Phenomenal earth day visit to the gardens. It's a peaceful way to experience the naturalness of…read moreOjai. We met so many pleasant workers, visitors, and resident artists along the way.

Taft Garden and Nature Preserve is one of the most beautiful places I've visited in my long life…read more The peace and beauty is enhanced by the limited number of daily visitors. It is possible move about the multiple trails at your own pace self guided, or join tours (when offered) to learn about the Plants, Birds, Geology, and Art. The garden is tucked away, and for me getting there and back to Ojai proper was a big part of the magic of the visit. Thank you to all who created and maintain Taft Garden and Nature Preserve.

The Santa Ynez Chumash Musem offers a stunning opportunity to learn about the culture and history…read moreof the Chumash people, who have lived in the area for well over 10,000 years (millenia before the European invasion.) The building itself honors the shape of the traditional Chumash house (called 'ap) and is beautifully decorated with artwork reflecting Chumash rock art. Displays are lovely, interactive, and encourage learning about the history and practices of the people such as basketweaving, fishing and hunting, spiritual beliefs, and social structure. The grounds are planted with native plants, including the Juncus used in creating the world-famous Chumash baskets. A stream runs through it and makes for a lovely, restful environment. The gift shop features jewelry, crafts and art work created by members of the Chumash Tribe, as well as other Native American tribes. There's also a nice selection of books on related topics. Admission prices can be found on their website; parking is free in their parking lot. Highly recommended.

I remember when they starting with the construction of this place. Wasn't quite sure in what it was…read moregoing to be but sort of excited to find out. Fast forward to now, it a museum. I've heard about it after it opened but never had the chance to visit. Until this trip. There's a parking lot right before you enter which is gated. Entrance fee to the museum was 15.00 per person. Before you get to the main entrance, there's their gift shop. Once you enter, the main lobby has its setup to look like you're inside one of the hut. Once you go inside to the exhibition room, it's quite interesting. The people of the Chumash community, their lives and upbringing. The main room isn't overly big but what they have on display was interesting. The amazing costumes, their artworks. Just seeing how they lived back then was beautiful. The stories of their lives, and how afterlife was a big part was beautiful. Besides the amazing artistry of their costumes, just seeing how they used everything nature has to offer. Bird feathers, fur and so on. Then you have all the amazing baskets that were hand made. Beautifully crafted by skilled artist. There was also an exhibit where you're sitting inside the hut which you are then taught some traditional words of animals. Just walking through and checking each things out was pretty interesting. Knowing that they lived where you were standing many years ago. Learning about the people who made this place home was beautiful. The amazing stories of how they lived. I was very intrigued with the basket making. Imagine something you see from trees and plants can be transformed into something beautiful. Outside in the back area, they have a hut that would be similar to the original. There's also an amphitheater. The beautiful landscape with all the lush plants and water. It was an interesting experience which you do learn a lot about the Chumash people.

This is a reconstruction of an historic Chumash village. We attended for a field trip in March…read more2023. It originally had at least 10 Chumash "Aps", the single room huts. The years have not been kind to those huts. Some were lost to the Woolsey Fire, one collapsed. We were told not to go into the remaining one which was still standing. Apparently the drought had made it hard to harvest the willow used for Ap structures. For a field trip, this is disappointing. The central meeting structure is still intact, and a Chumash leader gave a 20 minute talk on the tribe, it's beliefs, and conservation. He is very active in conservation and restoration. They had built a fire for the group and despite the open sides and hole above the fireplace, it was smoky during the talk. There was a slide show about the nearby ocean in a classroom setting. It was a beautiful day, and sitting in chairs looking at a screen seemed out of place. The presentation was fine. This could be a much better trip if new Aps were constructed. It seems like there would be many people willing to help.

In my three decades of being alive I've come to realize that there are very few places on Earth…read morethat come remotely close to places like this. A hub of the Wishtoyo Chumash community, this village is like a beautiful time capsule of native California. The only thing that surpasses the physical beauty of the Pacific vista, night skies, authentic structures or landscape, is the emotional beauty of how welcoming and loving the people who make up this community are. Special public events once in awhile otherwise contact them to set up a special time to visit. Either passing through or looking for an adventure out of Greater LA, make sure to visit this "home for all of humanity".

I've had both of my boys at Hayastan Cultural Center for over four years now, and it's been an…read moreincredible experience. Mr. Tigran is truly top-notch when it comes to dance -- his passion and dedication shine through in everything he does. I first met him years ago when we lived in Santa Clarita, and when we moved to Glendale, we were so proud and excited to continue the program. Huge thanks to both Tigran and Ovsan for everything they do to inspire and support our kids. We're so grateful!

From the owner: Hayastan Cultural Center was established in 1997 by Arman & Naira Vardanyan in Glendale, CA…read more They began dancing at an early age at one of the most recognized dance groups in Armenia: Berd Dance Ensemble. Now Hayastan Dance Center is one of the top dance studios in Los Angeles, focusing on preserving Armenian culture, while also teaching contemporary and international dance styles. From children to adults, every student is guided with passion, technique, and heart, creating a community where dance comes alive.

Beautiful Venue for a smaller scale Wedding. City Staff was helpful & courteous. All tables &…read morechairs were provided & set up and taken down for us.

Harry Carey was a notable early western film actor whose film career included at least 233 movies…read more This is the ranch house where he used to live with his wife Olive. Famous stars including John Wayne and Gary Cooper have visited the location. It's a nice place to come with your kids. I recommend combining it with a trip to the former St. Francis Dam.

