhood Park.

At the west end of Wildwood Neighborhood Park is a trail that will take you into Wildwood Park, and from there, you can either loop around back to the main Wildwood Park trailhead at the west end of Arboles, or turn back the way you came.

Wildwood Neighborhood Park was home to the original Wildwood Fort, built in 1967, but torn down in 2009 due to deterioration. New playground equipment was installed in 2021. There is also a playground across the street at Wildflower Playfield, along with restrooms at both parks. More info at www.crpd.org.

Playground at Wildwood Neighborhood Park

The History of Lake Sherwood

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Lake Sherwood as seen from the Sandstone Peak trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Lake Sherwood as seen from the Sandstone Peak trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.

Lake Sherwood is an unincorporated community of about 1,500 residents in Ventura County overlooking the Lake Sherwood reservoir. It is south of Thousand Oaks and west of Westlake Village, off of Potrero Road,  accessible via Westlake Boulevard on the east and Wendy Drive and Reino Road in Newbury Park on the west.

For centuries, the Conejo Valley was inhabited by the Chumash. The Spanish came into the picture in the late 18th century and, when passing through what is now Hidden Valley, named the area the Potrero Valley.

The Potrero Valley was part of the original 48,761 acres constituting Rancho El Conejo. After California became the 31st state in 1850, a land commission was appointed to determine who owned land grants in the area.

Rancho El Conejo was sold in 1872 to John Edwards and Howard Mills. Mills received 22,240 acres that included the Potrero Valley in 1874. Mills sold the southeastern 8,476 acres to Joseph and Isabell McLaren Howard in 1875.

Photo of the Howard Ranch in the 1880s. The Howard residence was near where Triunfo Park is today in Westlake Village. (Courtesy of Conejo Through the Lens Collection; Thousand Oaks Library Special Collections.)

Photo of the Howard Ranch in the 1880s. The Howard residence was near where Triunfo Park is today in Westlake Village. (Courtesy of Conejo Through the Lens Collection; Thousand Oaks Library Special Collections.)

In 1888, the Howards sold the land to the Banning Company of Long Beach. In 1896, W. H. Matthiessen bought the Potrero Ranch from Banning. Then in 1904, Matthiessen built a 45 foot dam (originally called Alturas Dam) that created Potrero Lake (also referred to as Lake Matthiessen). Total capacity of the 156 acre lake, which today is called Lake Sherwood, is 877 million gallons of water.

In the early 1920s, the area around the lake was transformed into Sherwood Forest for the filming of Robin Hood, featuring Douglas Fairbanks. And of course that's where the name Lake Sherwood originated.

Meanwhile, W. H.'s son F. W. "Christy" Matthiessen married Elsie Mack in 1917. The couple made plans to develop the surrounding area as the Las Turas Lake Club in the 1920s. Except...they divorced in 1925, with Elsie receiving the portion of the ranch with the lake.

Elsie remarried. Her new husband's name was James Canterbury and briefly the lake became Lake Canterbury. After the stock market crash of 1929, the Canterburys sold the property to William Randolph Hearst. Hearst allowed the property to be used for filming of many films, including the 1938 The Adventures of Robin Hood.

In 1963, Dayton Realty purchased the lake and surrounding property. Dayton wanted to rezone the land to develop nearly 1,400 homes and commercial properties. This plan was fought off by local residents and rejected by the Ventura County Board of Supervisors.

From late 1983 to summer 1984, Dayton drained the lake, indicating that it needed to test the dam...which never happened...then never refilled the lake, leaving thousands of fish stranded and left to die in the mud. (Photo of draining of lake in January 1984)

Lake Sherwood was made available to the public after the depression of the 1930s until the lake was emptied in 1984.

A view of Lake Sherwood from the north off of Lake Sherwood Drive.

A view of Lake Sherwood from the north off of Lake Sherwood Drive.

