At the time of European contact in the 18th century, Camarillo had been inhabited by theChumash people for thousands of years.[9]
Present day Camarillo and the largerOxnard Plain were portions of a paramount Chumash capital at the village of Muwu (today'sPoint Mugu). Simo'mo (CA-VEN-24), which translates to "the saltbush patch", was a Chumash village located upstream fromMugu Lagoon near the city of Camarillo.[10][9] Caves with ancient pictographs are located in the area aroundConejo Grade including a site used for religious ceremonies dating back to 500 A.D., where two Chumash villages were located: Lalimanux (Lalimanuc or Lalimanuh) and Kayɨwɨš or Kayiwish (Kawyis) (CA-VEN-243).[11][12][13][14] The village of Kayɨwɨš (Chumash: "The Head") was first encountered by Europeans of the firstPortola expedition on August 16, 1795.[15]
By the early 1820s, Mexico had gained independence from Spain, and shortly afterward California allied itself with Mexico. The Mexican land grant system was liberalized in 1824, resulting in many large grants in California and the proliferation of Ranchos north of the border. One grant to José Pedro Ruiz createdRancho Calleguas in 1837, in the area that is now Camarillo. The grant was later sold to Juan Camarillo, who had arrived in 1834 as a member of theHíjar-Padrés colony;[16] his sons, Adolfo and Juan, began developing a ranch on the Pleasant Valley area of the vast fertile Oxnard Plain.
Around 1910, the area for the original town site of Camarillo was beginning to be laid out. The town was centered around St. Mary Magdalen Church, which was to serve as the family chapel for Adolfo Camarillo.[17] In 1927 Don Juan Camarillo, brother of Adolfo, donated 100 acres (0.40 km2) to be used as a seminary to be named in honor ofSaint John the Evangelist. The Roman Catholic seminary was opened in 1939 asSt. John's Seminary.[18]
Camarillo's growth was slow from founding through World War II.[19] In the late 1940s, building lots on Ventura Boulevard, the main downtown street, were being offered for $450 and home lots on the adjoining streets were $250, with few buyers. Travel to and from Los Angeles was difficult, owing to the narrow, tortuous road climbing the Conejo Grade to the east of the city.[20]
The main industry during this period was agriculture, and the area surrounding the small town was blanketed with orange, lemon and walnut groves. The State Mental hospital, that was built south of the town, was the largest employer. A few houses had sprung up to the north and south of town center. The Oxnard Army Air Field, built during World War II to the west of town, the Naval Air Facility atPoint Mugu and the Seabee base atPort Hueneme brought many military personnel to the area, but there was little private industry or other source of non-agricultural employment.
St. John's Seminary was built on land donated by Juan Camarillo Jr. from his Rancho Calleguas in 1927.
In the mid-1950s, theVentura Freeway was completed from Los Angeles to points north, making it an easy one-hour trip to Camarillo. The Old Town was bisected by the Ventura Freeway. On the southern side of the freeway contains a strip of businesses, churches, schools, and parks.[21] The freeway was originally planned to follow the path of Potrero Road, south of Camarillo, which would have completely by-passed the soon-to-be city.[citation needed] However, after much debate, city officials persuadedCaltrans to lay the freeway parallel to Ventura Boulevard, creating the infamously steep descent from theSanta Monica Mountains, known as theConejo Grade. The grade is about 2.7 miles (4.3 km) and posted as a 7% grade—which translates as about one thousand feet of elevation change in less than three miles (70 meters per kilometer). There is aCalifornia Highway Patrol brake inspection station at the top of the grade and a stop is mandatory for all 18-wheel trucks. The completion of the freeway facilitated the growth that followed. In 1962, the population was 7,500 and3M began construction for theMincom and Magnetic Tape Divisions, which would ultimately employ 900 people, becoming the largest local employer. That plant briefly housed a factory for 3MspinoffImation before being closed in 2008.[22]
TheCamarillo Ranch House, built by the Camarillo brothers on their Rancho Calleguas.
