Moving to Ventura County?
Discover the neighborhoods, housing, and lifestyle that make Ventura County one of California’s most loved places to live.
You’ll find a variety of lifestyles in Ventura County cities including:
- Historic downtowns with nearby shopping and restaurants.
- Slower paced coastal and agricultural areas.
- Suburban neighborhoods and newer high-end custom homes
- Breathtaking coastline, mountains, agriculture and open spaces.
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William B. (Bart) Potter Jr., California DRE #02157874
Keziah Aaliyah, California DRE #02157683
The cities of Ventura County offer an incredible lifestyle — from beaches and historic downtowns to small-town charm and luxury suburban communities. In fact, over 80% of residents who sell here choose to stay in Ventura County.
Coastal Cities- Oxnard, Ventura, Port Hueneme
Oxnard, Port Hueneme and Ventura boast cooler, coastal weather and stunning beaches with seaside festivals and concerts. These areas are so much cooler in the Summer. For example, it could be around 72 on the coast and at the same time 90 degrees and higher as you move into the mountain areas like Ojai or Thousand Oaks.
An introductory, detached home in Ventura is around $750,000. Oxnard is around $100,000 less for a comparable home and Port Hueneme is even about $25,000 less than Oxnard.
Map of Coastal Cities: Oxnard, Ventura and Port Hueneme
Map of City of Ventura Neighborhoods
Ventura, CA: Historic Downtown, Vibrant Arts and an Outdoor Paradise
Ventura is known for its smaller beach town vibe (population just over 100,000). It also has one of the best small city downtowns in the country.
We love going to Surfers’ Point with the boardwalk, Pier, restaurants and brewery.
We love going to Surfers’ Point with the boardwalk, Pier, restaurants and brewery.
Ventura’s Surfers Point in the downtown neighborhood, is a fun scene with lots of bikers, walkers, runners and dogs along the boardwalk. You can also watch the amazing surfers and kiteboarders. One memorable day there, I saw a pod of dolphins surfing waves and jumping right down the coast towards the Pier. It was amazing!
And there’s so much more to Ventura including:
- An arts district, historic downtown and a thriving outdoor pedestrian mall with independent shops, restaurants and hangouts.
- A mix of neighborhoods and a variety of architecture with Spanish style homes from the 1900’s, new construction condos, 50’s-2000’s suburban style tract homes and custom hillside houses with panoramic mountain and ocean views.
- Easy highway access to LA, Santa Barbara, Ojai, Santa Clarita and Santa Paula with an Amtrak stop to cities north and south.
- Great hiking as well over at Harmon Canyon Preserve, Arroyo Verde Park and the Botanical Gardens.
Oxnard
A Coastal Vibe, Historic Downtown and a Busy Urban Area
Oxnard with a population just over 200,000, is a tale of three cities.
- The South West, slower paced coastal side dazzles you with 11 miles of gorgeous beaches. We love going for long walks here with our dogs and also swimming and paddle boarding at the Channel Islands Harbor. There are distinct neighborhoods with beach condos and townhomes on the Channel Islands Harbor.
- The eastern side is -on the go- including a busy and historic downtown with over 300 merchants, shops, restaurants bars and an Amtrak stop. There are beautiful homes surrounding the downtown with established trees. There are also large sections of suburban neighborhoods on the east side.
- The north side, provides a totally different feel as well with new construction and planned communities including River Park and Wagon Wheel.
There is easy access here to Highway 101 and destination Collections Shopping Center, including a Whole Foods, Target and many brand name, chain stores.
The Henry T. Oxnard Historic District from the early 1900s has some real gems, like this home. You’ll find Craftsman, Spanish Colonial, and Period Revival styles. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. And during the holidays, it transforms into “Christmas Tree Lane”.
Port Hueneme
Slower Paced and Gorgeous Ocean Access
Port Hueneme is like the cul-de-sac of Ventura County. It’s located on the southern end of Oxnard (red dot on Oxnard map shown above). It’s so far removed from major highways that it’s really quiet and slower paced.
Port Hueneme Beach Park is the heart of the community, where locals gather to enjoy the ocean breeze, sandy shores, and scenic pier. With picnic areas, walking paths, and year-round events, it’s a favorite spot for relaxation and outdoor fun.
And that’s exactly what locals love about living there—plus the stunning beach park!
Port Hueneme is the smallest of these three cities, spanning just five miles. The upside? You’re always close to the ocean. Plus, the naval base and international port provide a strong economic foundation.
