China Flat Trail in Oak Park

China Flat Trail can be reached off Lindero Canyon Road in Oak Park, between King James Court and Wembly Avenue. The trail sits below Simi Peak, at 2,405 feet, the tallest peak in the Simi Hills.

My kids particularly enjoy exploring the sandstone caves pictured above and below. Beautiful views abound hiking up here. It does get a little rocky and steep at times so just be aware. It is about two miles to the top, making it about a 4 mile hike. Hike another .8 mile to Simi Peak.

Mysterious caves the kids enjoy exploring.

Here's a gate near to the top of the trail that tells you you are close to your destination.

Follow the trail to reach the China Flat area.

You can also get to China Flat from the Palo Comado Trail.

Sure is pretty up here when it is green!

View from Simi Peak towards Oak Park.

Map excerpt courtesy of National Park Service.

Casa de la Guerra in Santa Barbara

Casa de la Guerra is one of the most important remnants of Santa Barbara's Spanish-Mexican heritage, along with El Presidio de Santa Bárbara (1782) and Mission Santa Barbara (1786). This adobe residence was constructed between 1818 and 1828 by Josè de la Guerra, the fifth comandante of the Presidio. In addition to his military post, de la Guerra ran an active commercial trade enterprise and served as a patriarch for the community.

His home was the social, political, and cultural center of Santa Barbara during the Mexican period. Descendants of Josè continued to occupy the building until 1943, when the Casa was fully incorporated into the El Paseo complex. In the 1990s, the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation restored the building to its appearance between 1828 and 1858.

The adobe is now a museum, containing exhibits on the history of the de la Guerra family and the building, furnished period rooms, and rotating exhibits on Santa Barbara and Early California history.

Casa de la Guerra is a City Landmark, a California Landmark, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Museum hours are Saturday/Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Located at 13-15 East De la Guerra Street, Santa Barbara (just half a block off of State Street. Admission is Adult: $5, Senior (62+): $4, Children (under 16): Free (Note: Free admission to SB Presidio with purchase of admission to Casa de la Guerra).

Visit www.sbthp.org or call 805.965.0093 for more information.

El Presidio de Santa Barbara State Historic Park (123 East Canon Perdido Street, Santa Barbara)

Marview Drive Trail in Thousand Oaks

Marview Drive Trail Trailhead in Thousand Oaks

If you're looking for a short, steep and sweet trail to hike up and down in Thousand Oaks, check out the trail on Marview Drive, just east of the entrance to Old Meadows Park at 1600 Marview Drive. Take Erbes Road and go west on Marview. After passing the residential section of the road, up ahead is Old Meadows Park and on the right is plenty of street parking across from the trailhead.

Short it definitely is. Only about a quarter of a mile to the top of the hill, but it will take you a bit longer than your typical hike because it is so steep, at least the first section.

Then toward the top it starts to flatten out, where you will discover panoramic views of the Conejo Valley. There's also quite a clear view of the 23 Freeway from up here!

At the top of the trail is a large, enclosed square fenced in with No Trespassing signs all over the place. This is a water tank. But you can walk around the area to the other side, where there's actually a trail and walkway that goes down to the St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church.

So there you have it! A short, steep, but sweet little trail in the heart of Thousand Oaks!

Color Me Mine Thousand Oaks (CLOSED)

CLOSED IN APRIL 2022

Color Me Mine is a ceramic painting studio where you drop by anytime and select from over 400 ceramic pieces to design and paint. . For the price of a studio fee and the item you choose to paint, you can paint all day using 60+ colors and supplies! They glaze and fire your work in a kiln and your work of art will be available in 5 to 7 days.

The Thousand Oaks Color Me Mine location is at the Paseo Market Square in Thousand Oaks at 3707 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, near The Melting Pot.

More information at thousandoaks.colormemine.com.

Creative Castle in Newbury Park (CLOSED IN SEPTEMBER 2021)

CREATIVE CASTLE CLOSED ITS STORE IN SEPTEMBER 2021, AFTER 32 YEARS IN BUSINESS.

Located at 2323 Michael Drive in Newbury Park, Creative Castle is a full service retail bead store with a full line of beads and beading products. Classes, private sessions and special events like trunk shows also offered. Currently (March 2021) open Tuesday and Sundays from 11am to 4pm. Visit www.creativecastle.com or call 805.499.1377 for more information.

I stopped by on a Saturday morning to check out the shop. My jaw dropped when I saw how many different types of beads and decorative items packed the store. There was a large room in the back completely full of folks beading together. Looked like a lot of fun.

Not being a "beader" myself, I asked if I could bring the kids in and create something for mom, getting help as we go. The answer was, of course we can. There were several nice employees ready to help us out.

Senior Adult Centers Throughout Ventura County

Check THIS LIST of links to senior centers and recreation programs around Ventura County.

Ventura Botanical Gardens Demonstration Trail

There is now an admission price of $7 per person Tues through Sun from 9am to 5pm. Kids are free. Fridays are free. Closed Mondays. Annual memberships are also available, which allow for unlimited free admission; $45 per person, $75 for families.

