Gates Canyon Park / Brandon's Village - Calabasas

The 7 acre Gates Canyon Park at 25801 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Calabasas includes picnic areas with barbeques, fitness course, children's play area, basketball court, tennis courts and plenty of open grass area.  The park is north of the 101 freeway and east of Las Virgenes.

Brandon’s Village at Gates Canyon Park originally opened in October 2006 as a universally accessible playground. It was completely renovated in 2024 with a million dollar upgrade and the theme “Above the Tree Line.” This 15,000 sq ft all-inclusive playground has play structures for ages 2-5 and 5-12. There is also a new sand area and trike zone for creative play.

Visit www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/parks-trails-and-facilities for more information.

Photo of a portion of the original Brandon’s Village play structure that was remodeled in 2024.

'ololkoy Beach Park (Oxnard Beach Park)

The ‘ololkoy Beach Park* (formerly Oxnard Beach Park) is located on South Harbor Boulevard, South of Wooley Road and next to the Embassy Suites Mandalay Beach Hotel and Resort in Oxnard.  The park has a large pirate-themed play area. There is a larger structure for 5 to 12 year olds and a smaller one for younger kids.

*Renamed after the Chumash word for dolphin in 2023.

This park is just a short walk to the beach, where you and the kids can spend time digging holes, building sand castles and running from the waves. The park is also in close vicinity to Channel Islands Harbor. 

The park has a large grassy area, restrooms, BBQ grills, bike paths, etc.  There is a parking fee at this park; just $1/hour or $5/day.

For more information, visit visitoxnard.com/directory/oxnard-beach-park.

Oak Canyon Community Park in Oak Park

Oak Canyon Community Park is located at 5600 Hollytree Drive in Oak Park at Kanan. This is a nicely appointed park with a children's splash pad, playgrounds, lagoon/pond with ducks, dog park and plenty of open space.

More information on the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District website at www.rsrpd.org/business_detail_T9_R30.php.

The Oak Park Dog Park at Oak Canyon Community Park opened in May 2010. It is open from 7am to dusk every day (closed 7am to 10am for maintenance on Fridays). For more information, visit www.rsrpd.org/oak_park/parks/oak_canyon_dog_park.php.

Oak Canyon Dog Park on a non-busy day.

Kids' Adventure Garden in Thousand Oaks

The Kids' Adventure Garden (KAG) at the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is open every Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.  The KAG is a fun place for children to learn about nature and gardening.  The garden features a tree house, pirate's cave, zoo garden, hydroponic pod and much more. Free admission (though donations are welcome). Enter at W. Gainsborough Road at Jeaunine Drive. between Lynn Road and Moorpark Road in Thousand Oaks.

Kids love running around the KAG and exploring the nearby trails and stream.  Additionally, Conejo Community Park is next to the garden, with a nice playground area, expansive grass and picnic areas.

Visit www.conejovalleybotanicgarden.com/collections for more information and pictures. Additionally, a Native Plant Nursery is open at this location on Sundays.

Links to Hundreds of Parks In and Around Ventura County

Click the image for a list of links to parks throughout Ventura County.

Alameda Park in Santa Barbara

Ranking high up on the list of parks with cool play areas around town is Alameda Park, located at the corner of Garden Street and E. Micheltorena Street in Santa Barbara. Alameda Park has an 8,000 sq ft mostly wooden play structure that was built by local residents.

Your kids will fall in love with the nooks, crannies, steps, bridges and places to hide in this play structure. There are also swings and things to climb on. The park itself is 2 blocks long and one of the oldest parks in Santa Barbara. It is next door to the beautiful Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden. Plenty of grass, spectacular, large shade trees and much more make this a perfect picnic lunch stop when you're in town.

More information at www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/parksrec/parks/features/horticulture/alameda.asp.

Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara

Chase Palm Park in Santa Barbara is a huge park that sandwiches East Cabrillo Boulevard.  On the ocean side of Cabrillo the park consists of a palm-lined, narrow strip of park adjacent to East Beach with an oceanfront bike path and walkway from Stearns Wharf to East Beach.  This side of the park is host to Sunday/holiday arts and crafts shows.  The 14,600 square foot Skater's Point skate park is also located on this side of the park.

Call 805.564.5418 for more information or visit www.santabarbaraca.gov/gov/depts/parksrec/parks/features/playgrounds/chase.asp.

On the other side of Cabrillo is a huge 10 acre parcel that features fountains, creeks, a lagoon, carousel, snack bar and a shipwreck playground modeled after an ocean schooner from the turn of the century.

The park is walking distance to Stearns Wharf, the beach, bike rentals, State Street, etc.

From 1999 to 2017, the park was home to a vintage 1916 40 foot in diamater carousel, The carousel was relocated to Fort Hood, Oregon to a museum.

Marina Park in Ventura

Marina Park is located at 2950 Pierpont Boulevard in Ventura (near the intersection of Pierpont and Coral Street). It is a 15 acre park that has over a third of a mile of oceanfront adjacent to Ventura Harbor, giving it plenty of beachfront, flat sand to play in.

There is also a kids play area (geared toward younger kids), plenty of grass, restrooms and more. There is also a water taxi and a fishing dock. Fun destination park in the Ventura Keys. We never go wrong bringing the kids here. More info at www.cityofventura.net/parks.

The zip line attached to the "San Salvador" ship was taken down in 2016. The city indicates there is a possibility it will be replaced if a safe alternative can be identified.

Newer pirate-themed play area at Marina Park (re-done in 2012).

Nice, protected beachfront area at Marina Park

The popular San Salvador at Marina Park.

This popular zip line was taken down in 2016; the city indicates the possibility of identifying a new, safe zip line possibility but as of September 2019 no specific timing available.

Bob Kildee Community Park in Camarillo

Bob Kildee Community Park is located at 1030 Temple Avenue (at Ponderosa) in Camarillo. This 13 acre park has newer play equipment and restrooms, 6 lighted tennis courts, pickleball courts, handball courts, horseshoe pits, soccer fields, picnic shelters and BBQ pits, 3 lighted baseball fields, the Pleasant Valley Skate Park, and Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center. More information at www.pvrpd.org/bob-kildee-community-park.

The park is named after the Pleasant Valley Recreation & Park District's first Chairman of the Board from 1962-1966 and again in 1968.

As you can see from the photos below, the play area has some pretty cool and unique equipment!

Parks Highlighted in the "Do Something" Section of Conejo Valley Guide

Click the pic below for more great local area parks throughout Ventura County!