Getting Around Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks is a sprawling Southern California suburb built around the car, and that shapes every decision a visitor makes about getting around. The city sits in the Conejo Valley in Ventura County, in the northwestern part of Greater Los Angeles, and its wide roads and hilly terrain mean that a rental car is by far the most practical way to see the area. Public transport exists, but it is limited and infrequent, so plan ahead if you intend to rely on it.
By Car
Driving is the best option both for reaching Thousand Oaks and for getting around once you are there. An extensive network of wide roads connects one end of the city to the other; for example, you can drive from Newbury Park to California Lutheran University by staying on Lynn/Olsen Road. For longer hops, US 101 and State Route 23 can get you across town faster than city streets, depending on traffic.
- US 101 runs west to east, connecting Camarillo to Agoura Hills.
- State Route 23 runs south to north from Malibu up toward Fillmore, where it links to State Route 118 toward Simi Valley.
- Smaller local roads connect nearby county cities, including Portero Road from California State University Channel Islands and the outskirts of Camarillo, Moorpark Road from Moorpark, and Olsen Road from Simi Valley.
- Parking is usually free, and there is plenty of it, as in most suburban Southern California cities.
Rail: Amtrak and Metrolink
Thousand Oaks has no train station of its own. Because of the city's hilly geography, neither Amtrak nor Metrolink's Ventura County Line runs directly into town. The closest stations are Camarillo (to the west) and Moorpark (to the north). From either station you can continue into Thousand Oaks by intercity bus operated by VCTC or by ride-hailing. If you are arriving from Burbank Airport you can use Metrolink; Amtrak trains are an option from both Burbank and Santa Barbara.
Buses and Public Transport
Thousand Oaks Transit runs a handful of local bus lines, but service is unreliable by visitor standards: buses generally come only about once an hour, and a few stops are served even less often (the Dos Vientos Community Center on Route 40, and all stops on Route 44 east of Rancho Road serving Westlake Village). City buses run Monday to Saturday only — roughly 5:00 AM to 8:00 PM on weekdays and 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM on Saturdays.
The Oaks Mall and the Thousand Oaks Transit Center are the main hubs: all bus routes lead to one or the other, which makes transferring between routes convenient.
Fares are simple and cheap. As of January 2025, a regular one-way ride is $2, and passes are available for as little as $16 for a 10-ride or 7-day pass, or $50 for a 31-day pass.
Regional connections are handled by the Ventura County Transport Commission (VCTC), whose intercity buses also stop within Thousand Oaks. VCTC routes 50–55 connect Ventura and the San Fernando Valley, and routes 70–73X come from Simi Valley. From the Los Angeles side, LA Metro's 161 bus runs from the Canoga Orange Line station. LADOT commuter express buses 422 and 423 also serve the area, but their timetables are aimed at local commuters rather than visitors. Note that all of these services run infrequently because of the region's car-dependent layout, so check schedules before you set out.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Ride-hailing is a practical fallback throughout the city, and it is particularly useful for the "last leg" of a train trip — for example, getting from the Camarillo or Moorpark stations into Thousand Oaks. It is also the sensible choice for late evenings, when local buses have stopped running.
By Bike
Do not expect European-style cycling infrastructure. At best you will be riding in a painted lane on concrete surrounded by cars, on roads with speed limits that can reach 50 miles per hour. As a result, few residents cycle for commuting or errands. There are a few protected paths separated from traffic — notably around the Oaks Mall and Conejo Creek South Park — but they are sparse and do not connect directly to one another. An e-bike is strongly recommended given the hilly terrain, unless you are prepared for a serious workout on a regular bike. Bike parking ranges from small racks to none at all, depending on where you go.
By Foot
Walking is a last resort. Thousand Oaks is a sprawling suburb and it is incredibly hilly, which makes getting around on foot exhausting rather than pleasant.
Getting There from the Airport
Thousand Oaks has no direct air service, so you will fly into a nearby airport and continue overland. Driving is the best option from all of them, despite the region's heavy traffic — the alternatives are more limited in quality.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) — the closest major airport to Thousand Oaks and your best bet for a flight arrival.
- Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR) — closer, but with limited commercial air service. Metrolink and Amtrak connections are possible from Burbank.
- Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) — lets you approach Thousand Oaks from the west, also with limited commercial service. Amtrak trains are an option from Santa Barbara.
- Camarillo, Oxnard, and Santa Paula have nearby airports, but these are small general-aviation fields with no commercial air service at all.
Whichever airport you choose, expect to finish the journey by car, or by combining a train to Camarillo or Moorpark with a VCTC bus or a ride-hailing trip into the city.