Camarillo Life & Real Estate

There are many reasons to own a home in Camarillo. However, I am not about to explain why you should invest in a home in this beautiful city.

This is a report for those who are interested in buying a home or would like to know about the condition of the Camarillo Real Estate Market as of spring of 2007.

Real Estate Market Report, Camarillo, Ventura County, California:

Report date:                                                              Spring 2007

Buyers' or sellers' market:                                          More sellers than buyers

Average time on market:                                            60-90 days

Housing inventory:                                                     Good supply of all prices

Average home price:                                                  $625,000

Compared to last year:                                              Down 5-10%

Multiple offers:                                                           No

Activity:                                                                     Single-family homes

Housing hot spots:                                                   Since January the prices for 3 and 4 bedroom

                                                                                detached homes have been drawing significant

                                                                                increases in buyers. Larger homes in the Heights,

                                                                                Las Posas Estates, Sterling Hills and Santa Rosa

                                                                                areas have maintained their value, but they continue

                                                                                to experience longer listing terms to attract offers.

Its grand opening was spectacular. So many enthusiasts showed up that one could hardly enjoy the vast service it has to offer the citizens of Camarillo.

It was not until a week ago that my two daughters I were able to enjoy the peace and tranquility of the new Camarillo Library.

My 10 year old daughter wanted to check out some library books so I decided to bring my laptop along to get some work done.

What Did the Girls Do?

The library's children's section has so much to offer children of all ages. Unfortunately the homework room was closed when we arrived so the girls decided to play on the computers. In order to get on the library computers you must have a library card and believe me they are all safe for our children to browse the World Wide Web. Well they didn't spend their entire time on the computers. There are so many books to check out any so many corners to visit that you can be in this section of the library for days.

What Did I Do?

I caught up with my blogging, answered emails, and worked on updating my web site. As I said I had my laptop with me but, if you don't have a laptop computer you can use a library computer. All you need is your library card number and the last 4 digit of your phone number and viola!! you are in and connected to the Web.

Before we knew it we were at the library for 3 hours and all of us got a lot done, no money spent, and had some fun.

I would suggest once a month going to our library for an afternoon of reading and learning with your kids. You don't have to do an activity with the kids the entire time. for example youcould bring your bills and pay them while the kids are reading or playing educational games on the computers.

The Olivas Adobe:

Located in Ventura this is the former home of Don Raymundo Olivas and his family and dates back to the mid-1800s. Admission is free. For more information please call: (805) 644-6542

Underwood Family Farms:

Pick your own produce and visit the animals at this working ranch at 3370 Sunset Valley Road, Moorpark. This family farm is a great place for having birthday parties for the kids or a wedding reception. (believe me I've been to both)

Camarillo Premium Outlet Malls:

Upscale designers with discount prices make this a shopping trip worth the drive. The sprawling complex includes outlets for Saks Fifth Avenue, Barneys, Banana Republic, Calvin Klein, Ellen Tracy and BCBG.  As I was visiting the mall today I notice a brand new Gymboree Outlet addition to the Camarillo Premium Outlet.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum:

The Ronald Reagan Library located in Simi valley is the largest of all the presidential libraries. The exhibit includes a full-scale version of Reagan's Oval Office, a section of the Berlin Wall, a first-ladies exhibit and 1.6 million photographs. The Air Force One Pavilion, displays the jet that Reagan and other presidents flew on during their terms of office. For more information please call: (800) 410-8354.

Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza:

This is the largest performing arts center between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The Civic Arts Plaza's headliners run the spectrum from contemporary to classic, in addition to touring Broadway musicals, popular entertainers and award-winning children's programs. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster or at the box office at 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. For more information, call (805) 449-ARTS (2787).

Summer is coming and it's time to plan those summer activities. If you are in our neighbourhood here are some of the activities that Iwould highly recommend for you and your family to consider.

