Guide to Finding Family Friendly Bike Paths In and Around Ventura County

As a casual cyclist with young kids I usually steer clear of riding on busy streets, particularly those that don't have any type of bike lane on them. Thankfully there are nearly 80 miles of bikeways in Thousand Oaks, including 3 miles of bike paths, 20 miles of bike lanes and 54 miles of marked bike routes.  

Bike routes are shared with vehicles

Bike routes are shared with vehicles

Class I Bike Paths are separate from auto traffic and thus are great for family friendly cycling. Class II Bike Lanes are striped, painted and shared lanes adjacent to automobile lanes. Class III Bike Routes are marked by green signs that signify sharing with autos.

We also love taking our bikes to other places in and around Ventura County to enjoy other sights and surroundings. So how about if we highlight Class I Bike Paths throughout Ventura County, stretching from Thousand Oaks to Ventura.

Conejo Valley

The Conejo Creek Bike Path is a 1.2 mile path in the heart of Thousand Oaks that connects Gainsborough Road on the south to Conejo Creek Park and the Thousand Oaks Library. This is a nice, flat path, good for kids.

Another access point to the Conejo Creek Bike Path on La Granada Drive.

Another access point to the Conejo Creek Bike Path on La Granada Drive.

There is another Thousand Oaks bike path, the .5 mile Greenmeadow Drive connector bike path accessible on the west at Greenmeadow and Yellowstone, on the south side of Los Robles Greens. This is not a particularly interesting path but it does enable cyclists and walkers a path around the golf course to the Los Robles trailhead and Moorpark Road from Newbury Park. A bit hilly, too.

Entrance to Greenmeadow Avenue connector bike path in Thousand Oaks

Entrance to Greenmeadow Avenue connector bike path in Thousand Oaks

There is also the .8 mile bike path on the north side of The Oaks mall as well as the .5 mile Read Road Connector path accessible off of Olsen Road just east of the 23 freeway.

Sign at the Read Road connector path on Olsen Road east of 23 Freeway.

Sign at the Read Road connector path on Olsen Road east of 23 Freeway.

Medea Creek Natural Park has hiking, biking and fitness trails that stretch from Calle Rio Vista and Oaks Hills Drive in Oak Park on the north, then south past Medea Creek Lane and Conifer Street to a cul de sac entrance to the park at the west terminus of Tamarind Street. About a mile to mile and a half of paths, including paved and dirt paths.

Nicely paved path at Medea Creek Natural Park in Oak Park

Nicely paved path at Medea Creek Natural Park in Oak Park

Ventura

My personal favorite bike path in Ventura County is the Omer Rains Trail that runs the entire length of San Buenaventura State Beach.

Senator Omer Rains Ventura Oceanfront Bikeway Sign on Main Street next to Ventura Beach RV Resort

Senator Omer Rains Ventura Oceanfront Bikeway Sign on Main Street next to Ventura Beach RV Resort

We park the car at Marina Park in Ventura and ride a short distance north on Pierpont Blvd to the bike path entrance. This oceanfront path takes you past the Ventura Pier, through the Promenade area, adjacent to the Ventura County Fairgrounds, Emma Wood State Beach and beyond. Or you can get to the path from anywhere along the Ventura Promenade area.

Bike path along San Buenaventura State Beach.

Bike path along San Buenaventura State Beach.

Omer Rains Bike Path near Ventura Beach RV Resort on Main St.

Omer Rains Bike Path near Ventura Beach RV Resort on Main St.

Nice, newer paved section of Ventura beachfront bike path near Surfers Point.

Nice, newer paved section of Ventura beachfront bike path near Surfers Point.

The Ventura River Trail is a 6.3 mile asphalt pedestrian and bike path that follows the old Southern Pacific Railroad right-of-way from Main Street in Ventura to Foster Park inland towards Ojai. You can easily connect from the Omer Rains Trail to the Ventura River Trail up to the Ojai Valley Trail for quite a long, nearly automobile-free ride.

