Christmas and Other Holiday Season Events Around Ventura County

/
iStock_XmasBunny.jpg

Here is a compilation of local area Thanksgiving, Christmas and other winter holiday events in and around Ventura County for the 2024 holiday season…parades, Santa visits, carnivals, nativity displays, entertainment and more!

This list will be updated regularly as we move our way through the winter holiday season! Submit additions here.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Wed 11/20: Tree Lighting Celebration at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard (7PM)

11/21-11/23: Festival of the Trees, Ventura County in Simi Valley

Fri 11/22: Tree Lighting Event at The Promenade at Westlake (4-8PM; show at 7PM)

Thu 11/28: Five07 Turkey Day Dash 5K and Zack Zernik Mile in Thousand Oaks

Thu 11/28: Ventura Turkey Trot 5K

Thu 11/28: Thanksgiving Day 5K in Simi Valley

Thu 11/28: Free Breakfast Buns at California Bun in Moorpark (7:30-11:30AM)

Fri 11/29: Jingle Bell Jump (Santa Arrives Via Parachute) at Janss Marketplace (Noon)

11/29-12/1: Dudley House Holiday Boutique in Ventura (11AM-5PM)

Sat 11/30: 73rd Annual Santa Paula Christmas Parade (6:30PM)

Sun 12/1: Holiday Market, Santa Claus at Santa Paula Aviation Museum (10:30AM-12:30PM

Sun 12/1: Holiday Open House at Strathearn Historical Park Simi Valley (11AM-3PM)

Sun 12/1: City of Fillmore Annual Tree Lighting and Night Market (5-8PM)

12/3-12/4: Christmas at the Ranch at the Camarillo Ranch House (5-8PM)

Thu 12/5: Oxnard Christmas Tree Lighting and Makers’ Market (5-9PM)

12/6-12/7: Village Voices Choral “Spirit of the Season” Concerts

Fri 12/6: City of Agoura Hills Holidays on the Hill (4-8PM)

Fri 12/6: Camarillo Old Town Glow and Holiday Village (5-9PM)

12/6-12/8: Holiday Art Market at Studio Channel Islands in Camarillo

12/6: Holidays at the Inn at the Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park (6:30-8:30PM)

Sat 12/7: Breakfast with Santa at the Simi Valley Family YMCA (8:30-11:30AM Must RSVP)

Sat 12/7: Breakfast with Santa at Janss Marketplace (9-11AM $32.27/person RSVP)

Sat 12/7: City of Agoura Hills Holidays on the Hill (10AM-3PM)

Sat 12/7: Santa Paws Portraits With Santa at Camarillo Animal Shelter (10AM-Noon)

Sat 12/7: Winter Wonderland with Santa at The Learning Experience NP (9:30AM-12:30PM)

Sat 12/7: Camarillo YMCA Run for Holiday Fun 5K/10K

Sat 12/7: Oxnard Christmas Parade (10AM)

Sat 12/7: Holidays in the Village in Thousand Oaks (11AM-8PM)

Sat 12/7: Humane Society Happy Pawlidays Market in Oxnard (11AM-2PM)

Sat 12/7: Ventura Winter Wine Walk & Holiday Street Fair (12-8PM)

Sat 12/7: Christmas Caroling at the Gardens of the World (12:15-2:30PM)

Sat 12/7: Holiday Roundup at the Leonis Adobe in Calabasas (1-4PM)

12/7: Holidays at the Inn at the Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park (1-4, 6:30-8:30PM)

Sat 12/7: Holiday Kick-Off Event at the Camarillo Premium Outlets (1-4PM)

Sat 12/7: Holiday on High Street in Moorpark

Sun 12/8: Santa to the Sea Half Marathon, Quarter Marathon and 5K in Oxnard

Sun 12/8: Holiday Sing-A-Long at The Shoppes at Westlake Village (3-8PM)

12/6-12/8: Simi Community Christmas Creche Exhibit and Music

12/6-12/8: Christmas Concerts at Cal Lutheran Thousand Oaks (RSVP)

12/7-12/8: Dudley House Holiday Boutique in Ventura (11AM-5PM)

Sun 12/8: Camarillo Community Band Christmas Concert (4PM)

12/6: Holidays at the Inn at the Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park (6:30-8:30PM)

