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It is easy to be hooked on fishing, with the exceptional saltwater fishing out of six landings in Oxnard and Ventura to convenient freshwater angling at inland lakes around the county. Parks
National Park Service
State Parks and Recreation Department
Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreation Area
Local Districts Governed by a five-member board of directors, the district offers recreation programs and runs a variety of parks in the Conejo Valley. Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District, 1605 Burnley St., Camarillo 93010, 482-1996 Governed by a five-member board of directors, the district offers recreation programs and runs parks in the city of Camarillo, Camarillo Heights, the majority of Las Posas Estates and agricultural and open-space lands south of the city. Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, 1692 Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley 93065, 584-4400 Governed by a five-member board of directors, the district offers recreation programs and runs parks in the city of Simi Valley, land south of the Simi Hills and the community of Oak Park. Ventura Port District, 1603 Anchors Way Drive, Ventura 93001-4229, 642-8538 The district runs the Ventura Harbor. Ventura County Parks Department, 800 S. Victoria Ave., L No. 1030, Ventura, 654-3951
Park Commissions Parks Reservations and Information, 654-3951. The Parks Department is responsible for the management and operation of 19 regional and five local parks. It is advised by the following commissions: Parks and Harbor Commission, which consists of two representatives, and possibly an alternate, from each supervisorial district. It meets monthly and may be contacted through the Parks Department. Casitas Springs Local Recreation Advisory Commission, which consists of five members and meets monthly at the Casitas Springs Community Center, 8437 Edison Drive, Ventura 93001. El Rio Local Recreation Advisory Commission, which consists of five members and meets monthly at the Roger Jones Community Center, 2864 Jourdan St., Oxnard 93030. Oak View Local Recreation Advisory Commission, which consists of seven members and meets monthly at the Oak View Community Center, 18 Valley Road, Oak View 93022. Piru Local Recreation Advisory Commission, which consists of seven members and meets monthly at the Piru Community Center, Warring Park, 802 Orchard, Piru 93040. Saticoy Local Recreation Advisory Commission, which consists of six members and meets monthly at the Saticoy Community Center, 11168 Violeta, Ventura 93004. Questions or matters concerning the recreation advisory commissions should be referred to the office of the supervisorial district in which they are located or to Pam Gallo, County Parks Department, 654-3934. Channel Islands Harbor, 3900 Pelican Way, Oxnard 93035-4367, 382-3001
Beaches Many of the beaches are linked by scenic bike paths and are conveniently located to snack bars and summer rentals.
Boating
Channel Islands Harbor Visitors Center Diving Channel Islands National Park Sports Indian Creek Trail to Paradise Falls in Wildwood Regional Park, Thousand Oaks: This easy to moderate hike is through a shady canyon, and includes an 80-foot waterfall. It’s a 2-mile round trip. Hummingbird Creek Trail, Rocky Oak Park in Simi Valley: This is a moderate 2-mile round-trip hike through open chaparral, with spring wildflowers, views of Simi Valley and several large caves. Take Kuehner exit from Highway 118, go north a half mile. Ojai Valley Trail, an easy 18-mile round trip from Foster Park off Highway 33 to Libbey Park in Ojai: Soon to be extended from Foster Park to Ventura. Ventura Coastal Bikeway, an easy, nearly level 25-mile round trip along the ocean from San Buenaventura State Beach in Ventura to Hobson County Beach near Seacliff.
Bird-watching Fishing Landings Freshwater Lake Casitas: Located in Ojai, off Highway 33. Phone: 649-2043. The lake features some of the top bass fishing in Southern California. Trout and catfish are also available. Lake Piru: Located in Piru, off Highway 126. Phone: 521-1231. Bass, catfish and trout available. Channel Island Sportfishing Center, 4151 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard. Phone: 985-8511 - Offers 11 sportfishing boats, offering half day, three-quarter day, twilight trips and one-to-three day trips to the outer islands and other islands up and down the coast. Costs range from $22 for a half-day and $29-$33 for three-quarter-day trips. For longer trips, prices range from $67 for one-day to more than $8,000 for three-day trips. Harbor Village Sportfishing, 1591 Spinnaker Drive, Suite 114, Ventura. Phone: 658-1060 - Offers daily half-day and three-quarter-day trips and twilight trips (Wednesday through Saturday), along with multiple-day charters. Special trips also offered, such as yellowtail fishing. Prices range from $22 for half-day, $32 for three-quarter and $20 for twilight. Discounts for seniors and military ($5 off); children 12 and under half price. Port Hueneme Sportfishing, P.O. Box 105, East Port Hueneme Road, Dock 1, Port Hueneme. Phone: 488-2212 - Open party boats for three-quarter days run daily, beginning at 4 a.m. Price ranges from $30 to $39. Fishing from in-shore to the outer islands. Children 12 and under are half-day price; seniors and military are $2 off. Ventura Sportfishing, 1516 Anchor Way, Ventura. Phone: 650-1255 - Three-quarter-day trips beginning at 6 a.m. and 7 a.m., returning at 4:30 p.m. Cost is $33 for adults and $16.50 for children under 16. Twilight boats at 5:30 p.m., returning at 11. Cost is $20, $15 for children. Golf: Public / Private One of the favorite outdoor skating venues in Ventura is the mile-long promenade that starts at the Ventura Pier. Emma Wood, the northernmost surfing break in Ventura County, is a favorite among all types of surfers, from beginners to advanced. Rincon, located at Bates Road north of Carpinteria. This is a world-famous surf break because of its long, right-breaking wave that can get very hollow. Silver Strand, a beach break in Oxnard, is noted for its good-shaped waves and ease of access. Surfers Point, near Seaside Park, is a top longboard surfing area. A long wave that can get big on swell directions from the north and the west. There’s a small parking lot facing part of the area; otherwise be prepared to pay for parking at the Ventura County Fairgrounds.
