Civic Arts Plaza
Rate this placeNearby: El Parque De La Paz Estrella Park
Last Updated: December 5, 2025
The Civic Arts Plaza is a performing arts center in Thousand Oaks, California, that features two theaters: the Fred Kavli Theatre for the Performing Arts and the Janet and Ray Scherr Forum Theatre.
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Summary
The venue has been a cultural hub since it opened in 1994, hosting concerts, plays, musicals, ballet performances, and more.
The Civic Arts Plaza is a great place to visit for anyone interested in the arts. The center regularly hosts a wide variety of performances, from touring Broadway shows to local theater productions. Some recent highlights include "Hamilton," "Wicked," and "The Lion King." The center also offers classes and workshops for people interested in learning more about the arts.
One of the most notable features of the Civic Arts Plaza is the Fred Kavli Theatre, which seats 1,800 people and boasts state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. The theater is known for its exceptional acoustics, making it a popular venue for music performances. The Janet and Ray Scherr Forum Theatre is a smaller, more intimate space that is perfect for smaller productions and events.
Visitors to the Civic Arts Plaza can also enjoy the surrounding area, which features a variety of restaurants, shops, and other attractions. The center is located in Thousand Oaks, which is a beautiful city in Ventura County. Thousand Oaks is known for its natural beauty, with parks and hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
The best time of year to visit the Civic Arts Plaza depends on what types of events you are interested in. The center hosts performances year-round, so there is always something to see. However, the fall and winter months tend to be the busiest, with many holiday-themed shows and events.
Overall, the Civic Arts Plaza is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in the arts. With its world-class theaters, diverse programming, and beautiful location, it is sure to provide a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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