Camarillo, California

At the time of European contact in the 18th century, Camarillo had been inhabited by the Chumash Indians for thousands of years.{{cite report |url=https://www.cityofcamarillo.org/Comm%20Dev/Projects/GPA%202016-1%20Shea/DEIR%20June%202017/Apx%206.5%20Cultural%20Resource%20Documentation.pdf |title=Cultural Resources Documentation {{!}} Appendix 6.5 {{!}} St. John's Specific Plan |page=3 |publisher=City of Camarillo |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190412182602/https://www.cityofcamarillo.org/Comm%20Dev/Projects/GPA%202016-1%20Shea/DEIR%20June%202017/Apx%206.5%20Cultural%20Resource%20Documentation.pdf |date=2017 |archive-date=2019-04-12}}

Present day Camarillo and the larger Oxnard Plain were portions of a paramount Chumash capital at the village of Muwu (today's Point Mugu). Simo'mo (CA-VEN-24), which translates to "the saltbush patch", was a Chumash village located upstream from Mugu Lagoon near the city of Camarillo.Arnold, Jeanne E. (2004). Foundations of Chumash Complexity. Cotsen Institute of Archaeology. Page 40. {{ISBN|9781931745185}}. Caves with ancient pictographs are located in the area around Conejo 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).{{Cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-03-03-me-14855-story.html |title=Destruction of Artifacts Angers Indian Activists : Accidental Clearing in Camarillo Halts Work on 1,000-Unit Housing Tract |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=March 3, 1986 |last1=Omestad |first1=Thomas}}{{Cite web |url=https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/chis/chumash.pdf |title=Cultural Affiliation and Lineal Descent of the Chumash Peoples |access-date=December 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921095214/https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/chis/chumash.pdf |archive-date=September 21, 2017 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite journal |url=https://escholarship.org/uc/item/8833s5k5#page-3 |title=The Names and Locations of Historic Chumash Villages |journal=The Journal of California Anthropology |volume=2 |issue=2 |date=December 1975 |last1=King |first1=Chester}}Maxwell, Thomas J. (1982). The Temescals of Arroyo Conejo. California Lutheran College. Page 93. Library of Congress Catalog Number 82-072788. The village of Kayɨwɨš (Chumash: "The Head") was first encountered by Europeans of the first Portola expedition on August 16, 1795.{{cite web |url=http://camarillo-smart-growth.org/docs/Appendix%20C%20-%20Historic.pdf |title=Data |publisher=camarillo-smart-growth.org |access-date=November 13, 2019 |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310002703/http://camarillo-smart-growth.org/docs/Appendix%20C%20-%20Historic.pdf |url-status=dead }}

{{stack|File:Adolfo Camarillo on a Camarillo White Horse.png brothers Adolfo Camarillo (pictured) and Juan Camarillo Jr., who founded the city on their Rancho Calleguas.]]}}

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 created Rancho 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 the Híjar-Padrés colony;{{cite news |title=What's in a name? The cities of the region |first=Hermine |last=Lees |date=February 5, 2010 |url=http://www.the-tidings.com/2010/020510/sbcities.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101128235450/http://the-tidings.com/2010/020510/sbcities.htm |archive-date=November 28, 2010 |access-date=December 19, 2014 |newspaper=The Tidings | publisher = Archdiocese of Los Angeles | location = Los Angeles | page = pastoral region insert page 4}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://camarillobuilding.tripod.com/HTMLobj-241/WFultonArticle.pdf|title=Camarillo's Old Town Project May Be Model For Other Cities|last=Fulton|first=William|website=www.insidevc.com}} In 1927 Don Juan Camarillo, brother of Adolfo, donated {{convert|100|acre|km2}} to be used as a seminary to be named in honor of Saint John the Evangelist. The Roman Catholic seminary was opened in 1939 as St. John's Seminary.{{cite web| url=http://stjohnsem.edu/history/ |title=History |publisher=St. John's Seminary |access-date=March 2, 2016}}

Camarillo's growth was slow from founding through World War II.{{cite web|url=https://www.citytowninfo.com/places/california/camarillo|title=Camarillo, California - City Information, Fast Facts, Schools, Colleges, and More|website=citytowninfo.com|access-date=October 31, 2019}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.venturaweekly.com/history/camarillo|title=History of Camarillo|website=www.venturaweekly.com|access-date=October 31, 2019}}

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 at Point Mugu and the Seabee base at Port Hueneme brought many military personnel to the area, but there was little private industry or other source of non-agricultural employment.

