Ten Popular Local Things To Do Based on Traffic Here on Conejo Valley Guide

With over 50,000 monthly visitors to Conejo Valley Guide, we have the opportunity to see some of the most popular things to do around Ventura County. Here are 10 of the most perennially popular things to do around town based on traffic activity.

MB2 Raceway Indoor Go-Kart Facility in Newbury Park has been popular ever since opening in September 2008. We've been to plenty of birthday parties here and the kids love it. 

Farmers' Markets throughout Ventura County are popular year-round thanks to our great weather. In addition to over 15 local farmers' markets, there are numerous organic produce stores and local delivery programs available.

Sky High Sports - The Trampoline Place in Camarillo opened in October 2010 but closed in summer 2018. Sky Zone Trampoline Park opened in east Ventura in January 2016 and Defy (formerly DojoBoom) Extreme Air Sports at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks in November 2017.

Another obvious benefit to living in Ventura County is our direct access to nearby beaches. This compiliation of beaches stretching north from Carpinteria, across Ventura County, down through Malibu, is a popular destination on CVG.

The Kids' World indoor play facility in Oak Park is a regular popular destination for kids ages 2 to 12.

This compilation of Seven Flat, Stroller and Family Friendly Hikes in the Conejo Valley sees plenty of eyeballs from local families looking for a nice, easy hike with the kids.

The Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard opened in early 2010 and has one of the finest collections of French art deco cars in the world. These cars are so pristine I would eat my dinner off of them.

For years, my kids begged me to go to Chuck E Cheese's in Thousand Oaks (also in Ventura). Now I'm more interested in going there as I know they will be entertained while I hang out, enjoy a sandwich and a beer, shoot a few hoops and catch up on my newspapers.

There are 19 movie theaters in Ventura County, including 2012 additions, Century Riverpark 16 in Oxnard and Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas in Westlake Village, 2015 addition Studio Movie Grill in Simi Valley and the newly remodeled in Regal Janss Marketplace in 2016.

Rounding out the top 10 is the Ventura Flea Market at the Ventura County Fairgrounds. This R.G. Canning event is nowhere near the size of the popular Rose Bowl Flea Market, but with over 500 vendors, is a popular destination for CVG visitors about 6 times per year.

This is just a small fraction of the thousands of things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas. And of course, the Events Calendar and Local Events and Community Messages sections of the site highlight events that are organized throughout the year. Now go have some fun!

Reminder About How to Deal with Coyotes in the Conejo Valley and Surrounding Areas

Living in the Conejo Valley, surrounded by thousands of acres of open space, most of us come into contact with coyotes from time to time. Coyotes are a vital component of rural and urban communities, deserving of respect for their adaptability, resilience and intelligence. Below are some tips on coyote awareness, courtesy of Project Coyote.

Facts:

• Coyotes are members of the dog family; they are curious, adaptable, and learn quickly.

• Coyotes often mate for life, are devoted parents, and are highly communicative (barks, yips, howls).

• Coyotes weigh 18-35 pounds in the West.

• Coyotes may be more protective of dens/territories during pup rearing (April-Aug).

• Coyotes eat large numbers of rodents and rabbits, as well as fruit, vegetation, insects and carrion. They help keep ecosystems vital, healthy and clean.

• Coyotes are naturally wary of people but can adapt to our presence and the reliable food sources that we provide.

Safety:

• DON’T FEED COYOTES. Their life and your safety depend on coyotes remaining wild and naturally wary of people.

• Remove attractants; pick up trash, secure garbage, and feed pets inside. Don’t leave food or pets outside at night.

• Walk dogs on leashes, especially during pup rearing season (April-Aug). Pick up your small dog if you see a coyote and don’t let pets roam.

• If approached, don’t run. Wave arms, make noise and walk toward the coyote until he retreats. Be “Big, Bad and Loud.”

• Avoid areas where coyotes may be denning or feeding/hiding pups.

• Appreciate coyotes from a distance. Share this information with family and friends.

Beautiful Stratocumulous Clouds in the Skies of the Conejo Valley Today

Today's cloud display in the skies of the Conejo Valley was a treasure to behold. We see these types of pillowy formations maybe a handful of times a year. I believe these are called stratocumulus clouds. According to the Wikipedia article, "A stratocumulus cloud belongs to a genus-type of clouds characterized by large dark, rounded masses, usually in groups, lines, or waves, the individual elements being larger than those in altocumulus, and the whole being at a lower height, usually below 2,000 metres (6,600 ft)."

