Things to do in Santa Paula
Santa Paula is nestled among the lemon, orange, and avocado
orchards of the Heritage Valley, the last great citruscape in
California. Rising to the north and south of the city, the
picturesque San Cayetano and Oakridge mountain ranges are incised by
the free-flowing waters of Santa Paula Creek and the Santa Clara
River. The beauty of the oak-studded natural landscape is
complemented by a wide variety of attractions and activities in the
city. Santa Paula Downtown Merchants
Annual Events
Santa Paula celebrates its heritage and culture with special events
throughout the year! From the Santa Paula Art and Photography Show
in February to the year-end downtown Christmas Parade, there is a
fun family event for everyone. Popular annual attractions like the
De Colores Art Show & Festival in the spring,the Citrus Festival
in July, the Pumpkin Patch at Faulkner Farm, and the Citrus Balloon Classic attract many thousands of visitors to the City.
Cultural
Attractions
Aviation Museum of Santa Paula
This unusual “chain-of-hangars” museum chronicles the aviation
history of Santa Paula Airport, founded in 1930. The airport is home
to many antique and experimental aircraft. Tours available.
Open on the first Sunday of the month and by appointment.
(805) 525-1109
California Oil Museum
Rotating exhibits of science, technology, transportation, history,
and art are presented throughout the year. The permanent petroleum
exhibits tell the story of the black bonanza that created wealth,
work, and prosperity for generations of Californians. Tours daily
and by appointment. National Register Historic Site. Operated by the
City of Santa Paula.
Open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 AM - 4 PM.
1001 E. Main St., Santa Paula
(805) 933-0076
Santa Paula Train Depot and Railroad Plaza Park
An original 1887 Southern Pacific Railroad Depot is the home today
of the Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce & Gift Store. Visitors can
shop for local gift items and obtain tourist information. Railroad
Park features a gazebo, landscaped grounds and gardens, a towering
1879 Moreton Bay fig tree, and a life-size outdoor bronze sculpture,
The Warning. The Depot still welcomes train enthusiasts
aboard the antique Fillmore & Western
Railway.
Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce
200 N. 10th St, Santa Paula
(805) 525-5561
Santa Paula Murals
This collection of fine art outdoor murals adorn the walls of
downtown buildings in Santa Paula, depicting fascinating chapters
and events in the history of the city. Walking tour maps are
available at the
Santa
Paula Chamber of Commerce (200 N. Tenth Street, 805-525-5561)
and at the California Oil Museum
(1001 E. Main St., 805-933-0076).
Santa Paula Theater Center
One of the finest community live theaters in southern California,
plays are presented throughout the year in the 1917 Ebell Club
building, a National Register Historic Site.
125 S. 7th St, Santa Paula.
(805) 525-4645
Historic
Sites
Santa Paula is home to thirty-one registered historic sites, more
than any other city in Ventura County! They encompass multiple eras
of noted architectural design, from Victorian and Gothic to
Craftsman and Eastlake. The city hosts four National Register
Historic Sites still accessible to the public today: an 1890 oil
company headquarters, an 1895 Queen Anne home, a 1911 Craftsman
hotel, and a 1917 community clubhouse. Many sites are the graceful
historic homes of Santa Paula Street, which date to the late 1800s.
Specialty sites include California’s first oil well (1867) and the
campsite of the 1769 Gaspar de Portola Expedition of the Spanish
Crown. Recreation
Los Padres
National Forest
This rugged mountainous terrain is a popular destination for outdoor
enthusiasts, backpackers, hikers, fisherman, and bicyclists.
1190 E. Ojai Ave, Ojai, CA
(805) 646-4348
Mountain View Golf Course
A scenic 18-hole golf course bounded by the Santa Clara River and
the red cliffs of South Mountain.
16799 South Mountain Rd
(805) 525-1571
Ozzie Osborn's Par 3 Golf Course
17081 South Mountain Road
(805) 933-9930
Santa Paula Skate Park
Veterans Park, 10th & Ventura Sts, Santa Paula
SPA_Skaters@hotmail.com
Shopping
Santa Paula hosts a variety of shops, specialty stores, hometown
businesses, galleries, restaurants, and antique stores. The two main
business corridors are the historic downtown Main Street area and
the Harvard Boulevard thoroughfare. Shopping and business
attractions are presented on the
Santa
Paula Chamber of Commerce website.
Tours
The cultural, historical, and scenic attractions of Santa Paula
are perfect for group tours. Santa Paula tours are geared to reach a
wide variety of groups, including schools, seniors, hotels,
commercial operators, trade associations, community organizations,
and the general public. Tours are offered by several organizations
in the city.
Agri-Adventure Tours
Limoneira Co, (866)
321-9995
Museum Tours
California Oil Museum,
(805) 933-0076
Aviation Museum of Santa Paula,
(805) 525-1109
Murals Tours
Santa Paula Murals,
(805) 525-2824
Please contact the California Oil Museum to make tour
arrangements. |
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