{{stack|File:Library_at_the_Camarillo_Catholic_Seminary.jpg was built on land donated by Juan Camarillo Jr. from his Rancho Calleguas in 1927.]]}}

Oxnard AAF closed at the end of World War II, but the Navy facilities remained open, with the airfield upgraded to Naval Air Station Point Mugu and the Seabee base becoming Naval Construction Battalion Center Port Hueneme and Naval Surface Warfare Center Port Hueneme. With the Korean War and associated Cold War tensions, the former Oxnard AAF was reactivated in 1951 as Oxnard Air Force Base, an Air Defense Command / Aerospace Defense Command fighter-interceptor base, that closed again in 1970 and became the present-day Camarillo Airport.

In the mid-1950s, the Ventura Freeway was completed from Los Angeles to points north, making it an easy one-hour trip to Camarillo. The Old Town was bisect by the Ventura Freeway. On the southern side of the freeway contains a strip of businesses, churches, schools, and parks.{{Cite news|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/camarillo/2019/09/30/old-town-camarillo-ca-courthouse-dizdar-park/2409632001/|title=Here's a first look at the big changes coming to Old Town Camarillo|last=Childs|first=Jeremy|date=September 30, 2019|newspaper=Ventura County Star|language=en|access-date=October 1, 2019}} 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|date=February 2022}} However, after much debate, city officials persuaded Caltrans to lay the freeway parallel to Ventura Boulevard, creating the infamously steep descent from the Santa Monica Mountains, known as the Conejo Grade. The grade is about {{convert|2.7|mi|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 a California 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 and 3M began construction for the Mincom and Magnetic Tape Divisions, which would ultimately employ 900 people, becoming the largest local employer. That plant briefly housed a factory for 3M spinoff Imation before being closed in 2008.{{cite web|last=Allen|first=Brad|title=IMATION ANNOUNCES FURTHER MANUFACTURING OPTIMIZATION STEPS|url=http://ir.imation.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=73967&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1177468&highlight=|publisher=Imation Corp.|access-date=May 24, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140630072140/http://ir.imation.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=73967&p=irol-newsArticle&ID=1177468&highlight=|archive-date=June 30, 2014}}

File:Camarillo Ranch House 2.jpg, 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 {{convert|2|mi|km}} from the city center on the road to Point Mugu, and the first shopping center and supermarket were under construction.{{citation needed|date=February 2022}}

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 the San 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, and Harbor 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.technicolor.com/GlobalEnglish/Corporate/About/Pages/default.aspx|title=Technicolor Home Page}}{{dead link|date=July 2016}}{{cbignore}}

In 2014, the council voted against an {{convert|895|acre|ha|adj=mid| project}} that would have extended development on agricultural lands east towards the Conejo Grade.Harris, Mike (September 10, 2014) [http://archive.vcstar.com/news/special/paradise/camarillo-council-kills-plans-for-large-development-ep-607165386-351245731.html "Camarillo council kills plans for large development"] Ventura County Star

;Camarillo Springs Fire

{{Main|Springs Fire}}

Beginning 7:02 am. on Thursday, May 2, 2013, a major brush fire began in the Camarillo Springs area and burned throughout the area.{{cite web|url=http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=780|title=Springs Fire General Information|website=cdfdata.fire.ca.gov|access-date=February 25, 2019|archive-date=September 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920211220/http://cdfdata.fire.ca.gov/incidents/incidents_details_info?incident_id=780|url-status=dead}} The community of Dos Vientos and CSUCI were evacuated due to the proximity of the fire. About 15 houses were damaged, but none burned down. 28,000 acres of land was burned by the fire. Finally, on Sunday, May 5, 2013, rain in the area during the night helped firefighters bring the fire under full control.{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|19.5|sqmi|km2}}. {{convert|0.015|sqmi|km2}} of the area (0.08%) is water.

Camarillo is located in Pleasant ValleyU.S. Geological Survey [http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:247608 "Feature Detail Report for: Pleasant Valley"] Geographic Names Information System January 19, 1981. at the eastern end of the Oxnard Plain, with the Santa Susana Mountains to the north, the Camarillo Hills to the northwest, the Conejo Valley to the east, and the western reaches of the Santa Monica Mountains to the south.

