Conejo Valley Botanic Garden

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Conejo Valley Botanic Garden
Conejo valley botanic garden.jpg
Sign by entrance.
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Conejo Valley Botanic Garden
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Conejo Valley Botanic Garden
Type Botanical garden
Location Thousand Oaks, California, United States
Coordinates 34°11′31″N118°53′09″W / 34.19194°N 118.88583°W / 34.19194; -118.88583
Area33.6 acres (13.6 ha)
Opened1976
Operated byConejo Valley Botanic Garden
StatusOpen
Website www.conejogarden.org

Conejo Valley Botanic Garden is located in Thousand Oaks, California, and consists of a peak with vista views along with 15 hillside botanical gardens. It provides a teaching laboratory for what flora works and what does not work in the Conejo Valley. [1]

Contents

The 33-acre (13-hectare) site consists of a vast variety of endemic plants, water-conserving plants, oak trees, and indigenous wildlife. A children's garden area was added in March 2003, known as Kids’ Adventure Garden. [2] [3] Although the garden itself keeps open most days, Kids’ Adventure Garden and nursery plant sales are only open on certain days. [4] Admission to the garden is free. [5]

Although its main entrance is found at 400 West Gainsborough Road, [6] [7] it is also accessible from Conejo Community Park, located at the intersection of Hendrix and Dover Avenues. [8] [9] [10]

The property was first acquired in 1973, while the first parts of the botanical gardens began to emerge in 1976. [11] It is operated by the nonprofit Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, Inc. [12] It lies across the street from Tarantula Hill, the highest point in Thousand Oaks. [13] [14] [15]

Overview

It consists of a plant sanctuary on a hill overlooking the Conejo Valley. [16] The hill contains 15 unique, hillside specialty gardens. It is home to a variety of hiking trails, which interconnect with other paths leading to various overlook points from the hill. The garden's many hill paths lead past fruit trees, sections of desert, native plants, Mediterranean plants, herbs, and a butterfly garden. The 1-mile Nature Trail follows a creek, which descends into a forested, willow- and oak-filled canyon. [17] It is also home of a bird habitat that is a conservation effort to provide sustenance and sheltering environments for birds and other fauna. [18] [19]

Management

A 50-year lease agreement between the Conejo Valley Botanic Garden Inc. and Conejo Recreation & Park District was signed on October 18, 1973, with the organization paying $1 annually in rent. A term of the lease requires the garden to not charge for entry. The organization receives no funding from public agencies and remains exclusively dependent on donations. [20]

Specialty gardens

Salvia Garden Conejo valley botanical gardens salvia garden.jpg
Salvia Garden
Desert Garden Hilltop desert garden conejo botanic garden.jpg
Desert Garden
Herb Garden Conejo valley botanic garden thousand oaks.jpg
Herb Garden
Australian Garden Australian section conejo valley botanic garden.jpg
Australian Garden
Mediterranean Garden Conejo valley botanic garden 2.jpg
Mediterranean Garden
View from atop the hill View of thousand oaks from conejo valley botanic garden.jpg
View from atop the hill

Its botanical gardens include an Australian garden, a bird habitat, a butterfly garden, an oak-tree grove, rare-fruit orchard, extensive salvia collections, and more. [21]

Its botanical gardens consist of 15 unique hillside gardens: [22] [23]

Furthermore, the Trail of Trees exhibits a total of 72 trees, including 50 different tree species. Each tree is labeled with its family, botanical and common names, along with country of origin and planting date. Represented are the golden trumpet tree, the national tree of Brazil, as well as Chinese pistache, tulip tree, Prunus serrulata 'Kanzan', cockspur coral, American storax, shoestring acacia, and others.

Garden trails are found throughout the gardens. Little Loop Trail leads above the creek through chaparral and around a meadow. The longer, 1-mile (1.6 km) Nature Trail follows the creek and descends into a shady, oak-canopied canyon just below the hill with the botanical gardens. After 14 mile (0.40 km), steep wooden steps bring the path down into the canyon. After exploring the creek-bed for 12 mile (0.80 km), the trail climbs out of the ravine and returns to the main garden area. [29] [30]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thousand Oaks, California</span> City in California, United States

Thousand Oaks is a city in the northwestern part of Greater Los Angeles, approximately 15 miles (24 km) from the city of Los Angeles and 40 miles (64 km) from Downtown Los Angeles. The second-largest city in Ventura County, California, it is named after the many oak trees present in the area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santa Monica Mountains</span> Mountain range of the Transverse Ranges in California, United States

The Santa Monica Mountains is a coastal mountain range in Southern California, next to the Pacific Ocean. It is part of the Transverse Ranges. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area encompasses this mountain range. Because of its proximity to densely populated regions, it is one of the most visited natural areas in California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conejo Valley</span> Region in Southern California, United States

The Conejo Valley is a region spanning both southeastern Ventura County and northwestern Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States. It is located in the northwestern part of the Greater Los Angeles Area.

