The Conejo Valley is an area spanning the southeastern part of Ventura County and the northwestern part of Los Angeles County. The San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles are to the east, the Simi Hills, the Santa Rosa Valley, and Simi Valley are to the north, the Santa Monica Mountains and Malibu are to the south, and Camarillo is to the west.

The city of Calabasas is located within the San Fernando Valley. However, many people consider it to be part of the Conejo Valley.

The Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA) has responsibility for preserving, protecting, and managing open space within the Conejo Valley.

The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks serves all of the Conejo Valley.

 

Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce, established in 1939, has more than 1,100 members and serves the communities of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Oak Park, and Newbury Park. In addition, the chamber has members from Woodland Hills, Camarillo, Ventura, Moorpark, Calabasas, Simi Valley, and many other surrounding communities.

 

Conejo Chinese Cultural Association

The Conejo Chinese Cultural Association (CCCA) is a non-profit volunteer organization that sponsors the Conejo Chinese School which offers Chinese language classes every Saturday at Thousand Oaks High School. More than 650 students attend in 33 classrooms. The CCCA also organizes and sponsors educational, cultural, and recreational activities. The most important CCCA event is the annual New Year celebration show held at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza each year. Performances have included singers, dancers, music, and acrobats. The CCCA is a member of the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley.

 

Thousand Oaks Chinese School

The Thousand Oaks Chinese School, founded in 1975, operates Saturdays at Thousand Oaks High School in the Conejo Valley. In addition to Chinese language classes, the school offers a variety of cultural programs and activities. More than 600 students are enrolled.

 

Conejo Valley Adult School

Conejo Valley Adult School is a public Adult School in Thousand Oaks accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Programs offered include: English as a Second Language (ESL), Medical Certificate Programs, Spanish, SAT Preparation, and more. Conejo Valley Adult School is part of the Conejo Valley Unified School District.

 

Norwegian Colony

The Norwegian Colony was a Norwegian community in Thousand Oaks that existed from the 1890s into the early 20th century. Norwegians were among the first pioneers to settle in the Conejo Valley. The colony consisted of five families: the Olsen, Adersen (Anderson), Pedersen (Pederson), Nilson, and Hanson families. They were all farmers and ranchers. Sadly, the colony did not last as most of the members died from a widespread epidemic between 1901-1911. A major contribution of the colony was construction of the Norwegian Grade which connects the Conejo Valley to the Santa Rosa Valley. The colony was located where California Lutheran University is located today in northeastern Thousand Oaks. Spring Meadow Park in Thousand Oaks was dedicated to the early settlers. Pederson Road and Olsen Road derive their names from the settlers.

 

 

The Oaks Shopping Center

The Oaks Shopping Center is a two level indoor and outdoor regional shopping center located in Thousand Oaks which is part of the Conejo Valley. The first class shopping center is home to more than 180 stores and services.

 

Wildwood Regional Park

Established in 1967, Wildwood Regional Park is a large regional park located in the western Simi Hills and Conejo Valley in Ventura County. The 1,765-acre park is located in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park and Moorpark. The park has over 27 miles of hiking trails and is connected to other open space areas consisting of more than 1,400 acres. The park is operated by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA). In addition to the 27 miles of hiking trails, the park offers areas for horseback riding, mountain biking, and picnicing. Attractions include the 70 foot tall Paradise Fails Waterfall and two smaller waterfalls.

 

Mount Clef Ridge

Mount Clef Ridge is a mountain in Thousand Oaks and Ventura County that rises to 1,076 feet above sea level. The mountain is located within the 212 Lacre Mount Clef open space and offers excellent views of the Conejo Valley, the Santa Rosa Valley, Hill Canyon, and the Santa Monica Mountains. Trails leading to the peak are available from Wildwood Regional Park, Newbury Park, and the Santa Rosa Valley. The ridgeline runs from Wildwood Regional Pack to the Norwegian Grade. Wildlife includes deer, mountain lions and coyotes.

 

Conejo Mountain

Conejo Mountain, also known as the Conejo Hills, is a 1,798 foot mountain at the west end of Thousand Oaks in the Conejo Valley. It is part of the Santa Monica Mountains and is clearly visible from the 101 Freeway at the west end of the Conejo Grade which is also the far east end of Camarillo.

 

Round Mountain

Round Mountain is a 554 foot summit in Ventura County located just east of the Calleguas Creek and immediately west of California State University Channel Islands. Round Mountain is southwest of the much larger Conejo Mountain. The Conejo Valley is to the east of Round Mountain.

