Conejo Valley, California: Things to Do

Are you visiting Conejo Valley for the first time? Below is a list of “Insider Tips” for things to see and do in this Southern California region.

When I have a visitor from out of town, the first place they want to see is The Ronald Reagan Library, but I also take them hiking in the Santa Monica Mountains for a more local, authentic experience.

When I want to escape the crowds/tourists, my favorite place to visit is The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills. If this is a romantic trip, I recommend Conejo Valley Botanic Garden for kissing with a view.

Traveling with your pet? The best place to walk the dog is Rabbit Flats Park in Thousand Oaks.
Museums are wonderful, but if you are traveling with kids, you’ll want to visit the beaches in Malibu. I visited nearby Zuma Beach with miles of sand and the Pacific Ocean.

Conejo Valley food

If you are looking for typical Southern California cuisine, I recommend Twisted Oak Tavern in Agoura Hills. The best place to go for a healthy breakfast or lunch is Hugos in Agoura Hills. If you are vegan or looking for gluten free, gourmet food, this is the place to go! I ordered the oatmeal frittata with organic steel cut oats, kamut flakes and rye flakes with almonds, folded into an egg white frittata and garnished with cottage cheese, strawberries and homemade apple sauce. Not only was it tasty, it was in keeping with my diet. You won’t find white flour, salt or peanuts in this kitchen. Of course, if diet be damned, order the sticky buns – amazing!

For Sunday brunch or breakfast, I recommend Harvest Kitchen & Bar at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza in Westlake Village. The corned beef hash is delicious, but the Harvest french toast is my personal favorite.

Looking for cheap food in Conejo Valley, go to Jinkys in Thousand Oaks or Agoura Hills and Adobe Cantina in Agoura Hills. Sabor Cocina Mexicana is the place to go for huge margaritas, while Umami Burger at the Lakes in Thousand Oaks is the spot for late night dining.

For an expensive, yet quality meal, go to the Old Place in Agoura Hills or Mastros in Thousand Oaks. Steak lovers will love the oak grilled “Old Place Cut” a 12 oz sirloin served with mixed green salad and the biggest potato I’ve ever seen.

Seeing a lot of Oak trees? Thousand Oaks is best known for Oak trees, hence the name. They are a locally protected tree.

When you come to Simi Valley, get your picture at the Grave of President Ronald Reagan. The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Backbone Trail in the Santa Monica Mountains.

In the Conejo Valley, outdoor lovers will want to hike, bike, horseback ride and walk all over the place. Make sure to save time for a stop at Paramount Ranch. This little Western town is home to movie and television history such as Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, Clint Eastwood’s American Sniper and the original Love Bug movie was filmed here.

Looking for a little exercise? Hike to Paradise Falls in Wildwood Park.

If you are a museum lover, Conejo Valley’s best museum is the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Looking for exciting night life? Go dancing at The Official Sunset Terrace in Thousand Oaks or The Canyon Club in Agoura Hills for live music.

The Ventura County Star or the Acorn will keep you posted on what’s happening in Conejo Valley.

You can tell a lot about Conejo Valley from visiting and watching The Amgen Tour of California Bike Race.

In the spring you should attend Conejo Valley Days in May. In the summer you should attend the Oak Heart Country Music Festival.

Did you know that Conejo Valey is known for wine tasting? Plan a visit to Malibu Wines or Calamigos Ranch in the fall.

Insider Tip: Conejo Valley is not only known for its recreational offerings, there’s plenty of
beer and wine on tap. Check out Ladyface Alehouse for hand-crafted ales and sustainable harvested food in Agoura Hills, California.

I’ll bet you didn’t know that the City of Thousand Oaks is roughly 50% preserved open-space and that Agoura Hills is the Gateway to the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Just outside of Conejo Valley you can visit the beaches of Malibu. Stop in for wine tasting at Cornell Winery before dinner at The Old Place.

What are your favorite things to do in Conejo Valley? Do you have any insider tips to share?
For additional insider tips follow Northern California Travel Writer @Nancydbrown on Twitter and @visitconejo.

Article, photos and YouTube video by Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown. I was a guest of Conejo Valley while researching travel articles, however, all opinions are my own.