{{wide image|CamarilloCaliforniaPanorama.jpg|800px|align-cap=center|Panoramic view of Camarillo}}

This region experiences warm (sometimes hot) and dry summers, with no average monthly temperatures above {{convert|71.6|F|C}}. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Camarillo has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated "Csb" on climate maps.{{cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=723912&cityname=Camarillo,+California,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Camarillo, California Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase}}

{{Weather box

|location = Camarillo, California, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1923–present

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 94

|Feb record high F = 91

|Mar record high F = 94

|Apr record high F = 100

|May record high F = 102

|Jun record high F = 102

|Jul record high F = 101

|Aug record high F = 97

|Sep record high F = 108

|Oct record high F = 108

|Nov record high F = 99

|Dec record high F = 94

|Jan avg record high F = 82.0

|Feb avg record high F = 81.4

|Mar avg record high F = 83.3

|Apr avg record high F = 86.5

|May avg record high F = 83.0

|Jun avg record high F = 81.5

|Jul avg record high F = 84.1

|Aug avg record high F = 85.6

|Sep avg record high F = 90.0

|Oct avg record high F = 92.9

|Nov avg record high F = 88.5

|Dec avg record high F = 80.6

|year avg record high F = 96.9

|Jan high F = 68.0

|Feb high F = 67.6

|Mar high F = 68.5

|Apr high F = 71.0

|May high F = 71.9

|Jun high F = 74.7

|Jul high F = 78.0

|Aug high F = 79.5

|Sep high F = 79.6

|Oct high F = 76.4

|Nov high F = 72.8

|Dec high F = 67.7

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 56.5

|Feb mean F = 56.6

|Mar mean F = 58.0

|Apr mean F = 60.1

|May mean F = 62.3

|Jun mean F = 65.9

|Jul mean F = 69.1

|Aug mean F = 70.2

|Sep mean F = 69.5

|Oct mean F = 65.2

|Nov mean F = 60.7

|Dec mean F = 55.8

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = 45.0

|Feb low F = 45.6

|Mar low F = 47.4

|Apr low F = 49.2

|May low F = 52.7

|Jun low F = 57.0

|Jul low F = 60.3

|Aug low F = 60.9

|Sep low F = 59.4

|Oct low F = 53.9

|Nov low F = 48.6

|Dec low F = 43.8

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = 36.2

|Feb avg record low F = 36.7

|Mar avg record low F = 39.1

|Apr avg record low F = 42.0

|May avg record low F = 47.0

|Jun avg record low F = 50.9

|Jul avg record low F = 54.5

|Aug avg record low F = 54.6

|Sep avg record low F = 52.2

|Oct avg record low F = 46.6

|Nov avg record low F = 39.5

|Dec avg record low F = 35.3

|year avg record low F = 33.9

|Jan record low F = 25

|Feb record low F = 28

|Mar record low F = 30

|Apr record low F = 31

|May record low F = 34

|Jun record low F = 37

|Jul record low F = 42

|Aug record low F = 43

|Sep record low F = 40

|Oct record low F = 35

|Nov record low F = 28

|Dec record low F = 27

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 2.85

|Feb precipitation inch = 2.90

|Mar precipitation inch = 2.00

|Apr precipitation inch = 0.64

|May precipitation inch = 0.33

|Jun precipitation inch = 0.13

|Jul precipitation inch = 0.02

|Aug precipitation inch = 0.00

|Sep precipitation inch = 0.06

|Oct precipitation inch = 0.50

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.87

|Dec precipitation inch = 1.71

|year precipitation inch =

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 5.6

|Feb precipitation days = 6.6

|Mar precipitation days = 5.2

|Apr precipitation days = 2.8

|May precipitation days = 1.6

|Jun precipitation days = 0.4

|Jul precipitation days = 0.2

|Aug precipitation days = 0.3

|Sep precipitation days = 1.1

|Oct precipitation days = 2.7

|Nov precipitation days = 4.0

|Dec precipitation days = 5.5

|year precipitation days = 36.0

|Jan snow inch =

|Feb snow inch =

|Mar snow inch =

|Apr snow inch =

|May snow inch =

|Jun snow inch =

|Jul snow inch =

|Aug snow inch =

|Sep snow inch =

|Oct snow inch =

|Nov snow inch =

|Dec snow inch =

|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days =

|Feb snow days =

|Mar snow days =

|Apr snow days =

|May snow days =

|Jun snow days =

|Jul snow days =

|Aug snow days =

|Sep snow days =

|Oct snow days =

|Nov snow days =

|Dec snow days =

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USW00023136&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Camarillo AP, CA

