About the Ventura, Camarillo and Oxnard, California Area
 

Ventura 

LOCATION 

Ventura is located on the Southern California Coast, approximately halfway between Santa Barbara (30 miles to the north) and Malibu (35 miles to the south). It is right on the beach, nestled between the Santa Clara River and Ventura River Valleys, with the Los Padres National Forest as a northeast boundary. From Ventura, it is easy to take HWY 101 south to Los Angeles (about 70 miles), or north to Santa Barbara. It is also possible to take Highway 126 to Interstate 5, a main corridor that runs north-south through California. 

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS  

Oxnard Airport, approximately 10 miles from downtown Ventura, has daily direct flights to Los Angeles, and serves connecting flights to all major cities. The closest major airports are in Los Angeles and Burbank, both of which are approximately one hour away by car. A variety of rental car companies and shuttle services are available to and from the airports, including shuttle services from the airports in Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, and Burbank. There is also an Amtrak station in downtown Ventura, as well as a Metrolink commuter train station that provides service to Los Angeles. 

BRIEF HISTORY 

Ventura was originally inhabited for centuries by the Chumash Indians. When the Spanish missionaries and settlers began to arrive, Ventura became the site of one of the most successful California Missions, established by Father Junipero Serra, and named for Saint Bonaventura (Ventura's full, official name is San Buenaventura). Land that belonged to the Mission was eventually given to Spnish and Mexican settlers. Among these settlers was Raimundo Olivas, who built the now-famous hacienda (the "Olivas Adobe") that still exists today and is an important part of Ventura history. After the Civil War, new settlers took or bought land from the current settlers, and agriculture was established as the main economy. In the late 1800's, Thomas Bard came to Ventura to see after the large properties owned in the area by railroad tycoon Thomas Scott. To this day, Bard and his family are credited with facilitating much of the growth in Ventura and the surrounding area, as they were largely responsible for establishing the Union Oil Company there.

Despite the prosperity that resulted from the rich soils and oil production, population growth was slow because traveling to the area was very arduous. In the 1920's, the Maricopa Highway was built and population began to grow with this new access route. Remarkably, it wasn't until 1969 when the Ventura Freeway was built (connecting Ventura and Los Angeles), that travel to Ventura became easy and the area saw significant growth. 

POPULATION 100,916 

ABOUT EDUCATION 

Ventura Unified School District consists of 5 high schools (including Foothill Technology High School), 4 middle schools, and 17 elementary schools. There are also 11 private or parochial schools. Many of the schools in the Ventura Unified School District have received awards of excellence, and the community residents are proud of the high quality education system in Ventura County. In 2003, test scores show that Ventura School district achieved the goal of 50% or more students scoring above the national average on standardized testing. High schools in the Ventura Unified District scored above the state and national averages for SAT scores in, 2000-2001, and 2001-2002. 

A wide variety of continuing education opportunities are available in the area including (but not limited to): Ventura College, University of California Santa Barbara Extension Program, and the recently opened California State University, Channel Islands campus. Thomas Aquinas college, a liberal Catholic college, is located in nearby Santa Paula (about 20 miles inland). 

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT AREA? 

Despite its proximity to major Southern California metropolitan areas, Ventura has maintained a friendly, California beach-town feel, in part because of the late-coming freeway access to the town. The climate is warm and sunny, and the residents enjoy a diverse terrain of mountains, valleys, rivers, and ocean, as well as access to the Channel Islands National Park (which includes five small islands designated as national marine sanctuaries). There are weekly fresh fish markets, abundant cultural arts opportunities including symphony, ballet, and theater, and art galleries that frequently show the works of nearby Ojai artists. There are abundant recreation avenues including snorkeling, diving, sailing, and biking. It has a diverse population and a rich history stemming from the Spanish missionaries in the early 1800's which residents have intentionally preserved as an important part of their coommunity. This is a wonderful place for someone who wants to live in a beach community, who enjoys beautiful scenery and outdoor exploration, but who also desires the amenities of an established city.
 

Downtown Ventura has historic Victorian buildings and missions from the late 1800's to early 1900's. Ventura also offers a fabulous selection of shopping for antique collectors! There also is a wide variety of museums including the Channel Island National Park. 

The boardwalk is great for bicycling, skating or just a romantic walk. It leads to the Ventura Fairgrounds where they host concerts, fairs, shows, and a year round derby club.  

Downtown Ventura 

Ojai 

LOCATION 

Ojai is located in the footrhills of the Topa Topa Mountains (at the southern border of the Los Padres National Forest), approximately 15 miles inland from the Pacific Ocean in Southern California. Ojai is accessed by highways 33 and 150 which link to larger freeways 101 and 126. In total, it is approximately 30 miles (west then north) to Santa Barbara, 15 miles to Ventura, and 70 miles to Los Angeles.

TRANSPORTATION/AIRPORTS

Santa Barbara airport is approximately 30 miles away from Ojai and provides direct flights daily to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Salt Lake, Seattle, Phoenix (Arizona), San Jose, Las Vegas, and Portland (Oregon). There are a number of car rental companies and shuttle services available at this airport. The closest major airport is in Los Angeles, approximately 70 miles away.  

Ojai is a pedestrian and bike-friendly town, committed to alternative transportation. The city offers a trolley service through town. 

BRIEF HISTORY 

Ojai was originally inhabitated for many years by the Chumash Indians. In fact, the name Ojai comes from the Chumash word "A'hwai" which means "moon" (or some say, "the nest"). The Chumash Indians recognized that the east-west valley in which Ojai lies had mystical qualities, and some current residents still recognize this. In the late 1700's, the Spanish settlers and missionaries began to arrive. In the 1870's, an eastern journalist brought attention to Ojai by advertising the healing qualities of the climate, and the town was subsequently given his name: Nordhoff. However, in 1917, because of post-World War II concerns about German retaliation, the name was officially changed to Ojai. In 1947, movie director Frank Capra chose Ojai as the location for his movie "Lost Horizon", and since then, Ojai has been unofficially known as "Shangri-La".  

POPULATION 7,862  

ABOUT EDUCATION 

Ojai Unified School District includes 2 high schools (one of which is a continuing education school), 1 junior high, and 5 elementary schools. Ojai Unified has achieved the highest pass rates in Ventura County for high school aptitude tests. Residents recently passed a bond measure that provides money for the remodeling of schools. The school system is supported by Ojai Education Foundation which raises additional money for the public schools. There are also a number of private schools serving elementary and secondary students. Thomas Aquinas College, a liberal Catholic college, is nearby in Santa Paula (about 15 miles).  

WHAT IS SPECIAL ABOUT AREA? 

This is a beautiful place, nestled in the mountains, protected from major urban centers, but filled with cultural and recreational opportunities. Ojai is set in a dramatic landscape and its residents are committed to preserving the beauty and charm of their town by minimizing growth and encouraging environmentally conscious activities. In fact, it is the smallest and slowest growing town in Ventura county. It is known for its arts and artists, and there are a wealth of cultural activites year round, including music festivals, film festivals, art exhibits, and outdoor theater, as well as an annual professional-level tennis tournament. Many opportunities exist for outdoor recreation including hiking and camping in the Topa Topa Mountains, or at nearby Lake Casitas. 

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