Newbury Park is a populated place and town in Ventura County, California, United States. Most of it lies within the western Thousand Oaks city limits, while unincorporated areas include Casa Conejo and Ventu Park. The town is located in Southern California around 8 miles (13 km) from the Pacific Ocean and has a mild year-round climate, scenic mountains, and environmental preservation. About 28,000 residents of Thousand Oaks reside in Newbury Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stagecoach Inn (California)</span> United States historic place

The Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park, California, originally known as the Grand Union Hotel, was used as a resting area for people who traveled from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara. Besides a hotel and stagecoach stop, it has also been used as a post office, church, restaurant and military school. It is California Historical Landmark No. 659 and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It played a major role in the development of the stage line transportation network in California. The hotel was also the first business venture in the Conejo Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Oaks (Thousand Oaks, California)</span> Regional shopping mall located in Thousand Oaks, California

The Oaks is a two-level indoor/outdoor, regional shopping mall located in Thousand Oaks, California. It is owned and managed by Macerich. Accessible from US Highway 101 midway between downtown Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, it is the largest shopping center in Ventura County. Over five million visit the mall each year. The mall features JCPenney, Macy's, Macy's Men's and Home Store, Nordstrom, in addition to a 14-screen dine-in AMC Theatres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Banning Dam</span> Dam in Ventura County, California

Lake Eleanor, also known as Banning Dam, is an 8-acre (3.2 ha) freshwater lake near Westlake Village in Thousand Oaks, California. The lake lies within the 513-acre (208 ha) Lake Eleanor Open Space and was Ventura County Historic Landmark No. 120 in 1988. It is also designated City of Thousand Oaks Historical Landmark No. 9. Under ownership of Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA), the lake sits in a gorge with sheer cliffs and drops of 40–50 ft (12–15 m). An artificial lake, it was first constructed in 1889, and may be the first concrete arched dam built in California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wildwood Regional Park</span> Regional park in Ventura County, California, United States

Wildwood Regional Park is a suburban regional park in the western Simi Hills and Conejo Valley, in Ventura County, California. It is located in western Thousand Oaks, northern Newbury Park, and southern Moorpark.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arroyo Conejo</span> Creek in the Conejo Valley, California

Arroyo Conejo is the longest creek in the Conejo Valley, sprawling over the cities of Thousand Oaks and Camarillo, and the communities of Newbury Park, Casa Conejo and Santa Rosa Valley. Arroyo Conejo is the primary drainage for the City of Thousand Oaks. Its watershed covers 57 square miles (150 km2) of which 43 square miles (110 km2) are in the Conejo Valley and 14 square miles (36 km2) in the Santa Rosa Valley.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hill Canyon</span> Canyon in southern California, U.S.

Hill Canyon is a deep canyon in the western Simi Hills and within northern Newbury Park and Thousand Oaks, in Ventura County, southern California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Conejo Mountain</span> Extinct volcano in California

Conejo Mountain is a 1,814-foot-high mountain (553 m) in Ventura County, California near Camarillo on the eastern boundary of the Oxnard Plain. At the western edge of the Conejo Valley, it is adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains. Crossing what was once a formidable barrier for travelers, U.S. Route 101 passes through the area on the steep Conejo Grade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pepper Tree Playfield</span>

Pepper Tree Playfield is a 21.7-acre community park located in western Newbury Park, California. It is located at the corner of Reino and Old Conejo Roads, and was acquired by the Conejo Recreation & Park District (CRPD) in 1977, but not developed nor opened until 1983. It contains a 0.83-mile fitness trail loop, and is nearby numerous trailheads. The park is within walking distance from the Conejo Vista Trailhead in Old Conejo Open Space, located immediately north of Pepper Tree Playfield, and the park is directly across the street from the Knoll Trailhead in Knoll Open Space, which is to the park’s immediate east, crossing North Reino Road. It is also an access point for trails leading to the Conejo Mountain. Pepper Tree Playfield is named for its many pepper trees, which surrounds the park area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Arroyo Conejo Open Space</span> Park in Ventura County, California, United States of America

Arroyo Conejo Open Space is a 302-acre (122 ha) open space reserve in the western Simi Hills in northern Newbury Park, Ventura County, California. Most of it is part of the 250-acre (100 ha) Arroyo Conejo Nature Preserve.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dos Vientos Open Space</span> 1,216 acres (492 ha) parkland in Ventura County, California with more than 41 miles of trails