|access-date = May 7, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=lox

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Los Angeles

|access-date = May 7, 2023

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1960= 2359

|1970= 19219

|1980= 37797

|1990= 52303

|2000= 57077

|2010= 65201

|2020= 70741

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}

}}

The 2020 United States census reported that Camarillo had a population of 70,741. The population density was {{convert|3,593.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Camarillo was 59.6% White, 2.3% African American, 0.9% Native American, 11.3% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 10.0% from other races, and 15.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 27.4% of the population.{{cite web |title=Camarillo city, California; DP1: Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDP2020.DP1?g=1600000US0610046 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 9, 2025}}

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.

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% were cohabiting 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. There were 18,476 families (69.1% of all households).{{cite web |title=Camarillo city, California; P16: Household Type - 2020 Census of Population and Housing |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.P16?g=1600000US0610046 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 9, 2025}}

File:Mary Magdalene Chapel (cropped2).jpg

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 65{{nbsp}}years of age or older. The median age was 42.8{{nbsp}}years. For every 100 females, there were 92.5 males.

There were 27,828 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,413.6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, of which 26,727 (96.0%) were occupied. Of these, 65.8% were owner-occupied, and 34.2% were occupied by renters.

In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $109,390, and the per capita income was $56,144. About 5.8% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line.{{cite web |title=Camarillo city, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP03?g=1600000US0610046 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 9, 2025}}

File:Father Juniperro Serra Catholic Church, Camarillo.JPG]]

The 2010 United States Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0610046|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140715023849/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0610046|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 15, 2014|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA – Camarillo city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}} reported that Camarillo had a population of 65,201. The population density was {{convert|3,336.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. 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%) from other races, and 3,118 (4.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino 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%) were traditional 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 17,029 families (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 {{convert|1,315.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}, 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.

File:Floral Clock in Camarillo, CA.jpg

File:CSUCI-camarillo state hospital bell tower-schafphoto.jpg serves as the campus of California State University, Channel Islands.]]

Semtech, Salem Communications, and Surfware are based in Camarillo.

According to the city's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,{{cite web |title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the Fiscal Year Ended June 30, 2020 |url=https://www.cityofcamarillo.org/City%20of%20Camarillo%20FY%202019-20%20CAFR.pdf |website=City of Camarillo |access-date=August 2, 2021}} the ten largest employers are:

File:University Hall CSUCI (cropped).jpg]]

The primary public high schools serving Camarillo are Adolfo Camarillo High School in Mission Oaks, Rio Mesa High School in Strickland between Oxnard and Camarillo, and Rancho Campana High School near the intersection of Lewis Road and Las Posas Road. All three high schools are part of the Oxnard Union High School District.

{{Main|Camarillo State Mental Hospital|California State University, Channel Islands}}

Camarillo State Mental Hospital was established near the city in the 1930s so that persons suffering from mental illnesses or tuberculosis could recover in Ventura County's balmy climate. Jazzman Charlie Parker's "Relaxin' at Camarillo," written while he was detoxing from heroin addiction, is a tribute to the facility. The song "Camarillo" by punk outfit Fear is also written about the facility. The band Ambrosia released a song called "Ready for Camarillo" on their 1978 Life 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 of California State University, Channel Islands. The university has retained the distinctive Mission 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{{cite web|url=https://www.csuci.edu/about/facts-history/index.htm|title=Facts & History - About CI - CSU Channel Islands|website=www.csuci.edu}} and is now accredited by the WASC.{{cite web|url=https://www.csuci.edu/accreditation/|title=WASC Accreditation - CSU Channel Islands|website=www.csuci.edu}}

File:Conejo Grade in Thousand Oaks.jpg, also known as the Camarillo Grade]]

The Pleasant Valley Recreation and Park District operates recreational facilities in Camarillo.{{citation needed|date=July 2018}}