Additionally, dogs are allowed on Wednesdays and Fridays only and must be on leash.

Trails are intact but the plants were devastated by the Thomas Fire. Replanting and re-growth is in process.

The Ventura Botanical Gardens Demonstration Trail is a nearly 1 mile trail between Ventura City Hall and Grant Park. It opened in October 2012. The trail zig zags and meanders its way up to Grant Park, offering awesome views of downtown Ventura and the coastline. The trail is accessible behind Ventura City Hall, located at 567 South Poli Street. Take the driveway on the right side of City Hall (facing the building) and drive up to the parking area.

Funds continue to be raised to enhance the Demonstration Trail, provide for trail maintenance and augment it with a new trail and ultimately build a visitor center. Learn more at www.venturabotanicalgardens.com.

Access to the trail is on the right (east) side of Ventura City Hall.

There's a parking area at the bottom of the trail behind Ventura City Hall

The trail is decorated with pretty wildflowers and other California native plants

There are some neat rock walls on sections of the trail

A short walk will get you some pretty views!

The Promenade at Westlake

Located at the southeast corner of Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard, The Promenade at Westlake is an architecturally appealing outdoor mall that has an assortment of things to do, including two large fountains, a koi pond and the Cinepolis movie theater.

One of two fountains at The Promenade at Westlake.

Eateries include The Grill on the Alley, Marmalade Cafe, Farfalla Trattoria, Kreation Organic, Fresh Brothers, Lemonade, Paul Martin's American Grill and Soom Soom Fresh Mediterranean (opened in September 2018) and Shake Shack (opened in October 2018).

Other stores include Cost Plus World Market, See's Candies, Sprinkles Cupcakes and Ice Cream and a variety of clothing and specialty stores, including Restoration Hardware, Brandy Glanville, Intermix, Lululemon Athletica, Sephora, Sharon Segal / Nina Segal the closet, Chico's and more.

Lots of outdoor seating around the fountain area outside of Barnes and Noble.  There is usually live music on Friday/Saturday nights during the summer months.

The Promenade at Westlake is the sister mall of the similarly appointed The Commons at Calabasas. 

The Promenade is located at 100 Promenade Way, Westlake Village (southeast corner of Westlake and Thousand Oaks Boulevards).  Visit www.ShopPromenade.com or call 805.497.9861 for more information.

Previously at The Promenade:

• Vintage Grocers abruptly closed their doors on March 15, 2019.

• Bristol Farms announced in advance their last day of operation would be March 15, 2016.

• Public School 805 closed on June 17, 2018 (space now occupied by Shake Shack).

• Macaroni Grill closed in September 2013.

• Loteria Grill closed in Feb/Mar 2017.

• The Melt closed in December 2015 after a short, 7 month stint.

• La Salsa closed in spring 2011.

• Champagne French Bistro closed in the summer of 2020.

Santa Rosa Trail and Lower Butte Trail in Thousand Oaks

The Santa Rosa Trail connects Wildwood Park to the hills above Cal Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks, about a 3 mile hike one way along the Mount Clef Ridge. Enjoy beautiful views of the Conejo Valley and Santa Rosa Valley, then loop around the hills behind CLU.

From Wildwood Park, you can take the Mesa Trail west and turn right onto the Santa Rosa Trail. Or start from the other direction...park at CLU near the Samuelson Community Pool and hike towards Wildwood.

Juncture of Santa Rosa Trail and Lower Butte Trail.

Or take an alternate route with the Lower Butte Trail. The Conejo Open Space Foundation website has a map of the Santa Rosa/Lower Butte Trail loop hike that is about 6 miles in length from Wildwood Park at cosf.org/trails/wildwood/wildwood-park-moderate-hike-santa-rosa-lower-butte-loop.

Two benches and a cross abpve CLU, east of the CLU sign, with panoramic views of the Conejo and Santa Rosa Valleys.

Ranch Center Road, Wood Canyon Fire Road and Other Trails in Northern Point Mugu State Park

Northern Point Mugu State Park map image courtesy National Park Service

Point Mugu State Park in the Santa Monica Mountains stretches from Newbury Park to the ocean, over 14,000 acres of land and 70 miles of trails. Visit this link for more information.

If you ever get the time and energy, consider exploring the trails in the northernmost section of Point Mugu State Park. To access these trails, you can start at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park and make your way up Big Sycamore Canyon Road, then, down, down, down the big paved hill into the canyons of Point Mugu State Park.

The descent down into the canyon on Big Sycamore Canyon Road is pretty steep. Watch for cyclists. Boney Mountain is seen in the distance.

The descent into the canyon is about 3/4 mile. From there, you'll go another mile or so until you see a fork in the road. If you go straight (veering slightly left), you'll continue down Big Sycamore Canyon Road towards PCH. But if you turn right, you're on Ranch Center Road, a gradual, steady climb up an old, paved hill.

Juncture of Big Sycamore Canyon Road (left) and Ranch Center Road (right).

This is one section of Ranch Center Road. As you can see, this is a pretty old road that was used by the ranchers who lived here before the land was acquired by California State Parks.

