Compilation of Eateries "Coming Soon" to the Conejo Valley as of Mid-July 2022

/

The corner where Mimi’s Cafe used to reside and that, sometime in 2023, Amy’s Drive-Thru will be serving organic, vegetarian and vegan fast food.

We’re asked all the time when a particular new eatery will be opening, to which we usually reply “coming soon” is all we know. There’s so many places that are “coming soon” today that why don’t we just list them out here. Contact us with any additions or updates to this list.

Conejo Valley

Zankou Chicken still “coming soon” on Moorpark Road in the former Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

The drive-thru Starbucks to be built at the corner of Moorpark Road and Avenida De Las Flores in Thousand Oaks is certain to be a destination for Thousand Oaks High School students across the street.

Conejo Valley Restaurant Week Scheduled for February 18-27, 2022

/

Conejo Valley is gearing up to host its annual Conejo Valley Restaurant Week scheduled from February 18-27, 2022. This week-long dining event, hosted by Visit Conejo Valley, will feature excellent deals on existing menu items and special offerings while stimulating tourism and driving traffic to the local restaurants in the Conejo Valley area.

From local flavors and craft brews to an inspired wine scene, Conejo Valley is the perfect foodie destination with a unique assortment of delicious restaurants, unique breweries, bakeries and more.

“We are excited to host another restaurant week to encourage locals to celebrate and support our local culinary community,” said President/CEO of Visit Conejo Valley, Danielle Borja. “This is the perfect time for residents and visitors to take a culinary tour throughout the diverse and thriving food culture of Conejo Valley.”

Conejo Valley has many things to discover and explore only 30 minutes from the beaches of Malibu and 45 minutes from Los Angeles. Visitors can extend their visit and enjoy all that Conejo Valley has to offer by staying at one of the 16 lodging options for all styles and budgets. Visitors that book minimum 2-night stay at one of the 16 participating hotels in the cities of Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks can sign up to receive a $100 Conejo Cash gift card upon hotel check-in.

Stay tuned for special Conejo Valley Restaurant Week 2022 offers by visiting: Restaurant Week 2022 - Conejo Valley. For visitors looking for lodging, visit: https://conejo.com/stay.

ABOUT VISIT CONEJO VALLEY
Created in 2013, Visit Conejo Valley is the official tourism marketing organization for the cities of Thousand Oaks and Agoura Hills, Calif. With a mission to increase overnight visitation and improve the local economy, Visit Conejo Valley promotes the region’s diverse 16 lodging properties, unique outdoor recreation, bustling arts and culture scene, diverse dining and tasting experiences, providing visitors with helpful resources to make the best of their trip and “See Another Side of Southern California.” To learn more about accommodations, attractions, and things to do in Conejo Valley, visit conejo.com.

Local Conejo Valley Students Launch "The Bookworm Projekt" to Distribute Books to Kids in Need

/
bookworm.jpg

Three local kids - Alex (16), Charlotte (15) and Max (12) - who live in the Conejo Valley, have founded The Bookworm Projekt to deliver books to K-12 children across the country who do not have access to books, particularly during the pandemic.

Alex, Charlotte and Max, students at Agoura High School and Lindero Canyon Middle School, are raising funds and soliciting book donations to help get books to these at-risk kids in need.

Learn more about this very worthy project at www.bookwormprojekt.com.

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Chime In On Favorite Items at Urbane Cafe

/

Today, the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page hosted its 36th day in a row of daily gift card drawings at local eateries. We’ve been raising funds from local residents and businesses and using these funds to purchase gift cards and gift certificates. In turn, we’ve been giving free publicity in the form of a drawing each day, rewarding one lucky participant the gift card. It’s been a lot of fun and we plan to continue these drawings as long as we continue to receive donations.

Donations can be made via credit card at bit.ly/CVGFund or via PayPal at paypal.me/ConejoValleyGuide.

(We’ve covered quite a number of eateries so far, including Country Harvest, Grabbagreen, Little Calf Creamery, Prawn and Basil, Parma Pizza, P&L Burger, El Sancho Loco, Hatch Cafe, Coaches Ice Cream, Tifa Chocolate & Gelato, Made in Italy, Pedals & Pints, Toppers Pizza, The Latigo Kid, Vegan Thyme, Thousand Oaks Fish & Chips, Five 07 Coffee Bar, Mouthful Eatery, Los Agaves, Side Street Cafe, Twisted Oak Tavern, Joi Cafe, Cafe Sapientia, Jack’s Donuts, Tabu Shabu, Holdren’s Steak House, Chocolatine, Q Sushi, Newberry Candy, Snapper Jacks, Novo Cafe, D’Amore’s Pizza, Pacific Fresh Grill, Bandits BBQ, Carrara Pastries, Historia Bakery, Boney Mountain Pizza Co., Los Dos Amigos and Urbane Cafe.)

