Two Views From Conejo Valley Trails the Weekend of February 10-11, 2018

We're lacking rain this winter in Southern California once again (last year was a different story) so our trails in the Conejo Valley aren't as green as they should be in mid-February. But nonetheless, they are still beautiful. Here are a couple views this weekend; one from the Potrero Ridge Trail and the other from the Rosewood Trail in Newbury Park.

For over 50 over trails and hikes throughout Ventura County and adjacent areas, visit THIS LINK.

Miniature Golf in Ventura County

According to Golflink.com, there are approximately 1,450 miniature golf courses throughout the United States, including 45 in the State of California. Overall, this equates to about 216,000 U.S. residents for each mini golf course. But California severely lags this statistic, with nearly 850,000 residents per mini golf course. Ventura County is in line with California overall in that it currently has a single mini golf course, Golf N' Stuff in Ventura, for a total of roughly 850.000 residents.

A look at the intimidating Hole 17 on course #2 at Golf N' Stuff in Ventura.

A look at the intimidating Hole 17 on course #2 at Golf N' Stuff in Ventura.

I have enjoyed Golf N' Stuff Ventura with my kids for years. It is the closest thing we have to an amusement park in Ventura County. With two 18 hole golf courses, bumper boats, bumper cars, go karts, laser tag and a well-appointed arcade, Golf N' Stuff Ventura has something for everyone. The golf courses are neat as they have such a varied assortment of decor, from a castle and a palace to an old country town, animals and more.

The old country western town at hole 10 of course 2. I love this hole.

The old country western town at hole 10 of course 2. I love this hole.

With easy access from the 101 freeway off at Victoria Avenue, Golf N' Stuff is one of our favorite "staycation" activities. When it's 90 degrees in the Conejo Valley, we'll often find it a comfortable low 70s at Golf N' Stuff. And the facility is open 365 days a year (well, 366 days in leap years). Visit golfnstuff.com/ventura/info.html to learn more. And be sure to sign up with their Email Club to receive 2 for 1 golf coupons throughout the year.

A view of Golf N' Stuff Ventura while driving the 101 North (as if you couldn't figure that out).

A view of Golf N' Stuff Ventura while driving the 101 North (as if you couldn't figure that out).

In 2010, Simi Valley City Council approved a plan to redevelop Sinaloa Golf Course and adjacent vacant properties to create Sinaloa Park. The plan is to retain the nine-hole golf course, remove the driving range and build three 18-hole miniature golf courses, a new park area with playgrounds, picnic areas and more and a new community room and outdoor plaza area. The initial plan was that it would open in May 2013. That obviously has not happened as of February 2018.

The original plan anticipated a total cost of $18.6 million. We will definitely stay tuned for future updates here on Conejo Valley Guide, but do visit the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District website at www.rsrpd.org and the Sinaloa Park website at www.rsrpd.org/simi_valley/parks/sinaloa_park.php for details.

If you are a mini golf fanatic looking for other venues within about an hour drive of, say, Thousand Oaks, try the following:

California isn't one of the more popular mini golf states in the country, perhaps because there are SO MANY OTHER GREAT THINGS TO DO HERE!

The beautiful and iconic castle at Golf N' Stuff Ventura,

The beautiful and iconic castle at Golf N' Stuff Ventura,

Blue Star Museums Program Free Admission to Active Duty Military at 1,800+ Museums

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Blue Star Museums is a collaboration among the National Endowment for the Arts, Blue Star Families, the Department of Defense, and more than 2,000 museums across America to offer free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day each year.

Free admission is available to any bearer of a Geneva Convention common access card (CAC), a DD Form 1173 ID card, or a DD Form 1173-1 ID card, which includes active duty U.S. military  - Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, as well as members of the National Guard and Reserve, U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, NOAA Commissioned Corps - and up to five family members.

Local area museums in Ventura County, Santa Barbara and nearby areas that are participating

For a complete list of museums participating in the Blue Star Museums program, visit www.arts.gov/national/blue-star-museums.

