The Oldest Restaurants in Ventura County and Nearby Areas

We do our best to support local restaurants here in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County. But local eateries come and go, for many reasons. Running a restaurant is not easy, but some of them manage to operate longer than others.

Here’s a compilation of some of the longest-operating restaurants in Ventura County.

1929: The Golden Chicken Inn is located at 701 S. Oxnard Boulevard in Oxnard (at 7th Street). It opened in 1929 and is still in business in one of the last remaining Chinese structures in the area. golden-chicken-inn.cafes-nearby.com

1936: Familia Diaz operated at 245 S. 10th Street in Santa Paula from 1936 to 2015. It was sold to new owners, however, and now operates as Chapala Mexican Restaurant, so we’re going to keep it on this list. chapalamexicanrestaurantca.com

1946: El Tecolote originated in Moorpark in 1946 and moved to its current location at 333 N. Lewis Road in Camarillo in 1952, serving traditional Mexican fare. www.facebook.com/eltecoloterestaurant

1949: Dominick’s Italian Restaurant at 477 North Oxnard Boulevard in Oxnard has been family owned and operated since 1949, serving delicious pasta, New York style pizza and more. dominicksoxnard.com

1952: Otani’s Seafood is a family owned seafood restaurant in Downtown Oxnard that has operated since 1952, featuring Japanese style seafood with a twist of Mexican flair. Located at 608 South A Street in Oxnard. www.otanis-seafood.com

1956: The Ranch House originally opened at its quaint location at 102 Besant Road in Ojai in 1956. In July 2025 it was reopened under new ownership as The Rochers at the Ranch House. Learn more at www.therochersrh.com.

1957: Thousand Oaks Meat Locker started out as a custom butcher shop in 1957, then transformed into a BBQ eatery since the mid-1970s at 2684 Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks. www.thousandoaksmeatlocker.com

1958: Casa De Soria Mexican Restaurant opened at 1961 E. Thompson Avenue in Ventura in 1958. They claim to have served over 7 million meals since then to Mexican food lovers! www.casadesoria.com

1959: Tony’s Pizzaria has been family owned and operated since June 1959 at 186 E. Thompson Blvd in Ventura. Founded by Johnny “Tony” Barrios and now operated by his children and nephew., Tony’s Pizzaria specializes in New York style hand tossed pizza. www.tonyspizzaria.net

1958: Neptune’s Net, with an address of 42505 Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, is technically located in Ventura County in the unincorporated community of Solromar (it uses Malibu for its zip code). Neptune’s Net is open 364 days a year, closed only for Thanksgiving. This is a casual, order at the counter and find a table type of place that is located across from County Line Beach. neptunesnet.com

1961: Harold’s House of Omelettes at 2440 Thousand Oaks Blvd in Thousand Oaks. Harold Warner originally opened Harold’s at 1938 Thousand Oaks Blvd. The eatery closed May 7, 2021 but was subsequently was acquired and reopened as Bo’s House of Omelettes & Waffles. More information at houseofomelettesto.com.

1961: The Rock Store opened in 1961 at 30354 Mulholland Highway in Cornell (an unincorporated community of Los Angeles County located near Agoura Hills). originally as a small town grocery store. An extremely popular motorcyclist hangout, It currently offers breakfast and lunch Friday to Sunday. rock-store.com

1963: Chester’s Asia Restaurant has operated in Camarillo since 1963 at 2216 Pickwick Drive in the Pickwick Shopping Center. chestersasiarestaurant.com

1965: Thousand Oaks Fish & Chips is currently located at 3825 Thousand Oaks Blvd in the North Ranch Shopping Center. It established itself in the Conejo Valley in 1965. www.thousandoaksfishandchips.com

1966: Little Tony’s Italian Restaurant is located at 1441 Redwood Street in Oxnard, next to Weinerschnitzel. Open daily at 4pm for dinner. 805-486-1414 www.yelp.com/biz/little-tonys-italian-restaurant-oxnard

1968: Boccaccio’s Restaurant at the Westlake Landing, 32123 Lindero Canyon Road, Westlake Village, has been operating since 1968. www.boccacciosrestaurant.com

Boccccio’s ad circa 1969.

1968: Jack in the Box Thousand Oaks opened at 484 Moorpark Road this year and still operates today.