The Ventura Harbor Bike Path takes you 1.2 miles from Market St and Arundell Ave in midtown Ventura southwest through farmland to E. Harbor Boulevard and Schooner Drive, near Four Points by Sheraton.

Bike path from midtown Ventura to the Harbor is not the most exciting path but it is a convenient way to ride to Ventura Harbor, Marina Park and adjacent areas.

Bike path from midtown Ventura to the Harbor is not the most exciting path but it is a convenient way to ride to Ventura Harbor, Marina Park and adjacent areas.

The La Conchita Bike Path between Rincon Point at the Ventura/Santa Barbara County Line adjacent to Highway 101 past La Conchita to Mobil Pier Road in Ventura was completed in September 2014. This path has leapfrogged into my own personal favorite in Ventura County because of its spectacular beach views. This is about 4 miles of bike path in the Oil Piers Beach to Mussel Shoals to La Conchita Beach to Rincon Point beach areas.

Bike paths rarely get better than this stretch along the southbound 101 and the Pacific Ocean in Ventura.

Bike paths rarely get better than this stretch along the southbound 101 and the Pacific Ocean in Ventura.

There's another short stretch of bike path at the east end of Navigator Drive that goes west, then south, around the Ventura West Marina.

Entrance to short bike path adjacent to Ventura West Marina.

Entrance to short bike path adjacent to Ventura West Marina.

There is a two mile biking and hiking on the east side of the lake at the Lake Casitas Recreation Area, 11311 Santa Ana Road, Ventura. The path starts at picnic area #1 and follows the east shoreline of the lake for a four mile round trip ride. The path is paved in the recreational area and becomes a dirt road outside of that. More information at www.casitaswater.org/recreation/amenities/bike-trail.

Ojai

The Ojai Valley Trail is a 9 to 10 mile trail that parallels Highway 33 from Foster Park on the outskirts of west Ventura, to Soule Park in Ojai. It connects to the Ventura River Trail.

The Ojai Trail runs parallel to Ventura Ave/Ojai Ave.

The Ojai Trail runs parallel to Ventura Ave/Ojai Ave.

Simi Valley

The Arroyo Simi Bike Path is a two lane bike path in Simi Valley that runs from Madera Road, just south of Easy Street on the west, ending at Tapo Street on the east. Over seven miles.

Arroyo Simi Bike Path/Trail in Simi Valley.

Arroyo Simi Bike Path/Trail in Simi Valley.

Camarillo

We enjoy the newer, flat roughly 2 mile Calleguas Creek bike path from Pleasant Valley Fields up to the corner of Flynn and Upland Roads in Camarillo. Quick access from the Conejo Valley and a nice, relatively easy path good for all ages.

Look at how nice and flat this bike path adjacent to Calleguas Creek is!

Look at how nice and flat this bike path adjacent to Calleguas Creek is!

Other Areas

There's an online bike map available on the Ventura County Transportation Commission website at www.goventura.org where you can find other Class I, II and II bike paths around the county. Here are some of them.

The Santa Paula Bike Trail takes you roughly 3 miles on the east near W. Main St and Peck Rd to (roughly) Dike Road on the west

The Fillmore Bike Path runs from south of Highway 126 (Telegraph Road) up past Shiell Park.

In Moorpark there's a .5 mile path at Country Trail Park, around the neighborhood to the west, back to Mountain Trail Street.

There's a bike path that starts at the ocean side of Oxnard Beach Park and takes you south all the way to Hollywood Beach and Channel Islands Harbor. Cross Harbor Boulevard and make your way into Channel Islands Harbor, where you can ride all the way to the south end of the harbor.

Bike path near Oxnard Beach Park and Channel Islands Harbor.

Bike path near Oxnard Beach Park and Channel Islands Harbor.

In Port Hueneme there's a bike path that starts off of Bard Rd, west of South J St, through Richard Bard Running Springs Park and takes you southwest all the way to Hueneme Beach.