Love that we have a little gem like the Studio Channel Islands art center in old town Camarillo…read more I've walked by this building many a times and always was curious what it was like inside. I came for a gala event over the weekend where they rented this space and was excited to check it out. There is plenty of parking as they have their own lot and we also were fine with parking across the street in the free two hour parking spots. The art center is small but a great way to see local art and pottery. They do have single stalls bathrooms inside the studio which is appreciated. It also looked like in one room they had jewelry for sale but I didn't give it a proper look as I was more focused on the artwork and decor. The reason for the docked star is simply because we wandered in as a part of an event that had rented the space and thus there wasn't a whole lot of art on display. What appeared to be up is their around the year collectibles and some small art work pieces. It's definitely better to plan ahead to come here when they are actually running an art exhibit or have an event specific to the art center. At least we got to check it out and have an idea about the space now. Very cool to have a place like this in Camarillo and eager to check them out again in the future so I can leave an updated review.

wonderful exhibitions of art, dance and musi. Lots of activities for everyone. Easy parking off of…read moreElm and great local restaurants and the Camarillo Premium discount malls are just ten minutes away.

I paid a lot of money ($2,500 to be exact) to participate as a vendor at Warner Center Park for the…read moreValley Cultural Center's Concerts on the Green for the Summer 2012 season. The $2,500 buy in was a HUGE hit for me as a small business owner; I took a big leap of faith when I signed on. If you are a food vendor that has been approached and might be considering participating for future seasons, run--far and fast! Here's why: 1. I was promised by Bob Austin that I would be one of only 5 dessert vendors the whole season. The dessert vendors were all on 'dessert row,' separated from the savory food vendors. No one told me there would also be Italian Brain Freeze, Funnel Cakes and Kettle Corn in the section with the savory food. These products all compete for dessert dollars. I'm sure you can also see how completely unfair it is for those products to be placed in the same section as the savory food, so everyone sees only those vendors when they go to purchase their dinner. And then return to those vendors when they are ready for dessert. In fact on July 4th, a large group of people walked by my booth, all carrying funnel cakes, and commented on how they didn't know there were other desserts on site. Completely unfair to the rest of us in dessert row. 2. The vendors were told that the weeks leading up to July 4th were a bit sleepy, but if we hadn't already made back our initial investment by the 4th, that was the day it would happen. It was also strongly advised that we bring at least 3 times more product than we had been bringing prior to July 4th, because everyone sells out on July 4th. I had high hopes for July 4th, especially after hearing that there would be 24,000 + people in the park, all of the food vendors sell out, and this event is the one that helps all of the vendors re-coup their initial investment. I didn't sell out nor did I re-coup my initial investment. I grossed $750 that day; after expenses and paying an employee to work with me that day, I lost. 3. The savory food vendors--two barbecue vendors were booked for the summer. Classic! 4. The plain and simple truth is that there are just too many food vendors per the ratio of people that come for the concerts in the park seeking dining options. Yes, a lot of people flock to the park for the concerts, this much is true. However most of them don't buy dinner and desserts at the park. 5. The organization does a prerecorded introduction thanking its sponsors and food vendors that gets used the whole summer. My company name got botched--recorded incorrectly. No one bothered double checking their work before it was considered final, nor was I aware that this component was being developed. Had I known, I might have been proactive to ensure that my business/brand was represented correctly. 5. This group has been planning and executing this program for 38 years. They know what works and what doesn't work out there. It's a well-oiled machine, and they just want your money so that they can continue to bring in the bands. The sad thing is they will do and say anything to get you to sign on the dotted line. I can't emphasize enough--DON'T DO IT! Save your time, money and resources. When I think about the trust I placed in the Valley Cultural Center, and the leap of faith I took, it brings tears to my eyes. I did ask the Valley Cultural Center for some of my investment back, and this is the response that I got: Dear Tonya, Thank you for your email. We are sorry you did not have a good experience at Valley Cultural Center's Concerts on the Green. We can not guarantee what will sell well. We are upfront on that fact. None of us can predict that. Often vendors do well on July 4th. That too is no guarantee. Some sell out. Some do not. It sounds like you did all you could with Facebook, Twitter and Email campaigns. We apologize if you feel there was some inaccurate information given to you at the time of securing your place at Concerts on the Green. We will look into that. There was no intent of misleading you. We want all the vendors to do well. Some of the vendors have been with us for many years. Some only come for a year or two. Some join forces with another vendor they know and share a booth. It is a business decision each individual makes. We understand that you question your choice about participating with us since it did not go as well for you as you had hoped. It is not that we are untrustworthy. It's just the nature of the economy and the risk any business operator takes. Unfortunately it didn't work out to your level of expectation and desire. We would like to have seen you succeed too. We are a non profit 501 (c) 3. We operate on a fairly tight budget each year, and the recent economy has made that even tighter. We are not in a position to be able to reimburse anyone. Again, we are truly sorry you did not have a good experience with Concerts on the Green. Sincerely, -- Wendi Gladstone

Thank you Valley Cultural Foundation for years of free community events. I have been coming to your…read moreevents for 20 years and each year they get better. The Summer Concert Series and the Movies are the green is a great way for me to get the grandkids out of the house with a tight budget. The food vendors are great and reasonably priced, the concerts are some of the best cover bands. The emerging artist's program really brings great up and coming artists to our area.

Extremely loud. During the day is fine, however disturbing the entire neighborhood from daytime…read moretill midnight is ridiculous.

Inside is nice and spacious and a nice chandelier is at the enterance. Came here for a New Years…read moreEvent and the main room had 50 plus feet ceilings with nice leaf chandeliers. Stage area was nicely lit and a decent size and main room could easily fit 200 plus people. The dance floor was very nice and modern and a good size. It was a stone dance floor so nice and classy!