 

Conejo Peak

Conejo Peak, not to be confused with Conejo Mountain, is one of the area’s highest mountain peaks rising to 2,854 feet. It is located in the northern area of the Circle X Ranch in the Santa Monica Mountains within Ventura County. For access to Conejo Peak Trail, take the Wendy Drive exit from the Ventura 101 Freeway and travel south until it ends at Potrero Road. There is a church opposite the entry to the trail. The peak offers excellent views of the Conejo Valley communities of Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Hidden Valley, and beyond.

 

Conejo Creek

Conejo Creek is a stream that originates in the Simi Hills and then runs from the west end of Thousand Oaks along the Santa Monica Mountains through the east end of Camarillo, and then into the Calleguas Creek, which runs to Mugu Lagoon and the Pacific Ocean. Treated water is discharged into the stream increasing its flow. Recently, a steelhead trout, classified as an endangered fish, was discovered in the Conejo Creek.

 

Arroyo Conejo – Ventura County

The Arroyo Conejo, also known as Rabbit Creek, is the primary drainage for Thousand Oaks in the Conejo Valley. The creek originates in the Conejo Valley in Newbury Park and then flows through Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, and the Santa Rosa Valley where it merges with the Arroyo Santa Rosa which flows into Conejo Creek. Conejo Creek flows into Mugu Lagoon, in Ventura County, at the far north end of Santa Monica Mountains.

 

Lake Eleanor

Lake Eleanor is an eight-acre freshwater lake in Ventura County that was formed by the Banning Dam in 1889 near Westlake Village about one mile east of Lake Sherwood and 2.6 miles from Thousand Oaks. The beautiful Conejo Valley Lake is located within the 513-acre Lake Eleanor Open Space and has been designated a Ventura County Historical Landmark and a Thousand Oaks Historical Landmark. The dam and lake are owned by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency. It is regularly stocked with Rainbow Trout, brook trout, striped bass, and crappie.

 

Rancho El Conejo

Rancho El Conejo was the 48,572 acre Spanish land grant given in 1803 that included most of the area now known as the Conejo Valley which is located in southeastern Ventura County and northeastern Los Angeles County. Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, part of Westlake Village and a portion of the Santa Monica Mountains and Simi Hills are located within the Rancho El Conejo boundaries established in 1803.

 

Gardens of the World

Gardens of the World is a 4.5 acre botanical garden established in 2001 in Thousand Oaks directly across from the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in the downtown area of the city. The beautiful gardens were developed and generously donated to the city by Ed and Lynn Hogan. The gardens are home to a French garden and waterfall, an English rose garden, a Japanese garden with koi ponds, an Italian grapevine garden, and more. The courtyard includes murals of the 21 California Missions and a statue of Father Junipero Serra. In the center of the garden is an amphitheater where musical performances are offered. Guided tours are available.

 

New West Symphony - Thousand Oaks

The New West Symphony, established in 1995, is the professional, resident orchestra of the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, the Oxnard Performing Arts Center, and Santa Monica’s Barnum Hall. The Symphony presents six Masterpiece series concerts annually, performing major works.

 

Conejo Valley Days - Thousand Oaks

Conejo Valley Days in an annual celebration of the Conejo Valley’s history. It is a family event lasting four days each year and has been going strong for nearly 60 years. Conejo Valley Days includes live entertainment, carnival rides, games, food, arts and crafts, exhibits, local vendors, community organizations, and lots of family fun. Most importantly it provides a means for charities and community organizations to earn money for many worthwhile projects that benefit both the community and people in need. Conejo Valley Days takes place at Conejo Creek Park South in Thousand Oaks usually during the month of May.

 

Hillcrest Center for the Arts

Thousand Oaks

The Hillcrest Center for the Arts is the center of arts activities in Thousand Oaks and the Conejo Valley. The center is owned by the City of Thousand Oaks, staffed by the Conejo Recreation and Park District, and is located on the hill overlooking The Oaks Mall in Thousand Oaks and much of the Conejo Valley. The Arts Council of the Conejo Valley is located at the center which is also home to many other organizations including Hillcrest Players, Classics in the Park, Thousand Oaks Actors Guild, Young Artists Ensemble, Ventura County Gilbert & Sullivan Repertoire Company, Buckles and Bows, and Conejo Valley Scottish Dance Society.

