Farmers' Markets and Farm Fresh Produce Around Ventura County

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Looking for fresh produce in Ventura County? Lettuce help you! There are over a dozen farmers' markets in and around Ventura County each week, not to mention another dozen or so stores and Community Supported Agriculture programs that sell organic produce.

Times, dates and places subject to change. Let us know of any updates!

FARMERS' MARKETS (In "day of the week" order)

VENTURA: Wednesdays 9 am to 1 pm at Pacific View Mall in the west parking lot, near Red Robin and the former Sears. Call 805.529.6266. www.vccfm.org/midtown-ventura

OXNARD: Thursdays 9 am to 1:30 pm at Plaza Park, 5th and C Streets. Call 805.247.0197. downtownoxnard.org/farmers-market

THOUSAND OAKS: Thursdays 11 am to 4 pm at the The Oaks Mall east parking lot. Produce, flowers, food and more! www.vccfm.org/thousand-oaks

OJAI: Thursdays 3 to 7 pm at the Ojai Unified School District courtyard at 414 E. Ojai Avenue (at Montgomery). Produce, fish, crafts, food and more. www.ojaicommunityfarmersmarket.com

SIMI VALLEY: Fridays 11 am to 3:30 pm at Simi Valley Civic Center Plaza, 2757 Tapo Canyon Rd..(at Alamo Street) www.facebook.com/simivalleymarket or 805.643.6458

DOWNTOWN VENTURA: Saturdays 8:30 am to noon 200 block of Main Street, from Palm Street to Mission Park. Call 805.529.6266 or visit www.vccfm.org/downtown-ventura

CAMARILLO: Saturdays 8 am to noon 2220 Ventura Boulevard camarillofarmersmarket.com. Proceeds benefit Camarillo Hospice. Call 805.386.3584.

CALABASAS: Saturdays 8 am to 1 pm in Old Town Calabasas on Calabasas Road west of El Canon Avenue (across from Sagebrush Cantina). Call 818.591.8161. ccfm.com/calabasas-farmers-market

SANTA PAULA: Saturdays 10am to 2pm at Anna’s Cider, 801 E. Main St. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094783585689 (NOTE: Closed for “a couple weeks” as of 1/3/25: Check Facebook link for updates.)

VENTURA: The Ventura College Foundation Weekend Marketplace at Ventura College takes place on Saturdays and Sundays from 8 am to 2 pm, in the east parking lot, 4667 Telegraph Road. Fresh produce, nursery plants, flowers and more offered. venturacollegefoundation.org/weekend-marketplace-2

WESTLAKE VILLAGE: Sundays 10 am to 2 pm at 2797 Agoura Road (at the Westlake Commons) Call 818.591.8161. https://rawinspiration.org/locations/westlake-village-farmers-market/

OJAI: Sundays 9 am to 1 pm at 300 E. Matilija Street year-round, rain or shine. Produce, flowers and gourmet food. Call 805.698.5555. www.ojaicertifiedfarmersmarket.com.

OXNARD/CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR: Sundays 10 am to 2 pm at 2805 South Harbor Boulevard year-round. www.channelislandsharbor.org/listing/farmers-market

MALIBU: Sundays 10 am to 3 pm at Legacy Park, 23500 Civic Center Way. www.facebook.com/malibufarmersmarket

LOCAL STORES WITH FRESH PRODUCE:

Underwood Family Farms Market at 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark has farm fresh produce, pickled items, honey, nuts, juices, dried beans, farm fresh eggs and fresh cut flowers. Open year-round. Call 805.529.3690. underwoodfamilyfarms.com/farm-market

Underwood Family Farms Market at 5696 E. Los Angeles Avenue in Somis is open every day year-round 9am to 6pm (5pm after DST) with the exception of some holidays. Call 805.386.4660. underwoodfamilyfarms.com/somis

Underwood Family Farms - Somis Location

Underwood Family Farms Market in Moorpark.

