The Giant Sand Dune on PCH Across From Thornhill Broome Beach in Point Mugu

One of the many unique things to see in Ventura County is the gigantic sand dune located on the east end of Thornhill Broome Beach in Point Mugu.

Driving north up PCH, you'll see the sand dune on the east side after passing by Sycamore Canyon/Sycamore Cove Beach and before reaching the entrance to the Thornhill Broome Campground. 

Park on the shoulder off of PCH. There's plenty of room, though you may be partially parked in the sand. You can also park on the beach side of PCH but rather than taking your life in your hands jaywalking across PCH, you're better off parking on the mountain side of the highway.

The mysteriously large sand dune is the result of "Aeolian transport," or the wind's movement of particles, in this case, sand. Quite steep this hill is, but your effort will be rewarded with some beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean. Plus, you get a nice bird's eye view of Mugu Rock.

We noticed that the southern-most portion of the sand dune seems to have more large rocks in the sand from erosion of the mountains above. The northern hill, at least the several times we've now been there since originally posting this, has somewhat less rocks, leaving the sand smoother and more comfortable to walk on.

Going down the hill is certainly a lot easier than coming up!

DOZENS OF LOCAL AREA BEACHES

Elvis Presley "Wheels on My Heels" from "Roustabout" Filmed in Hidden Valley, Thousand Oaks, 1964

The 1964 musical film “Roustabout,” starring Elvis Presley, was filmed at Paramount Studios, with carnival scenes in Thousand Oaks. And there was this scene of Elvis on his Honda 305 Superhawk motorcycle in Hidden Valley, singing “Wheels on my Hills.”

It is remarkable how little has changed in Hidden Valley, 55 years after the Elvis film was shot.

Eateries That Opened in the First Half of 2023 and are Coming Soon to the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County

We’re mid-way through 2023 and have already seen several new dozen new eateries opening in the Conejo Valley and nearby areas, with another several dozen working to open in the coming months. See the list below.

