top of page

Things To Do in the Area

Welcome to Los Angeles! The county that is, we’re not in the city. Our wedding is in Agoura Hills, next to Calabasas and Westlake Village, near Thousand Oaks and Malibu. Technically, Thousand Oaks and half of Westlake are in Ventura County, and it’s all part of the Conejo Valley. Confused? That’s okay, that’s why we made this list, the best things to do in the area!

 

While there is a ton of stuff in this area, it primarily comes down to two things: the beach and the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Additionally, the cities themselves offer a couple worthwhile activities.

 

Here’s the breakdown (*** denotes our most recommended activities):

BEACHES: Southern California is known for its beaches, and Malibu has great ones. The quickest way there is Kanan Road to Pacific Coast Highway, although other canyon roads will get you there as well. The beaches are free, but you will most likely have to pay for parking. Here are the notable beaches in the area:

  • ***Zuma Beach: The most popular beach in Malibu and one of the most popular in Los Angeles. Hundreds of feet wide, two miles long, this beach is consistently ranked as one of the healthiest and cleanest in all of LA. The waves are great and dolphins can often be seen swimming in the surf.

  • Point Dume: A sandy, cliffy beach. Rock climbing is allowed (not too challenging, good for beginners), with anchors already in place. The final scene of Planet of the Apes was shot here, and this is the beach that Tony Stark’s mansion overlooks in Iron Man.

  • El Pescador State Beach: A less crowded beach that is popular with surfers.

  • ***El Matador State Beach (pictured): A popular yet secluded beach, since you have to walk down a semi-steep trail to get here.

  • Malibu Lagoon: Also known as Surfrider Beach, this is the best surf spot in LA. Adamson House and Malibu Lagoon Museum (see below) are here, and this beach also has a fishing pier.

  • ***Santa Monica State Beach: This one is a little far (20 miles south of Kanan), but since it (along with Venice) is the most popular beach in LA and one of the most famous beaches in the world, we thought we’d include it. Wide sandy shores, dirty water (because of the pier), and the world famous Santa Monica Pier. The nearby city has lots to offer as well.

 

 

 

 

SANTA MONICA MOUNTAINS NATIONAL RECREATION AREA: At 155,000 acres and 41 miles in length, this is the largest urban park in the US. As such, there is way too much to list here. But we’ve included the nearby sites, things that are cool and aren't too far to get to. Everything is free, unless otherwise noted.

  • ***Paramount Ranch (pictured): Back when Westerns were popular, all the movie studios built ranches where they could shoot the old west. This was Paramount’s ranch, built in 1927. It is so close to our wedding that you will literally drive by it on your way in.

  • Peter Strauss Ranch: An actual ranch, not a movie set. Built in 1926.

  • King Gillette Ranch: Another ranch, built by the Gillette shaving company guy. It costs $7 to park here, although free parking is available at the Santa Monica Mountains Visitor Center next door.

  • Malibu Creek State Park: A large park with tons of hiking, fishing, and rock climbing. But the best features are the mountain springs, the largest of which is a popular rock/cliff jumping destination. It costs $15 to park here.

  • Decker Canyon: A beautiful drive with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean. But be careful, it is a notoriously dangerous road, and apparently you can see the rusted chassis of cars that have gone over the edge. Rachel longboards down this road.

  • Hiking: Escondido Canyon Trailhead: A 3.8 mile roundtrip hike that takes you to two waterfalls, the larger one 150 feet tall. Zuma Canyon Trailhead: One of the easiest strolls in Malibu. 2.8 miles roundtrip. Solstice Canyon Trailhead: Another super-easy hike, this one 2.6 miles roundtrip. Backbone Trail: A 68 mile trail that travels the length of the Santa Monica Mountains. You can access the trail from Corral Canyon Road, which puts you a short hike from Castro Crest, a great lookout spot, and Corral Canyon Cave, a cave Jim Morrison used to visit to escape his rockstar life.

THEATERS

  • If you want to see a movie, there are lots of options. The closest are the Cinepolis Luxury Cinemas in the Westlake Promenade, the Regency Agoura Hills Stadium 8 on Agoura and Cornell, and the Westlake Village Twin Theaters (an arthouse theater) on Agoura between Westlake and Lindero Canyon. There are also theaters in The Oaks Mall, The Commons, and Malibu.

