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Although Los Angeles has a lot to offer, neighboring cities are also teeming with adventures for foodies, shoppers, hikers, yogis and Presidential museum fans. And you usually find lower hotel prices, less traffic and easier social distancing outside L.A.
And despite the never-ending Covid 19 pandemic, a quick escape to the Conejo Valley allows you to pack a lot of fun into a short trip.
Where or what is the Conejo Valley? Well, to be honest, before I spent a weekend there last summer, I wasn’t quite sure. The cities of Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks are part of the Conejo Valley, and its Chamber of Commerce was offering Conejo Cash to encourage visitors to stay for for at least two nights at one of 16 hotels. The offer was for a $100 Visa gift card to use as you explore the area. Although the program has ended, the Chamber hopes to bring back the program in the future.
Our Summer Escape
My 2021 summer adventure with my friend, Takayo, was packed with action, food and drink with activities ranging from goat yoga to a chance to pose as gangsters at the Reagan Presidential Library’s temporary FBI Exhibit.
Goat Yoga in Newbury Park
Nothing beats doing yoga with miniature baby goats first thing in the morning at The Cabra Farmhouse in Newbury Park, especially on a warm day. Although the baby goats are more interested in treats than yoga poses, nothing beats having a goat on top of your table top pose. Although we took pictures throughout the class, after it ended we got to pose with a goat or two as well as meet Prosciutto, the farm’s popular pig. We also bought some handmade soap and lotion after class. Goat yoga classes cost $40 per person when offered. Currently, goat yoga sessions are by appointment only.
Prosciutto is a big pig who patiently permits petting
The Room
We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Westlake Village, one of the 16 hotels offering the Conejo Cash deal. Our two queen beds room cost $240 a night not including taxes. The shower had great water pressure and the beds were very comfy. I did a quick workout in the fitness center, which had more equipment than most hotel gyms. But what we really enjoyed last summer was swimming laps in the pool and relaxing in the hot tub. I would definitely stay there again, because the Hyatt is a perfect location for exploring the Conejo Valley. The hotel has at least four ADA accessible rooms according to its website. When I checked August rates on Kayak for the Hyatt Regency, weekend rates were running about $310 per night while weeknight stays were as low as $224 per night. Rates on the Hyatt site were higher.
Nonstop Culinary Delights in Thousand Oaks
What surprised us the most was the variety of food and drink in Thousand Oaks. After goat yoga, we had lunch at Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. in Thousand Oaks. This brewery not only has indoor and outdoor safety, they make it easy for people to maintain social distance. And its menu has something for every appetite with dishes ranging from pizza to burritos and sushi. Tarantula Hill even makes its own cream, which we tried with a chocolate stout. Although I’m a little squeamish about most IPAs, I love their Liquid Candy Hazy IPA.
That night we feasted at Cork Dork Wine Bar. Executive Chef Danny Amirian opened his restaurant last May, and it was an instant hit. The menu changes frequently so that Chef Amirian can incorporate the freshest local seasonal ingredients. Every dish in our multi-course meal seemed to surpass the last, but my favorites were the Crispy Cauliflower, Filet Mignon and the Panna cotta for dessert. And even better than the food is the wine selection. Cork Dork offers more than 40 wines by the glass, including unique ounce by ounce selections. They also have a selection of local beers (but we’d done beer at lunch). My white wine flight, which cost about $36, included a Sauvignon Blanc, a Moscato and a Dr. Loosen Reisling. I took home a champagne split from Cork Dork’s Moet & Chandon champagne vending machine.
Terry and Executive Chef/Partner Danny Amirian
I love Cork Dork’s bathroom signs.
After Dinner Drinks at Oak & Iron
Despite being well lubricated from our meal at Cork Dork, the three culinary musketeers, Ally, Takayo and I, headed next to Oak & Iron, a fabulous speakeasy craft cocktail bar. The cocktail menu changes with the seasons, and the mixologists try to incorporate fresh, local ingredients. I tried two cocktails, Strawberry Fields and the Bee’s Knees. (At least, I think that’s what I had – due to my alcohol consumption that night, I am not 100% certain what cocktails I consumed. But they sure were tasty. I failed to take notes because I was having too much fun.) Most Oak & Iron cocktails cost about $14. But the best part about Oak & Iron are its libation tour guides — the word “waiter” is insufficient to describe the fellow who will lead you down the path to a bit of celebratory debauchery.
Brunch at Tavern Tomoko & Ladyface Brewery in Agoura Hills
The next morning we were a bit hungover after all the libations we had consumed the night before. The food and beer flights quickly made us feel better. Ladyface Brewery is named after the hill above it, which resembles a lady’s face. Tomoko Robata Grill offers a mix of American and Japanese BBQ cuisine. And we liked the Ladyface Brewery beers, especially the sour in my flight. And our Conejo Cash came in handy for buying some beer to take home.
Embracing History at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute
I’ve been a fan of the Reagan Presidential Foundation in Simi Valley for a long time. It doesn’t matter how you lean politically, it’s a wonderful museum, and it’s a thrill to be able to board Air Force One and Marine One. We even bought a photo package so we could wave from both aircraft. The main reason for our visit was to see the special FBI exhibit – From Al Capone to Al-Queda, which ran through February 27. Curated from private collectors, the FBI Exhibit was well worth a trip to Simi Valley, especially since it is not going to tour anywhere. We were fascinated by the bullet-ridden car that Bonnie and Clyde were driving when they got gunned down. The exhibit covers FBI history from the days of Pretty Boy Floyd through 911 and the fight against terrorism. You even see the Unabomber’s cabin (which seems like an odd thing for a collector to collect). We paid about $50 to get our mugs on a Most Wanted photo along with shots of us on Air Force One and Marine One.
After being closed for 15 months when the Covid pandemic began, the FBI Exhibit is a very cool come back event. The exhibit was originally scheduled to close in January, so I’m hopeful it may get extended into March. Admission to the Reagan Library & Museum costs about $30 for non-members and it includes special exhibits.
UPDATE July 2022
Although the FBI Exhibit closed last January, there is a new exhibit called Secrets of World War II that looks fascinating. I hope to visit it soon and blog about it. This World War II exhibit closes in October. No matter when you go, you can always enjoy visiting Air Force One and Marine One at the Reagan Library.
The Conejo Valley is a great place to visit year round – even in the heat of summer. Just be sure to stay at a hotel with a good swimming pool.
Here’s a peek at our adventure:
Photo galleries – from Goat Yoga to the Hyatt Regency and Culinary Delights
Goat Yoga at Cabra Farms
And until we finally kick Covid’s butt to the door, we may need to occasionally wear masks.
Disclosure: Most of my expenses were covered by the Conejo Valley Tourism Improvement District with no promise of coverage.