Ventura and Oxnard Historical Pictures, Courtesy of the U.C. Cooperative Extension

The University of California Cooperative Extension brings research-based information to Californians.  It is an educational outreach program, that, with the help of thousands of volunteers, assists with nutrition and 4-H youth development programs, agriculture, horticulture, natural resources, gardening and other areas.  For more information, visit http://ceventura.ucdavis.edu.

Through the UCCE website I came across this really neat slideshow with historical pictures of Ventura and Oxnard from mid to late 1800s to the early 1900s.  The slideshow was originally created in 1963.  There are interesting and informative descriptions with each photo.  Many thanks to Steve Griffin of the U.C. Cooperative Extension in Ventura who patched the original pictures and descriptions together to make this available to the public.

Historic Japanese Cemetery in Oxnard is Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 18

Located at the east corner of Etting and Pleasant Valley Roads in Oxnard (between Rose and Rice Avenues) is the Historic Japanese Cemetery, circa 1908. The site was designated Ventura County Historical Landmark No. 17 in June 1971.

From time to time I drive by this awkwardly situated cemetery, a narrow sliver sandwiched between the hustle and bustle of Pleasant Valley Road and a mobile home park to the north and a residential area to the south.

NOTE: The cemetery was vandalized on 6/19/17. The Ventura County Japanese American Citizens League is leading the effort to restore the cemetery. Learn more at venturacountyjacl.weebly.com/cemetery-restoration.html.

According to the Ventura County Cultural Heritage Board, the Japanese Cemetery was given by the Masonic Lodge to the Japanese community at a time when the Japanese were not permitted to own land in California. The larger Masonic cemetery lies to the east of the Japanese plot. The markers are wooden boards on which inscriptions in Japanese are printed. The last burials were around 1960.

The site has been cleaned up in recent years by the Ventura County Japanese American Citizens League.

The Hyatt Lodge in Thousand Oaks Then; Quality Inn & Suites Today

UPDATE: In August 2022, the City of Thousand Oaks and partners announced a state grant that would allow for the conversion of the Quality Inn & Suites into 77 units of supportive housing for the chronically homeless. READ MORE

The Hyatt Lodge at 12 Conejo Blvd in Thousand Oaks in the 1960s on this postcard.

Conejo Boulevard in Thousand Oaks is a short block that connects West Hillcrest Drive on the north with West Thousand Oaks Boulevard on the south.

Chuck E. Cheese's is located on Hillcrest at the southwest corner of Conejo Blvd and a Union Bank, Big 5 Sporting Goods and other businesses are located on Thousand Oaks Blvd at the northwest corner of Conejo Blvd. 

This leaves one single business with an address on Conejo Blvd - that would be the Quality Inn & Suites at 12 Conejo Blvd.

The pool area of the Quality Inn & Suites at 12 Conejo Blvd in 2017.

At the top of this article is a postcard displaying the pool area of the Hyatt Lodge, which occupied this space at 12 Conejo Blvd in the 1960s. Many of the shapes and sizes in the photo look the same today, though you can also see what has changed over the years.

The phone number to the Quality Inn & Suites is (805) 495-7011, which is the same number back in the 1960s. Many things have changed around town but this hotel has withstood the test of time.

Facts About Getting Real ID Cards in the State of California

UPDATE 3/26/20: THE REAL ID IMPLEMENTATION DEADLINE HAS BEEN DELAYED FROM 10/1/20 TO 10/1/21 BY DHS AT THE DIRECTION OF THE PRESIDENT DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

Now that we are well into 2019 (now 2020), it’s time for people like me, and perhaps most of you,. to start thinking about getting a Real ID card. (AS MENTIONED ABOVE, THE DEADLINE HAS BEEN PUSHED BACK A YEAR TO 10/1/21 DUE TO THE PANDEMIC).

WHAT IS REAL ID?

Beginning October 1, 2020 (NOW 2021), the federal government will require your driver’s license or ID card to be Real ID compliant if you wish to use it as identification to board a domestic flight or enter secure federal facilities that require identification. The California DMV now offers federally compliant REAL ID drivers’ licenses.

The Real ID is a requirement of the Real ID Act of 2005.

DO I HAVE TO GET A REAL ID CARD?

No, you don’t. But if you plan to board a domestic flight starting October 1, 2020, your existing California driver’s license or state-issued ID will not work with TSA if it is not Real ID compliant.

In lieu of a Real ID card, you will need to show a U.S. passport, passport card or other forms of identification noted at www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/identification.

HOW DO I GET A REAL ID CARD?

Plan your DMV visit by making an appointment to visit a field office. DMV offices closest to the Conejo Valley include Thousand Oaks (Avenida de los Arboles), Ventura, Simi Valley,. Oxnard and Santa Paula. San Fernando Valley DMV locations include Winnetka, Van Nuys and Granada Hills.

Prepare for your visit as follows:

1. Bring proof of your identity (original or certified copies only). It should show your date of birth, true full name (sorry, Madonna, Lady Gaga and Cher, this goes for you too). Documentation can include a current, unexpired U.S. passport or passport card, U.S. birth certificate, Permanent Resident Card or other items.

   Note that the identify document must show your current true full name; multiple name change documents are required if your name has changed multiple times. So for example, you’ll need to bring a certified marriage certificate if your current legal name is different than on your birth certificate or other identifying document.