Photo Credit: L. David Irete

Solstice Canyon in Malibu Has a Perennial Waterfall and Much More

Solstice Canyon is a worthy local hiking destination, located at the intersection of Corral Canyon and Solstice Canyon Roads in Malibu. It is home to one of the only year-round waterfalls in the Santa Monica Mountains.

The main trail is the Solstice Canyon Trail, a fairly easy, not too steep, 2.1 mile round trip hike, largely paved, to the stone and brick ruins of the Fred and Florence Roberts ranch house. This house is referred to as the Tropical Terrace. 

Missouri native Fred Roberts founded Roberts Public Market, a chain of grocery and liquor stores, in the late 1920s. He sold the chain in 1949, while in the meantime amassing nearly 1,000 acres in Solstice Canyon.

A large portion of the Solstice Canyon Trail is paved.

In 1952, Roberts hired renowned African-American architect Paul R. Williams to design the home, which featured beautiful architectural designs that blended into the serene environment and incorporated fire protection features using pumps, pipes and water collection pools. Roberts passed away in 1976. In 1982, the Dayton Canyon Fire burned the site to the ground.

Remains of the home of Fred and Florence Roberts at the top of Solstice Canyon.

Today you can see the foundation, fireplaces, steps and other interesting features, then explore the shaded rock pool area, where you'll see the waterfall (which in drought years can be quite small, but perennial nonetheless).

Waterfall access is the right (east) of the Roberts home.

Naturally canopied rock pool area where the waterfall can be seen and explored.

On the way to the Roberts House, you will see a sign, "Built of Stone and Tin." Read about the wood cabin purchased by Henry Keller in 1901 that was destroyed by a fire two years later. Keller, who enjoyed hunting and fishing in Solstice Canyon, rebuilt the one room hunting lodge in stone and tin to withstand future fires. Over the years, wood porches were added. The structure was scorched in the Corral Fire of 2007.  But the stone walls are still there today...and are considered to be the oldest still-existing in Malibu today.

You can walk fairly close to the Keller House ruins.

Other trails include the:

• Dry Canyon Trail - 1.2 mile easy round trip canyon trail that in the winter brings a 150 foot waterfall and stream.

• TRW Loop Trail - 1.5 mile round trip loop that is fairly easy.

• Rising Sun Trail - 1.5 mile moderate trail on the eastern ridgeline of the canyon that connects at the top to the Solstice Canyon Trail near the waterfall.

• Sostomo Trail/Deer Valley Trail - Moderate to strenuous extension from near the top of the Solstice Canyon Trail of roughly 4 miles.

There is a small amphitheater at the main parking area, public restrooms and several picnic areas here. A great place to bring the kids! Dog friendly too (except not dogs in the waterfall area), as long as they are on leash.

Solstice Canyon was opened as a public park by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in 1988 and today is managed by the National Park Service. More information at www.nps.gov/samo/planyourvisit/solsticecanyon.htm.

One way to get to Solstice Canyon from Thousand Oaks is to take the 101 south to Las Virgenes/Malibu Canyon Road, south to PCH, where you'll turn right (west). Turn right on Solstice Canyon Road (a light) and your first left is Solstice Canyon. There is limited parking at the entrance, but the main parking lot is about 1/4 mile up the hill.

Mystery Blimp in the Skies Above Newbury Park

Dennis Bronk of Newbury Park captured these shots of the “mystery blimp” floating around the skies of Newbury Park on January 27th. We posted the photos on the CVG Facebook Page at THIS LINK for feedback.

Many folks saw this mysterious, white, unmarked blimp and wondered where it was from and what it was doing. Several thought it might have something to do with the previous day’s tragic Kobe Bryant helicopter crash covering the memorial at Mamba Sports Academy. Others saw it in other places - Camarillo, Ventura, Hueneme. Someone suggested it was covering the Justin Turner Golf Tourney at Sherwood Country Club.

Then, Milt Zweig, who I know and trust, gave what I believe to be the most likely answer. He indicated it was a CNATT (Center for Naval Aviation and Technical Training) drone blimp flown out of Point Mugu. I further explored that suggestion and discovered this blimp looks quite a bit like the American Blimp MZ-3. That said, the MZ-3A was sold by the Navy in October 2017.

The mystery blimp looks a lot like this American Blimp MZ-3A picture in November 2013.

Observing Cool Coyotes in Rancho Sierra Vista

This particular coyote and a friend I've seen regularly this month in Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in the northern Santa Monica Mountains. Quite entertaining watching him look for snacks in the rabbit holes. Hope he stays healthy through the remainder of the winter.