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Thousand Oaks lies in the Conejo Valley of eastern Ventura County, a green valley of rolling hills dotted with the valley oaks that give the city its name. The Chumash people lived here for thousands of years, and later the land was part of Spanish and Mexican ranchos and then cattle and sheep ranches. For much of the 1900s it was a quiet rural area, best known for Jungleland, an animal park where Hollywood film animals were trained.
The building of the Ventura Freeway in the 1960s brought rapid growth, and Thousand Oaks was incorporated in 1964 as a carefully planned city that protected its hills as open space. It became home to major companies in biotechnology and software, and it is consistently rated one of the safest cities in the country, with a strong arts scene centered on the Bank of America Performing Arts Center at the Civic Arts Plaza.
The city's great treasure is its open space: tens of thousands of acres of protected hills and canyons, with trails to Wildwood Park's waterfall and canyon, Lake Eleanor and the Santa Monica Mountains. The Gardens of the World, the Chumash Indian Museum and The Oaks and Promenade shopping centers round out a visit, with Malibu's beaches a short drive away.
Gardens of the World is a free public garden in Thousand Oaks with themed areas inspired by gardens in Japan, France, Italy and England, plus a mission courtyard with murals of California history. Paths pass fountains, streams and flower beds. It is a calm stop for a short walk; check opening hours, as it closes some days.
The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden covers about 33 acres of hillside in Conejo Community Park, with native plants, desert and Mediterranean gardens, a kids' adventure garden and trails with views. It is run largely by volunteers and entry is free. Paths are steep in places, so wear good shoes and bring water.
The Civic Arts Plaza is Thousand Oaks' landmark civic center and performing arts complex, with a large theater and a smaller one that host touring Broadway shows, concerts, comedy and local productions. Its gardens and lawns are pleasant to walk. Check the season calendar and arrive early to park.
The Chumash Indian Museum in Oakbrook Regional Park shares the culture and history of the Chumash people, with exhibits, a reconstructed village and nature trails past oak trees and rock outcrops. It hosts cultural events and guided walks. It is small and relaxed; check opening days and look for special events such as festivals.
The Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park is a rebuilt version of an 1870s inn that served stagecoach travelers between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Rooms show life in the period, and the grounds include a pioneer house, a Chumash hut and a carriage house. It is run by the Conejo Valley Historical Society; check open days.
The Oaks is the main shopping mall of the Conejo Valley, with department stores, national retailers, a movie theater and restaurants, including outdoor dining areas. It is a convenient place for shopping and a meal off the Ventura Freeway. Weekday mornings are quietest, and parking is free.
Wildwood Regional Park has miles of trails through canyons and hills on the west side of Thousand Oaks, leading to Paradise Falls, a 40-foot waterfall, and the Indian Creek trail. It is very popular with families. Parking fills on weekends, so arrive early, and expect a steep climb back up from the falls.
Hill Canyon is a scenic area along the Arroyo Conejo creek just north of Wildwood, with trails passing small waterfalls, pools, sycamores and rocky cliffs. Trails connect up to Wildwood Regional Park for longer loops. It is cooler near the creek; bring water and watch for poison oak beside the paths.
Lake Eleanor Open Space in the hills above Westlake has trails leading to a small historic dam and pond surrounded by oak woodland and rocky slopes. The hike is short but has some steep sections, with views over the Conejo Valley. Go early on warm days, and bring water as shade is limited on the higher trails.
Rancho Sierra Vista and Satwiwa in Newbury Park are part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, with grassy meadows, trails and a Native American Indian Culture Center. A popular trail leads to a seasonal waterfall and on to the coast at Point Mugu State Park. Entry is free; trails are exposed and hot in summer.
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California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
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