Glen Tavern Inn in Santa Paula is on National Register of Historic Places

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Built in 1911, the Glen Tavern Hotel is Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 65 and was named to the National Register of Historic Places in September 1984. The Glen Tavern is a Craftsman/English Tudor style hotel with original dark wood paneling, some original light fixtures, stone fireplace and Craftsman columns.

Located at 134 N. Mill Street in Santa Paula, The Glen Tavern is the only national historic landmark in Ventura County you can actually stay overnight in. The 3rd floor of the hotel was once a gambling parlor and um, house of ill-repute. And stars like John Wayne, Carol Lombard, Harry Houdini and Steve McQueen stayed at the Inn.

There are 36 guest rooms and suites available in this historic hotel, which is walking distance or a short drive to a number of other attractions and points of interest, including:

Enzo's Italian Restaurant is open Tuesday through Sunday for dinner at the Glen Tavern Inn.

Visit www.glentavern.com to learn more and to book a room!

Spring Is In the Air at the Palo Comado Canyon Trail in Oak Park

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The 4.4 mile Palo Comado Canyon Trail runs from near the Cheeseboro Canyon trailhead to the China Flat trailhead in the Simi Hills, about a 1,200 foot elevation gain. But you don't have to hike the whole trail to enjoy it. One nice entry point to the trail is on Doubletree Road in Oak Park, most easily accessed via Sunnycrest Drive off of Kanan.

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Today was a perfect day for a hike. With temperatures in the low 70s and a cool spring breeze in the air, not to mention some springtime colors on the hills thanks to some recent, albeit brief, rainfall.

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More on Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyon, part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area, at THIS LINK.

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Favorite Kids Activities Around Ventura County as Voted by CVG Facebook Fans

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Yes, it actually rained here in the Conejo Valley last week!

Yes, it actually rained here in the Conejo Valley last week!

Last Sunday, we ran a drawing on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook page and asked entrants to indicate their favorite activity with the kids around town. On that rainy Sunday we had quite a bit of response. So with no further ado, let us highlight activities receiving the highest number of mentions. Do take note that the question was asked in open-ended fashion; we did not mention any of the hundreds of kids' activities compiled here on Conejo Valley Guide.

In the upper echelons of popularity, the most frequently noted family favorite activities were <drum roll> Underwood Family Farm in Moorpark, the Thousand Oaks Library, Sky High Sports in Camarillo (CLOSED IN 2018), the Santa Barbara Zoo and local parks. Underwood was the clear top mentioned activity, with the others close on its heels. Some of the specific parks called out included Conejo Creek Park North (including the popular duck pond), Thousand Oaks Community Park (near TOHS) and specifically the "Ant Hill" at that park, Borchard Park in Newbury Park and Gates Canyon Park in Calabasas.

The Ant Hill at Thousand Oaks Community Park. Bring cardboard to slide down on!

The Ant Hill at Thousand Oaks Community Park. Bring cardboard to slide down on!

The following activities were mentioned by CVG followers at least several times: Scooter's Jungle in Simi Valley, hiking and nature trails, As You Wish Pottery Painting Place (formerly Paint a Dream) at the Simi Valley Town Center, the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, Lazertag Extreme in Simi Valley, Chuck E. Cheese's, Oak Canyon Park Duck Pond and Splash Pad, Rockin' Kids Play Center at the Simi Valley Town Center and Kids World in Oak Park. Also called out by several parents as a great activity was the Conejo Youth Basketball Association.

Who doesn't love "Cosmic Bowling" pictured here at Harley's Bowl Camarillo. Especially with the bumpers up!

Who doesn't love "Cosmic Bowling" pictured here at Harley's Bowl Camarillo. Especially with the bumpers up!

Panoramic Coastline Views at the Ventura Botanical Gardens Demonstration Trail

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The Ventura Botanical Gardens Demonstration Trail is a nearly 1 mile trail between Ventura City Hall and Grant Park. It opened to the public in October 2012. The trail zig zags and meanders its way up to Grant Park, offering awesome views of downtown Ventura and the coastline. The trail is accessible beheind Ventura City Hall, located at 501 Poli Street. Take the driveway on the right side of City Hall (facing the building) and drive up to the parking area. Learn more at www.venturabotanicalgardens.com.

Access to the trail is on the right (east) side of Ventura City Hall.

The trail is decorated with pretty wildflowers and other California native plantsThere are some neat rock walls on sections of the trailA short walk will get you some pretty views!

SPY Exhibition at Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley

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In December we stopped by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum to check out the new SPY: The Secret World of Espionage exhibit. This 12,000 sq ft display is a collaboration between the CIA, FBI and other organization to provide the public a unique opportunity to see over 300 historic spy gadget and documents. The West Coast premiere of SPY is right here in Ventura County at the hilltop Reagan Library in Simi Valley through March 9, 2014!

