Day Tripping through Simi Valley

By Don Sonderling

Since its incorporation in 1969, Simi Valley has acquired a well-earned reputation as a suburban community offering a relaxed lifestyle and inviting place to raise a family. Located in the southeastern portion of Ventura County, it is probably best known as home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. However, Simi Valley has many charms, making this a fun, interesting day trip destination. If you are looking for culture, history, something quirky, and wide-open spaces away from the hustle and bustle of city crowds, you’ll want to visit Simi Valley. It’s full of best-kept secrets for a wide range of interests and ages.

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Tri-tip tribe: Searching for the best barbecue on the Central Coast

Story and photos by Katherine McMahon

Barbecue: Technically, it’s just food cooked over a flame. The term comes from a Native American word for slow cooking meat over a fire. But today there is so much cultural complexity that goes along with the word, particularly when meat is involved. Depending on where you’re at and who you ask, you’ll get very different definitions. While many famous barbecue styles come from the southern U.S., there are countless other varieties like Hawaiian, Korean, and even a style native to the Central Coast dubbed Santa Maria style. In my travels on the Central Coast, I have eaten at barbecue restaurants that encompass a range of tradition and innovation, drawing from regional preferences and those across the globe.

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Fall Comfort Food

By Randy Graham

Fall brings a yearning for cozy blankets, hot apple cider, and comfort foods here on California’s Central Coast. One of my go-to comfort foods is poutine with plenty of tangy gravy.

My riff features French fries, cheese curds, and gravy made with vegetable stock and rice vinegar. If you’re looking for comfort food for Halloween or Día de Los Muertos, give my quesofundido a try. It is good with a bowl of fresh tortilla chips or small handmade flour tortillas for dipping. If you need to provide comfort food to vegetarians visiting at Thanksgiving, we have you covered there too.

Try my veggie meatballs made with walnuts, onions, fresh sage, and mild longhorn cheese. Veg heads and meat lovers of all ages love this recipe. AnotherThanksgiving favorite of mine is my mom’s riced potatoes recipe, made with russet potatoes, butter, half-and-half, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese.

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Central Coast Hikes

Story and photos by Adam Nuñez

Finding harmony in Harmon Canyon Preserve

Follow the trails of the Harmon Canyon Preserve, and you’ll traverse over grassy hills and under knotted oak trees. You’ll pass fragrant sage plants and hear the skitter of wildlife through the thick brush. Bobcats, deer, coyotes, raccoons, skunks, and badgers have been spotted here — along with human hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers, too.

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Discovering Old Town Camarillo

Culture, community, and culinary creativity with a Central Coast flare

By Nicole Leonetti

I have a confession to make: I have lived in Los Angeles for almost 12 years, and I only just went to Old Town Camarillo for the first time a few weeks ago. I would zoom past it on my way to Santa Barbara several times a year, and that was that. But now that I’ve gotten off Hwy 101 and explored the area, I can’t believe I didn’t visit sooner. The multitude of restaurants, shops, and activities match up perfectly with my idea of a good time. Also, Old Town’s proximity to the Camarillo Outlets and the Metrolink are a huge plus. But perhaps I found Old Town at exactly the right time. There is currently a sense of community in Old Town that I have yet to experience elsewhere. The term “hidden gem” is overused, but that’s what I discovered upon my first visit. Take your time and enjoy all that Old Town Camarillo has to offer. It’s worth it!

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