12/13-12/15: Night in Bethlehem Event in Thousand Oaks (5:45-8PM)

12/13-12/14: 47th Annual Ventura Harbor Holiday Parade of Lights (6:30-8:30PM)

Sat 12/14: Camarillo Christmas Parade (10AM)

Sat 12/14: Santa’s Village at Camarillo Community Center (9AM-2PM)

Sat 12/14: 57th Annual Parade of Lights at Channel Islands Harbor (7PM)

12/14-12/15: Dudley House Holiday Boutique in Ventura (11AM-5PM)

Sun 12/15: Holiday Dinner and Tour at the Reagan Library (5:30-8:30PM RSVP)

Sun 12/15: Holly Jolly Half Marathon, 5K and 10K in Camarillo

Thu 12/19: Holiday Lunch and Tour at the Reagan Library (12:30PM RSVP)

Sat 12/21: Winter Wonderland and Holiday Marketplace at Ventura Harbor Village (12-4PM)

Sat 12/21: Jingle Bell Jog 5K/10K Run/Walk in Dos Vientos (Newbury Park)

Wed 12/25: Community Holiday Dinner at Temple Adat Elohim Thousand Oaks (11:30-1:30)

Thu 12/26: Chanukah Family Festival at Janss Marketplace (5-7PM)

Sun 12/29: Menorah Lighting Celebration at the Reagan Library (3:30-5PM)

CHRISTMAS TREE LOTS

TBA

Residential and Other Light Displays

Here are some local area displays that we found to be of particular note - entertaining, beautiful and bright. Keep in mind that residential displays usually don’t have set hours and are often impacted by the elements (e.g. rain and wind). List will be updated as we confirm displays are in place. CONTACT US FOR ADDITIONS

CONEJO VALLEY DISPLAYS

Entertaining residential display at 2768 Baywater Place in Thousand Oaks is simulcast to music on 87.9 FM. Learn more and vote for your favorite songs at www.baywaterlights.com. Bring canned goods to drop off if you can for the Manna Food Bank. And check out Chuck’s laser engraving offerings at www.BuiltByCharles.com

NEARBY CITY DISPLAYS

12/8-12/26: Oxnard Christmas Tree Lane along F & G Streets between 5th and Palm in the Downtown Oxnard Historic District is a perennially great display you need to experience. Nightly 6PM-10PM.

PREVIOUS EVENTS

Sat 11/16: Tree Lighting Event at the Simi Valley Town Center (4-9PM)

Where to Play Pickleball in Ventura County

/
Pickleball court at Del Prado Playgrounds in Newbury Park.

Pickleball court at Del Prado Playgrounds in Newbury Park.

According to www.whatispickleball.com, pickleball is oversized ping pong played on a badminton sized court with a tennis sized net. Pickleball originated in Bainsbridge Island, Washington in 1965 when congressman Joel Pritchard and his friend Bill Bell created the game for their families to play.

Pickleball is played with a perforated plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball that weighs about an ounce and composite or wooden paddles about twice the size of ping pong paddles. Pickleball is an indoor/outdoor sport that is easy to learn and, like tennis and ping pong, can be played singles or doubles. Learn more about pickleball at www.usapa.org.

Today, the sport of pickleball is governed in the U.S. by the USA Pickleball Association. which was founded in 2005 to promote the sport. There are over 8.9 million pickleball players in the United States over the age of six and over 44,000 pickleball courts across the country.

Pickleball continues to grow in popularity here in the Ventura County area. Here is a list of pickleball courts in and around Ventura County as well as adjacent areas:

Thousand Oaks:

Westlake Village:

The City of Westlake Village is constructing four pickleball courts for public use at Westlake Village Community Park, 31107 Thousand Oaks Boulevard. The courts will be located in the northeast corner of the existing parking lot, east of the Yarrow Family YMCA and south of the skate park. Courts will be open from sunrise to 9pm and have lights. Grand opening date is November 15th at 10am. www.wlv.org/pickleball.

Simi Valley:

Oak Park:

Pickleball courts at Deerhill Park, 6700 Doubletree Road

Port Hueneme:

Pickleball is available at Walter B. Moranda Park, 200 Moranda Parkway, Port Hueneme. There are 10 courts; 5 of them are reservable. www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/1169/Moranda-Park

Moorpark:

Pickleball courts at Tierra Rejada Park, 11900 Mountain Trail Street open 8am to sunset and dual tennis/pickleball courts at Miller Park, 4530 Miller Parkway open 7am to 10pm.