Ventura Beaches

Ventura's beautiful coastline is ideal for swimming, fishing, scuba diving, snorkeling, sea kayaking, sailing, and the best surfing in Southern California. Some of the most popular beaches are: Emma Wood State Beach, Faria Beach, Hobson Beach, Marina Park, Rincon Beach, San Buenventura State Beach, Seaward Avenue Beach, Surfers Knoll Beach, Surfers Point at Seaside Park, and Ventura Harbor Village & Marina. For more information visit: http://www.ventura.com/activities/beaches

Channel Islands National Park

The islands and their surrounding one mile of ocean, with its kelp forests, compose Channel Islands National Park where you can enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming, fishing, bird watching, kayaking, whale watching, sailing/boating, hiking, wildlife viewing and stargazing.

Limoneira Tours

Limoneira Tours offers a variety of adventures that take you back in time where you can live the rich history of the Ventura County fields and groves. Experience Hot Air Balloon Rides, Horseback Rides, Backcountry Jeep Tours, Citrus Ranch/Packing House Tours, Chuck Wagon Lunch, Gourmet Orchard Dining, and Historic Hometown Tours. The one-hour hot air balloon rides, which launch in Santa Paula, offer panoramic views of the Santa Clara Valley, Topa Mountains, Pacific Ocean and Channel Islands. For more information visit http://www.limoneiratours.com/

Lake Piru Recreational Area

This beautiful foothill lake offers excellent boating, water skiing, trout/bass fishing, camping, swimming, hiking, a picnic area with a wonderful view of the lake, a marina, and a stocked store. for more information visit http://www.lake-piru.org/

Mission San Buenventura

The ninth mission in the California chain, San Buenaventura was founded in 1782 by Father Serra on the beach of the Santa Barbara Channel. One of the main reasons for the mission's prosperity was the extensive irrigation provided by a seven-mile aqueduct that brought water from the Ventura River. make sure to visit the church that was restored to its original state in 1957.

Los Padres National Forest

Los Padres National Forest encompasses 1.75 million acres in the coastal mountains of Southern California. The Forest features beautiful streams, rivers and beaches for a variety of recreational activities. Miles of trails offer hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. The Forest has 10 designated Wildernesses areas comprising 875,000 acres.

The City of Camarillo's Redevelopment Plans;

 As I had the opportunity to speak with a member of the Camarillo's city planner office I found out that in the near future there are some additions and big changes to be done to our city of Camarillo.

• The Camarillo Commons

The plan area encompasses about 55 acres. Located in the heart of the city of Camarillo, the city plans to redevelop this area into a mixed-used neighborhood of shops, business offices and multi-unit housing. This area is bounded by four major roads; Daily Drive (the frontage road off of Highway 101) to the south, Mobil Avenue to the west, Ponderosa Drive to the north, and Arneill Road to the east. (Completion unknown)

• The Camarillo Promenade

The 61 acre empty lot neighboring Edwards Cinemas is set a side for the Camarillo Promenade. The development will not only include additional shops and restaurants, but will share space with a full-service Marriott hotel and conference center. (Completion unknown)

• Springville Development

Total of 1,100 to 1,350 homes are to be constructed after the city of Camarillo builds the Springville Drive Interchange between the Las Posas Road and Central Avenue exits on Highway 101. The 173.5-acre Springville plan also could allow development of 90 senior apartments, a shopping center and two five-acre public parks. (Completion 2009-2011)

There are also plans in the making to redevelop the military condos neighboring Las Posas School in order for the units to house more military families. Currently these condos are too small for families' of the individuals serving at Point Mugu Naval Base.  

I hope you find this ibit of nformation useful. Come back periodically as I post other updates and changes happening in Camarillo.

Thank You Camarillo Parents

The fight to keep Camarillo neighborhood schools open reached its climax in the month of March.

It was in this month that I joined a group of determined parents who were not going to let our school district change what we had set up for our children.

It is remarkable what human determination and strength can achieve. A force of parents with different educational backgrounds, trades, and skills is not to be taken lightly by anyone. And it was our hard work and persistence that directed the school district to look into alternative ways of achieving their agenda.

And it was this same group of dedicated parents that encouraged the school district to look into keeping our neighborhood school, Camarillo Heights, open for another year and we hope many more years to come.

I have come to personally know and admire most of these parents. Parents like myself who put a significant amount of time and effort to only act based on the love we all harbor our children. 

I would like to thank all of you Concerned Parents of Camarillo Heights (that is the name we gave ourselves).