Underwood Family Farms Market in Moorpark.

McGrath Family Farm at 1012 West Ventura Blvd, Camarillo is open March through December Tuesday through Sunday and offers organic fruits, flowers and vegetables.  Freeway convenient off the Central Avenue offramp of the 101. Call 805.983.0333.

Lassen's Natural Foods, with locations in Thousand Oaks, Oxnard, Camarillo, Ventura and Simi Valley, has offered fresh produce since 1971.

Apricot Lane Farms at 10700 Broadway Road in Moorpark opens its Farmstand on Saturdays and Sundays from May to October. Hours are 10am to 3:30pm. Guests are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the regenerative market garden, enjoy the children’s playground, and have a picnic on the beautiful garden lawn. www.apricotlanefarms.com/where-to-buy

Sprouts Farmers Market sells local farm fresh produce as well as a full range of other grocery items, with local area locations at:

Whole Foods Market organic fresh produce and a full range of grocery items, with local locations in Thousand Oaks (740 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks) 805.777.4730 and Oxnard at The Collection (650 Town Center Drive) 805.751.4300

Green Acres Farm Market (2918 Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley) opened in 1968 and offers farm fresh produce, meat, fine wines and gourmet groceries. Call 805.526.1312. www.simigreenacres.com

Rodela Produce and Flowers (formerly A & F Country Market) is at 4550 Olivas Park Drive in Ventura (at Telephone Road). From Thousand Oaks, take Victoria offramp from 101 south to Olivas Park and make a right. Store is on your left. Nice stop on your way to/from the Olivas Adobe and Ventura Harbor Village. 805.644.5470.

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Santiago’s Produce is located on the northwest corner of Olivas Park Drive and Telephone Road at 4551 Olivas Park Drive.

The Berry Best stand at 3030 Dodge Road (at Pleasant Valley Road, just east of Rice Avenue) is strawberry, fruit and vegetable stand. Call 805.271.4490.

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Prancer’s Farm is a family owned farm and produce stand located at 18540 E. Telegraph Road, Santa Paula. Open daily 10am to 6pm.

The Gerry Ranch offers freshly picked blueberries at its farm in the Santa Rosa Valley. Visit www.gerryranchberries.com for more information.

Francisco's Fruits is located at 1782 E. Telegraph Road in Fillmore. Fruits, nuts, snacks, and more. Great place to buy citrus! www.facebook.com/FranciscosFruit 805.524.4616

Lil Red Barn is located at 100 S. Victoria Avenue in Oxnard, with seasonable produce like strawberries, avocados, vegetables and more. 805.382.0799

Paty’s Farm at 3260 Somis Road in Somis is a produce stand that offers fresh fruit and vegetables. 805.947.6764

CSA (COMMUNITY SUPPORTED AGRICULTURE) AND LOCAL DELIVERY PROGRAMS

Local Harvest Delivery is based in Santa Barbara and delivers harvest boxes to homes as far as Ventura and Ojai.

Farm Cart Organics provides local delivery service. Visit www.farmcartorganics.com.

Farmivore offers farm to door delivery throughout Ventura County, plus Agoura Hills and Calabasas. https://farmivore.localfoodmarketplace.com

Farm Fresh to You delivers organic fruits and vegetables to your home. www.farmfreshtoyou.com

Farmers' Market Websites:

Farm Bureau of Ventura County: www.farmbureauvc.com/farm-to-table

Ventura County Certified Farmers Markets: www.vccfm.org

Retired Farmers' Markets:

NEWBURY PARK: Fridays 2pm to 7pm (The Village at Dos Vientos Ranch). Announced on 12/9/13 that market is closed.

SIMI VALLEY: The Simi Valley Town Center Market was discontinued effective 11/26/14 after running for a year and a half.