If you're willing to venture a bit further away from Ventura County, the Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Path stretches over 20 miles, from Will Rogers State Park in Pacific Palisades to Torrance. Flat, adjacent to the ocean, and so many things to do along the way!

Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Path in Pacific Palisades

Marvin Braude Coastal Bike Path in Pacific Palisades

That should be enough to get you started! Looking for local cycling clubs? Find some of them at this link.

Compilation of Great Trails and Hikes In and Around Ventura County

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Looking for a good hike around Ventura County and nearby areas? We've highlighted a number of our favorite hikes in the Do Something section of Conejo Valley Guide.

HIKE TO A CONEJO VALLEY BENCH WITH A VIEW

HIKE TO AUTOMOTIVE RELICS IN THE CONEJO VALLEY OPEN SPACE

SEVEN FLAT, STROLLER FRIENDLY TRAILS IN THE CONEJO VALLEY

DOG-FRIENDLY TRAILS IN THE SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS

Reminder: Please refrain from using the trails during rain events and afterwards, until they have dried. Doing otherwise causes damage to the trails.

Lone Oak at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa

Lone Oak at Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa

Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa in Newbury Park

Fossil Trail Loop in the Boney Mountain Wilderness

Oakbrook Vista Trail in Thousand Oaks

Rancho Potrero Open Space in Newbury Park

Wildwood Park in Thousand Oaks

Lynnmere Trail in Thousand Oaks (south of Wildwood Park)

Conejo Canyons Open Space (Western Plateau)

Tarantula Hill Hike in Thousand Oaks

Arroyo Conejo Trail in Thousand Oaks

Sunset Hills Trail in Thousand Oaks

Conejo Ridge Open Space in Thousand Oaks

North Ranch Open Space in Thousand Oaks/Westlake Village

Wishbone Trail in the North Ranch Open Space - Westlake Village

Hillcrest Open Space Preserve in Thousand Oaks

Powerline Trail in Newbury Park to Conejo Mountain

Lake Eleanor Open Space Hike in Westlake Village

Conejo Valley Botanic Garden in Thousand Oaks

Triunfo Creek Park in Westlake Village

Potrero Ridge Trail in Newbury Park

Marview Drive Trail in Thousand Oaks

Pentachaeta Trail and Westlake Vista Trail in Westlake Village

Rabbit Hill (Knoll Open Space) in Newbury Park

Hike to the Cross in the Hills Above Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks

Lynnmere Open Space views to the west.

Lynnmere Open Space views to the west.

Views from the Ray Miller Trail in Malibu.

Danielson Road trail in the Boney Mountain Wilderness.

Danielson Road trail in the Boney Mountain Wilderness.

Views of Simi Valley from the peak of Mt. McCoy in Simi Valley.

Views of Simi Valley from the peak of Mt. McCoy in Simi Valley.

Sunset Hills Trail in Thousand Oaks.

Sunset Hills Trail in Thousand Oaks.

Tree encampment along Los Padres Trail in Thousand Oaks.

Tree encampment along Los Padres Trail in Thousand Oaks.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection Options for Thousand Oaks Residents

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The City of Thousand Oaks Public Works Department's "GoGreen" website has hundreds of conservation tips relating to composting, energy conservation, hazardous waste disposal, recycling and trash, reuse programs, water conservation, living green advice, and much more. Check it out at www.toaks.org/GoGreen.

Like me, you may have a lot of junk lying around the house that you'd like to get rid of but are not allowed to place in the trash

Since May 2014, the City has run a permanent Household Hazardous Waste Facility located next to the Service Center at 2010 Conejo Center Drive, Newbury Park.

Residents of Thousand Oaks and unincorporated areas of Ventura County may sign up to drop off items at this facility on Fridays/Saturdays from 9am to 1pm, except certain holiday weekends, at toaks.gov/hhw. Advance registration is required.

