Conejo Valley Guide Social Media Followers Say What They Enjoy the Most About the Conejo Valley

As part of a drawing for passes to the upcoming Conejo Valley Days event in Thousand Oaks, we asked Conejo Valley Guide Facebook and Instagram followers to tell us what they enjoy the most about living here in the Conejo Valley. Here’s a compilation of just a small sampling of their responses. Recurring themes - our open space and trails and sense of community.

I enjoy most the variety of places to eat and places to be outside in nature!

I love our beautiful hillsides and the wonderful local dining spots we’ve got.

I love the openness (when compared with the density of much of LA), the ease of parking almost anywhere, and all of the beautiful hiking trails!

The beautiful trees and rolling hills! So great for hiking and walking

Open space to enjoy year round thanks to always perfect weather & the overall safe feeling of the community.

The beautiful hiking trails and amazing school district.

I love the different types on nature we get to enjoy. Hiking through the hills, the beach, the (occasionally snow capped) mountains, visiting farms and seeing beautiful sunsets. So much beauty.

I love the wonderful people that live here, and all of the beauty that surrounds us!

We love the Conejo valley for its family atmosphere and beautiful open spaces. Also a bonus is that we are not too far from the ocean or LA.

Love the sense of commitment that exists here! Great place to raise families!

We have amazing community events and beautiful hiking trails.

Love all the nature around, it’s been preserved so well and still have so many fun things to do. Love the hikes and beautiful parks!

I love how close to nature we are here, how beautiful our town is.

I love how family friendly this town is!

The thing myself and my family loves most about the Conejo valley is how beautiful, safe and close knit it is. We wouldn’t want to live anywhere else!

Look around us! It's beautiful here!! Clean and peaceful.

The view of Boney! We’re so lucky to live in this gorgeous town.

I love the parks, the scenery, the amazing people, the kind neighbors, the rich sense of community and support for each other, so family friendly and dog friendly, and it feels safe.

The sense of community.

Hiking and making memories with my family at all the wonderful spots CV has to offer.

So many parks to choose from for my kids and the trails are great for hiking and running!

It’s a great dog friendly community!

One thing I love most about the Conejo Valley, is all the backroads that can be taken instead of the 23 or 101. And when it’s really quiet out, going for drives that go through hillsides where there isn’t a lot of traffic and noise, being able to look at everything from above. It really calms me down even when I’m just commuting.

We love the weather, the strong sense of community and how safe it is!

Love still having a small town feel with a lot of local owned business to support!

The parks for the kids.

I love that Conejo Valley is full of beautiful, relaxing scenery and outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, and more!

¡Me gusta los conejos!

Too many things to list!! Oak trees, hills, trails, parks, restaurants!! They are all my favorites.

I love the natural beauty that surrounds us, as well as the kind, wonderful community of people!

I love the clean air and beautiful people.

I love all the access to trails for hiking and running.

We just moved out here about a year ago and I still just get can’t over how beautiful it is. I love all the pretty flowers, trees, and Boney Mountain!

I love the Conejo Valley mostly because of its location, close proximity to beaches, city, and of course its natural beauty.

Kind neighbors.

The Conejo Valley has the best concerts in the park, hiking trails, breweries and so much more! I love it here!

How we are in a sweet spot where we can enjoy both the peacefulness but also enjoy knowing we're not far from the beach or LA.

What I enjoy the most are the beautiful sunsets, watching the baby bunnies that munch grass in my front yard and the parade of quails running across the trail in front of me.

My kids and I love the parks, hiking trails, beautiful oak trees, and a sense of feeling safe.

I enjoy the beautiful hiking trails and the awesome local events.

The bunnies!

California Minimum Wages Increased to $15.50 Per Hour on January 1, 2023

Effective January 1, 2023, the minimum wage for all California hourly employees is $15.50 per hour, up from $15 per hour for employers of 26 or more and $14 per hour for employers of 25 or less in 2022.

The federal minimum wage for 2023 is still $7.25, a rate unchanged since it became effective on July 24, 2009.

California minimum wage rates apply to Ventura County residents.

The City of Los Angeles minimum wage rate has been $16.04 per hour since July 1, 2022. Each year, the minimum wage is adjusted for inflation; the adjusted rate is announced on February 1st of each year and becomes effective on July 1st of each year. The city’s 2023 minimum wage rate increases to $16.78 effective July 1, 2023. See wagesla.lacity.org.

The County of Los Angeles minimum wage rate became $15.96 per hour effective July 1, 2022 and increases to $16.90 per hour starting July 1, 2023. See dcba.lacounty.gov/minimum-wage-for-businesses.