AGOURA HILLS: Sundays 9 am to 2 pm at 5835 Kanan Road (Agoura's Famous Deli parking lot) closed 6/28/15.

CAMARILLO: Wednesdays 3-7pm Pleasant Valley Certified Farmers' Market at the Camarillo Community Center parking lot closed 9/30/15.

NEWBURY PARK: Saturdays 9 am to 2 pm at the Newbury Park Library parking lot (Borchard Road and Michael Drive) closed Feb 2017

OXNARD: Thursdays 4 pm to 8 pm at The Collection at RiverPark short-lived

OXNARD: Saturdays 8 am to 2 pm at The Collection at RiverPark located -short-lived in 2022

MOORPARK: Sundays - to be relocating - check for updates at www.facebook.com/moorparkcfm

Frozen Yogurt, Ice Cream, Gelato and Other Frozen Treats Around Ventura County

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Here's a handy list of frozen yogurt, ice cream and gelato places in and around Ventura County for your dining pleasure. There are over 80 such establishments in Ventura County and surrounding areas.

(Current as of 12/31/24. Let us know of any changes.)

Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Oak Park

Oxnard/Port Hueneme

Ventura/Ojai/Santa Paula

Thrifty Ice Cream, a brand that brings me visions of childhood joy, is still around at Rite Aid stores throughout Ventura County, as well as at the new (as of late May 2024) Moby’s on Main arcade/bar in Ventura.

FROZEN YOGURT AND ICE CREAM PLACES THAT HAVE CLOSED SINCE 2009

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Options for Thousand Oaks Residents

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The City of Thousand Oaks Public Works Department's "GoGreen" website has hundreds of conservation tips relating to composting, energy conservation, hazardous waste disposal, recycling and trash, reuse programs, water conservation, living green advice, and much more. Check it out at www.toaks.org/GoGreen.

Like me, you may have a lot of junk lying around the house that you'd like to get rid of but are not allowed to place in the trash. 

Since May 2014, the City has run a permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility located next to the Service Center at 2010 Conejo Center Drive, Newbury Park.

Residents of Thousand Oaks and unincorporated areas of Ventura County may sign up to drop off items at this facility on Fridays/Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, except certain holiday weekends, at toaks.gov/hhw. Advance registration is required.

Items accepted at these monthly collection events include acids, motor oil, antifreeze, asbestos, nail polish/remover, automatic switches, oil filters, batteries, paints, cement, paint thinners, chlorine, fertilizers, pool chemicals, fluorescent lights, propane cylinders, fire extinguishers, rodent poison, garden chemicals, smoke detectors, gasoline, solvents, used frying oil, household cleaners, weed killers and more. They do not accept tires, medications. business waste and other items.

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One person's hazardous waste is another's gold! The City's Hazardous Waste Material Reuse Program allows residents to take away certain items previously disposed of, such as cleaners, paint, pool chemicals, motor oils, adhesives, etc. Selection obviously will vary. No appointment needed. Just stop by the Reuse Store (same location as waste collection facility) on Friday/Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information at toaks.gov/hhw.

The ReUse store will be closed weekends associated with the following holidays: President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

There are also convenient hazardous waste disposal for other items:

Batteries: Community Centers at Borchard Park, Dos Vientos and Thousand Oaks (next to TOHS), Goebel Senior Center, Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park Libraries, City Hall and Thousand Oaks Transportation Center.

Motor Oil/Filters: See toaks.gov/hhw

Electronic Waste: Best Buy, Goodwill Industries, PC Recycle, Waste Management and Gold Coast Recycling Center. More info at THIS LINK.

Fluorescent Lights/CFL's: You may bring any size or type of fluorescent and LED bulbs to the City's Hazardous Waste Facility.

(See www.homedepot.com/c/ab/how-to-dispose-of-lightbulbs/9ba683603be9fa5395fab901b263d806 for more information on what to do with light bulbs of various types.)

