Indoor Play Places In and Around Ventura County

There are hundreds of parks with play areas throughout the Conejo Valley and Greater Ventura County compiled at THIS LINK, but if you are looking for an indoor playtime experience with your little ones, from toddlers to teens, here are a number of options to check out.

• My Gym Children's Fitness Center in Thousand Oaks and Ventura has both classes for various age groups as well as open play at designated times.

• The Oaks Mall Indoor Play Area is a small area open for kids up to age 5 anytime the mall is open. Located on the first floor, adjacent to the Food Court area and near JC Penney.

• Jumpify Indoor Playground is located at The Oaks Mall on the 2nd floor. Inflatables, bounce houses, ball/foam block pits and more. Geared towards ages 1 to 12.

• Jump n’ Jammin Children’s Entertainment Center opened at The Collection at RiverPark in Oxnard in January 2020. Fun indoor place with similarities to Kids World in Oak Park.

• Rockin' Kids Play Center at Simi Valley Town Center is for kids up to age 7 for open play seven days a week.

• We Rock the Spectrum Kid's Gym in Agoura Hills has open play for kids up to age 13 on weekdays and weekends when there are no special events planned.

• Kids World Indoor Playground in Oak Park is open daily for open play, geared towards ages 2 to 15. Huge play structure, climbing tubes, slides, foam balls and much more.

• Sky Zone Trampoline Park in Ventura offers open jump and toddler time on designated days and times.

• Sky Zone Trampoline Park Thousand Oaks at Janss Marketplace offers wall to wall trampolines, ball pits, foam block pit and much more.

• Imagymnation Gymnastics in Simi Valley offers open play on designated days and times.

• Play Out Loud Indoor Playground in Agoura Hills is a 3100 sq ft facility that opened 2/16/24. Geared towards little kids.

• How could we leave Chuck E. Cheese’s off this list for indoor play! A local staple for young set birthday parties and drop-in play.

• K1 Speed Indoor Go Karting and Arcade in Thousand Oaks has karts for kids that go up to 20 mph as well as an arcade.

This is just a small sampling of kids' activities highlighted here on Conejo Valley Guide.

FUN FOR THE KIDS AT LOCAL VENTURA COUNTY AREA SHOPPING MALLS

The three story foam ball projectile and climbing area at Kids World in Oak Park.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Locations in Ventura County

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program recruits volunteer tax preparers to provide free preparation of federal and state income tax returns to taxpayers with incomes of $67,000 or less in 2024. VITA benefits these taxpayers by eliminating the cost of commercial tax return preparation and by securing valuable tax credits such as the Child Tax Credit and EITC.

Local VITA location sites are as follows (see this IRS link for details, including dates and times and contact information for making appointments, when required):

• Newbury Park Library, 2331 Borchard Road - Wednesdays 10am to 4pm, 2/5/25 to 4/9/25. Appointments not required.

• Conejo Creek South Park Community Building, 1350 E. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks - Mon-Fri 8:30am to 4pm, 2/3/25 to 4/15/25. Appointments not required.

• Moorpark College - 2/1/25 to 4/30/25. Appointments are required. www.moorparkcollege.edu/departments/academic/business-administration/program/accounting/VITA

• East County Job and Career Center, 2900 N. Madera Road, Simi Valley - 2/5/25 to 4/30/25. Appointments are required.

• Oxnard College, 4000 South Rose Avenue - 2/6/25 to 4/30/25. Appointments are required.

• United Way of Ventura County, 702 County Square Drive #100, Ventura. 2/4/25 to 4/30/25. Appointments are required.

• Ventura Community Service Center, 4651 Telephone Road, 2nd Floor. Appointments are required. 2/1/25-4/30/25

Also see www.ventura.org/human-services-agency/tax-preparation

What to bring:

• Proof of identification (photo ID)

• Social Security cards for you, your spouse and dependents

• An Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) assignment letter may be substituted for you, your spouse and your dependents if you do not have a Social Security number

• Proof of foreign status, if applying for an ITIN

• Birth dates for you, your spouse and dependents on the tax return

• Wage and earning statements (Form W-2, W-2G) from all employers

• Pension, Retirement and Social Security Income statements (Forms 1099)

• Interest and dividend statements from banks (Forms 1099)

• A copy of last year’s federal and state returns, if available

• Proof of bank account routing and account numbers for direct deposit such as a blank check

• Total paid for daycare provider and the daycare provider's tax identifying number such as their Social Security number or business Employer Identification Number

• Forms 1095-A, Health Insurance Marketplace Statement

• Copies of income transcripts from IRS and state, if applicable

To file taxes electronically on a married-filing-joint tax return, both spouses must be present to sign the required forms

www.irs.gov/individuals/checklist-for-free-tax-return-preparation

The IRS partners with software companies to provide “IRS Free File” guided tax software for taxpayers with adjusted gross income (AGI) or $84,000 or less for the 2024 tax year. Learn more at apps.irs.gov/app/freeFile. Providers for 2024 filings include FreeTaxUSA, 1040.com, FileYourTaxes.com, 1040NOW, TaxAct, OLT.com, TaxSlayer, and ezTaxReturn.com.