1969: Ottavio and Noella Belvedere opened Pizza Villa on Ventura Blvd in Camarillo in 1969 and changed the name to Ottavio’s Italian Restaurant in 1974, so we’re going to credit them for 1969. The moved to a larger location at 1620 Ventura Blvd in 1977 and have operated there ever since. www.ottavio.com

1970: Cactus Patch Restaurant is a diner located at 197 E. High Street in Moorpark that has served breakfast and lunch since 1970. The original owner passed away in 2020 but other family members and staff continue to operate this eatery. www.facebook.com/CactusPatchRestaurant

1970: The Old Place Cornell restaurant opened at 29983 Mulholland Hwy in Cornell (Agoura Hills) in 1970. This is Los Angeles County but close to us here in the Conejo Valley . oldplacecornell.com

1973: The Newbury Park McDonald’s at 850 Wendy Drive premiered in the spring of 1970. (There’s probably other fast food places we need to research and add to this list.)

1974: The first Cisco’s Mexican Restaurant opened in Westlake Village in 1974. That location closed in 2018 but Cisco’s continues to operate at 1712 E. Avenida De Los Arboles in Thousand Oaks, making it one of the oldest eateries in the Conejo Valley. www.ciscosthousandoaks.com

1974: The first Eggs ‘n” Things restaurant opened in the same building as its current Camarillo location at 1200 Paseo Camarillo. Now Eggs “n” Things has locations in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Ventura as well. www.eggsnthings.net

1974: Rhineland Deli Thousand Oaks has been open since 1974. It relocated to 1817 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd in 2022 as it continues to serve its signature delicious German-inspired sandwiches and other items. www.instagram.com/rhineland_deli

1976: The Alamo Restaurant was established in 1976 at 2311 Borchard Road in Newbury Park, specializing in Mexican dishes. www.alamo-rest.com

1979: Azar’s Sport Bar & Grill originated as Azar’s Red Robin on September 19, 1976 at 2215 Michael Drive in Newbury Park, offering breakfast, lunch, dinner, cocktails and live music. www.azarsportsbar.com

~1980: Don’t have the exact date, but A-Burger opened over 40 years ago at 155 S. Oxnard Blvd in Oxnard. I’m told that this was originally a Whataburger. www.facebook.com/ABurgerOxnard

1983: Andria’s Seafood Restaurant and Market opened at Ventura Harbor Village on May 13, 1982 and this family business has operated continuously since that date. www.andriasseafood.com

1984: P & L Burgers at 2000-A East Avenida de los Arboles, Thousand Oaks originally opened in 1984, making it the oldest burger place in the Conejo Valley. pandlburgers.com

Familia Diaz in Santa Paula changed ownership and is now called Chapala Mexican Restaurant. We’ll keep this image here in memory of the previous occupant.

The Oldest Eateries in Ventura County that closed in recent years:

1947: Lupe’s Mexican Restaurant on Thousand Oaks Blvd in Thousand Oaks closed its doors in August 2016, after 69 years in business.

Lupe’s Mexican Food in Thousand Oaks in 1975. (Photo courtesy Thousand Oaks Library Conejo Through the Lens Collection.)

1949: The Sportsman Restaurant at 53 S. California Street in Ventura closed in 2018. The Camarillo location at 4426 Central Avenue is still open. www.sportsmancamarillo.com

1946: Dorothy’s Chuck Wagon Cafe was located at 2344 Ventura Blvd in Old Town Camarillo. The building was constructed in 1944 and original owner Larry Logue opened Larry’s Malt Shop there in 1946. It was Carmen’s Snack Bar when owned by Ed and Carmen Quinn. Dorothy Johnson took over as new owner in 1983. In June 2022 she announced the cafe had closed. The building was sold in May 2022.

The former Dorothy’s Chuck Wagon Cafe in Old Town Camarillo (closed in June 2022).

Hang Out with Motorcyclists at the Rock Store on Mulholland Drive in Cornell

Located at 30354 Mulholland Highway, in the community of Cornell, the Rock Store is one of the most famous motorcyclist and biker hangouts in the world.

