The Conejo Valley Guide "Welcome" blog covers a wide range of topics, local information, highlights of local things to do, compilations and other items. Focus is on information relevant to Ventura County and surrounding areas, including Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Newbury Park, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Malibu, Simi Valley, Camarillo, Moorpark, Somis, Fillmore, Santa Paula, Ojai, Oxnard, Port Hueneme, Santa Barbara and Moorpark.
The Conejo Valley Guide® "Welcome" blog covers a wide range of topics, local information, local things to do, holiday event compilations, announcements and more.
The year was 1969. Ten minutes ago, they got home from school, had a glass of milk and cookies...then went out to play. Wildwood in Thousand Oaks. Exciting new homes that have been designed to capture the natural beauty of their spectacular outdoors setting. "Begin an executive life as a 'country gentleman family.'" Starting from $31,950 for 3 to five bedrooms.
Since July 22nd, we’ve been raising funds from Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page followers and using these funds to purchase gift cards at local Conejo Valley eateries. Each day since then, we’ve run a drawing to give away a gift card, Through November 6th, we’ve given away over $5,000 worth of gift cards at 111 local eateries!
One of these drawings asked folks to recall their favorite childhood memories. Let’s share some of them here.
Spending time with sisters
Summer trips to…Michigan
Summer campouts with the family
Going to….Disneyland
Skateboarding in the streets with friends
Beach house in…Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Catalina
Going to the drive-in theater in Newbury Park
Playing dress-up and pretending to play double dare at a slumber party
Visiting relatives in…San Francisco
When it snowed in Thousand Oaks
Grandparents surprising the kids at Christmas
Riding down a big hill on my bike
Dad taking me to see Led Zeppelin in 1977
Playing with the neighborhood kids
Dad winning a stuffed animal for me at the county fair
Conejo Valley Days parade down Thousand Oaks Boulevard
Cruise to the Mexican Riviera with family
Fishing with dad
Learning to ride a bike in Agoura
Beach days at Zuma
Special birthday dinners with family
Going on family road trips in the “big blue van”
Summer trips to Big Bear
Christmas morning brunch at my grandparents’ house
Tent camping with the family
Dodger baseball games
Playing tag outside with my sisters in the yard
Riding bikes all over the neighborhood for hours on end
Ice cream trucks
Drive-in movies with the family
Boating on the lake
Building treehouses
Making mud pies
Going to the Ventura County Fair
Raking leaves with grandpa
Staying up late on Christmas Eve on Santa lookout
Sunday mass, followed by family breakfast
Summer camp
Riding my Big Wheel down the sidewalk and spinning out into my driveway
Piling into the station wagon and driving to Ventura Beach
Yosemite, Sequoia
Barbecues in our backyard and roller skating down our driveway
Getting ice cream cones at the local Thrifty Drug Store
Going to Farrell’s with the family
Family ski trips
Swimming in the pool all summer long
Getting my first puppy at Christmas
Friday night dinners out with the family
Dairy Queen after church
Drive-in movies in the back of a truck with dad getting everyone KFC
Roller skating around the neighborhood
Noah Kalina has taken a selfie of himself every day for the last 20 years, or 7,263 days, beginning January 11, 2000 to January 11, 2020 (and it is a work in process). Takes a lot of persistence to do something like this!
Noah was 19 years old when he started this endeavor. And he hasn't stopped! The project is called “Everyday.” Check out more of his work at noahkalina.com.
If you're not already a Costco member and have no intention of becoming one, gift cards are a reason to consider a Costco membership. Costco offers an assortment of gift cards for sale at bargain prices; typically 20% off. A $55 annual Costco membership fee can quickly be recovered if you use these cards. Here's a summary of what several (Oxnard, Westlake Village and Simi Valley) local Costco stores either currently have on hand or have carried in the past.
Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: $100 in gift cards for $79.99 (also available online)
Buca di Beppo $100 in gift cards for $69.99 (in store)
CPK $100 in gift cards for $79.99
P.F. Chang's $100 in gift cards for $79.99 (online and in store)
Roy’s $100 in gift cards for $79.99 in store
Marmalade Cafe $100 in gift cards for $79.99 in store
Build-a-Bear Workshop $100 Gift E-Cards for $79.99 (available online)
24 Hour Fitness discounted 2 year memberships
Cold Stone Creamery $100 in gift cards for $69.99
Yogurtland four $25 gift cards for $79.99
Krispy Kreme 4 $15 gift cards for $44.99 (online)
All of this of course is subject to change and availability.
Roller Dome, which was located at 950 Avenida de Los Arboles in Thousand Oaks, closed its doors in October 2010.
Roller Dome originally opened in May 1995. "Roller Dome, a new roller skating facility...might be the best new rink in the country." - Richard Graham, Inline Hockey News.
Ah yes, the good ole days, with the occasional kids' birthday parties at Roller Dome.
The 99 Cents Only Store has been thriving in this spot since 2013.
Looking for a quick retreat in the center of Thousand Oaks? Visit the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, adjacent to Conejo Community Park at 400 W. Gainsborough Road.
The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is a 33 acre sanctuary on a hill that overlooks the Conejo Valley. You will be able to rewind in peace here while enjoying the views and solitude.
Signs throughout the gardens help visitors find their way around.
There are several miles of trails at CVBG that lead you to a variety of sections, including a Salvia Garden, Butterfly Garden, Herb Garden, Bird Habitat, Australian Garden, Desert Garden, Rare Fruit Orchard, Japanese Style Tranquility Garden, Oak Tree Grove, Trail of Trees and more.
Japanese Tranquility Garden is back here.
Beauty and color found in the Desert Garden.
Benches abound throughout the Conejo Valley Botanic Gardens.
The views from up here are nothing short of spectacular. Feeling stressed? Do the 10 minute walk up the hill, where you can watch civilization below. There are several dozen benches as well as a few picnic benches available.
Views beyond the surrounding chaparral. The sounds of the 101 freeway and civilization down below are actually relaxing from up here.
Interesting cactus display in the Desert Garden.
On Sundays (with the exception of some major holidays), the Kids Adventure Garden, adjacent to the Botanic Garden, is open to the public from 11am to 3pm. The Kids Adventure Garden features fun paths to follow, a tree house and more, as well as hiking and access to a creek. Fun place for young kids' birthday parties too!
The Kids Adventure Garden adjacent to CVBG is open only on Sundays from 11am to 3pm.
To learn more about the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, visit www.conejogarden.org. Open 7 days a week, sunrise to sunset; Closed Easter, July 4th, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Also closed when it is rainy, muddy and/or very windy.
CVBG is a 501(c)3 non-profit run entirely by volunteers. To maintain these gardens is a lot of work and costs are involved, so consider making a donation.
Conejo Valley Guide covers events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County and surrounding areas.
Conejo Valley Guide® covers thousands of events, activities and things to do throughout Ventura County, California and surrounding areas.
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