Why the City of Los Angeles and County of Los Angeles can’t align their rates to be the same is beyond me.

Looking for a higher minimum wage? Move to San Francisco, where the rate has been $16.99 per hour since July 1, 2022 and will be adjusted for inflation again on July 1, 2023 to $18.07 per hour. See sf.gov/information/understanding-minimum-wage-ordinance.

Or better yet, the City of Emeryville, CA minimum wage effective July 1, 2022 became $17.68 and increases to $18.67 on July 1, 2023. See www.ci.emeryville.ca.us/1024/Minimum-Wage-Ordinance.

The highest city minimum wage rate in the country in 2023 is $18.69 per hour for employers in Seattle, Washington. www.seattle.gov/laborstandards/ordinances/minimum-wage

Looking for states with minimum wages set at the federal rate of $7.25/hour? That would be Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming.

California’s minimum wage rate in 2022 was the third highest in the country. Washington D.C. is at $16.50 per hour, increasing to $17 per hour on July 1, 2023. The state of Washington is at $15.74 per hour for workers 16 and older. Massachusetts is currently at $15 per hour effective January 1, 2023. www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-law-about-minimum-wage

Caspar Borchard and Family Have a Permanent Presence in the Conejo Valley

Caspar Borchard was born in 1842 in Werxhausen, Germany. He sailed to the U.S. with his uncle Christian Borchard in 1867. He liked it so much here that he went back to Germany to get funds (Bitcoin wasn't around back then apparently) to buy land. While back in Germany, he married Theresa Diedrich, who died 3 years later. Within a year he married Theresa Maring. They came back to the U.S. and he bought 205 acres in what is now El Rio (Oxnard).

In 1882, Caspar bought 3,285 acres in the Conejo Valley after his brother Johannes bought 4,000 acres. Theresa Maring died in 1898 at age 49. Their youngest daughter (8 total kids) was also named Theresa. Caspar retired in 1918 and died in 1930. leaving a large family and a permanent presence in the Conejo Valley (Borchard Road, Borchard Park and Community Center). Theresa Drive parallels Borchard from Wendy to Sequoia Middle School in Newbury Park.

This is an undated photo from Thousand Oaks Library archives. Pictured: Back row: Caspar, Rosa, Mary, and Leo. Middle row: Frank, Theresa Maring, holding Charles, Caspar holding Theresa, Antone.

Farm motif playground at Borchard Park in Newbury Park

Borchard Park Labyrinth and Fitness Equipment Area

Borchard Skate Park

Borchard Community Park

Hike to the Rock Pool at Malibu Creek State Park in Agoura Hills

One of the most popular destinations in Malibu Creek State Park is the Rock Pool, a picturesque place that is easily accessible for all ages.

As seen in the photo above, it can be stunning to see after solid rains but can also dry up. One fun way to get to the Rock Pool is via the Grassland Trail, accessible on Mulholland Highway just west of Las Virgenes Road, where street parking is available.

Take the Grassland trail, with moderate hills, .7 miles to the Crags Road main fire road/trail in Malibu Creek State Park, and turn right. Alternatively, you can park in the Park's lower parking lot, pay $12 for a bit more secure parking, and take the main trail into the park.

The scenery along the Grassland Trail can be quite beautiful, particularly after the rainy season.

Soon you'll see the sign where you can see the Visitor Center is on the left. That's the direction you'll be taking to get to the Rock Pool. Veering to the right gets you to another popular site at the Park, the old M*A*S*H television series set.

You'll see a bridge over the creek (seen below after the winter rains) that takes you to the Visitor Center (open weekends noon to 4pm). The Rock Pool is the trail on the right (west) before reaching the bridge. Look carefully and you may see the little sign that says "Rock Pool."

Malibu Creek free flowing after some decent winter rainstorms

Well known Rock Wall used by rock climbers seen in the original Planet of the Apes (1968)

You'll walk through a shaded area with picnic benches through to a Rock Wall that is popular with local rock climbers. The video above shows scenes from the movie Planet of the Apes (1968) shot in Malibu Creek State Park. From there, the Rock Pool is a short walk further.

California State Parks, which manages the Park, warns visitors not to jump or dive into the Rock Pool as it is dangerous. But it is certainly fun to explore and is quite a beautiful area.

All told, getting to the Rock Pool is only about 3 miles round trip and worth it. I would put this hike on par with hiking to Paradise Falls in Thousand Oaks' Wildwood Park in terms of ease of access and family enjoyment. Learn more about Malibu Creek State Park at this link.

