Living in Thousand Oaks vs. Camarillo: Pros and Cons Compared

Lets compare Thousand Oaks and Camarillo in terms of neighborhoods, cost of living, real estate, and community vibe to help you decide where to call home. Use the links below to jump to any section:

Location

Camarillo (dark green on map) and Thousand Oaks (pea green), are located on opposite sides of the mountainous Conejo grade. Camarillo lies on the western side and Thousand Oaks on the eastern Side.

That geographical line makes a big difference. Cities on the east side like Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Simi Valley are busier than Camarillo, and have more traffic.

These east side cities are also closer to Los Angeles…..and are around 10 to 15 degrees hotter in the summer.

Thousand Oaks lies in the Conejo Valley. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Residents are drawn here by the beautiful mountains, proximity to LA, Malibu and other California State beaches.

Camarillo is located in the Pleasant Valley and is surrounded by agriculture and open space. It draws people with its Mediterranean temperatures, mountain views, proximity to beautiful California beaches and its laid back, small town feel.

Schools

We’re not allowed to give school ratings as real estate agents, but there are plenty of websites out there—like GreatSchools.org—where you can look up ratings, reviews, and compare schools on your own.

As for higher education, both cities have great options. Camarillo is home to Cal State Channel Islands, which is a huge asset for the community and offers lots of continuing education programs too. And over in Thousand Oaks, you’ve got Cal Lutheran University, another solid choice right in the area.

The Camarillo Public Library isn’t just for book lovers. This historic building offers a café, storytime events, and various activities. It’s a community hub and a must-visit spot for locals and tourists alike.

Housing

The median home price in Camarillo is approximately $750,000, while in Thousand Oaks, it is approximately $900,000. Thousand Oaks is roughly 21% more expensive than Camarillo, but this is mainly due to the average lot size being considerably larger.

Click here for more information on Camarillo neighborhoods.

Cultural Events

A big advantage for Thousand Oaks is their Civic Arts Plaza with plays, concerts and lots of events.

Camarillo has fewer opportunities for cultural events and residents tend to travel to Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles, or Ventura for arts and entertainment.

Shopping and Restaurants

Thousand Oaks tends to have more high-end shops in its strip malls and a large indoor/outdoor mall.

Thousand Oaks has more restaurant choices than Camarillo, but many of them are chains.

Camarillo is home to the Premium Outlets with over 160 shops and restaurants. It is a destination spot for shoppers from all over Ventura County.

Camarillo also has an historic and quaint downtown with shops and restaurants.

Parks, Golf, Hiking, BMX and Horse Back Riding

Both cities have a variety of beautiful parks, including skate parks, horse back riding trails and BMX tracks. Camarillo’s track is actually certified by USA BMX.

Thousand Oaks is more directly located in the mountains and so it has more hiking trails, including the magnificent Santa Monica National Mountain Park and the Conejo Valley Botanic Gardens, which covers over 33 acres.

Both cities have golf courses with similar ratings, with likability and difficulty ranging from 6 to 8.5. One of the courses in Thousand Oaks is next to the highway, so noise may be a problem for some.

Equestrian communities: Both cities are very horse-friendly, with equestrian centers and trails that residents can go horseback riding on. Camarillo is known for its special white horse breed, while Thousand Oaks has more equestrian communities.

Nearby Beaches

The drive to Malibu from Thousand Oaks can be a little harrowing, as it is a winding mountain road with steep drop-offs. Some people might not actually enjoy that drive, although it is a beautiful and exhilarating route through the Santa Monica Mountains.

From Camarillo, you’ll have a mellower drive to beaches in Port Hueneme, Oxnard and Ventura.

Weather

Both cities have great weather. Camarillo has a more temperate Mediterranean climate, while Thousand Oaks is hotter especially in the summer. Camarillo can be a little gray in the mornings with fog, but it dissipates by the afternoon. Camarillo was actually picked by National Geographic as one of the top cities in the world for a Mediterranean climate.

The nearby ocean helps keep things cooler in the Summer for Camarillo (up to a 10 degree or higher difference in temperature in the Summer.) Cities like Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Simi Valley can get much hotter.

They like to say in Ventura County…. you start the day in the summer in Oxnard with long sleeves. Then go to Camarillo and wear short sleeves and when you get to Thousand Oaks you’ll want to wear a tank top.

Commuting

Residents of Thousand Oaks find it easier to commute to LA (roughly 45 minutes to an hour or more depending on when and exactly where you are trying to get to in LA).

Residents of Camarillo have an easier commute to Oxnard, Ventura, Point Mugu Naval base, and Port Hueneme (anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes or more depending on traffic).

Camarillo has the Metrolink station with access to LA, while Thousand Oaks does not.

Natural Disasters and Air Quality

Both cities have above-average air quality. But because of the open space and agriculture, there is a lot of pollen and other triggers that may affect asthma and allergies.

Both cities have a potential for earthquake, fire, high Santa Ana winds and drought.

The Ventura County Star has reported that there could be radioactive contamination in parts of Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Westlake Village. We covered this topic more in depth in the Pros and Cons of Thousand Oaks video.

If you live closer to agriculture in Camarillo, you may smell a skunky, sulphurous type of smell.