In 1985, billionaire businessman David Murdock bought the dry Lake Sherwood lake bed and surrounding property.  His Ventura Farms and Lake Sherwood Ranch are on the old F. W. Matthiessen property in Hidden Valley.

In 1986, heavy rains filled Lake Sherwood back up, though it would take many years for the lake to regain the wildlife it lost after it was emptied.

Murdock developed the community with over 650 homes in three gated neighborhoods along with the Sherwood Country Club and Sherwood Lake Club. The lake is now privately owned and is not open to the general public. 

Hillcrest Brush Fire Historical Landmark Markers in the Conejo Open Space in Thousand Oaks

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There are five historical landmark markers in the Hillcrest Open Space in Thousand Oaks in tribute to firefighter Angel Castro. On December 10, 1978, Castro was severely burned while fighting the Hillcrest Fire, which burned 100 acres in two hours on a windy day with erratic gusts up to 40 MPH. He was working as a "Dozer Swamper," hauling and unloading heavy equipment. As a result of his injuries, he recommended several modifications to operating procedures that VCFD implemented. Further down this path are four other markers with questions to help challenge and educate firefighters and civilians.

The Hillcrest Open Space Preserve trailhead is located on Hillcrest Drive, just west of Blue Mesa Street, about half a mile west of Westlake Boulevard.

LOCAL AREA TRAILS AND HIKES THROUGHOUT VENTURA COUNTY

Hike to the Teepee, Paradise Falls and Little Cave at Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

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One hiking experience that everyone in the Conejo Valley and neighboring areas has to experience is Wildwood Park. With 14 trails covering 17 miles in the nearly 1,800 acre park managed by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency, there is plenty to see and do in Wildwood Park.

One particularly fun and fairly easy family hike at Wildwood takes you from the main parking lot at the west end of Avenida de los Arboles to the Teepee, Paradise Falls and Little Cave (formerly Indian Cave**). Take the Mesa Trail about a 3rd of a mile until you see the sign below, then take a left.

Another third of a mile and you're at the teepee, where you'll find another clearly marked sign pointing you in the direction of Paradise Falls.

Another third of a mile and you're at the teepee, where you'll find another clearly marked sign pointing you in the direction of Paradise Falls.

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Hike down some switchbacks and stairs and you'll see be at the beautiful Paradise Falls. Always a fun place to take the kids, though we're warned not to go into the water, which is largely urban runoff.

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But it is sure popular and enjoyable to sit back and enjoy this year-round waterfall that is so nicely hidden yet so close to hustle and bustle of suburban Thousand Oaks.

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The Little Cave is roughly half a mile east of Paradise Falls and can be accessed from the trail directly above the falls or by hiking back up to the teepee and going the other direction.

Trail adjacent to Paradise Falls that takes you towards the Indian Cave.

Trail adjacent to Paradise Falls that takes you towards little Cave.

A quarter of a mile or so and you'll see the sign below.

Little Cave (Formerly Indian Cave) sign

Here's the sign indicating you are near the Indian Cave in Wildwood Park.

Formerly called indian cave

Another 100 yards or so and you've reached the staircase that will take you up to the Cave.

Large enough to actually hang out in, though the last time we walked in there were signs of rodents.

Large enough to actually hang out in, though the last time we walked in there were signs of rodents.

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You can literally climb through the cave to an exit at the top and hike your way up to a connector trail that will lead you back towards the parking lot. My kids love this and so do I!

** The change in name was approved by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) in May 2022. COSCA received a request to change the Indian Creek Trail name earlier that year. On its own, the work "Indian" refers to individuals from India, rather than Native Americans, and thus did not accurately reflect the origin of the people to whom it refers.

The Indian Cave and Indian Cave Trail were renamed Little Cave as it was unclear if the cave was naturally formed and/or historically used by Native Americans.

The Indian Creek Trail in Wildwood Park was renamed Two Springs Trail as two natural springs contribute to the stream flow in this portion of the channel.