Camarillo:

Ventura www.cityofventura.ca.gov/pickleball

Ojai

Calabasas

The privately-owned Calabasas Pickleball Club opened on June 1, 2024, with 16 courts at 5155 Old Scandia Lane. It is a members only club. Visit calabasaspb.com for more information.

Pickleball is offered at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center www.cityofcalabasas.com/government/community-services-parks-recreation/tennis-swim-center/tennis-pickleball

Clubs:

Ventura County Pickleball Club venturacountypickleballclub.com

Ojai Valley Pickleball www.ojaivalleypickleball.com

Ventura County Pickleball League camarilloathletics.com/ventura-county-pickleball-league

Visit camarillopickleball.fun to connect with other pickleball players.

Forty-Seven Things to Do In Thousand Oaks

/

The City of Thousand Oaks was incorporated on September 29, 1964. Most of Newbury Park was annexed by the city in the 1960s/1970s. Casa Conejo, Newbury Park's first planned community built in the early 1960s and the Lynn Ranch area of Thousand Oaks are unincorporated areas of Ventura County that technically are not annexed into the City of Thousand Oaks. The City of Thousand Oaks also annexed the Ventura County portions of Westlake Village in 1968 and 1972. That said, this list also includes a few things to do in the City of Westlake Village.

Enough history for now! Let's look at the future...like tomorrow or this coming weekend. Here are 47* things to do in the City of Thousand Oaks in random order.

*It started out as 47 things to do but we've lost count since originally posting this.

View of Boney Mountain from the Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa area.

View of Boney Mountain from the Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa area.

Older version of City of Thousand Oaks sign.

Older version of City of Thousand Oaks sign.

Cycling Clubs and Groups In and Around Ventura County

/
CyclistsCam.JPG

Any given Sunday morning I come across hundreds of bicyclists on my morning runs in the Thousand Oaks area and throughout Ventura County.

Here are some local cycling groups:

CLICK HERE for some family-friendly friendly bike path options around Ventura County.

And for some local BMX track options, Freedom Park BMX Raceway in Camarillo

Bike shops in the local area:

EBike shops:

Halloween Events and Activities In and Around Ventura County

/

Halloween season is upon us again! Halloween 2024 looks to be a fun time with this compilation of Halloween events taking place in Ventura County and surrounding areas.

Dates/times subject to change; contact event organizers to confirm. This list will be updated regularly. For calendar view, click here.

Pumpkin Patches in Ventura County and Surrounding Areas

EVENTS COMING UP

Thu, Oct 31: SHINE Homeschool, Century Acadamy Trunk or Treat (12:30-2:30PM RSVP)

Thu, Oct 31: Halloween Carnival in Oak Park (3:30-6:30PM RSVP)

Thu, Oct 31: Halloween Carnival in Simi Valley (4-7PM RSVP)

Thu, Oct 31: Haunted High Street Event in Moorpark (4-7PM)

Thu, Oct 31: Trick or Treat at the Camarillo Premium Outlets (4-6PM)

Thu, Oct 31: Trick or Treat at The Oaks Mall (4-6PM)

Thu, Oct 31: Halloween in the Park in Camarillo (5-8PM)

Thu, Oct 31: Trick or Treat Haunted House in Thousand Oaks (5:30-9PM)

Fri, Nov 1: Festival de los Muertos Event in Newbury Park (4-9PM)

Sat, Nov 2: Dia de los Muertos Celebration at the Newbury Park Library (10:15AM-4PM)

Sat, Nov 2: Dia de los Muertos Event at Santa Paula Art Museum (Noon-3PM)

Sat, Nov 2: Dia de los Muertos Event at Pierce Brothers Santa Paula (11AM-5PM)

Sat, Nov 2: Dia de los Muertos Celebration at the Oxnard Performing Art Center (4-9PM)

ONGOING EVENTS

Sep 28 to Oct 31: Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest on the Farm in Moorpark

Sept 27 to Nov 2: Reign of Terror Haunted House at Janss Marketplace Thousand Oaks