Check out how a simple coin has been loaded with a tiny poisonous needle meant to be used as a suicide device; or how an insect-sized robotic dragonfly, called an insectothopter, was designed to gather intelligence from the air as the world’s first miniaturized unmanned aerial vehicle; or what a fake movie script looks like that was created in order to rescue diplomats from Iran and inspired the movie ARGO.  See the actual cockpit from one of the world's nine remaining A-12 Oxcart spy planes. View objects like a KGB poison pellet-firing umbrella, spy cameras, tear-gas pens, shoes with hidden compartments, and even a hollow molar the East German secret police created to conceal a microdot in a spy's mouth.

Bring the kids! There are several interactive features to the exhibit too, including a laser maze to escape from and a voice disguise machine. And of course the rest of the museumis packed with interesting, interactive historical items and exhibits.

The Reagan Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley.  Public hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  The Museum is only closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day.  For Museum Admission fees, please visit www.reaganlibrary.com.  Museum exhibit tickets may be pre-purchased at www.reaganlibrary.com/tickets.  For more information, call (800) 410.8354 or visit www.reaganlibrary.com/spies.

The collapsible Welbike was designed for British Special Operations Executive and OSS Agents to use as a getaway vehicle behind enemy lines during World War II. It could be delivered by parachute and deployed in ten seconds. The Welbike could travel up to 30 miles per hour, and go 90 miles on one tank of gas. (Photo courtesy of the Franklin Institute)This family-friendly exhibit includes fun and entertaining interactives for people of all ages, allowing visitors to disguise their voice, disguise themselves, and go through an actual laser maze. (Photo courtesy of the Franklin Institute)

This KGB Umbrella, which fires poisonous pellets, was used to assassin Bulgarian defector and BBC reporter Georgi Markov in London in 1978. (Photo courtesy of the Franklin Institute)This optional CIA-issued suicide pin gave U-2 pilot Gary Powers the choice between life and death. The pin was coated in saxitoxin – a lethal shellfish poison – and concealed in a silver dollar. Upon capture, Gary Powers chose not to use it. (Photo courtesy of the Franklin Institute)

"Art About Agriculture" Exhibit at Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula Through 2/9/14

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Co-Founder of Ag Art Alliance Speaks at Agriculture Museum, January 9, 2014

Strawberry Field, photographic panorama, John NicholsGallerist, photographer and curator John Nichols will give a Gallery Talk at the Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum on Thursday, January 9, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. Nichols, along with painter Gail Pidduck, founded the Ag Art Alliance in 2007, and is the co-curator of the Alliance’s yearly exhibition: Art About Agriculture. Now in its sixth year, the Art About Agriculture exhibition celebrates both historical and contemporary agriculture. Pieces included in the large exhibition are hung in two neighboring cultural institutions: the MVC Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula and the Santa Paula Art Museum. This year’s exhibition will be open through February 9, 2014.

In his Gallery Talk, Nichols will focus on photographic perspectives seen in work included in Art About Agriculture. Nichols sells photography at the John Nichols Gallery in Santa Paula. His own photography was featured in a two-person exhibition at the Sears Art Museum Gallery, at Dixie State University, in St. George, Utah, in 2013. Nichols’ work has also been documented by Focus on the Masters.

Admission to the Gallery Talk is free for Museum members and is included with regular admission for the general public. No reservations are necessary. Admission includes entrance to all Museum exhibits, including the current temporary exhibition, “Strawberry Fields Forever?” Another Gallery Talk will take place at the Santa Paula Art Museum, located one block away, at 3:00 p.m. Free parking is available at both locations.

The Museum of Ventura County’s Agriculture Museum is located in historic downtown Santa Paula at 926 Railroad Avenue. Hours are 10 a.m.– 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. General admission is $4 adults, $3 seniors, $1 children ages 6-17. Free for Museum of Ventura County members and children ages 5 and younger. For more information, go to www.venturamuseum.org or call (805) 525-3100.

Pepper Field Near Piru, photograph by John Nichols

The Santa Monica Mountains Fund Promotes Stewardship and Protection of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area

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The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area is the largest urban national park in the United States at over 150,000 acres, extending from the Hollywood Bowl on the east to Point Mugu at its western end; including the beaches of Santa Monica and Malibu as well as the canyons and peaks extending north to Simi Valley.

The Santa Monica Mountains Fund promotes and assists the park agencies of the Santa Monica Mountain National Recreation Area in accomplishing their missions. Together, they foster the protection and enjoyment of park resources by the public through education, research, improved facilities, citizen engagement and stewardship.

The Fund invests in projects to achieve the mission of the organization. Principal recipients are the park agencies that operate within the mountains. In addition, the Fund sponsors research projects, internships and provides stipends to augment the staffing resources available to successfully complete these projects.

"Balanced Rock" off of the Mishe Mokwa Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains in one of many scenes that leave visitors to the park in awe.

The Santa Monica Mountains Fund was established in 1988 to support the education and resource protection efforts of the National Park Service and California State Parks in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. It was formed by concerned citizens to represent the interests of the public in the development of parklands and recreation opportunities within the mountains.

To learn more about the Fund and to donate, visit www.samofund.org.

Just a few of my favorite Santa Monica Mountains adventures:

View from Sandstone Peak, the highest point in the Santa Monica Mountains, towards Newbury Park.