The "Rock Store," made out of volcanic rock, served as a stagecoach stop after the turn of the 20th century. Pittsburgh transplants Ed and Vern (Veronica) Savco purchased the building in 1961 and turned it into a grocery store. As the town grew, the Rock Store became a popular destination for motorcyclists, perhaps the most famous motorcycle stop in Southern California.

Stop by the Rock Store for breakfast, lunch and beer/wine, to see celebrities and hundreds of motorcyclists/bikers.

To get there from the Conejo Valley/Agoura Hills, take Kanan Road south just over 3 miles and take a left on Sierra Creek Road. Turn right on Mulholland, and the Rock Store will be on your left after about half a mile. Open 9am to 6pm on Fridays and 7am to 6pm on Saturday/Sunday. Learn more at www.rock-store.com.

The Story Behind Those Historic El Camino Real Bell Markers on the 101 Freeway

Like me, perhaps you've wondered about those unique bell markers seen frequently on the 101 Freeway with the sign that says "Historic El Camino Real."

One of those ubiquitous Historic El Camino Real bell markers we see along the 101 Freeway.

El Camino Real is Spanish for "The Royal Road" and in California is the name for the 700 mile historic California Mission Trail that connects 21 missions, 4 presidios (military forts) and several pueblos (towns) from Mission San Diego de Alcala in the south to Mission San Francisco Solano in Northern California. El Camino Real is designated as California Historical Landmark #784.

California State Assembly Bill 1707 defined the El Camino Real route, which includes portions of Routes 280, 82, 238, 101, 5, 72, 12, 37, 121, 87, 162, 185, 92, and 123 and connecting city streets and county roads in a continuous route from Sonoma southerly to the international border.

So what's up with those bell markers on the 101? According to the California Department of Transportation, the Mission Bell Marker system has existed on the historic El Camino Real route since 1906. The original marker system called for installation of bells one mile apart along the entire length of the El Camino Real. By 1913, over 450 markers were in place, but over the years the bells were removed due to damage, vandalism and theft. In 1959, the Division of Highways was legislatively mandated to maintain the marker system. Legislation in 1974 reiterated that responsibility.

Caltrans initiated a plan to maintain the system beginning in 1974, when less than 100 of the original Mission Bell Markers remained. The bells are exact copies of the original 1906 bells; in fact, the original bell molds were used to fabricate the new bells. Mission Bell Marker locations were chosen based on safety, constructability, visibility and scenic quality of the site. Spacing between marker locations varied based on existing site conditions and limitations. An average spacing of 1 to 2 miles was sought when identifying the locations.

The Caltrans Landscape Architecture Program began in 1996 to fulfill its vision to restore the historic El Camino Real Mission Bell Marker system from San Diego to Sonoma. The portion of the system from San Diego to Los Angeles was not addressed by the restoration project because those bells are mostly located on local streets outside of the State’s jurisdiction. The first phase of the restoration project, between Los Angeles to San Francisco, was completed in early 2005. The second and final phase of the restoration project was completed between San Francisco and Sonoma in late 2012. The Mission Bell Marker system as originally envisioned in the earlier part of the last century has finally been realized!

Caltrans received nearly $2 million in Transportation Enhancement grants to fund restoration of the Mission Bell Marker system on the El Camino Real from Orange County to Sonoma. Funding was received for the manufacture and placement of 585 Mission Bell Markers, placed approximately one to two miles apart along the roadside in the northbound and southbound directions of State Routes 101, 82, 37, 121, and 12. Mission Bell Markers located within the roadside of a state route are maintained by Caltrans. Maintenance of Markers located on local streets are the responsibility of the local entity.

So that explains why you see all of those interesting bell markers on the 101 Freeway! How would you like to have one of these authentic California El Camino Real Bell Markers in your own yard!? Visit the California Mission Bell company website at www.californiabell.com.

Older El Camino Real bell marker on display at the Old Mission Santa Barbara.

The Hunt Olive Tree in Thousand Oaks is a Living Link to Conejo Valley History

Richard Orville Hunt and his wife Mary Jane purchased a large parcel of land in the Conejo Valley in 1876 in what is now Lynn Ranch. He called it Salto Ranch. Hunt also served as postmaster of the Newbury Park Post Office for 18 years and was well known in the local community. While his former land now is populated with family homes, one part of Hunt's ranch lives on.