Sept 27 to Nov 3: Nights of the Jack Halloween Experience at King Gillette Ranch

Oct 11-13, 18-20, 25-27: Santa Paula Theater Center “Ghostwalk” Event

Oct 18-20, 25-27: Boo at the Zoo at the Santa Barbara Zoo (5-8PM)

Sept 13 thru Oct 28: Ghost Hunter’s Experience at the Simi Valley Town Center

Oct 3 to 27: Nightmare at Santa Town (Child-Friendly Haunt) at Simi Valley Town Center

Daily: Interactive Walkthrough at “The Best Halloween Store Ever” Thousand Oaks

Cool Residential Displays (Click links for footage and more info)

Residential display synchronized to music at 1455 Valley High, Thousand Oaks

“Blackwood Cemetery” annual display at home on Blackwood Street in Newbury Park

Golden Crest Avenue in Newbury Park (Cross Street Antelope Place)

Annual awesome display at this home on Yew Drive in Newbury Park

Camino Dos Rios west of Lynn Road in Thousand Oaks

Flaming Star and Shenandoah in Thousand Oaks

Bernadine St and Wauneta St in Newbury Park

Donald Avenue, just east of Wendy Drive in Newbury Park

Mapleleaf Ave west of Madrid Ave in Newbury Park

Orangewood and Felton in Newbury Park

507 Yarrow Drive in Simi Valley

Feather Ave near Hendrix in Thousand Oaks

Calle Pecos, west of Calle Yucca, in Lynn Ranch section of Thousand Oaks

Carob Drive, south of Borchard in Newbury Park

Lakota Loop Family-Friendly Walkthrough Halloween Experience in Simi Valley on October 26, 27 and 31 from 6:30-9PM.

Past Events

Thu, Oct 17: VC Dept of CSS 3rd Annual Trunk or Treat in Camarillo (4-6PM)

Sat, Oct 19: Trail or Treat at Camarillo Grove Park (10AM-1PM; $5 hike requires RSVP)

Sat, Oct 19: Free Pumpkin Patch at the Simi Valley Town Center (10AM)

Sat, Oct 19: Spooks by the Sea at Portside Ventura (Noon-5PM)

Sat, Oct 19: Harvest Festival at Stagecoach Inn Museum (1-4PM)

Sat, Oct 19: Halloween Haunted Trail, Costume Contest and Trick or Treat Street in Thousand Oaks (6-9PM)

Sat, Oct 19: Rancho Simi Heritage Halloween and Magic in the Park (4-8:30PM)

Sat, Oct 19: Simi Valley YMCA Fall Fest and Trunk or Treat (3-6PM) (RSVP)

Oct 19-20: Boo at the Zoo at The Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

Sun, Oct 20: Calabasas Pumpkin Festival (10AM-5PM)

Mon, Oct 21: “Pick Your Own” Pumpkin Patch at Mizel Estate Wines (4-6PM)

Mon, Oct 21: Oxnard Police Department Halloween Spooktacular (5:30-7:30PM)

Wed, Oct 23: Halloween Celebration in Port Hueneme (5-8PM)

Wed, Oct 23: Trick-or-Treat at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard (5PM) (RSVP)

Thu, Oct 24: “Pick Your Own” Pumpkin Patch at Mizel Estate Wines (4-6PM)

Fri, Oct 25: Spooky Swim at Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center in Camarillo (5:30PM) (RSVP)

Fri, Oct 25: City of Malibu Bu Bash Halloween Carnival (Ages 2-10) (2PM-Sunset)

Fri, Oct 25: Frankenstein Ball at Camarillo Community Center (5-7PM Age 50+)

Fri, Oct 25: Spooky Town at the Simi Valley Town Center (5-9PM)

Fri, Oct 25: Spooky Swim at the Pleasant Valley Aquatic Center (5:30-8:30PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Dia De Los Muertos Festival at Conejo Mountain in Camarillo (10AM-5PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Peace Pumpkin Fest in Camarillo (10AM-3PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest in Camarillo (10AM-1PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Camarillo Old Town BooFest Trick or Treating (Noon-4PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Howl-O-Ween Dog Costume Contest at Ventura Harbor Village (Noon)