Dos Vientos Open Space is a 1,216 acres (492 ha) open space area in western Newbury Park, California. It contains more than 41 miles (66 km) of trails used for cycling, hiking and equestrians. Originally a part of the Rancho Guadalasca Spanish Land Grant of 1836, the area is now an important wildlife movement corridor into the Santa Monica Mountains through the Point Mugu State Park. It provides a habitat for a variety of wildlife, including bobcats, mule deer, coyotes, eagles, hawks, barn owls, mountain lions, and more. It provides regional and internal trail connections, many trails offering panoramic views of the Conejo Valley, Oxnard Plain, Topatopa Mountains, Channel Islands, and the Pacific Ocean. Some of the endangered plant species found here include Conejo buckwheat, Verity's liveforever, and Conejo dudleya. The landscape is undeveloped, and dominated by coastal sage scrub, grassy hillsides, oak woodlands, and chaparral habitats.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ventu Park Open Space</span>

Ventu Park Open Space is a 141-acre open space area in Newbury Park, California. Its primary features are the Rosewood Trail leading to Angel Vista, a 1,603 ft peak in the Santa Monica Mountains. Parking for the Rosewood Trail is located at the Stagecoach Inn Park, across Lynn Road from the primary trailhead. The Rosewood Trail begins with oak woodland and crosses a creek at the canyon floor, before climbing up towards the steep Angel Vista Point. There are 360-degree panoramic views of the Conejo Valley, the Oxnard Plain, the California Channel Islands, Pacific Ocean, Point Mugu, Hidden Valley, as well as the Santa Monica-, Santa Susana- and Topa Topa Mountains.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tarantula Hill</span> Peak in California

Tarantula Hill, also known as Dawn’s Peak, is a 1,057-foot-high (322 m) peak in Thousand Oaks, California. It is located on a 45-acre (18 ha) open space and is operated by the Conejo Open Space Conservation Agency (COSCA). Climbing Tarantula Hill is a steep 0.5-mile (0.80 km) trail; the trailhead is located at 287 West Gainsborough Road, across the road from the main entrance to Conejo Valley Botanic Garden. Atop the mountain there is a 360-degree panoramic view of the Conejo Valley, the Simi Hills and the Santa Monica Mountains. There is also a fenced-in water reservoir located on top. It was once a popular hang-gliding site. It was once a volcanic mound but went dormant 16 million years ago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Clef Ridge</span>

Mount Clef Ridge is a 1,076 ft volcanic mountain in Thousand Oaks, California. It is a volcanic outcrop that resulted from lava eruptions 30 million years ago. The ridge was formerly under ownership by the Janss Corporation, but was acquired by the Conejo Recreation and Park District (CRPD) in 1967. Trails here are available from Santa Rosa Valley, Newbury Park and Wildwood Regional Park. Although being a major feature of Wildwood, it occupies its own open-space area bordering Wildwood's northern boundaries. Mount Clef Ridge Open Space Area occupies 212 acres. From the ridge are great panoramic views of Santa Rosa Valley, Conejo Valley, Hill Canyon, as well as the Santa Susana-, Santa Monica- and Topatopa Mountains. The open-space area is home to plants such as coastal sage scrub, chaparral, Lyon's pentachaeta and Conejo dudleya. The fauna includes mountain lions, deer, coyotes, gray foxes, and more.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bard Lake</span> Reservoir in Simi Valley, California

Bard Lake, also known as Wood Ranch Reservoir, is a 231 acres (93 ha) reservoir which is the largest lake in Simi Valley, California. It is east of the intersection of Olsen Road and Moorpark Freeway, near the border between Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks. Built in 1965, Bard Lake is a 416 feet (127 m) high reservoir with a capacity of 11,000 acre-feet (3.6×109 US gal). It is an earthen dam which is owned by the Calleguas Water District.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chumash Indian Museum</span> Chumash Interpretive Center in Thousand Oaks, CA

Chumash Indian Museum is a Native American Interpretive Center in northeast Thousand Oaks, California. It is the site of a former Chumash village, known as Sap'wi. It is located in Oakbrook Regional Park, a 432-acre park which is home to a replica of a Chumash village and thousand year-old Chumash pictographs. The pictographs by nearby Birthing Cave are not open to the public, but can be observed on docent-led tours. Chumash people inhabited the village 10,000 years ago.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newbury Road</span> Street in Newbury Park, California

Newbury Road is the main street in Newbury Park, California, and runs parallel to the U.S. Route 101. The road is named for the town’s founder, Egbert Starr Newbury. The historic Newbury Park Post Office has had several locations on Newbury Road, including at the Stagecoach Plaza, a shopping complex with a name that implies the stagecoach heritage of the area. Stagecoach Plaza houses 14 restaurants and shops, and it is adjacent to additional shops on both sides.

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