The Conejo Valley—home to Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills and Newbury Park—is sandwiched between the iconic beaches of Malibu and Simi Valley, home of The Ronald Reagan Library & Museum.
Things to Do in Conejo Valley
The area, which covers parts of both Los Angeles and Ventura counties, makes for a great launching pad for exploring different aspects of Southern California, but it boasts many worthy attractions too. Sip local wines while burning calories on Malibu Wine Hikes, or stroll Thousand Oaks’ 33-acre Conejo Valley Botanic Garden, whose collections include Australian plants, a butterfly garden, and salvias—the colorful, drought-friendly sage that thrives in this part of the state. Another option: Try the bunny yoga at Thousand Oaks’ Harmony Family Yoga. (After all, “conejo” is Spanish for “rabbit.”)
Nothing sums up this area’s intersection of L.A. and Mother Nature, though, quite like the sprawling Paramount Ranch, part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The movie studio first leased this land in 1927, and it has since appeared in countless films and TV series, from The Cisco Kid to HBO’s Westworld. Hike the chaparral- and oak-lined trails, some named after movies or TV shows that were filmed here (like the Medicine Woman Trail, a nod to Jane Seymour’s Dr. Quinn).
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Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing
A landmark environmental project near Conejo Valley is the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing, a pioneering conservation initiative under construction over U.S. Highway 101 at Liberty Canyon in Agoura Hills. Designed to be the world’s largest wildlife overpass, this vegetated bridge, expected to open in late 2026, will span the 10 lanes of the freeway and reconnect fragmented habitat between the Santa Monica Mountains and the Simi Hills, helping animals such as mountain lions, bobcats, deer, foxes, and countless smaller species safely cross what has long been a perilous barrier. While the crossing is wildlife-only, 68 cameras will share live activity with the public.
Conejo Valley History
To soak up some local history, pay a visit to Thousand Oaks’ Chumash Indian Museum, which celebrates the culture of the people who lived here for centuries before European settlers. Then head to Newbury Park’s Stagecoach Inn Museum, which was a hotel during the late 1800s, a popular stopping point for early road trippers between Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Pop culture historians, meanwhile, may want to check out Villa de la Vina, the 10-acre property that is better known as The Bachelor Mansion from the ABC reality shows The Bachelor and The Bachelorette, which can even be booked for overnight stays.
Wellness Experiences in the Conejo Valley
Wellness takes a playful turn in Conejo Valley at Harmony Family Yoga. Bunny Yoga pairs gentle, all-levels movement with the calming presence of real rabbits, creating a fun, interactive class that’s as guaranteed to put a smile on your face as it is restorative.
For a more immersive connection to nature, Apricot Lane Farms—the operation featured in the award-winning documentary The Biggest Little Farm—hosts sound baths set among orchards and biodiverse landscapes. Guided by soothing tones from crystal singing bowls, chimes, and gongs, these sessions encourage deep relaxation while surrounded by one of California’s most celebrated regenerative farms. Guests can also explore lush orchards, restored native plant areas, and working pastures while learning how regenerative practices build soil health, increase biodiversity, and grow nutrient-dense food.
For a quieter reset, Halo Salt Spa offers halotherapy sessions in tranquil salt rooms, where guests recline and breathe in air infused with fine salt particles designed to promote relaxation and support respiratory wellness.
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Biking in Conejo Valley
Conejo Valley is a favorite destination for cyclists, with more than 140 miles of multiuse trails and a network of scenic road routes that wind through rolling hills, open space, and the Santa Monica Mountains. Popular rides range from leisurely paved paths to challenging climbs and mountain-bike trails in areas such as Wildwood Regional Park and the Conejo Open Space system. Visitors can rent road bikes, mountain bikes, gravel bikes, and e-bikes from local outfitters, making it easy to explore the region on two wheels, whether you're planning a family ride or a full-day cycling adventure.
Where to Stay and Eat in the Conejo Valley
The area’s lodging and dining options are rich and varied. You’ll find a wide range of value-oriented hotel brands alongside an interesting mix of locavore dining, wines, and craft brews. Oenophiles should make time for a tasting at Cornell Wine Co., a rustic wine bar and shop tucked in the Santa Monica Mountain community of Cornell (aka Old Agoura) that showcases small-production California labels alongside international selections.
For dinner, check the Malibu Wines and Beer Garden's website to see if one of their farm-to-table dinners is happening during your visit. The gatherings typically pair a locally sourced, multicourse menu—think roasted chicken with saffron couscous and a stone fruit bread pudding—with the winery's Saddlerock and Estate wines, served communally to guests 21 and older. If the stars are not aligned this time, whet your appetite for The Old Place Cornell Restaurant right next door, a former 1909 general store and post office turned legendary restaurant, where the straightforward menu is cooked over a red oak fire and the long bar was salvaged from a saloon in Virginia City, Nevada; the rustic haunt has drawn Hollywood icons for decades. Surprising to find as it is, the vibe really is Old West saloon, right outside Malibu. And—if you can—absolutely leave room for a sugar stop at the celebrated Sweet Arleen’s, a three-time winner on Cupcake Wars.