Sat, Oct 26: Pumpkin Party at the Leonis Adobe Museum in Calabasas (1-4PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Pumpkin Festival at Christ the King Newbury Park (2-6PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Parade of Freights Marketplace at Harbor View Park, CI Harbor (2-9PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Downtown Ventura Costume Contest and Trick-or-Treating (3-7PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Spooktacular “Trunk or Treat” at Inside Car Guys Newbury Park (4-6PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Halloween Haunt in the Park at Plaza Park in Oxnard (4-7PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Fright Maze at Christ the King Newbury Park (5:30-9:30PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Songs, S’mores & Pumpkins at UMC of Thousand Oaks (6-8PM)

Sat, Oct 26: Channel Islands Harbor Parade of Frights (7PM)

Oct 26-27: Boo at the Zoo at The Teaching Zoo in Moorpark

Sun, Oct 27: Dia de los Muertos Celebration at Strathearn Historical Park (11AM-5PM)

Sun, Oct 27: Seaside Trick or Treat at Ventura Harbor Village (Noon-2PM)

Sun, Oct 27: Trunk or Treat at Iceoplex Simi Valley (2:15-6PM)

Mon, Oct 28: Camarillo Police Department Trunk or Treat (6-8PM)

Tue, Oct 29: Trunk or Treat at Thousand Oaks Post Acute (5:30-7:30PM)

Pumpkin Patches in Ventura County and Adjacent Areas

/

The star of the Halloween show is the pumpkin. According to my favorite resource Wikipedia, the name pumpkin originated from the ancient Greek word pepon ("large melon"). The French called it pompom. The British changed it to pumpion. Then American colonists changed it to pumpkin.

Pumpkins are gourd-like squashes and technically are a fruit. They can range in size from 1 lb to 1,000 lbs.

But who cares about all that...what we REALLY want to know is, where are the pumpkin patches in Ventura County and surrounding areas for the 2024 fall season!? Well, here are some choices...but make sure to call before you go for hours, etc.

OTHER HALLOWEEN EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES AROUND VENTURA COUNTY

Big Wave Dave's Pumpkin Patch will be operating one pumpkin patch this year at the Pacific View Mall in the Trader Joe's/Target parking lot from October 1st through October 31st, 2024. Free admission to the pumpkin patch, with kids’ activities, photo opps and more. Visit bigwavedaveschristmastrees.com/pumpkin-patch.html

Pumpkins_moreof.jpg

Boccali Ranch Pumpkin Patch at 3277 E. Ojai Avenue in Ojai will be open 7 days a week from 10am to 7pm starting October 5 to October 31, 2024, They offer tiny to extra-large “Big Mac” pumpkins, squash, gourds, Indian corn and seasonal produce. More details at boccalis.com/pumpkinpatch.html.

Prancer's Pumpkin Patch Santa Paula is located at 18540 East Telegraph Road and their Fall Fest will take place September 28 to October 31, 2024. Pumpkin patch events on weekends from 9am to 6pm with the following themes:

  • 9/28-9/29: Heroes of the Farm

  • 10/5-10/6: The Wild West

  • 10/12-10/13: Animals of the Farm

  • 10/19-10/20: Fiesta at the Farm

  • 10/26-10/27: Harvest Fest

Fall fest includes 10 acres of pumpkin patch, wagon hay ride, corn field maze, farm games, live entertainment and more. Movie nights on Saturdays: 10/5 - Hocus Pocus, 10/12 - Hocus Pocus 2, 10/19 - Coco, 10/26 - Haunted Mansion. Admission $20 to $26 on weekends, $13 on weekdays. Ages 2 and under free. Check for details at prancersfarm.com.

Stu Miller's Pumpkin Patch just east of the Simi Valley Town Center.

Stu Miller's Pumpkin Patch just east of the Simi Valley Town Center.

The 2024 Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival in Moorpark is back from September 28 to October 31 at 3370 Sunset Valley Road. Admission includes huge pumpkin patch, tractor-drawn wagon rides, corn maze, giant tractor display, hay pyramids, animal center, and many other family-friendly activities. Themed weekend events include animal shows, pig races, live performers, roaming entertainment and more. Weekday admission is $14 at the gate only. Weekend admission varies from $22 to $28 per person purchased online. Children 2 and under and parking are free. More details at www.underwoodfamilyfarms.com/fall-harvest.

The Underwood Farm Center in Somis at 5696 Los Angeles Avenue also has a pumpkin patch along with its year-round animal center. Open 9am to 6pm.

