Trout Dale in Agoura (Local Fishing Fun!) (CLOSED)

Trout Dale appears to be closed as of 2017. No word on future plans for the site.

Try your luck at local fishing at Troutdale, 2468 Troutdale Drive, Agoura, just off Kanan Road before Triunfo Canyon.  Troutdale has been around for 40 years and has two ponds nicely stocked with fish.

For $7 per person (as of June 2016; pricing hasn't changed for years), you get a bamboo fishing pole, corn bait and bucket.  For another $5 you can buy worm bait, which we did. Admission is applicable whether or not you fish there.

My boys loved it there, though for the wrong reasons...they quickly lost interest in fishing as they were fascinated by the worms (which we subsequently brought home and now reside in our lawn).

If you catch a fish, you can't throw it back in the pond. Fish prices range from $6 for a 10 inch fish to $11 for fish 15+ inches. Cleaning available for $1.50 per fish. $20 penalty for throwing a fish back in the pond.

Hours (as of June 2016) are 10am to 7pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 7pm Saturday/Sunday. Open on all school holidays.

For more information and pictures, visit www.allyoucanfish.com.

Explorers' Emporium in Simi Valley (CLOSED)

Update 11/3/17: Owners announced via Facebook that they will be moving out of state 1/1/18 but that their online store will remain open.

Explorers' Emporium in Simi Valley offers a large assortment of items for creative types in Ventura County and beyond. One of the most unique stores in the local area, there's an entire section containing replicas of dinosaur teeth, shark teeth and other items. There is a huge assortment of archery supplies, Dungeons & Dragons gaming, crafts, steampunk, Renaissance Faire costumes, science projects, board games and much more.

Located in the Stone Gate Shopping Center at 5766 E. Los Angeles Avenue (at Yosemite). Explorers' Emporium opened in Summer 2015 but its owners have been providing creative, science and learning programs to the local community for over 25 years.

Emplorers' Emporium offers a variety of programs, both on-site and at local schools and organizations, including fossil/dinosaur programs, archaic man programs, Dungeon and Dragons encounters, science/nature workshops, Magic: the Gathering sessions, Tandy leather classes, miniature/figurine painting, music, gaming and more. Visit explorersemporium.com/programs.html for details.

Learn more at explorersemporium.com or call 805.791.3002.

Dinosaur tooth and claw replicas...I bought a T rex tooth!

Downtown Ventura Harbor Trolley - NO LONGER IN SERVICE MARCH 2019

THE DOWNTOWN VENTURA HARBOR TROLLEY TERMINATED ITS SERVICE IN MARCH 2019

The Downtown Ventura-Harbor Trolley provided free transportation year-round, Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 11pm. 

The trolley route is about an hour in total, with stops at:

• Amtrak/Fairgrounds on Harbor Blvd

• Ventura Visitors and Convention Bureau in Downtown Ventura

• San Buenaventura Mission / Museum of Ventura County

• Pierpont Blvd at South Seaward Ave

• Ventura Harbor Village

The trolley will also pick up at Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach, Pierpont Inn, Ventura Beach Marriott and Four Points by Sheraton/Holiday Inn.

More information at venturatrolley.com or call 805.827.4444.

Pinot's Palette - Westlake Village (CLOSED)

CLOSED PERMANENTLY IN LATE AUGUST 2017

Pinot's Palette - Westlake Village is located at 2879 Agoura Road (at Village Glen). It opened in May 2015. Sign up and enjoy an evening of fun, friends and fine art. Pinot's Palette supplies the canvas, paint, brushes and instruction along with a bar stocked with beer and wine for purchase.

Local artists  will guide you step-by-step through a featured painting. At the end of the night...leave with your own masterpiece!

Learn more at www.pinotspalette.com/westlakevillage or call 805.379.9963.

The Painted Cabernet in Oxnard (CLOSED)

The Painted Cabernet at The Collection at Riverpark in Oxnard closed its doors on March 18, 2024. www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=908785367922567&set=pcb.908785391255898

The Painted Cabernet at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard offers guests an opportunity to show off their artistic side under the watchful eyes of a trained instructor, while having a glass of wine in the process, offering an upscale urban studio, in a friendly, hip and creative environment for an evening on the town, a bachelorette party, a bit of “me” time or an out-of-the-ordinary date night.

The classes are a stress-free group setting where an artist instructor will guide you step-by-step replicating the featured painting, while giving you the time to sip a little wine, visit with your neighbor, listen to some great music and have a fun night out. Guests will be sure to go home with a painting that is uniquely their own.

Painted Cabernet also is available for private events, perfect for bridal showers, birthday parties, baby showers, corporate events, church groups and more.

An online calendar is up at paintedcabernet.com and reservations can be made by calling 805-963-9979.

Patriot Airsoft in Newbury Park (Closed)

Patriot Airsoft was a 12,000 sq ft indoor airsoft field located at 1260 Rancho Conejo Blvd, #1 in Newbury Park. IT CLOSED IN EARLY 2016

Visit www.patriotcqb.com or "like" Patriot's Facebook page.

Airsoft involves shooting round, plastic BBs from replica firearms. Games last from 6-15 minutes each and people can join at any time during the day.  There are referees on the field who orchestrate the games and ensure all players' safety.

Players are welcome to come in and learn about the sport, take a tour, listen to a safety briefing and then begin playing!  Anyone under the age of 18 is required to wear a full fask mask, which can be brought or rented there.  Players can bring their own guns, that will be chronographed to determine that they are within the 350 fps (feet per second) limit of our indoor field. 

Jim Hall Kart Racing School in Ventura (CLOSED)

Jim Hall Kart Racing School closed operations effective March 31, 2019 as a result of losing their lease. :(

Jim Hall Kart Racing School was established in 1982 by world kart champion Jim Hall II and is the longest-running and most recognized karting school in the country.  There are half day, full day and multi-day classes and programs.  There are also parent/child classes for kids ages 10 to 14.

Located at Seaside Park at 2600 Challenger Place, Oxnard.  Visit www.jimhallkartracing.com or call 805.654.1329 for more information.

Camarillo Skyway Playhouse (Closed in Mid-2021)

NOTE: THE CAMARILLO SKYWAY PLAYHOUSE LOCATION WAS SOLD IN MID-2021.

Located at 330 Skyway Drive, Camarillo Skyway Playhouse (formerly Camarillo Community Theatre) is a 501(c) non-profit, all-volunteer corporation dedicated to providing excellent live stage entertainment to Ventura County residents. Skyway relies solely on ticket sales and community support to maintain and grow the theatre.

CCT presented shows such as Annie, Man of la Mancha, Pirates of Penzance, Arsenic and Old Lace, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cabaret, It's a Wonderful Life and much more. at www.skywayplayhouse.org

Pierce College Farm Center in Woodland Hills (CLOSED)

Pierce College Farm Center at 20800 Victory Blvd. in Woodland Hills has a beautiful farm and agriculturally themed birthday party setting with animals, pony rides, farm activities, a 50 foot inflatable jumping pillow, hayrides, cow trains, mechanical rides and more along with a covered eating area. 

Farm Market open daily from 10am to 6pm. Farm Center Activity Area open 10 AM - 4 PM Saturday - Sunday beginning April 1st each year.

Onsite birthday coordinator provided for the 2 1/2 hour party. For more information please call Katherine at 818 999-6300 xt. 21 Or for more information go to www.piercefarmcenter.com.