Britney Spears Posts Photo of Herself and Boyfriend at Popular Thousand Oaks Trail

Yesterday around 1:30pm, Britney Spears Tweeted a photo of herself and boyfriend Sam Asghari on a popular local trail destination in the Conejo Valley. This particular location tends to get overwhelmed with traffic, which causes problems for local residents. But there are dozens and dozens of outstanding trails in the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas compiled on THIS PAGE. Britney, if you are following this site, I challenge you to post a photo of yourself on five other Conejo Valley trails, perhaps including Angel Vista Peak, Space Mountain on the Los Robles Trail, the Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space, Sunset Hills Trail and the Hillcrest Open Space.

Britney mentioned in her Tweet that she has been with fitness model and aspiring actor Asghari for over a year. We can almost confirm that based on her Tweet 11 months ago showing the two of them in that same overly popular local hiking area.

And Asghari posted the same photo on his Instagram page, where he currently has 519K followers.

Thousand Oaks Community Park Has Several Unique Features Worth Exploring

Thousand Oaks Community Park, located at 2525 N. Moorpark Road, just north of Thousand Oaks High School, has something for everyone. This large, park is home to the Thousand Oaks Community Center, a hub for year-round events and activities for all ages. The center has a full-size gym, several fully-enclosed racquetball courts and other great features. More info at www.crpd.org/parkfac/1koaks.

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If you have young kids, probably the most popular feature of this park is the playground and adjoining "Ant Hill." The Ant Hill is a unique, small man-made hill covered with artificial grass that is a fun play slide area for the kids. Bring a piece of cardboard and enjoy the ride.

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This nearly 36 acre park also has soccer and softball fields, four tennis courts, one sand volleyball court and plenty of picnic area. Both the park and the community center are popular for birthday parties. On the east side of the park is another unique feature you won't find in other parks, the Rabbit Flats Disc Golf Course. I connected with a group enjoying a Saturday round on this nine acre course and learned that there are specialized discs for disc golf.

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The course is free to the public. I'd recommend a walk-through first to explore. Just be mindful of flying discs!

The Libbey Community Playground at Libbey Park in Ojai

The Libbey Community Playground was built and completed by volunteers in October 2015. 

The community also provided input into the design of the playground, which is one of the coolest playgrounds for young kids in Ventura County now from my vantage point. Over 500 people volunteered for the project and numerous local organizations provided supplies. Amazingly, this beautiful playground was built in only six days!

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The most prominent feature of the playgrounds is a large wooden fort-like structure with treehouse, rock wall, slides, climbing rock, monkey bards, maze, fire pole, swings and many other features. The park has sections geared towards ages 2 to 5 and 5 to 12.

Quad Pod Spinner at Libbey Playground

Quad Pod Spinner at Libbey Playground

The park also has a unique looking "quad pod spinner," a newer, what looks to be safer, version of the traditional "spin around in circles" playground equipment many of us remember from our youth. 

And one other feature is the "Turf Hill," a small sliding hill, similar to the "Ant Hill" at Thousand Oaks Community Park.

If you are in Ojai with young kids, well this is an obvious "must do" attraction. Libbey Park is located in the heart of Ojai, the smallest city in Ventura County in terms of population.

Libbey Park is adjacent to Libbey Bowl, which hosts a number of concerts and events year-round.

THINGS TO DO IN OJAI

The Turf Hill at Libbey Community Playground

The Turf Hill at Libbey Community Playground

Where to Volunteer to Decorate a Rose Parade Float

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During winter break, many parents struggle to find something new and different to do with the kids. Something you may not have thought about is - volunteering to help decorate a Rose Parade entry! Talk about a unique experience!

As you are probably aware, Rose Parade floats must be completely covered by flowers and other natural materials, such as leaves, seeds and bark. It's a lot of work decorating those masterpieces! 

So how do you go about volunteering? Start with this list of commercial float builders and organizations that build their own floats for volunteer opportunities. The minimum age is generally 12 or 13 and you must sign a waiver.

Commercial Float Builders:

Self-Built Float Organizations: