Top 5 Spots for Free Wi-Fi in Agoura Hills

In this age of instant access, staying connected is important, whether you use a laptop or another wireless device. If you are not at home and are looking for service, you can try and hack into someone else's network by guessing random passwords (entertaining, but never a good idea), or you can patch (no pun intended) into a local vendor offering free Internet access.

We cruised the hills of Agoura Hills in search of the top five hot spots for Wi-Fi access, and here they are:

1. Starbucks, 5827 Kanan Rd. 

Hook up your laptop and a latte at the same time. Starbucks has what you need to get your day going strong: coffee, pastries, sandwiches and instant wireless access. For you music lovers, don't forget to pick up a card with a code for a free iTunes download of the Starbucks music "Pick of the Week."

Open Monday-Friday, 4:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Saturday, 5:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.; Sunday, 5:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.

2. Bruegger's Bagels, 5879 Kanan Rd.

Your morning telecommute just got better with a hot brewed coffee and bagels at Bruegger's. Sit and stay a while with Bruegger's free Wi-Fi service.

Open Monday-Friday, 6 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday,  7 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

3.  Tifa Chocolate & Gelato, 5013 Kanan Rd.

For a smaller, more intimate setting, set up shop at Tifa. Be sure to enjoy a  chocolate drink or some cool gelato. Don't get any on your keyboard. And be on the lookout for Agoura Hills Patch .

Open Monday, 10 a.m.- 7 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday and Sunday, 1 p.m.-9 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-11 p.m.

4. McDonald's, 29161 Canwood St.

Ever evolving, McDonald's now offers gourmet-style coffee drinks, and this location also offers a conference room (must book ahead) and free Wi-Fi to go along with your two all beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles all on a sesame seed bun.

Open Monday-Sunday, 5 a.m.-11 p.m.

5. Agoura Hills Public Library, 29901 Ladyface Ct.

Although no coffee or food is available, free computer and Internet access is open to customers in good standing (no excessive fees or overdue materials) on a first-come, first-served basis, with a time limit of two hours a day. Reservations can be made. The first 10 pages of printing is free, 15 cents a page afterward.

Open Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Thursday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed Monday and Sunday.

Wherever you choose to hook up, plug in or get connected, be sure to share your favorite Wi-Fi hot spot with Patch.