Ventura County lies north of the City of Los Angeles. In the 1970s and 1980s, Ventura County surged to the forefront of the smart growth movement through a series of voter initiatives that barred development on large areas of open space surrounding its cities. These measures have limited sprawl, allowing the county to maintain its status as one of California’s leading agricultural areas and limiting air pollution in its narrow valleys. Ventura County has a total popultion of 753,197. Its largest cities include Camarillo, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and Ventura.
Camarillo
The fourth largest city in Ventura County, Camarillo claims slightly more than 61,500 residents. Occupying just over 19 square miles of land, the city enjoys an unusually high percentage of college-educated and professionally-employed residents and ranks third among Ventura County’s ten cities in median family income.
The city’s growth and development is guided by its General Plan. This document is the comprehensive guide to residential, commercial and industrial land uses in the community, designating appropriate locations where the individual uses can support and complement one another. The General Plan both ensures compatibility of new development with the community’s existing physical, social and economic characteristics and reflects the community goals adopted by the Camarillo City Council in 1992. Elements for housing, circulation, community design, recreation and open space are included in the plan, so to preserve the special quality of life that the citizens of Camarillo enjoy.
Agriculture has played an important role in the historical development of Camarillo, and the General Plan encourages the continued viability of agricultural activities as a source of economic sustenance, as a definition of the physical limits of urbanization and as a visible statement of the city’s commitment to open spaces. Greenbelt agreements with the County of Ventura and neighboring cities assure that large tracts of open space will remain in place and that the pace of development will not outstrip the city’s ability to provide necessary infrastructure.
Simi Valley
Simi Valley, 40 miles northwest of Downtown Los Angeles is located in the extreme southeast corner of Ventura County. The city has a total population of 119,987. Known primarily as the home of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, it also regularly ranks first or second as the “safest city in America” in annual surveys (among all cities with populations above 100,000, alternating with Thousand Oaks, which is only a few miles away).
The city of Simi Valley has successfully blended the dynamics of a corporate business center with the warmth and comfort of a residential community. Home to a number of major manufacturers that provide quality employment opportunities, many are major contributors to local schools, churches and organizations and take pride in giving back to the community of which they are such an integral part.
Offering a talented and diversified labor pool, over one-third of the city’s population is designated as professional, technical or managerial. Others in the community are chiefly classified in skilled services, sales, crafts and clerical categories. This talented, educated and energetic labor pool can provide business with a work-force prepared for the global marketplace of the 21st century.
High quality housing is available in Simi Valley, ranging from affordable to affluent. With a median priced home around $380,000, families enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in a clean, safe environment. Rentals are available for one, two and three bedroom apartments as well as duplexes. Rental housing is available, along with seven mobile home parks in the community area.
Oxnard
Oxnard is the largest city in Ventura County in terms of population, as well as one of the world’s most important agricultural centers, with its distinction as the strawberry and lima bean capital. It has over 200,000 citizens.
The city is home to two large U.S. Navy bases bases, Port Hueneme and Point Mugu. Oxnard has over 20 miles of scenic, unspoiled and uncrowded coastline. The beaches in Oxnard are large and the sand is exceptionally soft.
History of Oxnard
In 1897, ranchers Albert Maulhardt and Johannes Borchard believed sugar beets would be a profitable crop for the area, and invited Henry Oxnard to construct a local factory to process the harvests. Oxnard and his three brothers operated the American Beet Sugar factory in Chino, California and encouraged by a pledge of 18,000 acres of sugar beets from local farmers, built a factory in the heart of the rich fields. The Southern Pacific Railroad constructed a spur right to the factory site so the processed beets could be shipped out.
A town quickly sprang up near the factory. Almost overnight businesses and residences appeared around the town square, called the “Plaza,” and schools and churches emerged almost as rapidly. The City of Oxnard was incorporated in 1903, taking its name from the Oxnard brothers who had founded the sugar beet factory.
Agriculture has remained the major industry, but Oxnard has witnessed a steady population increase beginning in the 1940’s. The establishment of military bases at Port Hueneme and Point Mugu during World War II, and the rise of electronic, aerospace, and other manufacturing industries have contributed to the growth of the city and surrounding areas.
Thousand Oaks
Thousand Oaks was named after the many oak trees that grace the area, and the city seal is adorned by the symbol of an oak. Thousand Oaks, a family-oriented community of 127, 000, is home to excellent schools, outstanding parks, and myriad shopping opportunities, including the largest auto mall in the nation, according to J.D. Powers and Associates.
Incorporated in 1964, Thousand Oaks is a master planned community at its best. City services which other communities only dream about such as a city-owned library, teen center, senior center, cultural center, quality infrastructure, and natural open space is due to thorough planning by the City’s past councils and leaders.
Today the city boasts a very active, and historically “slow growth”-minded city council. Along with the ordinances protecting the numerous oak trees, the city’s leaders and residents alike boast of the ring of protected land, free from development, that surrounds the city’s borders and which may account for the accelerating land values in recent years. More than 14,000 square acres have been designated as “Open Space” containing more than 75 miles of trails.
Ventura
Ventura with an estimated population of 105,558 is a beautiful seaside community with a small town heart and entrepreneurial spirit. Ventura is a haven for businesses – family owned to high tech enterprises offering residents and visitors surfing, sailing, golfing, hiking, biking, scenic and historical tours.
History of Ventura
Mission San Buenaventura, named for Saint Bonaventure, was the most successful and influential of the California Missions founded by Father Junipero Serra. Following the great earthquake of 1812-13, the Mission lands were divided up among the settlers.
Administrators were appointed to transfer such lands to private property owners and to proceed with secular development of the country.
Until the completion of the Ventura Freeway from Los Angeles to Ventura – the last link finished in 1969 – travel by auto was slow and hazardous. For most of the century which followed the incorporation of Ventura in 1866, it was pretty much isolated from the southern part of the State.
Even from the north, entrance was by way of a single road along the beach and stage coach passengers either had to wait until low tide when the horses could cross on the exposed wet sand, or go up the Ventura River Valley and then cross over the mountains to Santa Barbara via Casitas Pass, always a long and difficult trip.
Inland, Ventura was hemmed in by the Los Padres National Forest, composed of mountainous country, deep canyons, and peaks that rise as high as 8,831 feet, namely Mt. Pinos. Thus Ventura was isolated in that direction also, until a narrow road, the Maricopa Highway, was built in the 1920’s.
Ventura has grown steadily ever since. In 1920 there were 4,156 people. In 1930 the population had increased to 11,603, and by 1950 the population reached 16,643. In the last two decades it has quadrupled to approximately 105,000. As a “smart growth” advocate, Ventura realizes that a “smart” community offers housing choices for people of all income ranges. The question of “how and where should new development be accommodated” is critical, because it ultimately affects Ventura’s economy, environment, and sense of community.
Ventura, the getaway to the Channel Islands National Park, is a classic Southern California beach town. Recreation is an integral part of the Ventura lifestyle for residents and visitors alike. Its beaches, hillsides, parks and pathways provide excellent relaxation opportunities and the city boasts five golf courses.
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