 

Theatre on the Hill

Theatre on the Hill is a 112 seat theater in Thousand Oaks which is part of the Hillcrest Center for the Arts. It is the home of Young Artists Ensemble which produces an annual Family Theatre Season plus Teen Summer Musicals. Opportunities are provided for hundreds of young artists between the ages of 10 and 19 to perform well known musicals and plays on a very professional level.

 

Arts Council of the Conejo Valley

The Arts Council of the Conejo Valley, established in 1969, located in Thousand Oaks, is a membership support organization that promotes the community’s cultural development by co-sponsoring numerous cultural programs and assisting local cultural organizations with marketing, technical assistance, and reduced rent at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts.

 

Conejo Valley Youth Orchestras

Conejo Valley Youth Orchestras (CVYO) was founded in 1961 at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks. Its program develops and enhances the music education of local students and provides a symphonic orchestral music experience as a supplement to the music education provided by the Conejo Valley Public Schools. The Conejo Valley Youth Orchestras is home to three orchestras and has more than 250 students ranging in age from 5 to 21. CVYO performs at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza twice each year. All of the board members of the organization are local volunteers.

 

Conejo Valley Art Museum

The Conejo Valley Art Museum (CVAM) is a non-profit organization founded in 1976 and centered in the Conejo Valley. Each year CVAM sponsors its “ArtWalk” which is a two day fine art and craft show where art is exhibited and sold. It presents an opportunity for the public to meet many local artists and to learn more about various forms of art. The CVAM Board of Trustees and many local volunteers are working toward raising the funds for a permanent home. CVAM is a membership organization.

 

Greater Conejo Valley Community Foundation

The purpose of the Greater Conejo Valley Community Foundation is to advance the educational, civic, economic, and cultural interests of the city of Thousand Oaks, Westlake Villages, Agoura Hills, and the surrounding areas. The foundation is governed by the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce.

 

Conejo Open Space Foundation

The Conejo Open Space Foundation was created in 1995 to promote and maintain the open space and trail systems in the Conejo Valley and to educate residents as to their roles as stewards of our open space and environment. The Conejo Open Space Foundation is involved in preserving open space in the areas owned by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency and Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

 

Conejo Grade

The Conejo Grade, in Ventura County, is a steep 7% grade of the Ventura Freeway (U.S. 101) between Camarillo and the Oxnard Plain, and the Conejo Valley, including Thousand Oaks. The grade is just north of Conejo Mountain, also known as the Conejo Hills.

 

Summer Concerts in the Park

Every year the Conejo Recreation and Park District sponsors its Summer Concerts in the Park series at Conejo Community Park in Thousand Oaks. Past concerts have featured Elvis Music, Americana and Patriotic Music, Rock, Classical, Beach Boys Music, and more. The summer series are free, but donations are accepted. The concerts are always well attended.

 

 Conejo Valley Shakespeare Society

The Conejo Valley Shakespeare Society (CVSC) is a volunteer organization in Thousand Oaks that serves the entire Conejo Valley. Its purpose is to educate and inspire the love of Shakespeare in the residents of the Conejo Valley. The CVSC is a member of the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley.

 

Thousand Oaks Art Association

The Thousand Oaks Art Association (TOAA) is the oldest art membership group in the Conejo Valley. TOAA supports artists by providing them an opportunity to exhibit their work at its 3,000 square foot gallery in Newbury Park known as the Thousand Oaks Community Gallery. TOAA is a non-profit organization governed by an elected board of directors and is a member of the Arts Council of the Conejo Valley.

 

 

Lynn Ranch

Lynn Ranch is a neighborhood consisting of 650 single family detached homes located in the unincorporated County of Ventura adjacent to Thousand Oaks in the Conejo Valley. All of the homes in Lynn Ranch are restricted by CC&Rs, but only one section is required to pay assessments. Membership in the Lynn Ranch Property Owners Association is voluntary except fo the one section that has mandatory assessments. The homes in Lynn Ranch are large custom homes built on large lots suitable for boarding horses. The first homes were built in 1961.

 

California Lutheran University

California Lutheran University (CLU) or Cal Lutheran, formerly California Lutheran College, was established in 1959 in Thousand Oaks. The 290-acre private university is nonsectarian, but is affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America. The university offers bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, and doctoral degrees in 36 majors and 34 minors. Additional campus locations are in Westlake Village, Woodland Hills, and Oxnard. The Thousand Oaks campus serves as the training site for the Los Angeles Rams. CLU speakers have included presidents Ronald Reagan, Gerald Ford, and George H.W. Bush. Cal Lutheran in Thousand Oaks is located on land donated by the Pederson family from the Norwegian Colony.