Tom Holt opened the first Urbane Cafe in 2003 in Ventura and this popular fast casual eatery has since grown to 19 locations. Urbane Cafe Thousand Oaks opened in April 2015. There are also local locations in Agoura Hills, Camarillo, Simi Valley and Oxnard. Their menu includes freshly made, sandwiches, salads, bowls and soups. Their freshly-baked focaccia bread is a standout! Learn more at urbanecafe.com.

Here the Urbane Cafe menu items that received the most attention from CVG fans:

  • Cranberry Brie Sandwich received quite a bit of love!

  • Lots of support for the Farmers Market Salad

  • Gourmet Grilled Cheese Sandwich sounded good to many

  • Meat lovers would like to sink their teeth into the Chimchurri Steak Sandwich

  • Pesto and Sundried Tomato sandwich is loved by many

  • The Santa Maria BBQ Sandwich has a lot of supporters

  • The So Cal Sandwich is quite popular

  • The Californian Sandwich - very popular with our vegetarian friends

  • Other items receiving mentions include Cilantro Chicken Salad, Cilantro Torta, UC Banh Mi, Turkey Club Sandwich, the Ahi Salad (a favorite of mine, along with the Cranberry Brie), Bella Portobello Sandwich, Protein Salad, Fiesta Bowl and others.

Jessica remarked “GET THE CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES! Your life will never be the same.” Others echoed her sentiment. Keep that in mind as you perhaps go on a run to pre-burn some calories!

Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Followers Chime In On Favorite Dishes at Country Harvest in Newbury Park

/

With the latest Stay at Home Order shutting down inside service at local eateries in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura/LA Counties once again, we decided to take it upon ourselves to do a little something that would help promote local eateries and have a bit of fun.

Since mid-July,, we’ve been raising funds from Conejo Valley Guide social media followers and using proceeds raised to purchase gift cards at local Conejo Valley area eateries (that in turn were suggested by CVG Facebook Page followers). As of August 1st, we have raised over $1,900 from 113 individuals and organizations. If every social media follower gave a $1, we’d have well over $40,000 earmarked for local business!

To give to this fund, and every $1 helps, donate via credit card at bit.ly/CVG Fund or via Paypal at paypal.me/ConejoValleyGuide.

country harvest.jpg

Our first gift card drawing was on July 22nd, for a $50 gift card at Country Harvest, 3345 Kimber Drive, Newbury Park. We asked folks to pick an item from Country Harvest’s menu to enter the drawing. Here’s a compilation of the responses for some food for thought (in no particular order):

  • Fresh Garden Pita with Grilled Chicken and Avocado added

  • Liver and Onions

  • Chicken Marsala

  • Eggs Benedict - mentioned 11 times (including Seafood Benedict, Bacon & Avocado Benedict, California Benedict)

  • Steak Sandwich

  • Cobb Salad - mentioned twice

  • Turkey Dinner

  • Breakfast Burrito - mentioned 8 times

  • Belgium Waffles with Strawberries - mentioned 6 times

  • Wahoo Fish Salad - mentioned twice

  • Lemon Chicken Avocado Sandwich

  • Chicken and Waffles - mentioned twice

  • Meatloaf - mentioned twice

  • Fish & Chips - mentioned 5 times

  • Fried Chicken - mentioned twice

  • Caesar Salad

  • Shrimp Scampi- mentioned twice

  • Teriyaki Beef Stir Fry - mentioned twice

  • Country Fried Steak and Eggs - mentioned 7 times

  • Steak and Eggs

  • Hot Pastrami on Rye

  • Country Skillet Breakfast - mentioned 4 times

  • Tri Tip Sandwich or Dinner - mentioned twice

  • Jumbo Shrimp Salad

  • French Toast Platter - mentioned 3 times

  • Burger and Curly Fries or Zucchini Fries - mentioned twice

  • Pancakes, Bacon and Sausage - mentioned 7 times (including, banana, blueberry, walnut and granola)