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.

View Larger Map

Deducting Losses From Federally Declared Disasters on Your Federal Income Tax Return

According to the IRS:

Personal casualty losses are losses from casualty, disaster, and theft that are not connected to a trade or business, or a transaction entered into for profit. Generally, if the loss is caused by a federally declared disaster, you may deduct personal casualty losses relating to your home, household items, and vehicles on your federal income tax return. For tax years 2018 through 2025, personal casualty losses are otherwise not deductible. A theft loss deduction is generally available, however, if the loss is due to theft related to a transaction entered into for profit. You may not deduct casualty and theft losses covered by insurance, unless you file a timely claim for reimbursement, and you reduce the loss by the amount of any reimbursement or expected reimbursement. 

A federally-declared disaster is any disaster determined by the President of the United States to warrant assistance by the federal government. Visit fema.gov/disasters for a list of federally-declared disasters. Current and recent federally-declared disasters as of January 2025 include:

• California Hurst File (FM-5551-CA) declared 1/8/25 www.fema.gov/disaster/5551

• California Wildfires and Straight-Line Winds (DR-4856-CA) declared 1/8/25 www.fema.gov/disaster/4856

• California Eaton Fire (FM-5550-CA) declared 1/8/25 www.fema.gov/disaster/5550

• California Palisades Fire (FM-5549-CA) declared 1/7/25 www.fema.gov/disaster/5549

• California Franklin Fire in Malibu (FM-5548-CA) declared 12/10/24 www.fema.gov/disaster/5548

• California Mountain Fire in Ventura County (FM-5545-CA) declared 11/6/24 www.fema.gov/disaster/5545

• California Airport Fire in Orange/Riverside Counties (FM-5538-CA) declared 9/11/24 www.fema.gov/disaster/5538

• California Bridge Fire in LA/San Bernardino Counties (FM-5537-CA) declared 9/11/24 www.fema.gov/disaster/5537

If your property is personal-use property or isn't completely destroyed, the amount of your casualty loss is the lesser of the adjusted basis of your property, or the decrease in fair market value of your property as a result of the casualty. You must reduce the loss by any insurance or other reimbursement you receive or expect to receive.

Casualty losses can be claimed as an itemized deduction on Schedule A of Form 1040, less $100 for each casualty, then subtract 10% of your adjusted gross income to calculate allowable losses for the year. However, you may elect to deduct the loss without itemizing your deductions. Your net casualty loss doesn't need to exceed 10% of your adjusted gross income to qualify for the deduction, but you would reduce each casualty loss by $500 after any salvage value and any other reimbursement. Report casualty losses on Form 4684, Casualties and Thefts.

Casualty losses are deductible in the year you sustain the loss. You have not sustained a loss if you have a reasonable prospect of recovery through a claim for reimbursement. If you have a casualty loss from a federally declared disaster that occurred in an area warranting public or individual assistance (or both), you can choose to treat the casualty loss as having occurred in the year immediately preceding the tax year in which you sustained the disaster loss, and you can deduct the loss on your return or amended return for that preceding tax year.

www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc515

Several Dozen Things to See and Do in the City of Oxnard

The City of Oxnard was incorporated on June 30, 1903. Covering an area of just over 39 miles, of which 70% is land, Oxnard is the most populous city in Ventura County, with nearly 208,000 residents in 2016.

Oxnard's namesake is Harry T. Oxnard, who opened a beet factory in 1899 and taught local farmers the ins and outs of growing sugar beets. The land for the factory was purchased from Thomas S. Rice (of Rice Avenue fame) and the first plant manager was Major J. A. Driffill, who later became mayor.

There's plenty to see and do in Oxnard, and we've summed up some of our favorite activities below.

Great beaches in Oxnard include Mandalay Shores, Hollywood Beach and Silver Strand Beach, which are highlighted at THIS LINK.

Speaking of beaches, Oxnard Beach Park is a nice park with a pirate-themed, accessible playground area, large grassy area, restrooms and quick access to the beach.