For those of you who drive past the Sprouts Market at 600 West Hillcrest, perhaps you have noticed the historic landmark marker situated in front of the last remaining olive tree from Hunt's orchard. The Hunt Olive Tree was designated a Ventura County Historic Landmark in 1981, when the tree was over 100 years old. That would make this olive tree over 130 years old today.

For nostalgia buffs, to the right is a view of the Hunt Olive Tree marker back in the day that Circuit City was located here. It closed in late 2008. This tree was moved to its current home in 1993. I'm not sure why...perhaps to say hello to the thousands of residents who pass by each day. What a fine specimen this link to the past is. The Hunt Olive Tree is also Historical Landmark #4 in the City of Thousand Oaks.

So be sure to say hello to this tree that sits next to the Sprouts Farmers Market sign at Hillcrest and Lynn and do be nice to him (or her). She's older and wiser than all of us combined, having seen and lived through the growth of our local community.

Building of the Norwegian Grade from Conejo Valley to Camarillo 1909 to 1911

This historic photo and information was generously provided by Gerry Olsen, grandson of Nils Olsen, one of the original settlers in the Conejo Valley in the 1890s.

Back at the turn of the century, farmers in the Conejo Valley grew dry crops like barley and wheat and had to take their harvest to Port Hueneme/Oxnard via horse-drawn wagons. Their only routes were the treacherous (at the time) Potrero Road or down the unpaved Norwegian Grade to Santa Rosa Road.

So in 1909, with a $60 donation from the county to purchase dynamite, Norwegian families Olsen, Pedersen, other volunteers and paid helpers blasted into the hillside from Nils Olsen's property, 1 1/2 miles down to Santa Rosa Road.

It took two to three years to finish the project using the dynamite, manual labor and horse-drawn earth moving machines called Fresno Scrapers (named after a Scottish chap in 1883 who formed the Fresno Agricultural Works to manufacture it).  Here is a historic photo of these early Conejo Valley roadbuilders.

I used to run up the grade from time to time and that was a pretty tight squeeze, with its steep descent and cactus on the side of the road. While most of us take the 23/101 freeways to get to/from Thousand Oaks/Moorpark/Camarillo these days, the Norwegian Grade provides an alternate 2-lane route with a direct linkage to the gritty Norwegian settlers who had the guts and determination to build it.

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Oakbrook Regional Park Archaeological Area in Thousand Oaks is City Historical Landmark #5

Oakbrook Regional Park Archaeological Area is located at 3290 Lang Ranch Parkway in Thousand Oaks, south of the intersection of Avenida de los Arboles and Westlake Boulevard.

This 428 acre park is a designated historical landmark by the City of Thousand Oaks and County of Ventura. The Chumash inhabited this area going back as far as 12,000 years ago through the late 1800's. 

The park grounds are open to the public daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.  There are flat hiking trails and a Chumash village reproduction available to explore. The oak trees provide a beautiful canopy for hikers. It is a peaceful place worth exploring. Note that dogs are prohibited from the property.

Located on the property is the Chumash Indian Museum, which contains a large collection of Chumash artifacts. The museum is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More information on Oakbrook Regional Park at www.crpd.org/park/oakbrook-regional-park.

The Saticoy Southern Pacific Railroad Depot is on the National Register of Historic Places

Saticoy Southern Pacific Railroad Depot seen from Alelia Ave

The Saticoy Southern Pacific Railroad Depot is located in the unincorporated community of Saticoy at 11220 Azahar Street.

The depot, built in 1887, was designated Ventura County Historic Landmark no. 176 in May 2016. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2018.

The depot was built by the Southern Pacific Railroad along the line that was being constructed from Los Angeles to Ventura in 1887. The original town of Saticoy was laid out near the new depot. Its name comes from the Chumash village of Sa’aqtik’oy. 

The Saticoy Depot served rail that traveled through the Santa Clara Valley between Saugus to Ventura County. It was one of 14 Southern Pacific Railroad Depots in Ventura County - the others were Oxnard, Santa Susana, Santa Paula, Fillmore, Piru, Ojai, Camarillo, Moorpark, Sespe, Camulos, Somis, Montalvo and downtown Ventura. Only six of these remain today.

Saticoy Depot in 1956 (Museum of Ventura County)