Plans were made for the incorporation of the city to control the rapid expansion. Camarillo became a city in 1964 and soon put into place a General Plan and building codes. In 1964 the closest traffic signal was 2 miles (3.2 km) from the city center on the road to Point Mugu, and the first shopping center and supermarket were under construction.[citation needed]
Many of the home buyers during the 1960s were military veterans, who had been stationed at one of the local bases. The temperate climate and the living conditions lured them back. With the establishment of both the Pacific Missile Range at NAS Point Mugu and the Naval Civil Engineering Laboratory at Port Hueneme many found employment that utilized their military training. Other newcomers were those who worked and lived in theSan Fernando Valley and were willing to endure the commute for the opportunity to raise their families in a smog-free, semirural environment. Still others relocated here with their employers, like 3M, andHarbor Freight Tools who built facilities in and around the city to take advantage of the large workforce.Technicolor Video Services Inc. was the largest DVD duplicator in the world.[23]
In 2014, the council voted against an 895-acre project (362 ha) that would have extended development on agricultural lands east towards theConejo Grade.[24]
Beginning 7:02 am. on Thursday, May 2, 2013, a major brush fire began in the Camarillo Springs area and burned throughout the area.[25] The community of Dos Vientos and CSUCI were evacuated due to the proximity of the fire. Approximately 15 houses were damaged, with none fully destroyed. 28,000 acres of land was burned by the fire. On Sunday, May 5, 2013, rain in the area during the night helped firefighters bring the fire under full control.[citation needed]
On July 10, 2025, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and National Guard units used chemical munitions against protesters as they carried out immigration raids on a farm on theOxnard Plain near Camarillo.[26]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 19.7 square miles (51 km2). 0.017 square miles (0.044 km2) of the area (0.08%) is water.[6]
This region experiences warm (sometimes hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above 71.6 °F (22.0 °C). According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, Camarillo has awarm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.[28]
Climate data for Camarillo, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1923–present
The census reported that 99.3% of the population lived in households, 0.4% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.3% were institutionalized.[32]
There were 26,727 households, out of which 29.7% included children under the age of 18, 53.1% were married-couple households, 5.5% werecohabiting couple households, 26.8% had a female householder with no partner present, and 14.6% had a male householder with no partner present. 24.5% of households were one person, and 14.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.63.[32] There were 18,476families (69.1% of all households).[33]
St. Mary Magdalene was founded by the Camarillo brothers and houses the Camarillo Family Mausoleum.
The age distribution was 20.4% under the age of 18, 8.1% aged 18 to 24, 24.1% aged 25 to 44, 25.9% aged 45 to 64, and 21.6% who were 65years of age or older. The median age was 42.8years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males.[32]
There were 27,828 housing units at an average density of 1,413.6 units per square mile (545.8 units/km2), of which 26,727 (96.0%) were occupied. Of these, 65.8% were owner-occupied, and 34.2% were occupied by renters.[32]
In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $109,390, and theper capita income was $56,144. About 5.8% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line.[34]
The2010 United States census[35] reported that Camarillo had a population of 65,201. The population density was 3,336.3 people per square mile (1,288.2 people/km2). The racial makeup of Camarillo was 48,947 (75.1%)White, 1,216 (1.9%)African American, 397 (0.6%)Native American, 6,633 (10.2%)Asian, 116 (0.2%)Pacific Islander, 4,774 (7.3%) fromother races, and 3,118 (4.8%) from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 14,958 persons (22.9%).
The Census reported that 64,705 people (99.2% of the population) lived in households, 155 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 341 (0.5%) were institutionalized.
There were 24,504 households, out of which 8,103 (33.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 13,565 (55.4%) weretraditional married couples living together, 2,386 (9.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,078 (4.4%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,257 (5.1%) non-traditional couples or partnerships. 5,986 households (24.4%) were made up of individuals, and 3,231 (13.2%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64. There were 17,029families (69.5% of all households); the average family size was 3.14.
The population was spread out, with 15,115 people (23.2%) under the age of 18, 5,164 people (7.9%) aged 18 to 24, 15,895 people (24.4%) aged 25 to 44, 17,825 people (27.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 11,202 people (17.2%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40.8 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males.
There were 25,702 housing units at an average density of 1,315.1 units per square mile (507.8 units/km2), of which 17,059 (69.6%) were owner-occupied, and 7,445 (30.4%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.2%. 45,522 people (69.8% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 19,183 people (29.4%) lived in rental housing units.
Camarillo State Mental Hospital was established near the city in the 1930s so that persons suffering from mental illnesses ortuberculosis could recover in Ventura County's balmy climate. JazzmanCharlie Parker's "Relaxin' at Camarillo," written while he was detoxing from heroin addiction, is a tribute to the facility. The song "Camarillo" by punk outfitFear is also written about the facility. The bandAmbrosia released a song called "Ready for Camarillo" on their 1978Life Beyond L.A. album. "Ready for Camarillo" also appeared as the single B side of their hit "How Much I Feel." The former hospital is the now the site ofCalifornia State University, Channel Islands. The university has retained the distinctiveMission Revival-style bell tower in the South quad.