Items accepted at these monthly collection events include acids, motor oil, antifreeze, asbestos, nail polish/remover, automatic switches, oil filters, batteries, paints, cement, paint thinners, chlorine, fertilizers, pool chemicals, fluorescent lights, propane cylinders, fire extinguishers, rodent poison, garden chemicals, smoke detectors, gasoline, solvents, used frying oil, household cleaners, weed killers and more. They do not accept tires, medications. business waste and other items.

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One person's hazardous waste is another's gold! The City's Hazardous Waste Material Reuse Program allows residents to take away certain items previously disposed of, such as cleaners, paint, pool chemicals, motor oils, adhesives, etc. Selection obviously will vary. No appointment needed. Just stop by the Reuse Store (same location as waste collection facility) on Friday/Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. More information at toaks.gov/hhw.

The ReUse store will be closed weekends associated with the following holidays: President's Day, Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day

There are also convenient hazardous waste disposal for other items:

Batteries: Community Centers at Borchard Park, Dos Vientos and Thousand Oaks (next to TOHS), Goebel Senior Center, Thousand Oaks/Newbury Park Libraries, City Hall and Thousand Oaks Transportation Center.

Motor Oil/Filters: See toaks.gov/hhw

Electronic Waste: Best Buy, Goodwill Industries, PC Recycle, Waste Management and Gold Coast Recycling Center. More info at THIS LINK.

Fluorescent Lights/CFL's: You may bring any size or type of fluorescent and LED bulbs to the City's Hazardous Waste Facility.

(See www.homedepot.com/c/ab/how-to-dispose-of-lightbulbs/9ba683603be9fa5395fab901b263d806 for more information on what to do with light bulbs of various types.)

Unwanted and/or expired medications can be dropped off throughout Ventura County at designated police stations, such as the East Valley Police Station Lobby at 2101 E. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. Open Mon-Fri 8am to 5pm.

Visit toaks.org/GoGreen for updates.

Seven Flat, Stroller and Family Friendly Hikes in the Conejo Valley

There is a ring of about 15,000 acres of open space with 140 miles of trails for public use surrounding the Conejo Valley. All too often on the Conejo Valley Guide Facebook Page we hear requests for which trails are "stroller friendly" and/or suitable for young children. Here is a sampling of some of the more popular ones in the area.

Wildwood Park to many is the single greatest spot for family hikes and stroller-friendly trails. With 14 trails covering 17 miles, including the popular hike to Paradise Falls and the teepee as well as some wide, relatively flat sections along the Mesa Trail towards Lizard Rock.

It takes a bit of driving via the Norwegian Grade and Santa Rosa Road to get there, but the Conejo Canyons Open Space in the Western Plateau section of the Conejo Open Space leads to several miles of nice, flat, well-maintained family-friendly trails leading to tree-canopied picnic areas. The Hill Canyon Trail and Hawk Canyon Trail are very easy to navigate.

Shaded picnic area off the Hawk Canyon Trail from the Conejo Canyons Bridge.

Shaded picnic area off the Hawk Canyon Trail from the Conejo Canyons Bridge.

The one mile Spring Canyon Trail is a mostly flat trail that runs from Lynn Oaks Park, 359 Capitan Street, Newbury Park to the Los Robles Trail.  There are some moderate hills but with the park nearby, this makes for a fun little excursion with the little ones. (No restrooms, however.)

The main access point to the Los Robles Trail at the southern endpoint of Moorpark Road at Greenmeadow Ave starts out with a reasonably flat section that is a nice, easy family stroll.

Speaking of the Los Robles Trail, another great little hike to take with the kids is the Oak Creek Canyon Loop Trail. The first 4/10th of a mile of the trail, accessible off of Greenmeadow Avenue in Thousand Oaks, is the Oak Creek Canyon Whole Access Interpretive Trail. This is a nice, shady, flat trail with benches and picnic benches along the path. The remainder of the loop is not quite as stroller friendly, with a couple moderately steep sections that can be navigated on foot.

Picnic trails and shade abound at the Oak Creek Canyon Interpretative Trail.

Picnic trails and shade abound at the Oak Creek Canyon Interpretative Trail.