New Eateries That Opened in the First Half of 2023

• Schatzi Smoothies opened at Whizin Market Square Agoura in January

• Culichi Town Mexican Cuisine opened in Camarillo

• Denino’s Pizzeria & Tavern Thousand Oaks opened in April

• Wood Ranch BBQ opened in April at The Oaks mall

• El Sancho Loco Taqueria y Cantina opened last month in Westlake Village

• Amy’s Drive Thru Thousand Oaks opened June 15th

• Finney’s Crafthouse opened at the Camarillo Premium Outlets January 30th

• Mirchi Indian Cuisine opened in Newbury Park on March 25th

• Kalaveras Mexican Cuisine now open in Simi Valley

• Crumbl Cookies Newbury Park opened in mid-May

• Freda’s Woodfired Kitchen opened in Westlake Village 12/31

• Jugo Organic Eatery opened mid-May in the Oakbrook Plaza Thousand Oaks

• 101 BBQ Hut opened at The Shoppes at Westlake Village

• Vegan Thyme Plant-Based Eatery Newbury Park moved to larger location

• Board & Brew Westlake Village opened on May 12th

• Tiki Taco at the Best Buy Plaza in Thousand Oaks opened April 14th

• Pizza Twist opened last month in the Conejo Gateway Plazaa in Newbury Park

• Rambo’s Hot Chicken opened June 23 at the Simi Valley Town Center

• Sweetfin Poke opened June 2nd at The Promenade at Westlake

• Charcoal Niku opened in Oak Park in April

• Round Table Pizza Thousand Oaks became Manny’s Pizza

• La La Land Kind Cafe opened at The Commons at Calabasas

• Modern Kitchen opened at The Shoppes at Westlake on April 12th

• Magma Modern Italian Pizzeria opened in the Moorpark Marketplace in Feb

• A Tea Thing Boba Tea House opened at The Shoppes at Westlake

• Urban Taco opened at Centre Court Shopping Center in Simi Valley in Feb

• Reynalda Cucina & Amor opened in Thousand Oaks in January

• Hot Motha Clucker Thousand Oaks opened in late June

Eateries That Anticipate Opening Soon

• Selvin’s Restaurant & Lounge at the Palm Garden Hotel Newbury Park

• Bad Ass Tacos to open 2nd Thousand Oaks location

• Mad Era Brewing Co. Simi Valley has been working on opening since July 2018

• Slice House by Tony Gemignani Thousand Oaks opening very soon

• Michoacan a Pedir de Boca Ice Cream Shop coming to Thousand Oaks

• Buster’s OG BBQ & Grill opening soon in Thousand Oaks

• Crawford’s Social coming to Westlake Plaza

• RED O Restaurant - Taste of Mexico coming to The Promenade at Westlake

• The former Corrigan’s Steakhouse still undergoing construction

• Blue Agave Tacos & Beer coming soo to the Agoura Hills City Mall

• Kansui Ramen coming to former Maru Kitchen location at the Westlake Plaza

• Hoshi Ramen coming soon to Park Plaza Shopping Center in Newbury Park

• Cork & Batter Roadhouse coming soon to Simi Valley

• Cafe Ficelle coming soon to Thousand Oaks

• La Princiere French Bakery, Patisserie and Cafe coming to Thousand Oaks

• Bree’s Cakes opened April 29th at the Simi Valley Town Center

• JOiBirds Cafe, Basta and Go Fish Sushi coming to Santal Thousand Oaks

• Angry Chickz Nashville Hot Chicken coming soon to Thousand Oaks

• California Bun coming this summer to Tuscany Square in Moorpark

• Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse coming to The Lakes at Thousand Oaks

• The Kebab Shop coming “soonish” to the Northgate Plaza in Thousand Oaks

• Drive-Thru Dunkin’ Donuts coming to Conejo Gateway Plaza Newbury Park

Eateries That Closed in the First Half of 2023

• Julio’s Agave Grill closed its doors July 1st (close enough to first half of 2023)

• Sage Vegan Bistro Agoura Hills closed on June 24th

• Veggie Grill Thousand Oaks closed its doors in May

• Round Table Pizza became Manny’s Pizza Thousand Oaks (named after owner)

• Bandits Grill and Bar Camarillo closed its doors on March 1st

• The Gallery Restaurant Westlake Village Closed on February 25th

• Islands Agoura Agoura Hills closed in February

  NEW EATERIES AND CLOSED EATERIES IN 2022

Powerline Trail to Edison Road to Conejo Mountain Peak in Newbury Park

View of Boney Mountain range from midway up the Powerline Trail in Newbury Park.

While you're driving down the Conejo Grade from the Conejo Valley towards Camarillo, you may wonder what that mountain is south of the 101.  This would be the 1,814 foot tall Conejo Mountain.

So how do you get up there? 

There are no "official" marked trails to the peak of Conejo Mountain, but there are unofficial ways to get up there. One way that I'm aware of us via the Powerline Trail to Edison Road Trail in the Dos Vientos section of Newbury Park. 

Get to the Powerline Trail trailhead located on Via Ricardo, west of Via Pisa. Park on the street. Or for added trail mileage, park at Dos Vientos Community Park and take the short (1/2 mile) Park View Trail until it ends at Via Ricardo, where you'll see a crosswalk to the Powerline Trail on the other side.

Follow the Powerline Trail on a single to double tract trail until it reaches the much wider Edison Conejo Mountain Road, marked by sets of power line transmission towers.

It is amazing how quiet it can get back here. This trail is a bit on the long, steep side and the mountain can get quite brown and barren. But the rock formations are pretty cool, and get more interesting the higher you climb. And the views are outstanding, from Boney Mountain to the south to the Channel Islands and Oxnard Plain to the west and Thousand Oaks to the east.

You will be passing by this anxiety-causing sign on the way up. Not to worry. Just a warning.

Now, pay attention, To find the path to the top of Conejo Mountain, count the pairs of transmission towers that you pass. The unmarked path is just above the 4th set of transmission towers, which is roughly two miles from the trailhead.

When I went, there was fairly large arrow formed with rocks that pointed in the direction of the path. Although it is not an official trail, you can kind of make out the path that has been cleared by hikers over the years. And there are some sections where it appears the path has been aligned by rocks.

In any case, although it looks difficult, it actually isn't that bad, as long as you take your time and watch your step. When you reach the top, you will have a clear birds eye view of the 101 on the other side.of the mountain.

When it greens up after the winter storms, it sure looks a lot prettier up here.

A clear view of Highway 101 from the peak of Conejo Mountain.

Clear, unimpeded views of Anacapa and Santa Cruz Islands from up here.