Unwanted and/or expired medications can be dropped off throughout Ventura County at designated police stations, such as the East Valley Police Station Lobby at 2101 E. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Open Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm.

Visit toaks.org/GoGreen for updates.

Birthday Party Places In and Around Ventura County

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Trying to figure out what to do for your kids' birthday parties in and around Ventura County? We've got you covered with this compilation of over 150 birthday party options in and around Ventura County, spanning from Ventura to Camarillo, Thousand Oaks, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Westlake Village, Newbury Park and surrounding areas. We have categorized venue by "type" as best we can.  Contact us if you have something to add!

Volunteer Opportunities in Ventura County

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Looking for a job? Why not help yourself by filling in the gaps in your resume with new experiences while helping others! Or if you are just looking to give back to the local community, there are hundreds of opportunities to volunteer throughout Ventura County. Here's where to find volunteer opportunities:

The United Way of Ventura County hosts www.VolunteerVenturaCounty.org, which lists numerous upcoming volunteer opportunities.

Since 1998, VolunteerMatch.org has helped volunteers find over 4 million volunteer matches at over 60,000 non-profits across the country.

Or visit the Local Charities section of Conejo Valley Guide and you'll find over 100 Ventura County area non-profit organizations, most of which could use your help. I clicked a few and found plenty of volunteer needs publicized on each entity's website, like MANNA Food Bank, L.I.F.E. Animal Rescue in Agoura, Hospice of the Conejo, Friends of the Thousand Oaks Library, and CareGivers - Volunteers Assisting the Elderly.

You could also join one of over 80 service organizations in the Service Clubs section of CVG. The Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimist, Assistance League, Lions Club and other organizations provide needed services to others in need. 

ActionVC is a non-profit that seeks volunteers to serve the vulnerable in our local community. www.actionvc.org/volunteer

Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County seeks volunteers at www.habitatventura.org/volunteer.

The Ventura County Resource Conservation District seeks volunteers to further its mission to conserve the natural resources of Ventura County at www.vcrcd.org/volunteer.

The Ventura County Medical Reserve Corps is a volunteer network that provides support for public health, emergency response, first aid services for local events and other local needs. www.venturacountymrc.org

Volunteer opportunities in Thousand Oaks: toaks.org/departments/human-resources/volunteer

Volunteer opportunities in Simi Valley: www.simivalley.org/index.aspx?page=355

Volunteer opportunities in Camarillo: www.cityofcamarillo.org/departments/city_manager/volunteers.php

Volunteer opportunities in Moorpark: moorparkca.gov/389/Volunteering-in-Moorpark

Volunteering in the City of Westlake Village: www.wlv.org/index.aspx?nid=320

Volunteering for the County of Ventura: hr.ventura.org/volunteer

How about the National Park Service? Check the local Santa Monica Mountains volunteer opportunities and Channel Islands National Park volunteer opportunities.

Also check out the volunteer opportunities with the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority. mrca.ca.gov/educational-outreach-programs/volunteer-2

And more links to volunteering opportunities:

Conejo Recreation and Park District www.crpd.org/support/volunteer

Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District www.pvrpd.org/volunteer

Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District www.rsrpd.org/recreation/volunteers.php

Los Robles Hospital volunteer opportunities for adults and high school students www.losrobleshospitalvolunteers.com

Thousand Oaks Library www.tolibrary.org/services/get-involved/library-volunteers

Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Conejo Valley www.bgcconejo.org/get-involved/volunteer

Food Share of Ventura County foodshare.com/volunteer

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (Oxnard, Ventura, Camarillo and Port Hueneme) www.oxnard.org/recreation/senior-services/rsvp-volunteer

St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital in Camarillo www.dignityhealth.org/central-coast/locations/pleasantvalley/about-us/volunteering