The Channel Islands Maritime Museum located at the Channel Islands Harbor is home to world class maritime art, ship models and other maritime items. Open Thursday through Monday from noon to 4pm. Admission is free the 3rd Thursday of the month.

Channel Islands Harbor is a great place to beat the heat with the family, offering a variety of activities, such as fishing trips, boat cruises, eateries, water sports, shopping and special events year-round.

Oxnard Beach Park

There's a nice bike path in Oxnard that takes you from Oxnard Beach Park to Channel Islands Harbor that we enjoy from time to time.

The Henry T. Oxnard Historic District is located on F and G Streets, between Palm and 5th Streets. The area was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1999. Most of the 144 historic homes and buildings in the area were built before 1925 and includes Mission/Spanish revival, bungalow/craftsman and Colonial Revival architecture.

A great time to check out the Historic Oxnard District is during the two weeks preceding Christmas each year, when dozens and dozens of residents decorate their homes in lights and holiday decor for Christmas Tree Lane.

The Oxnard Performing Arts Center hosts concerts, musicals, speakers and other performances year-round. At over 1,600 seats, it is one of the largest venues in Ventura County and is a performance venue for the New West Symphony.

The Collection at RiverPark is an outdoor shopping center located on the northeast side of the 101 between the Oxnard and Vineyard exits. The 650,000 sq ft center includes a combination of entertainment, retail, restaurants, open space with fountains, parks and playgrounds and quality art. Activities at The Collection include Color Me Mine Ceramics Studio, Century RiverPark Movie Theater and Levity Live Comedy Club, Jump ‘n Jammin Children’s Entertainment Center, Red Door Escape Room and Bowlero.

Swing for the fences at Who's on First Batting Cages in Oxnard. What's on second? I don't know's on third. Who? First base.

Hollywood Beach

River Ridge Golf Course is a public golf course offering two 18-hole courses as well as footgolf!

Skateboarders and in-line skaters are on a roll at the City of Oxnard Bedford Pinkard Skate Park near Channel Islands High School. Pinkard is a former City Council member who was a supporter of many youth and community programs.

The Elite Theatre Company, located at Fisherman's Wharf at Channel Islands Harbor, Fisherman's Wharf, is host to musicals, plays, comedies and more.

The Dallas Cowboys have held Summer Training Camp for a number of years at River Ridge Fields at Oxnard's Marriott Residence Inn. Practices and scrimmages taking place in August are open to the public and free of charge. Check for updates at www.dallascowboys.com/trainingcamp.

Hazardous Waste Disposal and Recycling Programs in Ventura County

The California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) website highlights common products that we use in our daily lives that contain potentially hazardous ingredients, thus requiring special care when disposed of.

Items that are banned from the trash are as follows:

Lights, Batteries and Electronics

• Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes ("old school" incandescent bulbs can be thrown in the trash.). Remember that LED light bulbs and holiday light strands are considered hazardous waste and must be disposed off properly. Here’s a Home Depot guide on how to dispose of light bulbs.

• Batteries of all types and sizes, AAA, AA, C, D, button cell, 9-volt, etc., both rechargeable and single use, as well as lead-acid batteries such as car batteries.

• Computer and television monitors including cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal diode (LCD), and plasma monitors.

• Electronic devices including computers, printers, VCRs, cell phones, telephones, radios and microwave ovens.

Household and Landscape Chemicals

• Flammables and poisons such as oil-based paints and reactive and explosive materials

• Acids, oxidizers, and bases including some pool chemicals and cleaners

• Pesticides and herbicides

• Paints and Solvents - latex paint, oil-based paint, non-empty aerosol paint and solvent cans, and solvents such as paint thinners, nail polish remover, etc.

• Building materials that contain asbestos and wood treated with chromium copper arsenate.

• Automobile items including antifreeze, batteries, motor oil and filters and tires (tires are not considered hazardous but are banned from the trash for other reasons).

• Items Containing Mercury including electrical switches and relays in old appliances, old style thermostats, pilot light sensors in some gas appliances, some gauges and mercury thermometers.

• Other items such as propane tanks, hypodermic needles, syringes, expired/unwanted medications etc.

So what to do with these items? Recycle and reuse them! Here are some local Ventura County resident options:

The City of Thousand Oaks has a Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Disposal Facility with details at toaks.gov/hhw. Appointments are required for HHW drop-offs. Materials accepted during regular operating hours include household items like aerosol sprays, nail polish, used frying oil, etc., items in the garage like antifreeze, brake fluid, oil, etc., as well as things like paint thinners, fertilizers, pesticides, etc. Click the link above for more detailed information.

