Art and entertainment in Ventura County is found in many venues ranging from large and elaborate theaters to small, more intimate sites which provide entertainment from professionals as well as local amateur theater groups and orchestras. There are also museums housing a wide variety of information about the area’s history and cultural development.
A great place to start is at the Ventura County Museum of History and Art located in Ventura which is a premiere source of information and artifacts of the history of the area as is the Stagecoach Inn Museum in Newbury Park and the Reyes Adobe Museum in Agoura Hills. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Museum and Library in Simi Valley gives you a view into the life of the former actor, Governor, and President.
The Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza is a mega complex that includes the Thousand Oaks City Hall, an 1,800-seat theater for performing arts, meetings rooms, and a five-acre park. The Civic Arts Plaza offers everything from contemporary to classic entertainment. The Lobby also does double duty as a fine art gallery for local and international known artists. Next door to the Civic Arts Plaza is Lakes at Thousand Oaks which offers a great place for dining or shopping before a show.
In Camarillo, you can enjoy live performances of musicals and dramas at the Camarillo Community Theater or the Marquie Dinner Theater, or a pleasant outdoor performance at the Performing Arts Pavilion at Constitution Park which is next to City Hall.
Take a Day Trip!
Though not located within Ventura County, there are some really fun places to visit on a day trip which are within a reasonable drive to Orange County. Among those are Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm which are about an hour away. In Los Angeles County, less than an hour away, is Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal Studios, Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier. And last but not least, Santa Barbara, known as the American Riveria with its vibrant artistic community, is about 45 minutes to the north. |