Choose wisely. Connect locally.Add your business 
Santa Paula is a city of about 31,000 people in the Santa Clara River Valley of Ventura County, California, surrounded by citrus and avocado orchards beneath the Topatopa Mountains. Often called the Citrus Capital of the World, it was founded in 1872 and grew around lemon and orange ranches such as Limoneira, which still farms here today.
The town is also the birthplace of the Union Oil Company of California, founded in 1890 in a building on Main Street that now houses the California Oil Museum. The historic downtown has Victorian and early 20th-century buildings, the 1911 Glen Tavern Inn and colorful murals that tell the story of oil, agriculture and local families.
Santa Paula Airport, opened in 1930, is a center for antique and experimental aircraft, with an aviation museum open monthly. To the north, Santa Paula Canyon leads into the Los Padres National Forest with trails to swimming holes called the Punch Bowls. Ventura beaches, Ojai and Fillmore are all within about half an hour.
A museum in the 1890 building where the Union Oil Company of California was founded, with the restored company offices upstairs, exhibits on how oil is found and refined, a working drilling rig and vintage gas station memorabilia. It is a highlight of downtown; check opening days before visiting.
A museum spread across private hangars at Santa Paula Airport, founded in 1930, showing antique and classic aircraft, cars and aviation memorabilia. It is usually open on the first Sunday of each month, when pilots fly in and the airport is lively. Admission is free or by donation.
A series of large murals painted on downtown buildings that tell the story of Santa Paula's oil boom, citrus ranches, railroad and multicultural community. Pick up a mural walking map from the museum or visitor center and explore on foot; most are within a few blocks of Main Street.
A community theater in downtown Santa Paula that stages plays and musicals through the year with local performers. Tickets are modestly priced and the intimate house gives a good view from every seat. Pair a show with dinner at one of the nearby Main Street restaurants.
A Tudor Revival hotel built in 1911 near the railroad depot, once a stop for Hollywood actors filming westerns in the area and now listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is known for its claimed ghost stories. Stop in for a drink or meal, or book a night to explore it.
A restored Southern Pacific railroad depot from 1887 at the edge of downtown, surrounded by a small park. The depot is a reminder of how the railroad carried citrus from the valley to markets across the country. Special excursion trains occasionally run along the old line through the valley.
A downtown memorial recalling the 1928 collapse of the St. Francis Dam, whose flood swept down the Santa Clara River Valley and through Santa Paula, killing hundreds. A bronze sculpture honors the motorcycle officers who rode ahead of the water to warn residents. Read the plaques for the story.
One of California's oldest citrus companies, founded in 1893, still farming lemons and avocados on its ranch just west of town. The ranch holds seasonal events and tours that explain citrus growing and packing. Check its schedule in advance, since visits are by event or reservation.
A popular trail into the Los Padres National Forest that follows Santa Paula Creek to the Punch Bowls, a series of pools and small falls carved into the rock. It is about seven miles round trip with stream crossings. Start early, bring plenty of water and check forest rules and parking signs at the trailhead.
A Ventura County park in Santa Paula Canyon north of town, with oak-shaded picnic areas, campsites and access to Santa Paula Creek. It is a convenient base for exploring the canyon trails and a cool escape on hot days. There is a day-use fee, and campsites are best reserved ahead.
No reviews yet. Been to Santa Paula? Be the first to share your experience.
Share what you loved, what to skip and tips for other travelers.
Log in to write a reviewBeen to Santa Paula? Add your best shots to the gallery.
Log in to add photos
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
California, United States
Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Konrad Summers from Santa Clarita (Valencia) , California, USA, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Chris English, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Antandrus at English Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris English, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris English, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris English, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Patrick Pelletier, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris English, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Steve cor, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris English, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris English, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris English, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris English, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris English, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Patrick Pelletier, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Patrick Pelletier, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Chris English, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Daniel Capilla, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Daniel Capilla, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Chris English, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Daniel Capilla, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Daniel Capilla, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Patrick Pelletier, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Patrick Pelletier, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Patrick Pelletier, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Patrick Pelletier, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Tichnor Brothers, Publisher, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain
Photo: Patrick Pelletier, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Patrick Pelletier, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Patrick Pelletier, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0