Selling Ventura County to prospective residents is easy. If you haven’t visited or spent much time in this beautiful and prosperous part of Southern California and are thinking about relocating, you probably want to know what’s on offer before you sign a lease and call the moving van. Here’s a list of things Ventura County has going for it that make it a desirable place to call home.
Weather
There aren’t many places in the country that can validly claim to have amazing weather year-round. Ventura County certainly can. The City of Ventura has an average temperature of just under 61 degrees, with warmer-than-average winters and cooler-than-average summers. As you move inland, average winter temperatures drop and summer temperatures rise, but not by much. Average annual rainfall is low at 12 inches, and it hardly ever rains in the summer months.
Natural beauty
Ventura County is blessed with both a stunning coastline and rugged mountain wilderness. More than half of the county’s land area is designated national forest. The county’s highest peaks get snow in the winter, while low-lying areas like Camarillo remain mild and comfortable. Ventura’s perpetually pleasant weather makes it easy to enjoy outdoor adventures and the county’s natural beauty year-round.
Traffic
The Los Angeles area is not known for free-flowing traffic or ease of transportation. In comparison to other parts of the region, Ventura County’s traffic congestion is not that bad. A wide stretch of the 101 runs along the coast, connecting Ventura to Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco. There is also an Amtrak station right in Ventura, making it possible to travel to San Diego or San Luis Obispo without having to worry about traffic whatsoever.
Friendly business and entrepreneurial environment
Ventura has its own biz-tech incubator. The Aspire 3 Accelerator, operating out of the Ventura Ventures Technology Center, promotes and fosters entrepreneurship and is a boon to the local economy. Experts in residence provide business assistance to innovative individuals with the drive to succeed. The resources provided have helped dozen of entrepreneurs turn their ideas into successful businesses throughout the last several years.
Arts and culture
Ventura is an hour’s drive from Los Angeles and its vibrant arts scene. But the county also offers plenty of arts and cultural opportunities of its own. Built in 1928 in the Spanish Colonial Revival style, the Majestic Ventura Theatre is a historic live concert venue and architectural landmark. Artists who’ve taken to the Majestic Ventura stage include Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, Tom Petty, Van Halen, and Red Hot Chili Peppers. Ventura also hosts an annual international film festival, the Ventura Film Festival.
Ventura County Fair
Another extraordinary cultural offering you’ll have at your fingertips as a Ventura resident is the Ventura County Fair. Seaside Park, situated on the water, is a picturesque venue for a festive, family-friendly event. In addition to food, rides, and carnival games, the Ventura County Fair is known for its music. Big names always take to the stage during the two-week event, held each August. Patti LaBalle and Third Eye Blind were headliners at last year’s fair. In addition to the major event in August, a smaller county fair is held at Seaside Park each spring.
Ventura Harbor Village
Ventura Harbor Village is home to retail shops, ice cream parlors, and seafood restaurants aplenty. There’s also a carousel, an arcade, volleyball courts, boat rentals, and whale watching opportunities. In other words, there’s something for everyone in the family to enjoy. Ventura County residents and out-of-towners visit time and time again.
Olivas Adobe
This adobe structure, built by Raymondo Olivas in 1841, has an illustrious history. Olivas, his wife, and their 21 children called it home until 1899. Today, Olivas Adobe is on the National Register of Historic Places and is believed to be haunted. Olivas Adobe’s history and mystique are two reasons to visit. Others include entertaining and educational historic reenactments, spine-chilling ghost stories, and Ventura’s Music Under the Stars summer concert series.
Farmers Markets
Ventura County is home to at least five weekly farmers markets. The longest-running and most well-known is the Downtown Ventura Farmers Market, operating continuously since 1986. More than 45 farmers and vendors participate on a regular basis. The Midtown Ventura Farmers Market, held weekly since 1989, counts more than 25 farmers and vendors among its contributors. The Camarillo Certified Farmers Market, open Saturdays from 8am to noon, is just a five-minute drive from the luxury Camarillo apartments at AMLI Spanish Hills. The Thousand Oaks Farmers Market and Santa Clarita Farmers Market are two other certified farmers markets operating in Ventura County. Regular visits are a great way to make the most of Ventura County’s famously fertile soil. Shopping at farmers markets also benefits local farmers and Ventura County’s economy.
Food, wine, and beer
Preparing meals in your apartment using fresh produce from local farmers markets is gratifying. When you desire a break from cooking, however, there are plenty of highly-rated restaurants to choose from. Ventura County is also home several wine tasting rooms and at least ten craft breweries. Institution Ale Company and Sunland Vintage Winery’s tasting room are five- and 15-minute drives from AMLI Spanish Hills, respectively.
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