Jungleland went out of business in 1969, and it wasn't until 1994 that the new Civic Arts Plaza [below] opened on that same plot of land. Directly across from the performing arts center, 'Gardens of the World' was built on land that for years was a lumberyard and run down saloon.

It's the creation of Ed and Lynn Hogan, Conejo Valley residents and founders of Pleasant Holidays Travel Company. The Hogan's created a foundation "as a means of expressing their appreciation to this important industry, and to give voice to their message that travel and tourism is a catalyst to world peace."

Since the Garden's main lot was reserved for a special event, we found parking on Thousand Oaks Boulevard. This turned out to be an advantage, as the main entrance off the street led us right into the gardens. [below]

The oversized wrought iron gates, [above] give the entrance a whimsical Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory sensibility. The beautiful and lush gardens are built on a lightly grated slope, and from the main entrance, the entire layout is revealed.

'Gardens of the World' provides a broad stroke trip around the globe with 6 different gardens designed by Landscape Architect Wendy L. Harper: [see map below] The Japanese Garden, The French Garden & Water Feature [also above], The Mission Courtyard, The English Perennial and Rose Garden, The Bandstand, and The Italian Garden.

It's certainly pretty, but saddling it 'Gardens of the World' does set up certain expectations.

The path encircling the gardens led us to the Mission Courtyard. Spanish olive trees, bougainvillea, and a bronze statue of Junipero Serra, create a pastiche of the California missions.