Yelp Challenge 2015. 143/365
The Conejo Grade is a local 2.5 mile gem in the Conejo Valley that is a 7% grade that links Thousand Oaks to Camarillo in Ventura County. If you want to get to Ventura, Carprnteria, Santa Barbara this is your only option. There used to be a back road, that allowed you to bipass this traffic nightmare that took you from Newbury Park to Camarillo, but I believe that road shut down to thru traffic. The 118 also has a back way too, through Moorpark.
So, Im not going to lie. Going down the grade is much better than trying to drive up the grade, cuz you can go fast. In fact you can travel fast enough to get a ticket. Going up a lot of cars do not have enough Ooooomph to get their loads up the hill. So plan to be sitting a while. And during the week its even worse with all the big rigs having to visit the weigh station and CHP office. Luckily all my cars have that extra punch, so Im not the one you will be honking at.
Now going down, you may be lucky enough to spot the old Native American profile carved into the rock. Its huge. He will be on your left hand side. If you miss it, don't worry. There is plenty of beautiful scenery to entice your eyes. Lots of rocks, hills, vegetation and on a clear day you can see the ocean. But at night, you wont see anything, since its pitch black. Occasionally, you may see the ghost hitch hiker. Whatever you do, don't pick him up. If you do, the same thing happens everytime. He tells you a story, then disappears from your car. It's true. My brother told me years and years ago.
Now, if your hungry your outta luck. Once you pass the Wendys and start going down, there is no food or gas for miles. Miles!! If your going up, the last good spot would be In and Out. So, be prepared. Fuel up the tank and the belly.
The Conejo grade brings back memories of the hundreds of trips to the the VC beaches with my family. And all the trips I took with my grandmother to visit my Great Grandmothers house.
Review #638 read more