Conejo Valley, home to many wild creatures, affluent suburban folk and a few celebrities, is a very diverse and trendy suburb in Southern California. It also happens to be where I grew up. Known to many as a shady oasis from the bustling LA scene, I’m going to fill you in on the best of Conejo Valley and what it has to offer to tourists and locals alike.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with this part of Southern California, the Conejo Valley is a small region between Ventura County and Los Angeles County. The CV was originally home to the native Chumash people and eventually discovered by Spanish explorers in 1770 who were returning from their journey from present-day San Francisco.
Today, Conejo Valley consists of Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Lake Sherwood, Newbury Park, Oak Park, Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village.
(The area was given it’s name Conejo, meaning ‘rabbit’ in Spanish, due to the abundance of little bunnies everywhere, like desert cottontails and brush rabbits.)
During my youth, I couldn’t get out of Conejo Valley fast enough. I desperately wanted to travel and live in big cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco or New York. But now, I’ve grown to love the small and beautiful Conejo. Contrary to my angsty, teenage years, I’m very proud of my cute hometown and all of the wonderful things it has to offer.
The following are just a few of my personal favorite spots in Conejo Valley:
Restaurants
- Sunlife Organics
- New Moon Wellness
- Public School 805
- Chocolatine Cafe
- Mendocino Farms
- Urbane Cafe
- The Gallery
- Zin
- Plata Taqueria
- Grill on the Alley
- Olio e Limone
- Mediterraneo
- Jeannine’s
- Peddler’s Fork
- The Six Restaurant
- Sea Casa
- Lupe’s
Sweets & Desserts
- Tifa Gelato
- Sweet XO
- Shave It!
- Sprinkle’s Cupcakes
- Sweet Arleen’s
Lounges, Bars and Watering Holes
- Bottle and Pint
- Stonehaus
- Malibu Wines
- Revolution Speakeasy
- Figueroa Mountain Brewing Company
- Sip
- Twisted Oak Tavern
Nature & The Outdoors
- Malibu Creek State Park
- Westlake Lake
- Wildwood
- Solstice Canyon
- Mt. Boney
- Gardens of the World
- Paradise Falls
- Zuma Beach (although technically not within the confines of Conejo Valley)
Shopping
- The Flying Owl
- Frenzy
- Soto Boutique
- Blush Boutique
- Rebel Violet
- Burro
- Whizin Market Square
Cultural Events & Local Activities
- Civic Arts Plaza
- Cinepolis
- Pinot’s Palette
- Conejo Valley Days
- Thousand Oaks Arts Festival
- Calabasas Pumpkin Festival
- Chumash Indian Museum
- Stagecoach Inn Museum
- Scandinavian Festival
- The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library (slightly outside of Conejo Valley)
Have You Been to Conejo Valley? What Did You See While You Visited?
Thank you to the lovely ladies of Local Love 805 for collaborating with me on this list of local events, restaurants and must-sees!
I love the Civics Arts… have been to a few events there.
It’s a family tradition to go and see The Nutcracker during the holidays. The ballet in Thousand Oaks is up there with the best of them.
I just saw this! Thank you SOOOOOO much for adding The Flying Owl to your Best of Conejo Valley list. Tears me up and all 😉 You’re the best!
Not a problem! I believe it’s important to highlight the unique, the most charming and the best of the area, from Boutique shops to big name giants! Happy to have you on the list 🙂