{{colbegin|colwidth=15em}}

• Adolfo Park
• Arneill Ranch Park
• Birchview Park
• Bob Kildee Community Park
• Calleguas Creek
• Camarillo Grove Park
• Carmenita Park
• Charter Oak Park
• Community Center Park {{cite web|url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/jul/11/camarillo-community-band-members-perform-for-the/ |title=Camarillo Community Band members perform for the love of music |work=Ventura County Star |access-date=October 27, 2012}}
• Dos Caminos Park
• Encanto Park
• Foothill Park
• Freedom Park
• Heritage Park
• Laurelwood Park
• Eldred Lokker Memorial Park
• Mission Oaks Park {{cite web|last=Storer |first=Mark |url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/jul/13/fitness-camps-support-more-park-hours-for-dogs/ |title=Fitness camps support more park hours for Camarillo dogs |work=Ventura County Star |access-date=October 27, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Potkey |first=Rhiannon |url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/sep/27/women-in-league-of-their-own/ |title=Women in league of their own |work=Ventura County Star |access-date=October 27, 2012}}
• Nancy Bush Park
• Pitts Ranch Park
• Pleasant Valley Fields{{cite web|url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/sep/14/october-half-marathon-bears-olympians-name/ |title=October half-marathon bears Olympian's name |work=Ventura County Star |access-date=October 27, 2012}}{{cite web|last=Storer |first=Mark |url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/aug/31/camarillo-bike-trails-second-phase-almost/ |title=Camarillo bike trail's second phase almost complete |work=Ventura County Star |access-date=October 27, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/aug/14/camarillo-family-gives-back-with-softball-to/ |title=Camarillo family gives back with softball tournament to benefit children with cancer |work=Ventura County Star |access-date=October 27, 2012}}
• Quito Park
• Springville Park {{cite web |last=Guzman |first=Stephanie |url=http://www.thecamarilloacorn.com/news/2012-08-24/Front_Page/Dog_park_has_pet_owners_wagging_tails.html |title=Dog park has pet owners wagging tails |publisher=Camarillo Acorn |date=August 24, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001064314/http://www.thecamarilloacorn.com/news/2012-08-24/Front_Page/Dog_park_has_pet_owners_wagging_tails.html |archive-date=October 1, 2012 |url-status=dead }}
• Trailside Park
• Valle Lindo Park
• Woodcreek Park
• Woodside Park{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/i3.aspx?p=447 |title=City of Camarillo, CA |publisher=Ci.camarillo.ca.us |access-date=October 27, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010135715/http://www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/i3.aspx?p=447 |archive-date=October 10, 2012 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.seecalifornia.com/parks/camarillo-parks.html |title=Camarillo Parks and Recreational Opportunities in California |publisher=Seecalifornia.com |access-date=October 3, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.californiagreensolutions.com/cgi-bin/gt/tpl.h,content=3472 |title=Pleasant Valley Parks District in Camarillo, CA |publisher=Californiagreensolutions.com |access-date=October 3, 2013}}

{{colend}}

{{colbegin|colwidth=13em}}

• Aquatic Center {{cite web |last=Guzman |first=Stephanie |url=http://www.thecamarilloacorn.com/news/2012-08-24/Health_%28and%29_Wellness/Water_a_workout_for_all_ages.html |title=Water a workout for all ages |publisher=Camarillo Acorn |date=August 24, 2012 |access-date=October 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203002547/http://www.thecamarilloacorn.com/news/2012-08-24/Health_%28and%29_Wellness/Water_a_workout_for_all_ages.html |archive-date=December 3, 2013 |url-status=dead }}
• Auditorium
• Classrooms
• Community Center
• Dirt BMX Track
• Equestrian Center
• Freedom Center
• Freedom Gym
• Roller Hockey Rink
• R/C Track
• Senior Center
• Skatepark{{cite web|last=Storer |first=Mark |url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2009/jun/11/camarillo-skate-park-will-reopen-thursday/ |title=Camarillo skate park will reopen Thursday |work=Ventura County Star |access-date=October 27, 2012}}

{{colend}}

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 included Jessica Mendoza, Lisa Guerrero, Jack Wilson, Fernando Vargas, and Walter Brennan.{{cite web|last=Lara |first=Monica |url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/dec/08/camarillo-residents-come-out-for-christmas/ |title=Camarillo residents come out for Christmas parade |work=Ventura County Star |access-date=October 3, 2013}}{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-dec-07-me-61649-story.html |title=Robosaurus to Appear for Christmas Parade |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 9, 1998 |access-date=October 3, 2013}}

File:Main entrance, City of Camarillo Public Library.jpg]]