988 Is the Three Digit Dialing Code for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline

988 Is the new three-digit dialing code that connects directly to the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. The Lifeline is now called the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, a United States-wide suicide prevention network of over 200+ crisis centers that provides 24/7 service via a toll-free hotline using the number 9-8-8. It is available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.

The Lifeline has received over 23 million calls from 2005 through 2021 from people in distress, looking for support when they needed it most.

Learn more at 988lifeline.org.

Jumping and Climbing Options In and Around Ventura County

If your kids are bouncing off the walls around the house and need to jump off some steam, perhaps they need a new environment for jumping and/or climbing in and around Ventura County. Here are some options to consider.

Sky Zone (formerly DojoBoom and Defy) Extreme Air Sports opened at the Janss Marketplace in Thousand Oaks in November 2017, offering over 50,000 square feet of trampolines, launching decks, foam pits, obstacle course and much more.

Sky Zone Trampoline Park is located at 2825 Johnson Drive in east Ventura. Similar to Sky High, Sky Zone offers wall to wall trampolines with open jump sessions, a "SkySlam" court and more.

Boulderdash Indoor Rock Climbing at 880 Hampshire Road, Suite A, Thousand Oaks, is a 10,000 sq ft climbing area with sections ranging from 25 feet to 45 feet tall. Fun for all ages.

An additional Boulderdash Indoor Rock Climbing opened at 2879 Seaborg Avenue, Suite 101, Ventura in January 2019. This facility is also 10,000 sq ft.

The Agoura Hills/Calabasas Community Center at 27040 Malibu Hills Road, Calabasas features, among other things, a 35 foot rock climbing wall. (Center has been closed pending renovations; anticipated to reopen in late fall 2023.)

Santa Barbara Rock Gym is an 8,500 sq ft facility located at 322 State Street, Santa Barbara.

Not for the inexperienced...rock climbing at Westward Beach in Malibu.

For more seasoned climbers, there is a sheer cliff used by rock climbers at Westward Beach in Malibu as well as near the Rock Pool at Malibu Creek State Park.

The Homeplace of Original Conejo Valley Settler Nils Olsen in 1913

This historic photo and information was generously provided by Gerry Olsen, grandson of Nils Olsen, one of the original settlers in the Conejo Valley in the 1890s.

Nils Olsen was born over 150 years ago (June 16, 1859) in Norway. After a stint in the Norwegian Army, he decided in 1884 that he wanted to move to the United States. So he started saving his money. In late January 1886 he bid farewell to his family. He arrived New York on February 20, 1886 via ship...it took about 16 days to get from Bergen, Norway to New York via Liverpool, England and Ireland (cost was roughly $58).

Built in 1905, this is the home of original Conejo Valley settler Nils Olsen in 1913.

Two days after arriving in New York, Nils was off to San Francisco, where he arrived nine days later.  Then later that month (March 1886) he took the train and stagecoach to Santa Barbara, where for four years he worked as a stone mason. In 1889, Nils met George Edwards, whose family owned 20,000 acres in the Conejo Valley and who was selling parcels.

In 1890, Nils and four other Norwegians, Ole Nelson, Lars Pederson, George Hanson and Ole Anderson purchased 650 acres from Edwards. Apparently the land cost about $3/acre for flatlands and $2/acre for hillsides. They settled and grew barley and wheat for the next 20 years.  This area was known as the Norwegian Colony.

Anderson sold his land to Hanson by 1900 and moved back to Norway. Nelson sold his land to Pederson in 1902. Hanson's wife (he died at age 39 in 1901) sold her land to Olsen in 1902-1903. That left just the Olsens and Pedersons.

Olsen's first home was southeast of the corner of Olsen and Moorpark roads. In 1905, he and his family moved into the new three bedroom home and barn pictured above. The photo was taken from the hill behind where the Church of the LDS on Moorpark Road currently resides. The home was located on, but of course, OLSEN Road near the corner of Olsen and Mountclef (adjacent to Cal Lutheran University).

Outdoor castle scenes of Wuthering Heights were filmed on the Olsen property in 1938. Nils passed away on December 14, 1941 at the age of 82.  In 1954, the home pictured above was torn down to make room for a more modern home.

There is so much more history to tell about these Norwegian settlers who bravely settled on the land we now reside.  Here I am stressing out about pulling weeds and mowing the lawn. These hearty Norwegians will forever be remembered in the Conejo Valley.