Shopping options are limited here, but Oxnard is just a short drive away for more variety.
Central Ventura County
Camarillo, Moorpark, and Santa Paula sit in beautiful farmland with mountain views. They’re just 20 to 30 minutes from gorgeous beaches and offer easier access to Los Angeles than the coastal cities.
Camarillo
Slower Paced, Suburban And An Historic Downtown
Camarillo has a slower paced, small town feel even though the population is around 70,000.
There’s so much to love about living in Camarillo:
- Fantastic views of surrounding mountains and agriculture.
- Highly rated schools district. Be sure to check online sources like https://school-ratings.com/
- Easy access to classic California beaches at Point Mugu State Park, Port Hueneme, Oxnard and Ventura.
- Since it’s right off of Highway 101, it’s convenient for commuting and trips to Santa Barbara and Los Angeles (in non rush hour).
- An historic and quaint downtown with shops and restaurants.
Also, Camarillo’s Premium Outlet Mall is a destination shopping area for all of Ventura County.
Mission Oaks Neighborhood, Camarillo. Entry-level homes in Camarillo, CA cost around $750k with some neighborhoods starting closer to over a million.
Moorpark
Agricultural, Slower Paced and Suburban
You drive north on Highway 23, crest a peak, and then head down into the expansive valley of Moorpark. Just take a deep breath.
Endless views of agriculture, hills, and mountains……..and feels more low-key and friendly.
It’s so easy to stop by Underwood Family Farms and get fresh produce. They even let you pick your own blueberries when the season’s right!
Also, Camarillo’s Premium Outlet Mall is a destination shopping area for all of Ventura County.
Moorpark’s historic downtown is steps from the train stop with easy access to LA—home to the High Street Arts Center, locally owned shops, and restaurants. New construction with ground-floor commercial space adds fresh energy to the area.
Moorpark (about 35,000 people) was picked as the 3rd best place to live in Ventura County….according to Niche.com. There’s a lot to love, and even a few downsides coming up.
- Highly rated schools district. Be sure to check online sources like https://school-ratings.com/
- Hiking, biking, horseback riding. Moorpark has a top-rated Community College with a Zookeeper training program and a bachelor’s degree option.
Housing here? A mix of suburban neighborhoods, larger lots, horse trails, and an historic downtown….. with new construction right next to the MetroLink for easy access to LA.
And the best part? It’s more affordable than Thousand Oaks, Oak Park, or Westlake Village. You get more house and space for the same money.
Some Cons-
- Fewer shopping and entertainment options. It gets hotter in the summer than Camarillo or coastal cities. Way less nightlife. You’ll drive to Thousand Oaks for that—and hospitals too.
Santa Paula
Historic Downtown, Agricultural and Mountain Views
Santa Paula has a surprising amount of diversity in homes and neighborhoods. There are historic homes and a wide range of tract homes in the central parts of the city. More affordable homes are in the southeast regions and new developments are being constructed as well.
Santa Paula is known as the citrus capital of the world and it gets hot there in the summer. But you’re still only about a 20-minute drive to the beaches in nearby Ventura where it will be much cooler.
The charming, historic downtown includes many shops, restaurants and hangouts. The old clocktower gleams in the sunlight. There are gorgeous mountain views and hiking trails including one to a water fall.
In the older neighborhoods, there are often large established trees providing cooling and a break from the sun. The Harvest is a large planned and well thought out, new construction community on the east side of the city.
For Fun-
Anna’s Cider is located right in the heart of the downtown with an outdoor patio, organic cider, trivia night, live music and sometimes food trucks.
Eastern Ventura County
Video on 5 Best Cities in Ventura County as Picked by Niche.com
Now we’re going to head east over the mountainous Conejo Grade to Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks, with beautiful mountains, forests and established trees. They’re also busier, have more traffic and closer to LA.
Thousand Oaks
Suburban, Mountain Views, Beautiful Trees and LA Access
Thousand Oaks feels quieter than nearby cities but is still busier than Moorpark and Camarillo, thanks to its proximity to LA.
Homes are attractive, with a mix of semi-custom and tract styles….. nestled in suburban-style neighborhoods with beautiful oaks and other varieties of trees.
The highly rated school district stands out if you check online sources like https://school-ratings.com/.
The Oaks Mall and the Performing Arts Center add to the city’s appeal.
The city extends into Newbury Park, offering hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Malibu is 25 minutes away, and LA is about 45-60 minutes, depending on traffic.
Cons:
- Hot summers, sometimes exceeding 100°F.