Mizel Family Foundation is hosting a “Pick Your Own” Pumpkin Patch in Hidden Valley on October 21 and 24 from 4-6pm. Learn more at THIS LINK.

The 2024 Calabasas Pumpkin Festival is planned for Sunday, October 20th from 10am to 5pm at De Anza Park. Event will feature pumpkin patch and plenty of other fun activities. $10 per person in advance online. $15 at the gate. Kids under 2 are free. www.calabasaspumpkinfestival.com

The Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch will be back this year at 450 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd (at Hodencamp) in Thousand Oaks from October 1-31, 2024. Hours are 3-9pm Mon-Thu, 3-10pm Fri, 11am-10pm Sat and 11am-9pm Sun. Closes at 7pm on 10/31. Free admission. Rides and attractions priced separately. www.seasonaladventures.com/thousandoakspumpkins

The Simi Valley Seasonal Adventures Pumpkin Patch is also back this year at 1898 Simi Town Center Way from October 1-31, 2024. Hours are 3-9pm Mon-Thu, 3-10pm Fri, 11am-10pm Sat and 11am-9pm Sun. Closes at 7pm on 10/31. Free admission. Rides and attractions priced separately. www.seasonaladventures.com/simivalleypumpkins

McGrath Brothers Great Pacific Pumpkins is located at 5100 Olivas Park Drive in Ventura. Call 805.644.1235. They are open the entire month of October from 9am to 6pm. Admission is $2. Tractor ride is $2. Hay Maze is $2. Check their Instagram page at www.instagram.com/mcgrathgreatpacificpumpkins for updates.

Pumpkin Patch at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 3947 W. Kimber Drive, Newbury Park. October 21 through 31, 2024, Mon-Fri 2-7pm, Sat 10am-7pm, Sun noon-7pm and Oct 31 9am-4pm. They will also be hosting a free Pumpkin Fest event from 2-6pm on the 26th. ctknp.com/pumpkin-patch

Bennett's Best Pumpkin Patch has locations next to the Whizin Market Square at 28900 Roadside Drive and at the corner of Kanan and Agoura Roads. They are both now open.

Great Pacific Pumpkins Ventura1.JPG

Aviation Museum of Santa Paula is Open to the Public the First Sunday of Each Month

/

The Santa Paula Airport was dedicated in August 1930. Today it is a non-towered facility with nearly 300 aircraft, handling approximately 97,000 arrivals/departures a year. Much of the original 1930’s-era facilities still exist and are used today, giving the airport a very authentic representation of the Golden Age of Aviation.

Located at the Santa Paula Airport, the Aviation Museum of Santa Paula is open the first Sunday of each month, with an array of hangars open to the public from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Upcoming dates: December 1

SPAirport_Dedication.JPG

Each of the privately owned hangars houses a variety of vintage aircraft and collections of various types, as well as other memorabilia, such as antique radios, model aircraft and race cars. Some hangars celebrate highlights of fascinating aviation careers, while others contain antique aircraft undergoing the process of restoration. Hangar owners or docents are available to answer questions. 

SPAviationMuseum.JPG

You've got to take the time to stop by. It is fun, low key and quite interesting. The hangars are directly adjacent to the airfield, so you are guaranteed to see aircraft taking off and landing up close.

Obviously an aviation aficionado in this hangar!

Obviously an aviation aficionado in this hangar!

The participating hangars are fairly well spread out at the 51 acre airport but if you're not up for walking, there's a complimentary tram that will take you around. These are some very nice people who have obvious passion for what they do and enjoy sharing it with the general public. I struck up conversations with several hangar owners and they were full of great stories and information.

AviationMuseumTram.JPG

There is no charge for visiting the Aviation Museum, though donations are welcomed. Visit www.aviationmuseumofsantapaula.org or call 805.525.1109 for more information.

The Museum is not open on rainy days.

Directions: Arriving by car from the east, exit the Santa Paula Freeway (SR 126) at 10th street, turn right off the ramp, and then a quick left onto Harvard Boulevard. Turn left at the next signal at Eighth Street, under the freeway, left onto Santa Maria Street and park in the lot. Arriving from the west, exit the freeway at Palm Avenue, turn right and then a quick left onto Santa Maria Street, about a half mile to the end at the parking lot.

Lots to see, both inside and outside of the hangars.

Lots to see, both inside and outside of the hangars.