Recreation Information

Recreation is the salvation of every busy working person as well as a magnet for tourism and economic prosperity. Nowhere is diversity more concentrated than within this Greater Los Angeles-Ventura are a where the farthest destination is no more than 165 miles away—from seashore to mountains, lakes to deserts, cities to farms, natural wildlife to working ranch life.

Trails and Programs
Just about every sport under the sun is available within easy access to The Conejo. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, adjacent to Westlake Village, provides an impressive variety of nature trails for hikers, backpackers, mountain bikers, picnickers, equestrians and campers. Many scheduled programs are available, including naturalist classes, Indian arts and handicrafts, art exhibits and concerts. Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village maintain numerous scenic sidewalks, green belts and protected bike lanes while various neighborhoods have networks of equestrian trails. In addition to walking, jogging, hiking, and horseback riding, locals and visitors enjoy golfing, tennis, swimming, fishing, boating and sailing.

Beaches and Shores
Westlake’s 150-acre lake is stocked with bass, blue gill and catfish. Docking privileges, fishing licenses, boating and sailing are available to residents. Nearby commercial harbors offer sports fishing, whale watching and tours to Channel Islands National Park, five islands that begin just 12 miles off the mainland, where the marine sanctuary contains giant kelp forests that shelter more than 1,000 species of ocean life. Hiking and camping is permitted on all the islands and there are many sea caves and deserted coves that attract snorkeling and scuba diving, as well as kayaking and boating. Many excellent state and county beaches and campgrounds are scattered along the coastline just nine miles across the Santa Monica Mountains. Swimmers, sunbathers, and surfers swarm to well-known beach parks such as Malibu, Point Dume, Zuma, Leo Carrillo, County Line, Sycamore Cove, Pt. Mugu, and others. Birdwatchers also flock to the beaches at McGrath and Point Mugu, among others, to watch migratory birds heading south for the winter. Herons, egrets, ducks and a plethora of birds soar, wade or nest around protected areas within easy observation range. Just an hour north is The American Riviera seaside resort of Santa Barbara.

Golfing and Parks
If golfing is your game, there are 18 courses, 13 of which are public, within a short driving range. Oh, yes, there is also a driving range; in fact, there are several. There are 10 tennis court locations and several swimming pools open for public lessons. The Conejo Recreation and Park District manages 33 developed parks, 5 play field parks, and 1 district-wide park in addition to the 1,300 acre Wildwood Park, 12,000 acres of open space and 75 miles of trails. The District offers more than 2,500 organized recreation and leisure programs each year. Westlake Village manages three city parks and a recreation program as well. Organized sports available for youth through area organizations include soccer, football, softball, baseball, basketball, swimming, boating, and track and field.

For all Ages
The Teen Center provides a busy program of indoor sports, music and dance, arts, health and safety, and social activities for ages 12 to 17. The Goebel Senior Adult Center for ages 55 and over offers a calendar of activities every day from early morning to evening in everything from A to Z—aquatic lessons to zoo trips, bridge and billiards to painting or dancing, life writing to league bowling, and many more classes, trips or games, as well as volunteer opportunities.