Everything Camarillo is known for
Songs written about the waterways and highways that run near Camarillo.
Santa Paula sits nestled in the Santa Clara River Valley, a town with a surprising number of famous names attached to it. Though perhaps not as widely known as Hollywood just down the coast, the small city has produced talent that's echoed across the country.
Ventura is a place where surf meets innovation, and where the past lingers just beneath the surface. Walk around downtown, and you might hear whispers of the rumored tunnel system snaking beneath the historic buildings near Mission San Buenaventura, a structure whose establishment in 1782 really kicked off the town's growth. Ventura has long drawn people seeking opportunity, from agricultural workers drawn to the fertile fields to entrepreneurs like Yvon Chouinard, who founded Patagonia here in 1973.
Ventura owes its existence to the Pacific. Mission San Buenaventura, established in 1782, needed a coastal location for trade and communication, setting the stage for the town’s later incorporation. The fertile Oxnard Plain, accessible through Ventura, fueled an agricultural boom, while the beaches drew early tourists. Even the presence of Patagonia, founded in 1973, speaks to the area's outdoor appeal and proximity to prime surfing and climbing spots. The devastating 1969 oil spill, a stark reminder of the coast’s vulnerability, also inadvertently galvanized a strong environmental consciousness that persists today. While tourism brochures highlight the beaches and historic Main Street, complete with rumored underground tunnels, locals know the real draw is harder to define. It's a place where folks can catch a wave in the morning and still make it to Los Angeles by lunchtime. The Los Angeles Rams' recent Super Bowl win only adds to the region's luster, even as the ever-present threat of rising sea levels underscores the need to protect what makes Ventura unique. The annual rivalry game between Ventura and Buena High Schools reflects that local pride, that sense of belonging to a place that's more than just a pretty picture on a postcard.
22 stories, landmarks & places within ~20 miles — the same local lore RoadyGoat plays as you drive through.
Imagine a California where cattle roamed freely and lima beans stretched as far as the eye could see. That was life at Camarillo Ranch, and this stunning house was its heart. In 1892, Adolfo Camarillo, a prominent…
Camarillo's story is one of transformation, from vast agricultural fields to a thriving suburban community. The legacy of Adolfo Camarillo's rancho is palpable; his success in lima bean farming laid the foundation for…
Newbury Park wasn't exactly born; it sort of accumulated, like sediment at the bottom of a slow-moving river. The Chumash people, of course, knew this land long before any European boots trod on its sun-baked hills.…
Imagine stagecoach travelers resting here on their journey between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara in this preserved 19th-century hotel. Back then, this spot was known as the Grand Union Hotel, a welcome sight for weary…
Oxnard owes its very existence to sugar. Specifically, the Oxnard brothers' sugar beet factory, which sprouted from the flat, fertile fields of the Santa Clara River Valley in the late 19th century. This single industry…
Santa Paula sits nestled in the Santa Clara River Valley, a town with a surprising number of famous names attached to it. Though perhaps not as widely known as Hollywood just down the coast, the small city has produced…
Right here, in this seemingly ordinary building, California's oil boom was ignited! Back in 1890, this was the Santa Paula Hardware Company, but upstairs, history was being made. On October 17th, the Union Oil Company…
Legend says the Glen Tavern Inn is haunted, but even if you don't believe in ghosts, this place has seen some history! Built in 1911, the Glen Tavern Inn quickly became a popular destination in the Santa Clara River…
Pull over for a peek at a piece of architectural history: Case Study House Number 28, right here in Thousand Oaks. This house, designed by Conrad Buff and Donald Hensman, was built between 1965 and 1966 as part of the…
Imagine a time when cattle ranches stretched as far as the eye could see across Southern California. This is the Joel McCrea Ranch, a rare surviving glimpse into that era. In 1933, the famous actor Joel McCrea and his…
Thousand Oaks wasn't always the planned community it is today. Long before Amgen or the construction of Highway 101, this area was home to the Chumash people. Their presence isn't as visible as the oak trees that gave…
Imagine this spot in 1837, the heart of a sprawling rancho! This is the Olivas Adobe, built by Raymundo Olivas. Olivas received over 2,000 acres from Governor Alvarado in 1841, naming it Rancho San Miguel. The land was…
Ever wonder who owned all this land back in the day? This spot was the heart of Rancho Simi, a massive Spanish land grant. In the early 1840s, Rancho Simi was a sprawling estate, granted by the Spanish government. It…
Simi Valley wasn't always the suburban expanse it is today. Long before tract homes and shopping centers, the area belonged to the Chumash people, who thrived on the oak-studded hills and fertile valley floor. They…
See a show at this beautifully restored 1920s movie palace, which has hosted countless music legends. The Ventura Theatre opened in 1928 during Ventura's oil boom. Imagine the excitement! It wasn't just a theater; it…
Ventura is a place where surf meets innovation, and where the past lingers just beneath the surface. Walk around downtown, and you might hear whispers of the rumored tunnel system snaking beneath the historic buildings…
Imagine pirates landing on this very shore! Mission San Buenaventura, founded on March 31, 1782, was the ninth and last mission personally established by Junípero Serra. It was built with the labor of the local Chumash…
Agora Hills, nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, owes its existence to a confluence of factors that transformed it from ranch land to a desirable suburb. Its location, strategically positioned…
Agoura Hills owes much of its character to a blend of geography and accessibility. Nestled in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains at nearly a thousand feet, the area offered a more secluded, almost rural feel…
Marvel at the ingenuity of this 18th-century aqueduct, which brought water to the mission for miles. The San Buenaventura Mission Aqueduct was a seven-mile long structure built to carry water from the Ventura River to…
Ever wonder what you'd do with thousands of discarded bottles? Grandma Prisbrey knew! From the 1950s to the 1970s, Tressa Prisbrey, affectionately known as Grandma Prisbrey, used bottles and other recycled materials to…
Malibu’s name whispers of its deep connection to the land's original inhabitants, the Chumash people. Long before the Pacific Coast Highway snaked its way along the coast, opening the area to the world, a Chumash…