The Camarillo State Hospital was closed in the 1990s and remained vacant until the site was converted into California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI). CSUCI officially opened in August 2002[37] and is now accredited by the WASC.[38]
The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District has hosted the Camarillo Christmas Parade since 1962. The Christmas Parade usually occurs during the first or second weekend in December. Hundreds of organizations and thousands of people participate in the parade. Community Members come from all over to watch the parade. Notable Grand Marshals have includedJessica Mendoza,Lisa Guerrero,Jack Wilson,Fernando Vargas, andWalter Brennan.[51][52]
At the city's incorporation in 1964, a council-manager form of government was created. The five member city council is elected at large for four-year terms.[53] The council is responsible for establishing policy, enacting laws and making legal and financial decisions for the city. A city manager, hired by the council and answerable to it, is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the city. That person is charged with overall management of the five city departments. Services such as water, sewer, trash collection, street maintenance and traffic engineering are provided by a combination of contractors and city employees.
Police services are provided by theVentura County Sheriff's Department under contract to the city, headquartered in a police station owned by the city.[54] The contract providing police services has been in place since the incorporation of Camarillo in 1964. The Sheriff's department helicopter fleet is hangared atCamarillo Airport.Ventura County Fire Department provides fire protection, with five stations within the city limits.[54]
In 2000, Camarillo was a stronghold for theRepublican Party, and had nearly twice as many Republican voters as Democratic voters.[55] By 2020, voter registration for both parties was close to even.[56]
Library
On October 13, 2010, the Camarillo City Council voted 5–0 to withdraw from theVentura County Library System, and enter into a public-private contract withLibrary Systems & Services (LSSI) of Germantown, Maryland, a private company that administers several libraries throughout the United States, to provide locally hired staffing and to manage the day-to-day operations of the City of Camarillo Public Library. Under the partnership agreement, the library will remain in the public trust, managed by the City of Camarillo and operated by LSSI.[57][58][59]
VCTC Intercity operates buses between Camarillo and several nearby cities, including the Conejo Express to theWarner Center area of Los Angeles.
The City of Camarillo operates a trolley within central Camarillo, which runs from 10:00 to 6:00 Sunday through Thursday and later into the evening on Friday and Saturday nights. CAT operates one scheduled bus line Monday through Friday within Camarillo, and Dial-A-Ride services for the disabled Monday through Saturday.
Camarillo station is served by both Amtrak'sPacific Surfliner fromSan Luis Obispo to San Diego and Metrolink'sVentura County Line fromLos Angeles Union Station toMontalvo. TenPacific Surfliner trains serve the station daily and six Metrolink trains serve the station each weekday and four each weekend day, with the majority of this limited Metrolink service at peak hours in the peak direction of travel (i.e., two morning departures to Los Angeles and two evening arrivals from Los Angeles).[61]
The city of Camarillo water system serves about two-thirds of its residents.[62] It imports about 60 percent of its water from the state water project through the Calleguas Municipal Water District and 40 percent is pumped from three wells.[63] The North Pleasant Valley Desalter Project began construction in 2008.[64] The brackish well water from theCalleguas Creek watershed will be treated by the $66.3 million project.[65][66] The project began construction in September 2019.[67] The city held a ribbon cutting ceremony in November 2021 as the plant began to operate.[68] After extensive testing and adjustments, the plant started producing water for the city in January 2023.[69]
The Camrosa Water District serves nearly 30,000 people in Camarillo and theSanta Rosa Valley along with agricultural customers.[70] The district, which covers 31 square miles (80 km2) is headquartered in Camarillo. Camrosa completed the Round Mountain Water Treatment Plant, a desalting facility, in 2015. It cleans up brackish groundwater and produces 1,000 acre-feet (1,200,000 m3) of drinking water a year. The facility was the first paying customer for the Calleguas Regional Salinity Management Project.[70][71]
^McCormack, Don (1999).McCormack's Guides Santa Barbara and Ventura 2000. Mccormacks Guides. Page 77.ISBN9781929365098.
^Report of Registration County Summary(PDF) (Report). Secretary of State, Elections Division, California Official Statewide Voter Registration System (VoteCal). January 3, 2020. p. 2. RetrievedJanuary 31, 2020.Democratic: 14,792; Republican:15,820
^O'Gorman, George."Rutgers' Bill Austin to be honored by NJ Sportswriters",The Trentonian, January 24, 2011. Accessed October 1, 2015. "Now 74 years old and living in Camarillo, Calif. Austin is still a football legend in New Jersey, and especially on the banks of the Raritan.... Austin, a Fanwood native who earned high school stardom at Scotch Plains-Fanwood High, earned All-American honors in two sports at Rutgers as a senior."
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