- Wildfire risk, with increased insurance premiums.
- Higher home prices compared to nearby Moorpark and Camarillo.
- Oak tree restrictions—the city has rules about maintaining these trees
Westlake Village
Breathtaking Mountain Views and Lakes
We refer to Westlake Village as the Swiss Alps of Southern California because you have these beautiful mountains and lakes and really high end custom homes.
Westake Village is some of the most expensive real estate in Ventura County. There’s celebrities living here, a highly rated school district and high end restaurants and shops.
Because you are closer to Los Angeles, there’s also more traffic and hustle and bustle. It really is the fastest paced city in Ventura County.
Small Town Cities
These smallest cities and one community have a small town feel and are scattered from western to eastern Ventura County. They have amazing mountain and agricultural views, as well as an historic downtown with shops and restaurants.
Ojai
Fabulous Mountain Views and Charming Small Town Feel
Ojai nestles in the mountains of Western Ventura County, sometimes glowing with pink sunrises and sunsets. This small city of about 8,000 is long known as a haven for artistic and mystical types. We really enjoy going over to Ojai for the fantastic restaurants, parks and charming downtown.
If you enjoy your veggies, you’ll relish (no pun intended) their wonderful farmers twice a week with lots of organic vegetables, citrus, berries, honey, mushrooms, meats, herbs and lots more.
Ojai is only a 20-minute drive to Ventura. However, it is a lot hotter in the Summer. It could be in the 70’s down at the beach and up around 90 in Ojai.
Many of the homes have thick wall adobe construction, which makes them cooler even on hotter days. Housing varies anywhere from smaller ranch style and two story homes all the way up to multi million dollar acreage property.
Upper Ojai
Fillmore
Small Town Feel, Agriculture and Mountain Views
Fillmore’s downtown is so reminiscent of the town in the movie Back To The Future, that groups will meet there to reenact famous scenes from that movie.
It really is enjoyable to stroll the streets of this low key, small city of around 16,000 which has been dubbed the last, best, small city in California. Movies and commercials are filmed here because it’s so photogenic and historic.
Fillmore is really hot with temperatures in the Summer often being around 100 degrees. Although in the older sections there are lots of older and established trees providing welcomed shade.
The older neighborhoods are amongst the most affordable in Ventura County with introductory home prices around $550,000.
Lots of new construction, planned and gated communities are happening here with townhomes and large semi-custom homes.
Oak View
A Tucked Away Neighborhood Next to Ojai, With Gorgeous Outdoor Access
Oakview is a small community nestled in between Ojai and Ventura
There is not really a downtown area here, but there are some local shops, businesses and restaurants along Highway 33.
The amazing thing about Oakview is its access to the ocean and surrounding mountains. You’re only about 15 minutes to the beach and 10 minutes to Ojai. So you could easily go surfing in the morning and hiking in the afternoon.
Oakview is spectacularly beautiful and also has more affordable real estate than Ojai.
Somis
Agricultural and Much Larger Lots and Acreage
Somis (an unincorporated community), is so lovely, and rural with panoramic views of agriculture and mountains. You’ll find a long stretch of landscaping stores with the endless rows of gorgeous plants. Even if you are not buying plants, these stores are a wonderful place to -zen out- on all the beauty.
In Somis you would never hear somebody say, “well, if you need to borrow a roll of toilet paper from your neighbor, you can just stick your arm out the window and they can pass it over.:”
In other words, Somis is spread out! There is so much land and agriculture. You’ll find a diversity of homes including:
A large gated community with custom homes on 40 acres of land that is very equestrian friendly.
Oak Park
Hiking, Gorgoeus Mountains and Isolation but Still Close To LA
Oak Park is the independent free spirit of the Conejo Valley with a population around 14,000. It is the smallest unincorporated community in all of Ventura County (a little over 5 miles wide). The residents have repeatedly voted not to become its own independent city or annexed into Thousand Oaks.
There is not really much going on in Oak Park as far as nightlife or shopping. Many residents will travel to nearby Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village for those activities.
Oak Park is known for its gorgeous trees, trails, mountains, excellent school district and also an abundance of rattle snakes.
It is also really hot here in the Summer with temperatures often ranging from the 90’s to 100 degrees.
So for example on a day where its around 72 degrees in Ventura, then as you travel over to Camarillo it’s going to be more in the 80 degree range. And then as you get up to Thousand Oaks it’s going to be into the 90s and Oak Park is going to be the hottest probably up around 95.
Thinking About Relocating to Ventura County?
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