The Rancho Sierra Vista/Satwiwa area managed by the National Park Service in Newbury Park has several miles of trails to explore, most of which are flat and stroller-friendly. The Satwiwa Loop Trail takes you around the area and the Satwiwa Native American Indian Culture Center makes for a fun stop with the family when open on weekends.

The Chumash home, or “‘Ap,” in the background. The one pictured has since been replaced.

The Chumash home, or “‘Ap,” in the background. The one pictured has since been replaced.

Cheeseboro/Palo Comado Canyons offer great family hiking opportunities. While there's definitely hills surrounding these canyons, try the Cheeseboro Canyon Trail, the 4 to 5 mile main artery into the park. Flat and kid/stroller friendly it is. Also try the Doubletree Trailhead connector to the Palo Comado Trail. Flat, fun and scenic.

The Los Padres Trail in Thousand Oaks is a short trail, half of which is pretty flat and tree lined, if you’re looking for a short excursion with a toddler. A seasonal creek makes it even more interesting as you may hear froggies in the spring.

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Although the trails in the Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space in Thousand Oaks are NOT FLAT and indeed quite HILLY, they are worth checking out with the kids because they wide and have some interesting sandstone rock formations. If you are really strong, strollers are possible here, but do know that you will encounter some hills like the hill shown in the image below.

This hill in the Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space at the Autumn Ridge Trail is a bit daunting but worth the climb.

This hill in the Lang Ranch/Woodridge Open Space at the Autumn Ridge Trail is a bit daunting but worth the climb.

We're going to throw a bonus trail into the mix. The several miles of hiking trails in the Oakbrook Regional Park Archaeological Area in Thousand Oaks is an outstanding place for a flat, picturesque and oak-tree canopied place for a short hike with the kids.

For a more comprehensive compilation of trails in the Conejo Valley and throughout Ventura County, visit THIS LINK.

Eleven of My Favorite Things to Do In and Around the City of Ventura

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Incorporated in 1866, the City of Ventura is the county seat of Ventura County. The official name of Ventura is the city of San Buenaventura. Mission San Buenaventura was founded by Franciscan priest Junipero Serra on March 31, 1782 and was named after Saint Bonaventure. Enough with the history lesson...here are some of my favorite things to do in this beautiful city!

You can't miss the 1,600 foot long Ventura Pier, with its panoramic views, fishing and ocean breezes. There's a cool little playground area in the sand just west of the pier, bicycle rentals nearby, miles of beachfront bike path and Surfers' Point. San Buenaventura State Beach stretches from the Ventura Pier down south past the homes of the Ventura Keys. Eateries on the pier include Eric Ericsson’s Fish Co., MadeWest Brewing Company Taproom and Beach House Tacos.

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Ventura Harbor Village is home to 33 acres of harborside activities, shopping and restaurants. There's an arcade with an antique carousel, boat rides, kayaking and sailing and quick access to family-friendly Harbor Cove Beach and Surfer's Knoll Beach. Also within a short walking distance is the Robert J. Lagomarsino Visitor Center, an inspirational and interactive source of information about the Channel Islands National Park. Bring the kids!

Ventura Harbor Village is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

Ventura Harbor Village is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.

For some of the most spectacular views of Ventura, stop by Grant Park / Serra Cross Park. You can drive up there, or park above the historic Ventura City Hall building and walk to Grant Park via the Ventura Botanical Gardens Demonstration Trail. This nice one mile trail will give you a nice little workout, with views along the way.

A view from the Ventura Botanical Gardens Demonstration Trail near Grant Park in 2020.

Golf N' Stuff is a family favorite, especially when it's really hot in the Conejo Valley and you're looking for an outdoor alternative to the beach.  The kids never tire of the two 18-hole mini golf courses, bumper boats, large, nicely appointed arcade, go karts and bumper cars.

Mini golf fun at Golf N' Stuff Ventura.

Mini golf fun at Golf N' Stuff Ventura.