Ride On Therapeutic Horsemanship in Newbury Park www.rideon.org/volunteer.php

Shelter Hope Pet Shop in Thousand Oaks shelterhopepetshop.org/help

Conejo Players Theatre in Thousand Oaks conejoplayers.org/volunteer

Rancho St. Francis in Newbury Park www.ranchostfrancis.org/Volunteers.htm

Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Volunteers in Policing Program www.venturasheriff.org/volunteers/volunteers-in-policing

New West Symphony in Thousand Oaks newwestsymphony.org/volunteer

Conejo Free Clinic www.conejofreeclinic.org/volunteers

Interface Children & Family Services www.icfs.org/volunteer

Boys and Girls Clubs of Conejo Valley www.bgcconejo.org/get-involved/volunteer

Senior Concerns in Thousand Oaks seeks volunteers for its Adult Day Care Center, Meals on Wheels and other programs. www.seniorconcerns.org/volunteer

James Storehouse in Newbury Park seeks volunteers for its work supporting children in need. Visit www.jamesstorehouse.org/volunteer to apply.

Cancer Support Community Valley/Ventura/Santa Barbara seeks volunteers cancersupportvvsb.org/about-us/volunteer-opportunities

Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency seeks volunteers for trail watch, trail work days, Adopt-a-Trail and more. conejo-openspace.org/about/volunteer-opportunities

The Conejo Senior Volunteer Program provides opportunities for adults age 55+ to use their life experience and skills to meet local community needs. www.crpd.org/programs-sports/conejo-senior-volunteer-program

School on Wheels seeks volunteers to tutor children experiencing homelessness. schoolonwheels.org/apply-to-be-a-volunteer

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary seeks volunteers ages 17 and up to join its local Channel Islands flotilla. Bring the USCG AUX your skills or join to develop your leadership skills through numerous free classes and workshops offered. The USCG AUX was established by Congress in 1939 to assist the Coast Guard in promoting boating safety. Volunteers assist the Coast Guard in non-law enforcement programs such as safety patrols, search and rescue, maritime security, vessel safety checks, public safe boating classes and watchstanding. Visit www.d11s.org to learn more.

Non-profit Step Up Tutoring seeks volunteers ages 16+ to tutor students online in underserved communities. Learn more at www.stepuptutoring.org/volunteer-tutor.

Trolley Services in Ventura County and Surrounding Areas

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Trolley seen around town in Westlake Village

Trolley seen around town in Westlake Village

The term "trolley" is derived from a grooved conductive wheel attached to a pole that "trolls," or pulls along, an overhead wire to transfer electricity to a streetcar. The first large-scale trolley line in the world, the Richmond Union Passenger Railway, was a 12 mile system that opened on February 12, 1888 in Richmond, Virginia. This trolley service operated until November 25, 1949. 

You don't see many trolley buses anymore (San Francisco's historic streetcars are a well known exception), but here in Ventura County and adjacent areas we do have some electric trolleys in operation!

Camarillo: The City of Camarillo provides trolley service seven days a week, with 10 stops at various shopping centers in town in a 30 minute cycle. Fare price is $1 for adults and students, $.50 for seniors and ADA riders.

Ojai: The City of Ojai's Ojai Trolley Service has operated since 1989, providing low cost fixed route service with 45 stops over roughly five miles in Ojai, Meiners Oaks and Mira Monte.

Calabasas: Just east of us, City of Calabasas offers free trolley service on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 24 stops at various shopping and other venues.

Santa Barbara: The Santa Barbara Trolley Company is a commercial service that provides trolley tours to some of the area's great tourist venues Thursday to Monday.

Trolleys No More:

Ventura:  The Downtown Ventura-Harbor Trolley provided year-round free service to local shopping, tourist and hotel locations over an hour-long route, Wednesday through Sunday…until it closed operations at the end of March 2019.

Westlake Village: Previously provided a free trolley service on Fr/Sat nights during certain seasonal time frames in 2019. Program has been on hiatus since then but has been under consideration. Could be reinstated at some point; visit www.wlv.org for updates.