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/camarillo/2019/03/03/camarillo-council-seeks-public-suggestions-district-election-maps/2970568002/|title=Camarillo council seeks public suggestions on district election maps|last=Childs|first=Jeremy|date=March 4, 2019|website=Ventura County Star|language=en|access-date=March 4, 2019}} 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 the Ventura County Sheriff's Department under contract to the city, headquartered in a police station owned by the city.{{Cite news|last=Rode|first=Erin|date=June 25, 2020|title=Amid calls to defund the police, Ventura County cities' police spending remains unchanged|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2020/06/25/ventura-county-defund-the-police-spending-oxnard-thousand-oaks/3207567001/|access-date=July 3, 2020|newspaper=Ventura County Star|language=en}} The contract providing police services has been in place since the incorporation of Camarillo in 1964. The Sheriff's department helicopter fleet is hangared at Camarillo Airport. Ventura County Fire Department provides fire protection, with five stations within the city limits.{{r|VCS 2020/06/25}}

In 2000, Camarillo was a stronghold for the Republican Party, and had nearly twice as many Republican voters as Democratic voters.McCormack, Don (1999). McCormack's Guides Santa Barbara and Ventura 2000. Mccormacks Guides. Page 77. {{ISBN|9781929365098}}. By 2020, voter registration for both parties was close to even.{{cite report |date=January 3, 2020 |title=Report of Registration County Summary

|url=https://recorder.countyofventura.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/Ventura_ROR_County_Summary.pdf |publisher=Secretary of State, Elections Division, California Official Statewide Voter Registration System (VoteCal) |page=2 |access-date=January 31, 2020 |quote=Democratic: 14,792; Republican:15,820}}

;Library

On October 13, 2010, the Camarillo City Council voted 5–0 to withdraw from the Ventura County Library System, and enter into a public-private contract with Library 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.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110104104836/http://www.vcstar.com/news/2010/oct/14/camarillo-council-votes-to-leave-county-library/ Storer, Mark. "Camarillo Council Votes to Leave County Library System."] vcstar.com. Ventura County Star, Posted October 14, 2010, Wayback Machine Retrieved February 20, 2011[https://www.scribd.com/doc/39670167/LSSI-Camarillo Feng, Bruce. "City of Camarillo Agenda Report: Selection of Library Operator and Approval of Appropriation of Oct. 13, 2010."] City of Camarillo. Scribd{{Unreliable source?|date=March 2012}}. Retrieved February 20, 2011{{cite web |url=http://www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/main.aspx?q=6076&p=9011 |title=City of Camarillo, CA |publisher=Ci.camarillo.ca.us |access-date=November 28, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140629085952/http://www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/main.aspx?q=6076&p=9011 |archive-date=June 29, 2014 }}

On January 1, 2011, the City of Camarillo Public Library opened as a municipal public library."[http://www.vcstar.com/news/2011/jan/03/camarillo-public-library-launched-patrons-browse. Camarillo Public Library launched, patrons browse]", Ventura County Star, January 3, 2011. Retrieved April 7, 2011.

File:WW2 Restored B-25 Camarillo AirShow 8.17.08 - panoramio.jpg at Camarillo Airport, 2008]]

VCTC Intercity operates buses between Camarillo and several nearby cities, including the Conejo Express to the Warner 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 Airport {{Airport codes||KCMA|CMA}} is a public airport located {{convert|3|mi|km}} west of the central business district of Camarillo. The airport has one runway and serves privately operated general aviation and executive aircraft, with no scheduled commercial service.

Camarillo station is served by both Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner from San Luis Obispo to San Diego and Metrolink's Ventura County Line from Los Angeles Union Station to Montalvo. Ten Pacific 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).{{cite web|url=https://metrolinktrains.com/globalassets/schedules/timetables/2025/alllines_timetable_2025-03-31.pdf |title=All Lines Timetable |publisher=Metrolink |access-date=May 11, 2025}}

