Note from Us: This is our first installment of 'Old Summer Favorites - New Summer Finds.'

In addition to the story that follows, you'll come across some fun Summer 'buttons' -- sharing some favorites and finds from our readers.

We thank those who sent along their favorites. On with the show!

July 19, 2003 -- Thousand Oaks, California

Thousand Oaks is a well-appointed town out in Ventura County. Probably best known for being one of America's safest cities, it is mostly residential. Sure, it is also home to California Lutheran University, The Thousand Oaks Auto Mall, Dole Foods, and The Civic Arts Plaza, but Thousand Oaks is very suburban, very pristine, very planned, and just a tad bit snooty.

Not that there's anything wrong with that.

After all, I consider Thousand Oaks to be my hometown. My parents still live there, it's been the haven of many a celebrity, and was once home to Jungleland, a wild animal preserve that was probably the closest thing T.O. had to a tourist attraction.

'Gardens of the World' community park opened a few years ago on Thousand Oaks Boulevard, and we recently had a chance to check it out.