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Thousand Oaks Versus Camarillo
Video on Thousand Oaks Versus Camarillo
We compare Thousand Oaks and Camarillo. Get the straight scoop on which is the best city for you.
Location
Camarillo and Thousand Oaks 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. This makes sense as these cities are also closer to Los Angeles.
Thousand Oaks lies in the Conejo Valley. It is surrounded by mountains on all sides. Residents are drawn here by the beautiful mountains, A+ schools, 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.
Map For Camarillo (dark green) and Thousand Oaks (grass green)
Schools
The overall District rating for Thousand Oaks is an A+, and they are ranked 35th out of over a thousand school districts in California. Camarillo has an average rating of 7 out of 10 and is in the upper 50 percent of school districts.
Camarillo has the Channel Islands University (a public school). Thousand Oaks has California Lutheran University, a private liberal arts college.
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.
Clcik here for more information on Thousand Oaks neighborhoods.
Cultural 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. 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, while Thousand Oaks does not.
Crime
Both cities have a lower crime rate than the California average, but Thousand Oaks consistently ranks in the top 10 safest cities in California.
Natural Disasters
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 recently reported that there could be radioactive contamination in parts of Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Westlake Village. We covered this topic more in depth in our Pros and Cons of Thousand Oaks video
If you live closer to agriculture in Camarillo, you may smell a skunky, sulphurous type of smell.
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 recently reported that there could be radioactive contamination in parts of Thousand Oaks, Moorpark and Westlake Village
We covered this topic more in depth in our Pros and Cons of Thousand Oaks video
What do you think about Thousand Oaks versus Camarillo? We'd also love to hear about any other topics you would like us to cover. Please comment below and email us team@living-inventuracounty.com. Thanks:), Keziah and Bart
I lived on Thousand Oaks for 18 years and camarillo 5 years. For sure camarillo is my favorite over Thisuand oaks . Weather and the vibe
Thanks for your feedback!
Lived in TO for 20 years, last 24 in Wood Ranch. More options, entertainment, proximity to SF Valley with Thousand Oaks. Cooler, better beach access in Camarillo. Stronger local government in TO. Shopping is even. Both are excellent choices, but TO offers more choices for every age group. Camarillo offers excellent farming environment, but less urban amenities, although Oxnard does fill in a lot of that gap.
Thanks so much Mike for your thoughts and excellent, local insights!