Camarillo: Discover History, Culture, and Nature

Camarillo brings together historic sites, exhibitions, nature-focused attractions, and a regularly held farmers market. Depending on what you would like to focus your trip on, you can choose from visiting a Victorian house, hands-on exhibition areas, natural history collections, and a garden with native plants. This variety is a helpful starting point when searching for a hotel in Camarillo: consider which of these facets you want to shape your stay.

Historic Sites and Local History

At Camarillo Ranch, the centerpiece is the family’s 1892 Queen Anne Victorian house. Docents lead tours of the building, which include all 15 rooms. The ground floor is wheelchair accessible. The house’s architecture and the opportunity to explore its rooms on a guided tour are both specific reasons to visit.

The Lisa Kelly Mural depicts Camarillo’s agriculture-based economy in its early days and was completed in 2017. It provides a visual connection to the city’s agricultural heritage. St. Mary Magdalen adds a specific date from local history: the parish was officially established on July 1, 1913. Camarillo Grove Park was once a stagecoach stop.

The Pleasant Valley Historical Society and Museum preserves the history of the Pleasant Valley area and makes it accessible to the public. The museum is currently closed for renovations. Keep this restriction in mind when choosing historic sites for your stay.

Exhibitions, Collections, and Aviation

Phase I of the kidSTREAM Children's Museum includes immersive outdoor areas inspired by the landscapes, industries, and culture of Ventura County. An indoor STREAM exhibit encourages hands-on learning and exploration. The Channel Islands adventure adds walk-through Channel Islands, a wave tunnel, balance surfboards, a kelp obstacle course, and a pygmy mammoth dig. The museum brings together different themes and ways to explore, from the Ventura County environment and island-inspired features to an excavation activity.

The Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology offers guided tours with behind-the-scenes access and a look at the foundation’s extensive collections. The WFVZ Bird Museum and Research Center is currently open for museum tours by appointment. Be sure to arrange a visit in advance. CAFSoCal has eight airworthy aircraft from the World War II era. This adds a historical and technological focus to the natural history collections.

Garden Visit and Farmers Market

Paved paths wind through native plants and trees at the Charles L. Honn Botanical Garden. Those interested in native vegetation will find a different focus here than at the museums and collections: the garden and its plants along the paths.

The Camarillo Certified Farmers Market takes place every Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. in Old Town Camarillo. This means you’ll need to plan around different schedules: the market has a regular Saturday morning time slot, while WFVZ museum tours are by appointment. Check for possible holiday exceptions at the market, and arrange a WFVZ visit in advance.

These places and activities offer a range of themes for a stay in Camarillo, without requiring you to plan the same type of visit for all of them.

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