City of Thousand Oaks battery recycling centers listed at toaks.gov/hhw. Dropoff options as of January 2025 include Borchard Community Park (front entrance), Dos Vientos Community Center (front lobby), Goebel Senior Center (front lobby), Thousand Oaks Library (both entrances), Newbury Park Library (front entrance), Thousand Oaks City Hall (front entrance), Thousand Oaks Community Center (front entrance) and Thousand Oaks Transportation Center (lobby).

Thousand Oaks area computer and electronics recycling centers at toaks.gov/e-waste.

Unwanted and/or expired medications can be dropped off throughout Ventura County at designated police stations. Details at THIS LINK.

Medications and needle and sharps disposal locations in Thousand Oaks at toaks.gov/medsandsharps

The City of Westlake Village offers free monthly hazardous waste collection service via Waste Management. www.wlv.org/faq.aspx?TID=25

City of Simi Valley hazardous Waste Drop-Off Program on six Saturdays per year at THIS LINK.

City of Simi Valley household battery recycling options at THIS LINK includes Simi Valley Public Library, G.I. Industries/Waste Management and Anderson Rubbish.

City of Camarillo hosts household hazardous waste program drop-off events on the 2nd consecutive Friday/Saturday of each month. View upcoming dates and make appointments at www.cityofcamarillo.org/residents/trash___recycling/hazardous_waste.php.

Cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme household hazardous waste collection events www.oxnard.org/household-hazardous-waste

Cities of Oxnard and Port Hueneme Antifreeze, Batteries, Oil and Paint Recycling www.ci.port-hueneme.ca.us/index.aspx?NID=1022

City of Moorpark hazardous waste drop-off events www.moorparkca.gov/150/Hazardous-Waste

Ventura County needle collection facilities crma.org/home-generated-sharps

City of Ventura hazardous waste collection events www.cityofventura.ca.gov/2103/Household-Hazardous-Waste-HHW-Events

City of Ojai hazardous waste collection options at THIS LINK (pdf doc)

Hazardous waste collection in Calabasas at THIS LINK.

Hazardous waste collection in Agoura Hills at THIS LINK.

Compilation of Pizza Places in the Conejo Valley

The first pizzeria in the United States opened in Little Italy, New York City, in 1905. Lombardi’s is recognized as that first pizzeria, specializing in Neapolitan pizza, which is made with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese. Margherita pizza is a typical Neapolitan pizza with tomatoes, sliced mozzarella, fresh basil and extra-virgin olive oil.

Other varieties of pizza include New York thin-crust style, Chicago style (deep dish, thick crust), Detroit style (rectangular, thick crust, sauce on top) and Sicilian (square cut) and others.

But without further ado, here’s a compilation of pizza places in and around the Conejo Valley (including Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village, Oak Park, Agoura Hills and portions of Calabasas).

This list includes places primarily known for pizza, and thus excludes eateries where pizza is on the menu, but not the primary offering. Listed in reverse alphabetical order.

Winners Pizza, 1805 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks. winnerspizza.com (805) 379-4212. Regular pizza, heart shaped pizza, gluten-free option, cauliflower crust option.

Valentino’s Pizza, 2072 E. Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks. www.valentinosgourmet.com (805) 380-4969. Valentino’s offers freshly-made “take-n-bake” pizzas as well as pizzas baked on site. Gluten free crust available.

Two Doughs Pizza Co. is located in the Whizin Market Square at 28860 Roadside Road, Agoura Hills. www.twodoughs.com (818) 707-2121 Specializes in thin crust sourdough pizzas and Sicilian thick crust pizzas. Gluten-free options available.

Toppers Pizza Place is located at 1416 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. topperspizzaplace.com (805) 495-4444. Toppers is a Ventura County based success story, founded by the Jonkers in 1990 and growing to 10 locations.

Tony’s New York Pizza, 3333 Kimber Drive, Newbury Park. (805) 499-0365 www.tonysnewyorkpizzamenu.com Tony’s has served the Newbury Park community for decades in the Kimber Plaza.

The Original Pizza Cookery, 75 West Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. www.pizzacookery.com (818) 887-4770. Offers traditional pizzas, Margherita and whole wheat crust options. Gluten-free options available.

Slice House by Tony Gemignani at 3297 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks. www.slicehouse.com Slice House offers New York, Sicilian, Detroit and Grandma style pizzas.

Round Table Pizza has reopened in the Oakbrook Plaza, 2060 E. Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks. www.roundtablepizza.com

Prince St. Pizza is coming soon to the Shoppes at Westlake Village, 30770 Russell Ranch Road in Westlake Village. They offer Sicilian squares and original Neapolitan pizzas by the slice or whole pie. Updates at www.princestreetpizza.com.

