Conejo Valley Botanic Garden offers full schedule of activities

The Conejo Valley Botanic Garden just may be one of the best kept secrets in the city of Thousand Oaks. Its knoll-top gardens offer breathtaking views of the city and Santa Monica Mountains, and its trails meander beneath oaks and above a riffling stream.

A variety of activities for all ages and interests is offered this summer. The following is a sampling of what's upcoming at the garden, located at 350 W. Gainsborough Road, Thousand Oaks, adjacent to Conejo Community Park.

Children are invited to visit the Kids' Adventure Garden on Sun., July 30 for a special crafts activity offered on an ongoing basis from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. In this special setting that features a tree house, dinosaur garden and more, children will learn the beautiful and intricate art of origami.

Admission to the garden is free but there is a $2 fee for the craft activity. Docents are available to teach children and their families about nature and gardening. For information about this garden created for the young, call (818) 889-0560.

Each month the garden hosts a native and water-wise plant sale. The next sale is from 10 a.m. to noon on Sat., Aug. 5 in the nursery area.

Ed Hager leads a tour of the Garden's rare fruit orchard once a month. His next walk will be at 2 p.m. Sun., Aug. 6. Guests will learn about unusual fruit trees and how they may grow these species in their home gardens. Sturdy shoes are recommended for the

orchard's terrain, and bottled water is suggested. There is no fee for the tour.

At 9:30 a.m. on the first and third Thursday of each month, a floral design in the Sogetsu style is offered in the Garden Center. The cost for each class is $15 plus $10 for flowers, or $50 per month. For more details on this class, call Camille at (805) 498-7421.