Camarillo Ranch Tours: 201 Camarillo Ranch Road, Camarillo (805/389-8182). After more than one hundred years as a a private residence, the former home of Adolph Camarillo, founder of the city of Camarillo, has opened for public tours. An imposing 17 room mansion, the home was well suited for a man who would serve as a Ventura Counter Supervisor, manage a 10,000 acre ranch, found a city, develop a breed of horses and one day be known as the “Last Spanish Don.” Docent conducted tours of the Queen Anne style Victorian will be offered three days a week on Wednesdays and Sundays from noon to 4pm and on Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.
Channel Island Harbor: Halfway between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Nine marinas offer a diverse selection of amenities from traditional small boat marinas and commercial fishing docks to luxury slips. Enjoy fishing, snorkeling, kayaking and surfing. The harbor is host to a variety of restaurants. Just offshore the pristine Channel Islands offer the finest cruising in southern California.
Gardens of the World: 2001 Thousand Oaks Bl., Thousand Oaks, (805/557-1135) www.gardensoftheworld.info . This lovely private 4.5 acre park features five different gardens from around the world representing England, France, Italy, Japan and the unique Mission Courtyard with traditional California landscaping. Picnic tables and shaded benches are available.
Murphy Automotive Museum: 2230 Statham Bl., Oxnard (805/487-4333) www.murphyautomuseum.com. In its new Oxnard home, this museum features an eclectic collection of 50 automobiles featuring an array of classic, milestone and special interest vehicles including a large collection of Packards from 1927-1958. Open Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Rail Odyssey: Central Park between Central and Santa Clara Avenues, Fillmore (800/773-8724) www.fwry.com. Fillmore & Western Railway features variety of outings including weekend scenic excursions, special holiday train rides, murder mystery dinner train, and other themed outings.
Ventura Wine Trail: www.venturacountywinetrail.com Oxnard’s Herzog Wine Cellars has joined forces with several other local winemakers to produce the Ventura County Wine Trail Map featuring seven local wineries. The map was designed as a full service tool for visitors highlighting some of the best the county has to offer. Visitors can plan an entire trip in the area complete with shuttle-led wine tasting trip, hotel stay and dining suggestions.