The city of Camarillo water system serves about two-thirds of its residents.{{Cite news|last=Rivers|first=Kimberly|date=January 21, 2021|title=Inframark To Operate New Ddesalter {{!}} Camarillo approves $11 million contract|url=https://vcreporter.com/2021/01/inframark-to-operate-new-desalter-camarillo-approves-11-million-contract/|access-date=January 21, 2021|work=VC Reporter |publisher= Times Media Group|language=en-US}} 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.{{cite news|last=Wenner |first=Gretchen |date=October 17, 2011|url=https://archive.vcstar.com/news/pipeline-construction-in-south-oxnard-expected-to-wrap-up-in-spring-ep-364338810-352270121.html/ |title=Pipeline construction in south Oxnard expected to wrap up in spring|newspaper=Ventura County Star|url-status=live|archive-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202042141/http://archive.vcstar.com/news/pipeline-construction-in-south-oxnard-expected-to-wrap-up-in-spring-ep-364338810-352270121.html/ |url-access=limited}} The North Pleasant Valley Desalter Project has been under consideration since 2008.{{Cite news |last=Childs |first=Jeremy |date=June 27, 2019 |title=After years of planning, contract awarded for Camarillo desalter plant |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/camarillo/2019/06/27/camarillo-desalter-plant-construction-project/1520665001/ |access-date=February 19, 2024 |newspaper=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}} The brackish well water from the Calleguas Creek watershed will be treated by the $66.3 million project.{{cite news|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/01/29/california-water-desalination-projects-move-forward-with-new-state-funding/|title=California water: Desalination projects move forward with new state funding|work=Bay Area News Group|via=Mercury News|first=Paul|last=Rogers|date=January 29, 2018|access-date=February 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180202130620/https://www.mercurynews.com/2018/01/29/california-water-desalination-projects-move-forward-with-new-state-funding/|archive-date=February 2, 2018|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/cities-approve-studies-for-regional-desalter|title=Cities approve studies for regional desalter|first=Marjorie|last=Hernandez|work=Ventura County Star|date=March 11, 2011|access-date=April 19, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002105721/http://www.vcstar.com/news/cities-approve-studies-for-regional-desalter|archive-date=October 2, 2015|url-status=live |url-access=limited}} The project began construction in September 2019.{{Cite web|last=Childs|first=Jeremy|date=September 12, 2019|title=Camarillo officials celebrate groundbreaking for long-planned desalter plant|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/camarillo/2019/09/12/camarillo-officials-celebrate-groundbreaking-desalter-plant/2290503001/|access-date=December 1, 2021|website=Ventura County Star|language=en-US}} The city held a ribbon cutting ceremony in November 2021 as the plant began to operate.{{Cite news |last=Varela|first=Brian J.|date=November 30, 2021|title=Camarillo's next wave of water unveiled with long-awaited desalter facility|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2021/11/30/camarillos-next-wave-water-unveiled-desalter-facility-opening/8795937002/|access-date=December 1, 2021|newspaper=Ventura County Star|language=en-US}} After extensive testing and adjustments, the plant started producing water for the city in January 2023.{{Cite news |last=Varela |first=Brian J. |date=January 23, 2023 |title=Camarillo's desalter plant begins supplying drinking water |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/camarillo/2023/01/23/california-north-pleasant-valley-groundwater-desalter-facility-supplying-drinking-water/69827838007/ |access-date=January 24, 2023 |newspaper=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}

The Camrosa Water District serves nearly 30,000 people in Camarillo and the Santa Rosa Valley along with agricultural customers. The district, which covers {{convert|31|sqmi|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 {{convert|1,000|acre·ft|m3}} of drinking water a year. The facility was the first paying customer for the Calleguas Regional Salinity Management Project.{{cite news|url= http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/camarillo/new-water-in-the-drought-camrosas-longrange-plans-hit-sweet-target_12828957|title= New water in the drought: Camrosa's long-range plans hit sweet target|newspaper= Ventura County Star|first= Gretchen|last= Wenner|date= April 17, 2015|access-date= April 19, 2015|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20151009025326/http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/camarillo/new-water-in-the-drought-camrosas-longrange-plans-hit-sweet-target_12828957|archive-date= October 9, 2015|url-status= live |url-access=limited}} (subscription may be required for this article){{cite web|url=http://www.camrosa.com/documents/initial_study_CSCUI.pdf|title=Environmental Initial Study of the California State University Channel Islands Wellwater Desalter Project|publisher=Camrosa Water District|archive-date=February 16, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110216233957/https://www.camrosa.com/documents/initial_study_CSCUI.pdf|access-date=April 19, 2015}}