You are highly unlikely to see a lot of people down here. You might see a couple cyclists from time to time, but hikers/runners in these quiet areas are, from my experience, pretty rare in appearance. It feels like you're going to the middle of nowhere.

You will also notice that there are several trails that connect with the road, including, from east to west, the Sin Nombre Trail, Sage Trail, Ranch Center Fire Trail, Coyote Trail and, finally, the Wood Canyon Fire Road trail. All of these trails will either take you back to Big Sycamore Canyon Road or other trails that will allow you to do a loop back up to Rancho Sierra Vista. You can add another 4 miles to your adventure by checking out the Guadalasca Trail that connects to the Wood Canyon Fire Road. See detailed map here.

Old water tank seen at the juncture of Ranch Center Road (paved) and Ranch Center Fire Road (trail).

After you pass the water tank seen above, you continue downhill towards the remains of some old ranch houses. Pretty much everything has been demolished but you'll see some vintage items still on hand, along with signs warning you to stay outta there.

You've reached what used to be the Ranch Center.

Not sure if this would sell on Craigslist.

The old ranch house area is at the juncture of Ranch Center Road and Wood Canyon Fire Road. I particularly enjoying running down Wood Canyon Fire Road as it is so quiet and there is nice tree coverage.

More Wood Canyon Fire Road

Wood Canyon Fire Road runs south until it connects with the "Loop Trail" (west) or continues east back towards the Two Foxes Trail (parallels Big Sycamore Canyon Road) and then Big Sycamore Canyon Road, where you can veer back up north towards Newbury Park. 

DOZENS AND DOZENS OF TRAILS IN AND AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Heritage Park Native Plant Demonstration Garden in Thousand Oaks

The Heritage Park Native Plant Demonstration Garden is located at the corner of Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Long Court in Thousand Oaks (next to the still vacant Corrigan's Steak House and across from Pacific Breeze Salon). The garden was designed by the Conejo Valley Audubon Society in collaboration with the City of Thousand Oaks. The drought-resistant California native plants seen in the garden attract birds, butterflies, pollinators by providing food and shelter while eliminating the need for fertilizer and pesticides.

More information at wp.conejovalleyaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/HeritagePark_Palette_FINAL-amended11-24-16.pdf.

Ventura Beach Bike Path

There's a bike path that takes you the entire length of San Buenaventura State Beach. Officially it is called the Omer Rains Trail, named after California State Senator Omer Rains, who served the Ventura County area from 1974 to 1983.

While I don't have the specific start-end points of the Omer Rains Trail, I do know that it's a lot of fun taking the bikes to Marina Park at the south end of San Buenaventura State Beach and taking the bike lane on Pierpont Blvd about a mile to where the beachfront bike path starts at the corner of Pierpont and San Pedro St.

Great bike path along the beach in Ventura! Nice and flat with cool ocean breezes, with several restrooms available.

Speaking of restrooms, I've always been a bit puzzled by these odd shaped ones at San Buenaventura State Beach.

From there, the two-lane bike meanders along the beach to the Ventura Pier and up the Ventura Promenade to Surfers' Point. On weekends it can get a little crowded around here with pedestrians, other cyclists and beachgoers, so do be careful.

The bike path goes under the Ventura Pier.

From Surfers' Point, you can continue taking the bike path north/northwest to Emma Wood State Beach, cycling around the Ventura Beach RV Resort, past the City of Ventura's Seaside Wilderness Park, then on up the coast. Or if you want, veer right on Main Street and make your way over to the Ventura River Trail that takes you up to Ojai.

Northwest portion of Omer Rains Trail (Map courtesy of City of San Buenaventura)

Or just turn back and enjoy the views, perhaps stopping and having lunch on a bench overlooking the ocean. Or make your way up to Downtown Ventura and grab a bite to eat. 

Ventura bike path headed south from Emma Wood State Beach towards Ventura Beach

San Buenaventura State Beach in Ventura

San Buenaventura State Beach is a two-mile stretch of beach from the Ventura Pier on the north down south past the homes of the Ventura Keys to just north of Marina Park on the south.

This beach features swimming, surfing and picnicking. There are two miles of sandy beach, sand dunes, picnic sites, a parking lot, restrooms and the Jolly Oyster. San Buenaventura State Beach features the largest day-use picnic area at a state beach in Southern California.

Looking to ride a bike but didn’t bring one? Rent one near the pier at Wheel Fun Rentals.

There’s a nice mile-long hike and bike trail along the beach stretching from the park entrance at San Pedro Street and Pierpoint Blvd to the Ventura Pier. This trail continues northward up the boardwalk past Surfers’ Point and beyond. CLICK HERE for more details on the Omer Rains Trail.

The 1,700-foot pier has a snack bar, Beach House Fish restaurant and bait shop. Wheel Fun Rentals is right near the pier if you need a bike. Visit www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=600 or call 805.585.1850. Campfires not allowed at this beach.

Plenty of parking available for a fee, accessible at San Pedro Street and Pierpont Boulevard in Ventura, as well as additional parking with direct access to the Ventura Pier at 1156 E. Harbor Boulevard.