What Happens When You Turn 18 in the State of California?

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Age 18 in the United States is considered the "age of majority" and is a major milestone.

Age 18 has been the age of majority since the 26th Amendment, signed into law by President Nixon in July 1971. Historically the age of majority was 21, but when Franklin D. Roosevelt lowered the military draft age to 18 during World War II, there was a push to align the voting age with the military draft age.

So what changes when you turn 18? The State Bar of California previously published a nice guide for teenagers to help better understand how their rights and responsibilities change at age 18.

Here's a summary of these rights and responsibilities, excerpted from the California Lawyers Foundation booklet (updated in 2021), “When You Turn 18 - A Legal Survival Guide” (pdf file) (Spanish language version):

  1. Enter into binding contracts - for example, leases, opening bank accounts and applying for loans (of course, to obtain the loan, you may still need a co-signer).

  2. Buy or sell property, such as real estate and stock.

  3. Marry without written consent of parents or guardian.

  4. Sue or be sued.

  5. Compromise, settle or arbitrate a claim.

  6. Make or revoke a will.

  7. Inherit property outright.

  8. Vote in federal, state and local elections. (Since 2016, 16 and 17 year olds may pre-register to vote at age 18.)

  9. Consent to all types of medical treatment.

  10. Join the military without parental consent. Male U.S. citizens or immigrants living in the U.S. generally must register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of turning 18. (Females are not currently not required to register for the draft.)

  11. Get a job without a special work permit.

  12. Serve jury duty.

  13. Be subject to more serious consequences for breaking the law.

  14. Prior to June 9, 2016, you could buy tobacco products. The law changed, however, and now you have to wait until you are age 21. This also includes e-cigarettes and vaping products.

  15. At age 18 you can give blood without parental consent in California (written parental consent is required for 16 and 17 year olds).

  16. At age 18 you may become an organ donor without parental consent. www.organdonor.gov/about/donors/child-infant.html

  17. Apply for credit in your own name, though you will likely need to show proof of income or have a co-signer.

  18. You can get a tattoo at age 18 and can do so without parental consent. You cannot get a tattoo under the age of 18. It is a misdemeanor to give or even offer to give a tattoo to someone under the age of 18 in California. (PC 653)

  19. You can get a piercing without parental consent at age 18.

  20. You can file a petition to change your name at age 18.

  21. You can play the Lottery at age 18 in most states (except Iowa and Louisiana - party poopers).

  22. In California and most states (except Arizona, Iowa, Nevada and Texas), you can bet on horse races (e.g. pari-mutuel betting).

  23. You can play charity bingo at age 18 in California.

What you still cannot do:

  1. Purchase tobacco products, e-cigarettes and vaping products (mentioned above). You must be age 21. In fact, federal law changed in December 2019 to require all states to change the minimum age for tobacco purchases to 21.

  2. Purchase and consume alcoholic beverages. The minimum age for drinking in all states is 21.

    Some states have minor (so to speak) exceptions to the age 21 requirement. In Kansas, under 21 may drink “cereal malt beverages” under parental supervision on their own property. What is a cereal malt beverage? A beverage with no more than 3.2% alcohol by weight produced by fermentation, not by distillation. Coors Light has 4.2% alcohol as a comparison. The states of Alaska, Connecticut, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Ohio and Wisconsin have exceptions that allow individuals under age 21 to drink when parents or guardians are present. If you are 18 and really want to drink, the territories of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands allow legal drinking, unencumbered by the presence of parents, at age 18.

  3. You cannot sell or serve alcoholic beverages for consumption on-premises until you are age 21. However, it is allowable for someone 18 to 21 to serve alcoholic beverages to consumers in a restaurant along with food for consumption on premises.

For more information about the “When You Turn 18: A Legal Survival Guide” publication and/or to request physical copies of the booklet at calawyersfoundation.org/our-work.