With wintertime and seasonal stress upon us, take time to recharge, rejuvenate and refresh your spirits. Escape to a place whose weather remains constant and sunny days abound even in the winter months. Here in Camarillo, we are proud to offer many fun ways to take a break. From exploring the outdoors to experiencing new drinks and dining to festive celebrations, we wish you plenty of wellness and memories this holiday season!
Connect with nature at Channel Islands National Park
Take a walk in a true winter wonderland: the Channel Islands National Park. Sure, snowy cities boast sledding and snowboarding, but here along the California coast, you can spend the holidays on the islands!
No need to bundle up; the comfortable winter weather is perfect for spending time outdoors. Hike, bike or take a kayak tour around the five islands and explore the flora and fauna. The Channel Islands National Park is home to native plant and animal species that aren’t found anywhere else on Earth. Whale Watching is also available starting mid-December through early April. The winter months are perfect for viewing the Pacific Gray whales migrating through the Santa Barbara Channel from their feeding grounds in Alaska. Contact Island Packers for more information.
Step away from the hustle and bustle of holiday planning and festivities and enter a world of bountiful natural beauty.
New winter eats & classic treats
Camarillo’s food scene, thanks to our agricultural roots, has always been about fresh, top-notch ingredients. What makes our regional cuisine extra special, though, is the huge mix of cultural and ethnic heritages of the many different members of our community. Seafood, steak, Mexican, vegan, Chinese, hot dogs, sushi, English tea, Vietnamese pho, pizza, Indian curry, Japanese ramen, Greek, Thai, apple pie – all are equally delicious in Camarillo. Search for whatever you’re craving here in our restaurant guide.
There are also several new eateries in town to try this winter:
Latitude 34
Latitude 34 recently celebrated its grand opening at the Camarillo Premium Outlets, and reviews have been spectacular. Led by Chef Alex Castillo, the restaurant and bar aims for an upscale dining experience that highlights the best of our local food products in a California-fusion style. We recommend the lobster bisque, the roasted Jidori chicken and the short rib enchiladas, to name just a few highlights. And do not skip the expertly crafted cocktails from the very impressive bar list. Cozy up this winter with a holiday beverage to warm yourself up. Happy hour takes place Monday through Friday!
Old Town Smoothie Bar
Also new on the scene is Old Town Smoothie Bar. This sweet shop serves up 100% natural smoothies that are as great tasting as they are healthful. Now, we might be a little biased here, but our favorite concoction has to be the Camarillo Berry Bliss, a special collaboration between Visit Camarillo and the Old Town Smoothie Bar. They combine raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, blackberry and vanilla into a smoothie that celebrates our local berry growers.
Common Perk Coffee Bar & Eatery
We also have two new independent coffee shops around, and we’re just buzzing about it. Common Perk Coffee Bar & Eatery is located at Village at the Park. They roast locally, and they also have a great food menu with avocado toasts and toasts with other fun toppings, sandwiches, all kinds of seasonal pastries and more. Don’t miss the bright purple Ube Crinkle Cookies!
Tree Lounge Coffee
Tree Lounge Coffee is another great stop in Old Town Camarillo. Their locally roasted coffee, teas and pastries are excellent, but this charming shop is also worth lots of repeat visits thanks to its ever-rotating art collection. They proudly display all kinds of art from local pros, students and creative types, and even host gallery-style events with live painting, DJs and more. It’s an artful addition to Camarillo culture.
Soup’s On!
Now that we’ve covered new eateries in town, we want to pay tribute to some classics, and if we’re talking about a winter road trip, then we have soup on the brain! Warm up with a bowl of Vietnamese pho from Basil and Mint Cafe & Bar, some Japanese ramen from Cagami Ramen, Mexican albondigas from Agave Maria’s or the signature lentil soup from Greek Cuisine, just to name a few local favorites.
Get your Holiday Shopping done
Tis the season! The shopping season, that is, and we know a thing or two about shopping around here. The Camarillo Premium Outlets draw crowds from all over California and beyond at this time of year because there is truly no better place to get your whole holiday list covered in one stop. There are more than 160 name brand stores, along with eateries to fuel you along the way!
If you’re in search of some laid-back luxury, Prada, Versace, Jimmy Choo, Salvatore Ferragamo & Bally are some of the brands that you will find. You can’t go wrong with handbags, fragrance, shoes and clothes. Sports gear and adventure brands include Adidas, Nike, Dodgers Clubhouse, Merrell and an absolutely excellent Columbia Factory Store, which always has great holiday deals. Don’t skip Carter’s or OshKosh B’Gosh for the kids, and there are staple gift stores like Samsonite, Disney Outlet, Lids, Pura Vida, Swarovski and Le Creuset.
To find out about the latest deals and promotions, click here. New deals are added often, so check back frequently!
Lastly, to really take advantage of the savings, sign up for the Camarillo Premium Outlets VIP program. You get early access to sales, special events and exclusive deals just for VIPs. Plus it’s free. Holiday shopping, done!
Grab gifts for the thrillseeker
In addition to shopping at great stores, you can also shop for some exceptionally cool experiences in Camarillo. Orbic Helicopters is committed to providing exceptional helicopter services with safety and customer satisfaction as top priorities. They offer the most beautiful helicopter tours of Camarillo and Ventura County. There is no better way to experience the beauty of California’s south coast than from the panoramic bubble of a low-flying helicopter. For an even more active adventure, consider purchasing a gift trip from Skyrider Ultralights. They offer training sessions, lessons and much more for the pilot wannabe in your life!
Enjoy U-picking at a local farm
Celebrate Camarillo’s agricultural heritage with a visit to Underwood Family Farms. You can head a few minutes outside Camarillo to their Somis Farm Center for U-pick, which is all about delicious raspberries and blackberries at this time of year! Or between Thanksgiving and Christmas, families can visit their Moorpark Farm Center for tons of holiday fun, including Christmas tree sales, farm animals dressed up, visits from Santa and more. For organic fruits and vegetables directly in Camarillo, try the Roadside Farmers Market at McGrath Family Farm, open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, except Mondays.
Spend time relaxing and enjoying the season! Plan your next Winter Road Trip to Camarillo using the booking tool below. Happy Holidays!