Pizza Hut has locations at 2705 Teller Road, Newbury Park (Pizza Hut Express inside Target) and 75 S. Rancho Road, Thousand Oaks (805) 371-3700. www.pizzahut.com. Offering various options, including Udi’s Gluten-Free Crust.

Pizza Nosh, 3013 Canwood Street, Agoura Hills. (818) 991-3000 www.pizzanosh.com. Pizza Nosh is the only vegetarian, kosher pizza place in the Conejo Valley.

Pizza Twist opened in June 2023 at the Conejo Gateway Plaza, 711 Wendy Drive, Newbury Park. They offer traditional, gluten-free and vegan pizza options. pizzatwist.com (805) 467-8479

Pieology Pizzeria is located in Janss Marketplace, 205 N. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. (805) 660-4527 www.pieology.com Custom pizzas. Gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan are available.

Parma Pizzeria Napoletana, 796 E. Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks. parmaspizzeria.com (805) 370-1370 Parma serves Detroit, New York and Neapolitan style pizzas. Detroit style can be made gluten-free.

Parma’s Pizzeria, 5649 Kanan Road, Agoura Hills. parmaspizzeria.com (818) 318-1079. Parma’s 2nd location offers Detroit, New York and Sicilian style pizzas, including a gluten-free Detroit style option.

Greco’s New York Pizzeria is located at Janss Marketplace, near the movie theater. www.grecosnewyorkpizzeriamenu.com (805) 777-7271. Offers various NewYork style pizzas, including a jumbo 28” party pizza.

Fresh Brothers at The Promenade at Westlake (805) 777-8448 www.freshbrothers.com/locations/westlake-village Offering traditional pizzas on various crusts - original, skinny, cauliflower, deep dish, gluten-free and keto.

Freda’s Pizza is located at 3835 East Thousand Oaks Blvd, Suite A2, Westlake Village (805) 852-5260. www.fredaswoodfiredkitchen.com Freda’s offers New York style and brick oven pizzas. Also located in Old Town Camarillo.

Domino’s Pizza has locations at 723 East Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks (805) 435-8399), 2220 N. Moorpark Road, #104, Thousand Oaks (across from TOHS) (805) 496-6221, 2409 Michael Drive, Newbury Park (805) 499-0681 and 30867 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Westlake Village (818) 735-5400. www.dominos.com Domino’s offers hand-tossed, handmade pan, thin crust, gluten-free crust and Brooklyn style options.

Denino’s Pizzeria & Cafe, 1710 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks www.deninosthousandoaks.com (805) 371-7105 Denino’s serves authentic New York style pizza and has a gluten-free option.

D’Amore’s Pizza, 2869 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks www.damoresthousandoaks.com (805) 496-0030. Offers traditional New York style pizzas. Gluten-free and cauliflower crust is available.

California Pizza Kitchen at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks, 2200 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. www.cpk.com (805) 777-1778 Offers a variety of 10” specialty pizzas. Gluten-free cauliflower crust available.

Butler’s Pizza opened in October 2015 at 1655 Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks. www.butlersnypizza.com (805) 379-1121 Butler’s serves New York style pizza, including gluten-free options.

Boney Mountain Pizza Company, 722 Wendy Drive, Newbury Park www.boneymountainpizzaco.com (805) 498-6511. Boney Mountain is a sports bar with a particular focus on California style pizza.

Ameci Pizza and Pasta has locations at 1724 E. Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks (805) 493-2914, 1560 Newbury Road, Newbury Park (805) 499-8300 and 5776 Lindero Canyon Road, Ste C, Westlake Village (818) 889-7722 www.amecipizzaandpasta.com Offers New York style pizza at 40 California locations. They do have gluten-free options.

Allegro Pizza, 427 E. Avenida De Los Arboles, Thousand Oaks (805) 492-3571 www.allegropizzaca.com. Traditional pizza, including a gluten-free option.

Pizza Partings

MOD Pizza Newbury Park closed its doors in May 2024.

Barone’s Pizza Thousand Oaks closed its doors on May 28, 2024.

Lamppost Pizza Westlake Village closed its doors in September 2024 after 33 years serving the local community Lamppost Newbury Park closed in December 2011.

Ma Dukes in Agoura Hills, which offered unique, artisan flatbread pizzas, closed its doors on September 22, 2024 to refocus on its growing catering business.

Michael’s Pizza Agoura Hills closed in the fall of 2024 but continues operating its Calabasas location. michaelspizzapasta.com