Another popular family choice is oceanfront Marina Park in the Ventura Keys, a decent sized park with plenty of grassy area, a newer playground and path to adjacent picnic and viewing area Soter Point. We enjoy riding bikes from the park to the Ventura Beach Path.

Marina Park Beach

Marina Park Beach

In Downtown Ventura, the Museum of Ventura County hosts a collection of over 30,000 pieces of fine art and historical items and a changing lineup of exhibits displaying items of local relevance. The Museum's Research Library houses over 150,000 resources related to the history of Ventura County. And the Museum regularly hosts public events geared towards all ages as well as free admission the first Sunday of each month.

The city closed off five blocks of Main Street in Downtown Ventura to create “Main Street Moves.” in 2020. This allowed many businesses to thrive with outdoor dining during the pandemic, but it also caught on as a great opportunity to roam the streets of Downtown Ventura in a leisurely way, without automobile traffic. City Council voted to extend Main Street Moves on a year-round basis in November 2024. Updates at www.cityofventura.ca.gov/2165/Main-Street-Moves.

It doesn’t feel like it is in Ventura, but Lake Casitas Recreation Area, technically in Ventura (though it feels more like it is in Oak View), is a wonderland of outdoor fun - boating/kayaking on the lake (no swimming though…it is a water source), camping, disc golf, picnicking, bicycling, exploring and more.

Kayaking at Lake Casitas.

Something new! Moby’s on Main opened at 369 E. Main Street in Ventura, in late May 2024. Moby’s is Ventura’s first family-friendly arcade and bar, offering a collection of vintage arcade games, pinball machines, classic Thrifty ice cream, snacks and more. www.mobysonmain.com

Vegetarian & Vegan Eateries in the Conejo Valley and Neighboring Areas

According to a 2023 Gallup Consumer Habits poll, 4% of U.S. adults consider themselves to be vegetarian and 1% say they are vegan. With a population of 829,590 in 2023, that translates to about 33,000 vegetarians in Ventura County. Here are some vegetarian and vegan dining options in the Conejo Valley and greater Ventura County that attract vegetarians and their meat-eating friends alike. Here’s a list of such eateries.

(Note that this particular list includes places that only serve 100% plant-based food.)

In the Conejo Valley

Vegan Thyme is located in the Park Plaza Shopping Center in Newbury Park at 2247 Michael Drive. This popular eatery opened its doors in March 2019. Vegan Thyme’s menu is 100% vegan, with primarily an Asian/Fusion theme. Their meat replacement options include organic tofu, soy chicken, soy beef, soy fish, soy shrimp and vegetables. Their menu also includes burger, wraps and Mexican cuisine. Open 11:30AM - 9PM Tuesdays through Fridays and 12 - 9PM on weekends. www.veganthymecafe.com (805) 716-3088

Namaste Spiceland is located at 821 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks. This popular Indian grocery market also offers hot vegetarian Indian cuisine for takeout or onsite. Inexpensive, large portions and delicious! Open daily from 10AM - 9PM. namastespicelandthousandoaks.com (805) 373-6761

JOi Café opened in late summer 2014 at 2855 Agoura Road, Westlake Village. JOi, named after co-owner Joi Stearns, offers a broad menu of organic, plant-based and gluten-free items for breakfast, lunch and dinner. They offer a wide range of coffee drinks, matcha drinks, other drinks, smoothies, toasts, salads, breakfast goodies, plates and more Open daily from 7AM to 5PM. www.joicafe.com

Ma-Kin Vegan Sushi opened in August 2021 at 30313 Canwood St # 35, Agoura Hills in the Reyes Adobe Plaza. Ma-Kin offers unique plant-based, 100% vegan sushi dishes, along with gluten-free options. Open Tuesday through Thursday 2PM - 9PM and Friday through Sunday 11:30AM - 9PM. www.makinvegan.com (818) 699-6716

Jugo Wellness Bar is located in the Oakbrook Plaza in Thousand Oaks at 1772 E. Avenida De Los Arboles, Suite I. Jugo offers organic smoothies, acai, toasts and more. jugowellnessbar.com