2. Bring proof of your full Social Security number (SSN) in the form of either an original Social Security card, W-2 form, 1099 form, pay stub or other items.

3. Bring two printed documents showing proof of California residency which list your first and last name and residence listed on the ID card application. It must show a physical address, not a P. O. box. Items you can use include mortgage bill, signed rental agreement, home utility bills, employment documents, property tax bills, etc.

4. You will also need to complete an ID card application. The California DMV strongly encourages residents to complete applications online at www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/forms/dl/dl44. It is available in 10 languages (sorry, no Pig Latin though). Register for and complete the form online and when you arrive for your appointment, DMV staff can access and process the form. Easy peasy.

5. Application fee is $30 for the ID card ($35 for a non-compliant driver’s license).

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET THE REAL ID CARD?

Usually within 60 days by mail.

Learn more at REALID.dmv.ca.gov.

My experience getting a REAL ID card in August 2019.

E. P. Foster and Orpha Woods Foster Were Among the Early Settlers in the Conejo Valley

Eugene Preston and Orpha Woods Foster Family in 1890.

This is the Eugene Preston and Orpha Woods Foster family in 1890. This family has quite a history in Ventura County.

Eugene (E.P.) built a home in the Conejo Valley in 1874, where he operated a sheep business. Most of the 10,000 sheep perished in the terrible drought of 1876-1877. E.P. sold what remained of his business and moved to Ventura in 1877 (the same year that Egbert Starr Newbury and family moved back to the midwest...where Newbury passed away in 1880 at age 36).

Before the drought, in 1875, the Fosters became the parents of the first child of settlers born in the Conejo Valley. That daughter, the eldest of 10, only four of which survived childhood, was Orpha W. "Pearl" Foster. Pearl became president of Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura for over 25 years. She passed away at age 97 in 1973.

After his successes and struggles in the Conejo Valley, E.P. Foster became a highly successful entrepreneur and investor in Ventura, where he helped to establish the city's first electric light plant, developed natural gas wells and invested in the Bank of Ventura (now Bank of America) and the Union Oil Company. His philanthropic efforts led to the creation of Camp Comfort (the county's first park), Foster Park and the 91 acre Seaside Park, where the Ventura County Fair operates.

Additionally, the E.P. Foster Library on Main Street in Ventura is named after him; he and his wife donated funds for the original public library and city hall. The Fosters also donated funds and land to build what is now Community Memorial Hospital in Ventura.

But no, the Foster's Freeze in Ventura is not associated with E.P. Foster. :)

The E.P. Foster Library is part of the Ventura County Library system The cities of Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, Moorpark and Camarillo operate their own, independent library systems.

La Conchita Bike Path Between Mobil Pier Road in Ventura to Rincon Point

My choice for most awesome Class I Bike Path in Ventura County is the La Conchita Bike Path that runs from Mobil Pier Road in Ventura (southwest of Mussel Shoals) to Rincon Point. The path is directly adjacent to the southbound Highway 101.

Entry point to La Conchita Bike Path at Rincon Point Rd/Bates Rd (directly adjacent to the 101 onramp).

This distinct path premiered in September 2014 and provides for roughly 4 miles of unimpeded views of the Pacific Ocean on the west and is directly adjacent to the hustle and bustle of Highway 101 on the other side.

Do views from a bike path ever get any better than this!!??

Class I bike paths are great to bring the entire family on as they are completely separate from street traffic. My kids love this path because it is flat, in great condition and is just so beautiful that its hard not to ride this path without a smile.

This separates the path from southbound 101 traffic. Pretty amazing riding carefree adjacent to the 101.

We brought the bikes to Rincon Beach Park to start our journey on the north end of the path. (Alternatively, park at Rincon Point or on Rincon Pt Road.) You first get to see surfers at the world famous Rincon Point, then on to the La Conchita Beach area.

One of several beach access points to the La Conchita Beach area.

There are several beach access points along the path.  As part of this project, Caltrans built an undercrossing to enable folks to walk to the beach from La Conchita. 

After La Conchita you reach a stopping point at the small community of Mussel Shoals, where you can stop at the Cliff House Inn for a drink and check out the man-made Rincon Island.

A quick stop to view the man-made an inaccessible Rincon Island

Walk your bikes across the offramp to the next bike path entry point, on to the next section of path that half circles southeast to its endpoint at Mobil Pier Road.

You cross here (signs indicate you must walk bikes across) to the next access point.

You will see beach area here referred to as Oil Piers Beach. There used to be piers here but they were taken down in 1998.  There is parking on Mobil Pier Road for beach/bike path access; you can park here and ride the path the opposite direction.

The beauty continues (except for the graffiti) as you ride towards Mobil Pier Road.

Mobil Pier Road is the endpoint of this Class I path, but, you can continue south if you'd like by taking the Mobil Pier Road underpass below the 101 to Pacific Coast Highway going south, past Hobson Beach Park, Rincon Parkway, Faria Beach Park and so on. This section is not Class I path but I've taken my kids here and we enjoy it.

Great stuff! A Ventura County "Bucket List" item that all of you have to try!

FAMILY FRIENDLY BIKE PATHS IN AND AROUND VENTURA COUNTY