A city facility processes and treats 75% of the wastewater. Camrosa Water District processes the rest.{{Cite news |last=Varela |first=Brian J. |date=March 11, 2024 |title=Camarillo launches $160M, years-long overhaul of wastewater plant |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2024/03/11/camarillo-launches-160m-overhaul-of-wastewater-treatment-plant/72858666007/ |access-date=March 11, 2024 |newspaper=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}

• August Ames, adult film actress
• Bryan Anger, NFL punter
• Bill Austin, football player of the 1950sO'Gorman, George. [http://www.trentonian.com/article/TT/20110124/SPORTS/301249970 "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."
• Bob and Mike Bryan, brothers and professional tennis players, 16 major championships, Olympic gold medalists
• Zach Charbonnet, football player for Seattle Seahawks.
• Brandon Cruz, actor and musician
• Kaley Cuoco, actress, star of television's The Big Bang Theory{{cite web|url=http://ca.movies.yahoo.com/person/kaley-cuoco/biography.html |title=Kaley Cuoco Biography – Yahoo Movies Canada |publisher=Ca.movies.yahoo.com |access-date=October 3, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131004220359/http://ca.movies.yahoo.com/person/kaley-cuoco/biography.html |archive-date=October 4, 2013 }}
• Jeremy Fischer, high jumper and coach
• Scott Fujita, linebacker for Cleveland Browns{{cite web|url=http://www.scottfujita.com/scott-fujita-blog/hello-im-japanese/ |title=Hello, I'm Japanese. :: Scott Fujita – Official Website |publisher=Scottfujita.com |access-date=November 28, 2013}}
• Nat Gertler, writer, comics creator (About Comics)
• Ashley Johnson, actress
• Bobby Kimball, wide receiver for Green Bay Packers 1979–80
• Charlie Kimball, Indycar driver
• Henry Koster, Academy Award-nominated film director
• John D. Lowry, film restoration specialist{{cite news|title=John D. Lowry dies at 79; innovative film-restoration executive |url=https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-john-lowry-20120201-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 1, 2011 |access-date=February 11, 2012}}
• Jessica Mendoza, USA softball player and ESPN baseball broadcaster
• Mad Mike, musician
• Peggy Moran, actress in films from 1938 to 1943
• Cyrus Nowrasteh, screenwriter, producer and director
• Mike Parrott, MLB pitcher for Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners 1977–81
• Duncan Renaldo, Western actor best remembered for playing The Cisco Kid.
• Marla Runyan, Paralympic gold medalist, one of only five athletes to participate in both Paralympics and Olympics
• Robert A. Rushworth, USAF astronaut{{cite news|title=Robert Rushworth, 68, Test Pilot of the X-15|newspaper=The New York Times|department=Obituaries|date=March 28, 1993|access-date=March 15, 2017|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/03/28/obituaries/robert-rushworth-68-test-pilot-of-the-x-15.html}}
• Jimmie Sherfy, Major League Baseball pitcher
• Emil Sitka, actor of many films and television shows, most notably The Three Stooges film shorts
• Jordan Sweeney, musician {{cite web|url=https://www.thecamarilloacorn.com/articles/illness-cant-keep-musician-from-stage/|title=Illness can't keep musician from stage - Camarillo Acorn|first=Eliav |last=Appelbaum|date=June 20, 2008|website=www.thecamarilloacorn.com}}
• Jeff Tackett, Major League Baseball catcher 1991–94
• Jason Wade, guitarist and vocalist of rock band Lifehouse
• Trevor Wallace, comedian, actor, podcaster
• Patrick Warburton, actor, known for TV series Seinfeld
• Delmon Young, Major League Baseball outfielder 2006–15
• JoJo Romero Major League Baseball pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals

• Adolfo Camarillo
• Camarillo Ranch House
• Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

{{wikivoyage|Camarillo}}

• {{Official website|http://www.ci.camarillo.ca.us/}}

{{Geographic location

| title = Destinations from Camarillo

| Centre = Camarillo

| North = Unincorporated Ventura County

| Northeast = Unincorporated Ventura County

| East = Santa Rosa Valley

| Southeast = Thousand Oaks

| South = Santa Monica Mountains

| Southwest = Unincorporated Ventura County

| West = Unincorporated Ventura County

| Northwest = Unincorporated Ventura County

}}

{{Camarillo, California}}

{{Ventura County, California}}

{{Greater Los Angeles Area}}

{{California Central Coast}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Ventura County, California

Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California

Category:1898 establishments in California

Category:Populated places established in 1898