  • For live theater, check out the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, a premiere live entertainment venue. 2100 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks (805) 449-2100

 

WINERIES: Want to go wine tasting? There’ll be plenty at the wedding but it’s

okay if you want more! Check out these places:

  • Malibu Wines (pictured): 31740 Mulholland Hwy, Malibu (818) 865-0605

  • Cornell Winery: 29975 Mulholland Hwy, Agoura (818) 735-3542

 

OTHER THINGS TO DO

        The Commons.

        seems self-explanatory. 880 Hampshire Rd, Westlake (805) 557-1300

  • Leonis Adobe Museum: A ranch house built in 1844, one of the oldest

        surviving residences in LA. 23537 Calabasas Rd, Calabasas (818) 222-6511

  • Adamson House / Malibu Lagoon Museum: Another old LA residence.

        Reservations required. 23200 Pacific Coast Hwy, Malibu (310) 456-8432

 

 

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS

  • ***Brents Deli (pictured): Oh my God, this place is so good. Zagat rated as the best Jewish deli and top five most popular restaurant in Los Angeles. Their corned beef sandwich was featured on the Food Network. It’s inexpensive too. 2799 Townsgate Rd, Westlake (805) 557-1882

  • Stonefire Grill: Delicious BBQ chicken, tri-tip, and ribs. Killer breadsticks. Great salads, pizza, and pasta. Inexpensive. 3635 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, Thousand Oaks (805) 413-0300

  • Sagebrush Cantina: Famous Mexican/Tex-Mex cantina that features live music and other events. Popular with locals and bikers. 23527 Calabasas Rd, Calabasas (818) 222-6062

  • Western Bagel: Best bagels and bagel sandwiches in Los Angeles. 3825 E Thousand Oaks Blvd, Westlake (805) 496-0344

  • In-N-Out: If you are not from California and have never been to In-N-Out, drop everything and go; it is the most important thing you can do on your trip to LA. None are too close but the drive is worth it, this is the best fast food in the world. 1550 Newbury Rd, Thousand Oaks (9 miles west) or 19920 Ventura Blvd, Woodland Hills (13 miles east)

  • LAB Brewing: Next to the hotel and open until 2AM. Afterparty! 30105 Agoura Rd, Agoura Hills (818) 735-0091

 

 

If the restaurants above don’t do it for you, there’s plenty more to choose from. Kanan and Agoura has Jack in the Box, El Pollo Loco, Islands, and IHOP, and Agoura and Cornell features Wood Ranch BBQ as well as Mexican, Italian, Thai, and Japanese restaurants. There are tons of restaurants on Westlake, even more on Thousand Oaks Blvd, and even more at The Oaks Mall. The Commons and Malibu have their own restaurants too.

 

ICE CREAM: It’s summer, it’s LA, it’s hot. Here are a couple places you can get ice cream:

  • Baskin Robbins: Westlake and Agoura, Kanan and Thousand Oaks Blvd, The Commons

  • Cold Stone: Moorpark and Hillcrest

  • Haagen Daaz: The Oaks Mall

  • Menchies: Westlake Promenade, The Oaks Mall, The Commons

  • Yozen Frogurt: Westlake and Agoura

  • Pinkberry and Yogurtland: Westlake Promenade

 

 

SHOPPING

  • The Oaks Mall has three anchor stores (JCPenny, Macy’s, and Nordstroms) plus all the other stores malls have to offer. Additionally, near the mall you’ll find a Best Buy, Toys R Us, Big 5, CVS, Burlington Coat Factory, Friar Tux, and Men’s Warehouse.

  • Westlake Promenade has a Bed Bath and Beyond, Barnes and Noble, Urban Home, Sports Authority, and Do It Center.

 

DRUG STORES: The closest CVS is at Westlake and Agoura, and there is also one at Kanan and Thousand Oaks Blvd. The closest Rite Aid is at Kanan and Thousand Oaks Blvd.

 

SUPERMARKETS:

  • Ralphs: Westlake Promenade, Kanan and Thousand Oaks Blvd, The Commons, Malibu

  • Vons: Westlake and Agoura, Kanan and Thousand Oaks Blvd

  • Trader Joes: Kanan north of the 101, Westlake Promenade

  • Sprouts and Gelsons: Westlake and Agoura

bottom of page