  • Chicken Waldorf Salad

  • Cheesecake

  • French Dip Sandwich - mentioned twice

  • Philly Cheesesteak

  • Club Sandwich - mentioned 3 times

  • Country Biscuit Breakfast - mentioned 4 times

  • Tuna or Turkey Melt with Avocado - mentioned twice

  • Teriyaki Chicken Stir Fry

  • Pot Roast - mentioned twice

  • Patty Melt - mentioned twice

  • Croissant Breakfast Sandwich - mentioned 3 times

  • Strawberry Shortcake

  • Chicken Salad Pita

  • Blackened Salmon Caesar

  • Bacon Swiss Burger

  • Corned Beef Hash Breakfast - mentioned twice

  • Avocado Toast - mentioned 3 times

  • BBQ Chicken Wrap

  • Health Nut Sandwich

  • Garden Burger Platter

  • Quiche

  • Taco Salad

  • Cilantro Chicken Salad

  • Ham Steak Breakfast

As of August 1st, we have given away gift cards 11 days in a row on the CVG Facebook Page and this will continue until we have spent all funds raised. At this point, it will be at least another two or three weeks of drawings! Having some fun with this!

Learn more about Country Harvest, which has operated in Newbury Park since May 27, 2002, at www.countryharvest.restaurant or call 805.375.4598.

Trails in the Conejo Open Space to Reopen on Weekends Beginning May 9th

/
Sunset Hills Trail in Thousand Oaks

Sunset Hills Trail in Thousand Oaks

Today, the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) announced that trails are now open on weekends. Trailhead parking lots, except for the lot in Hill Canyon, remain temporarily closed.

The change in policy is being implemented based on the reopening of other outdoor areas in Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. Starting May 9th, some, but not all, trails will be open in Los Angeles County, making more trails available regionally. Additional Ventura County trails are also expected to open. Making more outdoor space available meets community needs related to physical and mental health and provides additional outdoor space where residents can enjoy nature while maintaining required social distance.

COSCA reminds visitors that the coronavirus will remain in our community for an extended time, and this is not the end of social distancing and County health orders. Visitors must take responsibility for their personal and community safety when out in public. Compliance with the Ventura County Stay Well at Home Order, as well as posted COSCA directives and recommendations, are essential to this effort.

Physical distancing practices should continue (at least 6 feet). Do not gather in groups. Stick with members of your household. Do not congregate.

More information at conejo-openspace.org.

Compilation of Restaurants Offering Take-Out and Delivery Service in Ventura County During the COVID-19 Emergency

/

Many of you have asked for a compilation of local area eateries that are open during the coronavirus Stay Well at Home order for either takeout or delivery. We have compiled a list of links to such eateries that have been compiled by local cities.

We’ve highlighted a number of open eateries in the Conejo Valley on the CVG Instagram page at www.instagram.com/conejovalleyguide - if you scroll down you’ll find many of them.

City of Moorpark: www.moorparkca.gov/910/COVID-19-Restaurant-Guide

Greater Conejo Valley Chamber list at THIS LINK

Agoura takeout and delivery at www.conejochamber.org/restaurants---agoura-hills

Thousand Oaks takeout and delivery at www.conejochamber.org/restaurants

Westlake Village takeout and delivery at www.conejochamber.org/restaurants

City of Agoura Hills list at www.ci.agoura-hills.ca.us/novel-coronavirus-information/restaurant-information

Camarillo: www.cityofcamarillo.org/business/covid-19_open_for_business_list.php

Simi Valley Chamber list at www.simivalleychamber.org/restaurants.html

Ventura Chamber of Commerce list at venturachamber.com/restaurants-open-and-offering-to-go-and-delivery

Oxnard Chamber of Commerce list at www.oxnardchamber.org/covid-19-food-delivery-and-takeout.html

Santa Paula Chamber list at santapaulachamber.net/2020/03/20/santa-paula-restaurant-information

Local Food Delivery Services:

www.doordash.com

www.grubhub.com

www.ubereats.com

Conejo Creek Dog Park, Other Off-Leash Dog Parks and Pickleball Parks Have Reopened in the Conejo Valley

/
This was Conejo Creek Dog Park at 1350 E Avenida De Las Flores, Thousand Oaks on Saturday.

This was Conejo Creek Dog Park at 1350 E Avenida De Las Flores, Thousand Oaks on Saturday.

Today, CPRD announced that the Conejo Creek Dog Park is back open, along with off-leash dog areas at Estella, Kimber and Walnut Grove Parks. They were previously closed on April 2nd. Humans must practice appropriate (6 foof minimum) social distancing at the parks. Dogs may continue smelling and sniffing other doggies as appropriate. Pickleball courts at Conejo Valley parks have also reopened (though other facilities e.g. playgrounds, etc.) are still closed

These and other Ventura County area dog parks at THIS LINK.