Other Parts of Ventura County

Vegiterranean Kitchen, located at Moorpark at 481 E High Street, offers fully vegan Mediterranean cuisine, including soups, salads, appetizers, pita wraps, entrees and desserts. Open Monday through Saturday from 11AM to 8PM. vegiterraneankitchen.com (805) 523-2209

Seed Ranger, located at 2950 Johnson Drive, Ventura, offers a vegan only memo that includes sushi, all-day breakfast entrees, burgers, pizzas and more, . Open daily 8AM - 8PM. www.seedranger.com (805) 765-4157

La Jenelle Natural Cafe is located at 2323 Roosevelt Boulevard #1, Oxnard at Silverstrand Beach. Open Monday through Friday 9AM - 5:30PM and 8:30AM - 5:30PM on weekends. Their menu offers only vegetarian/vegan options, including salads, a burrito, burger and more.. lajenelle.com (805) 263-6771

Hip Vegan is located 201 N Montgomery Street, Ojai. Open everyday 11AM - 8PM. They offer exclusively 100% plant-based items such as wraps, salads, bowls, sandwiches and more. hipvgn.com (805) 669-6363

Harvest Cafe is located 175 S.Ventura Avenue, Ventura, offering an organic, vegetarian, gluten-free menu that includes smoothies, breakfast items, pizzas, salads, and various entrees. Opens at 8AM daily (9AM on Sundays). www.harvestcafeventura.com (805) 667-8386

Café BōKU is located at 987 W Ojai Avenue, Ojai. Open daily from 8AM - 5PM. Their menu includes smoothies, breakfast items, sandwiches and more. www.bokusuperfood.com/pages/cafe (805) 650-2658

Farmer and the Cook is located at 339 W El Roblar Drive, Ojai, offering smoothies, breakfast items, lunch/dinner entrees and more. Opens at 8AM daily. www.farmer-and-the-cook.com (805) 640-9608


Vegan No More

Amy’s Drive Thru opened on June 15, 2023 at 400 N Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks but closed its doors after a brief stint on February 9, 2024.

Veggie Grill Westlake Village closed its doors after a nine year stint in the North Ranch Shopping Center in May 2023.

Sage Vegan Bistro at the Whizin Market Square in Agoura Hills opened in May 2020 and closed in June 2023.

Crossroads Kitchen at The Commons at Calabasas closed in late December 2024.

Upcoming 5K, 10K and Other Ventura County Area Running and Fitness Events

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Start training for upcoming 5K, 10K, half marathon and other Ventura County running and fitness events! We've made it easy for you to find a local race by tracking local events right here. So go on, get moving, lace up those shoes and start training!

Training for a marathon? Check out 26.2 Training Tips for Your First Marathon!

Running Clubs in the Local Area

Ventura Running Club www.venturarunningclub.com Sunday beach runs at the Ventura Pier, Wednesday track workouts and social event.

Inside Track Running Club www.insidetrackrunningclub.com Club has been training in Ventura since 1976. Saturday long runs, Tuesday intervals, Thursday hills and Sunday easy runs.

Thousand Oaks Pacers www.runpacers.org/thousandoaks/about Running club founded in 2014.

Future Track Running Pack futuretrackrunningpack.org Founded in 1988 in Agoura Hills. Tuesday night track workouts at Oak Park High School and more.

The Pacific Coast Track Club hosts training sessions on Sunday mornings at the Camarillo High School track and Ojai community track. Individual training sessions also available. Email mgenebyme@gmail.com for more information or visit www.facebook.com/genebyrne101.

Conejo Valley Run Club was established in 2024 for all levels of runners, meeting for local are runs every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. www.strava.com/clubs/cvrunclub

Newbury Park Elite Endurance offers personalized coaching an training plans. Visit www.newburyparkendurance.com to learn more.

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For great running shoes from local businesses that know a lot about them, try the following: