In Ventura County,
the City of Camarillo is located in the
Pleasant Valley at the bottom of the Conejo Grade. Many consider this the
line of demarcation, separating Los Angeles from the Central Coast.
Though some L.A. commuters live in the area, the look and feel of
Camarillo is distinctively refreshing and open. With Highway 101 passing
through the city (pictured above), thousands of travelers per day
stop to enjoy Camarillo's fine outlet shops and dining opportunities.
Camarillo is also home to two fabulous museums. The historic
Camarillo Ranch (top left photo) recently opened its doors for the first
ever public viewing of a spectacular, 17-room Victorian home. There's also
a wonderful air museum with brand new hangars housing several war planes
(right photo) that are being refurbished, and for sports enthusiasts, there
are four public golf courses.
Located 17 miles east of Ventura, the city was named after
Juan Camarillo who came to San Buenaventura in 1857 and purchased Rancho
Calleguas in 1875.
Average annual high temperature: 72 degrees
Average annual rainfall: 13.40 inches
Camarillo Chamber of Commerce 2400 E. Ventura Blvd
805-484-4383. camarillochamber.org.
Points of Interest:
CAMARILLO RANCH Open Wednesdays -Noon to 4 PM, Saturdays
-10 AM to 2 PM and Sundays -Noon to 4 PM, 201 Camrillo Ranch Road, Camarillo,
CA Phone: 805.389.8182 - Docent led tours of a Queen Anne style
Victorian house on a 4 and 1/2 acre ranch. Operated by the Camarillo
Ranch Foundation, the 17-room mansion contains 6,000 square feet of interior
space and includes two staircases, Victorian exhibits, a gift shop and
beautiful gardens. Built in 1892 as a family residence for Isabel Camarillo
from her loving 28-year old husband, Adolfo, this gracious place has captured
the hearts of guests such as Hollywood celebrities Tom Mix and Rita Hayworth.
Adolfo Camarillo, founder of the City of Camarillo, once managed a 10,000
acre ranch where he developed a breed of horse, the Camarillo White Horse,
which is seen in parades today. The prominent figure in local history served
as Ventura County Supervisor, as well. He died in 1958. The City
of Camarillo acquired the ranch house and a portion of the original property
in 1998 and operates it through the Camarillo Ranch Foundation. Seeking
to preserve the legacy of a prominent Mexican-American family through education
and interpretation of the historic site, we recommend you veer off the
beaten path of Highway 101 at Flynn Road where you can find Camarillo Ranch
Road adjacent to 101.
THE CONFEDERATE AIRFORCE MUSEUM Tuesday through
Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Confederate Air Force/World War II Aviation
Museum. Camarillo Airport Tours of vintage WWII aircraft, including a Japanese
Zero fighter, A Grumman F8F-2 Fighter and a North American B-25 Mitchell
Bomber. TAKES WING — The Confederate Airforce Museum in nearby Camarillo
has a greater story to tell. The museum has now moved into two new large
hangers with new exhibits, new permanent and visiting aircraft, and, according
to officials, more to come! The newest large aircraft donation is a fully
restored and flyable 1954 Convair C- 131 D Transport that is located inside
the hanger. The interior of the transport aircraft is now part of the regular
tour. Also part of the tour is a restoration hanger where a WWII B-25 Mitchell
Bomber and a real Japanese Zero Fighter are being restored into flying
condition. The Confederate Airforce Museum is located at 455 Aviation Drive
at Eubanks Street at the Camarillo Airport. For more information,
call 805/482-0064.
Certified Farmers' Market - Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. 12 Noon
Ventura Boulevard between Elm & Fir. Locally grown fresh flowers, fruits
& vegetables and bakery items.
Golf - all are 18 Hole Public Courses
Buenaventura Golf Course 5882 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura
805-642-2231
Camarillo Springs Golf Course 791 Camarillo Springs Road
805-484-1075
Olivas Park Golf Course 3750 Olivas Park Drive, Ventura
805-642-4303
Sterling Hills Golf Course Sterling Hills Dr, Camarillo
805-987-3446
City web site: ci.camarillo.ca.us/
Camarillo Star newspaper: staronline.com