Camarillo: There are six lighted courts at Mission Oaks Park and six at Pleasant Valley Park. There are four lighted courts at Valle Lindo Park and courts available at Camarillo and Rio Mesa high schools. Ojai: Libbey Park is a special place for the public to play tennis. The public courts run by the Ojai Valley Tennis Club are the site of the Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament, first played in 1896. Tennis greats Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, Jack Kramer, Bobby Riggs and Tracy Austin have played on the courts. Information: 646-7241. Oxnard-Port Hueneme: The Oxnard Tennis Center is open to the public but costs $5 to play per day. Mark McCampbell is the director of tennis. Information: 483-2600. Moranda Park in Port Hueneme has lighted courts as well. Walter Moody is the director of tennis. Information: 986-6584. Santa Paula-Fillmore: Courts are available at the high school, with six at Santa Paula and four at Fillmore. Simi Valley-Oak Park: The Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District manages courts in Simi Valley and Oak Park. There are eight lighted courts at Rancho Simi Park. The district maintains two courts at Mae Boyar Park, two at Indian Springs Park and six courts at Oak Park High. Information: 584-4400. Thousand Oaks: The Conejo Recreation District maintains courts at the Thousand Oaks Community Center, Wildflower Park, North Ranch Park and Borchard Community Center in Newbury Park. Information: 495-6471. Ventura: Camino Real Park (six lighted courts); Ventura College, Ventura High and Buena High. Channel Islands National ParkComprised of five of the eight California Channel Islands, Channel Islands National Park & Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is home to a wide variety of nationally and internationally significant natural and cultural resources. More than 2,000 terrestrial plants and animals can be found within the park. One hundred and forty-five of these are unique to the islands and found nowhere else in the world. Marine life ranges from microscopic plankton to the endangered blue whale, the largest animal to live on earth. In addition to the abundance of natural resources, historical and cultural resources include over 200 documented shipwrecks and numerous Chumash Native American sites and artifacts. The park consists of 249,353 acres, half of which are under the ocean, and includes the islands of San Miguel, Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Anacapa, and Santa Barbara. The islands are relative isolated, approximately 20 miles off the coast, and left undeveloped, making them an exciting place for visitors to explore. Channel Islands Aviation, located at the Camarillo airport, is the park’s concessionaire for air travel to Santa Rosa Island. Trips vary from one-day to multi-day camping excursions. For prices, schedules, and reservations, call 987-1301. Fillmore & Western Railway: Board a fully functional antique train in Fillmore and ride the rails through scenic countryside while listening and singing railroad-oriented songs. The conductor tells the history of the ornate 1920s Pullman you are riding. The Fillmore & Western is a favorite choice for county residents who want to show out-of-town guests a good time. For more information or reservations, call the Fillmore & Western at 805-524-2546. Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: The Ronald Reagan Library is one of nine presidential libraries administered by the National Archives and Records Administration. It was built with private funds and then donated to the United States, to be operated thereafter by the government. The purpose of the library is to collect, preserve, and make available to the public the historical materials that tell the story of the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Information: 800-410-8354 Gull Wings Children’s Museum: The Gull Wings Children’s Museum was opened in 1989 for children who want to explore, experiment, and develop their learning potential while playing. This museum is a “handson” museum for children, ages 2 to 12. The exhibits are geared toward this age group. If your child wants to become a doctor, an archaeologist, an actor, a dancer, a firefighter, a policeman, or a puppeteer, the stage is set for them to participate in the experience of where his or her imagination will take them. Information: 805-483-3005. Seabee Museum, CBC Port Hueneme: The Seabee Museum, the nation’s second oldest Navy museum, features cultural artifacts from around the world. The museum has an extensive collection of World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War uniforms and weapons on display. Throughout the past few years, the museum has undergone extension renovation. It now includes an education center, interactive displays, and a gallery on the history of WW II to Vietnam. Commemorative items are available for purchase through the museum’s gift shop and through its catalog. Admission, tours, parking are free and open to the public. Information: 805-982-5169.. Ventura County Historical Society: 805-653-0323, FAX 805-653-5267 The Ventura County Museum of History & Art, 100 East Main Street, is located in downtown Ventura across the street from the county’s most historic site, the San Buenaventura Mission. There is much to see here, including the Albinger Archaeological Museum. If you enjoy history, then you will enjoy The Ventura County Museum of History & Art.
Clubs and Organizations |
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Federal Forest Service
Ventura Harbor
For those who like indoor games, there are clubs for dancing, movie theaters, museums, performing arts centers, skating rinks, bowling alleys, gymnasiums, and fine restaurants for dining. Outdoor enthusiast will find 13 public golf courses, 10 private courses and 3 nine-hole courses in the county, as well as a variety of other activities. There are team sports, horseback riding, hiking, bicycling, tennis, motorcycling, auto racing, etc.
Each community has plenty of parks (some with pools) and recreational programs for adults and youngsters. At these parks, indoor recreation centers offer supervised games, crafts and fine art activities. Outdoor there are tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, baseball diamonds, football and soccer fields and skateboard facilities, as well as playgrounds for children.
Trails abound for hikers and mountain bikers along the beaches and in the forest and mountains of the Los Padres National Forest.
However, with its 43 miles of spacious beaches, many prefer the opportunities that the water affords. Ventura is home to some of the finest surfing beaches in the world.