Pick Your Own Produce at Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark

For a fun, inexpensive local family activity, stop by Underwood Family Farms in Moorpark for some "Pick Your Own" fun. Open most of the year, weather and farm conditions permitting. They've got everything from avocados, beans, beets, blackberries, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, onions, cucumbers, on through spinach, squash and tomatoes, depending on time of year.

Underwood offers pull wagons, bags and containers for you to stash your haul. Then of course you pay for it. And if you can't find what you want in the fields, they may have it in their Farm Market.

• Weekday Admission: $7 (as of June 2023)

• Weekend and Holiday Admission: $10 (as of June 2023) (subject to change during spring, fall and Christmas festivals)

• Children under 2 and parking free.

• Wagon rides included with admission.

• Seniors (65+), Military, Veterans and 1st Responders w/ID get $2 off.

Learn more at underwoodfamilyfarms.com/pick-your-own.

Throwback Moment: Price-Costco Store Opened in Westlake Village in August 1996

Costco Westlake Village seen from the North Ranch Open Space

Let’s face it…the Westlake Village Costco is one of the most popular places to go in the Conejo Valley. Always teeming with shoppers and sample hunters, it seems the local community would be lost without this store.

Let’s go back in time to when it opened…

The store opened its doors as PriceCostco on Thursday, August 8, 1996 at 5700 Lindero Canyon Road. Price-Costco was formed in 1993 with the merger of Price Club (which opened its first location on July 12, 1976 in San Diego) and Costco (which opened its first warehouse in Seattle on September 15, 1983).

One of my guilty pleasures…the $1.50 Costco Hot Dog and Soda deal.

Who remembers PriceCostco? The merger between the two companies took place in 1993. Price Club was being pursued by Walmart to merge with the Sam’s Club warehouse store chain. Price opted to merge with Costco instead. And wallah…PriceCostco was created. At the time, there were 206 locations. As of August 2022, there are 838 Costco locations worldwide.

The prior management team from Price Club, the Price brothers, left the company in 1994 and in 1997, “Price” was dropped from the name and it became Costco.

According to a 1/4/96 VC Star article, PriceCostco purchased the 30 acre site at Lindero Canyon Road and Westlake Boulevard in Westlake Village for $9.3 million, with plans for a 136,000 sq ft Price Club.

Local residents were against the addition of the warehouse club to the community. City Council approved the project as it was allowed as part of a long-term commercial development agreement in place with owners of the property. However, the city stipulated approval was required for specifics like exterior color scheme, roofing materials in earth tone colors, etc.

Flashback to 2009: There were high hopes for a 2nd Conejo Valley Costco location in Newbury Park at the corner of Grande Vista Drive and Academy Drive. But according to a T.O. Acorn article on 1/29/09, Costco could not make the project economically feasible as it was “unable to finalize a lease for the site.”

It is clear that Costco prefers to own its land and buildings, not lease them. In Costco’s annual Form 10-K filing for the fiscal year ended August 29, 2021, fully 79% of its 815 warehouses around the world were owned; the remaining 19% were leased.

Lowe’s and LA Fitness were able to work a deal with owners of the property in Newbury Park and the City of Thousand Oaks Planning Commission approved the project to build locations there at a meeting on 12/13/10. Lowe’s Newbury Park opened on July 4, 2019.

Building of the Norwegian Grade from Conejo Valley to Camarillo 1909 to 1911

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.

Back at the turn of the century, farmers in the Conejo Valley grew dry crops like barley and wheat and had to take their harvest to Port Hueneme/Oxnard via horse-drawn wagons. Their only routes were the treacherous (at the time) Potrero Road or down the unpaved Norwegian Grade to Santa Rosa Road.

So in 1909, with a $60 donation from the county to purchase dynamite, Norwegian families Olsen, Pedersen, other volunteers and paid helpers blasted into the hillside from Nils Olsen's property, 1 1/2 miles down to Santa Rosa Road.

It took two to three years to finish the project using the dynamite, manual labor and horse-drawn earth moving machines called Fresno Scrapers (named after a Scottish chap in 1883 who formed the Fresno Agricultural Works to manufacture it).  Here is a historic photo of these early Conejo Valley roadbuilders.

I used to run up the grade from time to time and that was a pretty tight squeeze, with its steep descent and cactus on the side of the road. While most of us take the 23/101 freeways to get to/from Thousand Oaks/Moorpark/Camarillo these days, the Norwegian Grade provides an alternate 2-lane route with a direct linkage to the gritty Norwegian settlers who had the guts and determination to build it.

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