Ever wanted to know more about beautiful Camarillo? Here are 10 fun facts about our charming city.
Located in California’s Ventura Valley, nine miles from the Pacific Ocean, Camarillo is a beautiful destination with a near-perfect climate…
Originally a 10,000 acre ranch, bought by the Camarillo family in the mid-1870s, Camarillo as a city, didn’t truly begin its expansion until the 1950s, after the U.S. Route 101 was constructed.
Today, it’s Ventura County’s fourth largest city and one of the safest places to live in California; complete with a diverse range of visitor attractions, vibrant dining scene, and amazingly friendly locals.
1. Near-Perfect Climate
Enjoy the warm spring weather with a hike and take in the fresh blooming flowers along the way. Camarillo is a sunny city, in fact it receives more than 300 days of sunshine each year. Staying true to its Spanish name, the city has a summer Mediterranean climate and the average monthly temperature doesn’t go above 71.6 °F.
2. Adolfo Camarillo
Camarillo gets its name from Adolfo Camarillo, an important local businessman and philanthropist who helped build much of the original town. He supported the local community in many ways, including donating 50 acres of land to build the local high school, which was then named after him. He was a landowner, rancher and also bred horses.
3. Camarillo Ranch House
Planning a spring wedding? Book your special day at the Camarillo Ranch House, a top tourist destination. This 6,000 square foot Victorian property was built in 1892 for $10,000 by architects Herman Anlauf and Franklin Ward, who were hired by Adolfo Camarillo. It originally had six bedrooms, two-bathrooms and was designed in Queen Anne-style. Now you can explore the ranch yourself as it is open to the public as a house museum.
4. Camarillo White Horses
Another of Adolfo Camarillo’s legacies, the Camarillo White Horse has been bred in Ventura County since the early 20th Century. In 1910, Camarillo bought Sultan, a beautiful stallion he found in the California State Fair in Sacramento. After breeding him with his Morgan mares, Camarillo created a line of stunning horses with characteristics that include pink skin and a pure white coat. Thanks to their beauty, the Camarillo White Horses even appeared in the opening ceremony of the Los Angeles Olympics in 1932. While they are mostly kept by private owners, you can often see them for yourself at Adolfo’s Birthday Celebration and in the Camarillo Christmas Parade.
5. World Class Outlet Mall
Spend an afternoon shopping for spring and summer styles in Camarillo. A top destination for shoppers, thanks to the city’s famous Camarillo Premium Outlets® – a pleasant outdoor mall boasting over 160 outlet stores, featuring goods available to the public at bargain prices. Some of the mall’s top retailers include Nike Factory Store, Lululemon Athletica, Michael Kors, Tommy Hilfiger, and Kate Spade New York; while its excellent dining selection means no shortage of options when it comes to refueling.
6. Wedding Venues
Another fun fact is that Camarillo is a city of love! In fact, the city boasts a staggering 33 different wedding venues, each with something unique to offer to the discerning bride and groom. From rustic ranches to fabulous country clubs, Camarillo is the ideal place to plan the perfect spring wedding celebration.
7. Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology
February is National Bird Month and bird enthusiasts will love Camarillo’s Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology – a museum that houses the world’s largest collection of birds eggs and nests! With a mission to protect and manage its collections, and educate the public about bird conservation, it’s a great initiative to support. Tours are offered twice per week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, at 1 or 3 pm via reservation.
8. Commemorative Air Force World War II Aviation Museum
Camarillo’s WWII Aviation Museum is home to WWII-era aircraft – twelve of which can still fly! Packed full of historical artifacts, and with an interesting aviation library and gift shop onsite, this museum has become a top attraction in Camarillo.
9. Skydiving School
Experience the beautiful sights of the spring landscape from above. Camarillo is an adrenaline junkie’s dream thanks to Skydive Coastal California, a certified skydiving school that provides all the equipment, pre-flight instruction, and experienced instructors you need, to enjoy this extreme sport. First-timers will free fall for 40 seconds at 120 mph, and then gently come down to earth, on a parachute, safely harnessed to your instructor. More experienced free fallers can become qualified solo-jumpers, and experts can practice belly flying from 5,000 feet, freeflying, and even try out the center’s new birdman suit.
10. Channel Islands Aviation
Channel Islands Aviation, Camarillo’s first full service FBO, has been serving general aviation in Ventura County since 1976! Become a pilot at this leading flight training school at the Camarillo Airport.