Santa Paula is located within Ventura County and the Santa Clara River Valley, about six miles from Fillmore. Easily accessed from State Highway 126, the Santa Clara River Valley offers camping, hiking, water sports, golf, shopping, antiquing, sightseeing, and museum stops. About six miles from Santa Paula is the Sespe Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area of the Los Padres National Forest.

Santa Paula also counts among its recreational opportunities, an extensive antique airplane collection at the Santa Paula Airport. Many of the planes are on display the first Sunday of each month. Santa Paula is the valley's chief city.

With a population of approximately 29,182 (2007), Santa Paula is known as the Citrus Capital of the world. In fact, the county's first commercial orange groves were planted here in 1872, and agriculture is still the area's most important industry. Santa Paula was originally part of a Spanish land grant. Oil was discovered in the late 1800s, leading to the birth of the Union Oil Company, commemorated at the Santa Paula Union Oil Museum. The city's population grew following the discovery of oil, and prominent families built exquisite homes in their new community, many of which have been preserved or restored. On walking tours, you'll discover striking examples of Victorian and Craftsman architecture along tree-lined streets. You'll also find many new homes in Santa Paula.

Ojai is situated in the Ojai Valley which include the unincorporated towns of Casitas Springs, Oak View, Mira Monte and Meiners Oaks. It is a popular retirement community and the major industry is agriculture. The excellent climate and natural beauty of Ojai, along with the area's hot mineral springs, have provided Ojai with a reputation as a place to rejuvenate the mind and body. There are several world-renowned spas and resorts in the area and there is widespread emphasis on wellness and good health among the residents of the area.

The Ojai Valley has peaceful country views and spectacular mountain ranges. Horseback riding and hiking are popular pastimes in this area of graceful oaks and scenic waterfalls. The architecture of Ojai owes much to its Spanish influence. The downtown arcade has a Spanish-style facade and there is a mission-style arch and pergola at the downtown park bearing the name of Edward D. Libbey, a wealthy glass manufacturer who set out to make Ojai into "a dream city of soft harmonies, smooth flowing line and warm colors." Dream city or not, Ojai does have a wide choice of housing styles to suit almost any taste.

Ojai is and has always been, an artistic community, attracting writers, photographers, painters, musicians, composers, sculptors, potters, weavers, and jewelry makers. The Ojai Center for the Arts is the oldest continually operating arts center in California. Painting, poetry, theater, dance, and music classes and workshops are held at the center throughout the yea and the center also produces art shows, theater productions, poetry festivals, crafts fairs and dances. Those who consider shopping an art will be pleased with Ojai's myriad of shops, bookstores and galleries along with many indoor- outdoor restaurants and coffeehouses.

The last, best small town in Southern California. (self proclaimed, but probably true!) Fillmore was named one of "The West's Best Cities", by Sunset Magazine, an honor given to only 24 communities in the western U.S.

Nestled in the heart of the Heritage Valley, it was founded over a hundred years ago beside a Southern Pacific railroad station and still retains the feel of a railroad town! Approximately 14,690 folks make there home here (Jan. 2004).

Today, visitors can board the Fillmore and Western historical train in Central Park, next to stately City Hall, and enjoy a leisurely, scenic ride through lush citrus groves and farms of the Santa Clara River Valley.

The historic downtown area offers a variety of shops, museums and places to eat.

Choices in housing range from charming Craftsman homes and bungalows to modern tract homes and everything in between: and it's a convenient commute to Santa Clarita area or to the coast.

Oxnard

Oxnard is named after the family that developed the first major industry here, a sugar beet factory in the 1890's. From time to time someone suggests changing Oxnard's name to something else--Channel Islands to name one example. So far, it's still Oxnard! (Although many folks do refer to the area or Oxnard adjacent to the harbor and beach as Channel Islands.) That's why we say "Oxnard... more than just a pretty name."

Oxnard has a commuter service airport that accommodates small aircraft. Shuttles there will take you to and from Los Angeles International Airport. The Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard is a classic seaside area offering everything for the ocean lover. Visit Maritime Museum or one of its many fine restaurants and shops. It is a favorite hangout for tourists and locals alike.

Housing ranges from modest to magnificent. And Oxnard has the best housing values in Ventura County. The beach neighborhoods, Oxnard Shores, Hollywood Beach, Hollywood-by-the-Sea, Silverstrand are the some of the nicest and most affordable to be found anywhere between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. The Channel Islands Marina extends under Harbor Boulevard with single family homes and condos on the water. Slightly inland, there are more housing choices, from Historic "F" Street and the surrounding neighborhood with its classic "California Craftsman" homes, to the homes and townhomes surrounding the River Ridge Golf Course. Oxnard has something for everyone.

Surrounded by acres of rich farmland, miles of uncrowded beaches, and boasting one of the best climates in the world, you may find Oxnard the perfect place to call home.

The City of Port Hueneme (pronounced "Why-nee-mee") is located on the south central coast of California, 60 miles north of Los Angeles and 50 miles south of Santa Barbara. Neighboring communities include Oxnard, Ventura, and Camarillo. Offering beach-style living, Port Hueneme features long sandy beaches and lush agricultural fields. Crimes per capita are among the lowest in the county.

Plent of housing choices and similar to Oxnard, it has some of the most affordable housing in Ventura County. Hueneme Elementary School District is nationally recognized for its schools. The city's percentage of high school graduates outpaces the both County and State. For higher education, California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI), as well as a local community college, are within a 20-minute drive of Port Hueneme.

Those who have finished school and are into the work force will enjoy Port Hueneme's diverse economy. Major industries in the area include manufacturing and tourism; and Port Hueneme is the home of the US Navy's "Pacific Seabees." Port Hueneme is also the location of the largest commercial deep-water harbor between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Port Hueneme has one of the most beautifully maintained beach park in Ventura County, and there are over 90 acres of parkland within the city. Local facilities include a community center, library, historical museum, athletic center, and cultural arts center.

The weather in the area is amenable to just about any recreational pursuit with mean monthly low temperatures ranging from 45 to 58 degrees, and mean monthly maximum temperatures ranging from 52 to 71 degrees. Rainfall averages between 9 and 14 inches per year.