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THINGS
TO DO IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA |
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Heritage
Valley Southern California Road Trip
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By Matthew
Martz |
Sometimes
the best journeys begin with an interesting road trip.
One that can be almost, if not be more exhilarating than
your final destination. And here in California, we have
plenty of wide-open highways that twist and turn and cut
straight lines through some of the most beautiful and
interesting places in the entire country.
One such stretch of highway is State Route 126 that
connects Interstate 5 in Santa Clarita, to U.S. Route
101 in Ventura.
Constructed in the late 1950s, this stretch of California
highway follows the banks of the Santa Clara River through
Heritage Valley, passing through the towns of Piru,
Fillmore, Santa Paula and the national landmark of Spanish
Rancho Camulos, all bursting with citrus and avocado
orchards, roadside produce stands, as well as historic
landmarks, antique airplanes and railroad history.
Starting your adventure heading west from the Santa
Clarita Valley, your first stop should be at the Rancho
Camulos Museum in Piru. Established as a National Historic
Museum in 1996, the compound is situated on 40 acres
of pristine agricultural ground, situated within a 1,800-acre
working ranch known as the Camulos Ranch Company.
The museum comprises 15 structures, all built in the
19th century, including the main adobe, a gorgeous water
fountain, an outdoor chapel, a bell structure, and a
winery surrounded by lush tranquil gardens. It is one
the last examples of Old California.
Visitors are treated to tales told by knowledgeable
docents about the people who lived and worked on the
rancho as well as the story of Ramona, the 1884 novel
by Helen Hunt Jackson, a love story that best expressed
the plight of the American Indian. Docent led tours
are available on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays or by
appointment.
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Heritage Valley
Ventura County CA |
Before leaving
the Piru area, it’s a short drive to the Piru Murals
located along the Camulos Bike Trial. These 16 majestic
portrayals of old Spanish land grants and historic families,
are the works of renowned artist and muralist Carlos Callejo,
and tell the story of Piru’s place in Old California.
Just steps from the murals, and scattered through downtown
district of Piru, are 17 two-foot diameter mosaic circles
that are placed in the sidewalk at each corner of an intersection,
aptly called the Piru Circles. Designed by mosaic artist
Helle Scharling, these unique pieces of art illustrates
different aspects of the history, nature, and economics
of the upper Santa Clara Valley. A brochure explaining
the significance of each mosaic can be obtained at the
Piru Visitors Center.
Continuing your westward trek on State Route 126, be
sure not to pass up the opportunity to visit Bennett’s
Honey Farm. The Bennett’s have been producing and
packaging their delicious staple for over 20 years, and
visitors are treated to a delectable variety of flavors
to sip from in the quaint tasting room while surrounded
by little wax candles in the shapes of honey jars.
There are some unusual concoctions you won’t find
anywhere else, such as avocado honey, sage honey and a
bee’s wax based lip balm. There is also a bee wall
located in the gift shop where you can view the little
critters hard at work without the risk of being stung.
Just a few miles west of Bennett’s,
nestled at the base of the Las Padres National Forest,
you will find yourself in the small, picturesque town
of Fillmore. As you make the small departure off rural
Highway 126, you will be greeted by a 1920's-era business
quarter where you are instantly immersed in an eclectic
mix of agriculture, small industry and the history of
the Fillmore
Western Railway.
Once abandoned and now restored, the historic tracks are
used today for transporting families year round on a variety
of tours that take you through mountains, rivers, creeks,
nurseries, and the century-old citrus and avocado orchards
of the Heritage Valley.
You can enjoy the only murder mystery dinner train in
southern California, climb aboard a romantic wine or dinner
excursion, or depart for one of the many seasonal destinations.
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California
Oil Museum |
Rancho Camulos Museum |
As you pass the numerous
roadside produce stands along your route, it’s hard
not to stop and peek at the goodies they have to offer.
And a road trip through the Heritage Valley countryside
would not be complete without pulling off the road and shopping
for the freshest and sweetest fruits. These mini markets
offer the very best deals on the freshest produce that may
have been picked that same day from a farm not too far away.
Stocked up on fresh fruit, your next stop
will land you in a town embedded in historic preservation
of early California’s oil discovery—Santa
Paula. Therefore, it’s reasonable that your first
stop should be at the California Oil Museum, where rotating
exhibits of science, technology, transportation, history,
and art accent the permanent petroleum exhibits that tell
the story of the black gold that put this tiny town on
the map.
There are plenty of other historic landmarks
and unique places of interest to see in the area, including
the Museum of Aviation History at the Santa Paula Airport,
as well as the Santa Paula Train Depot and Railroad Plaza
Park, and the Santa Paula Murals. So make sure you allow
yourself plenty of time to take them all in.
Finally, stretch your legs and enjoy the
refreshing breeze of the Pacific, and one of the many
breathtaking sunsets, as you end your day with a laid-back
stroll down the Ventura Pier--the longest wooden pier
in California.
The drive from Santa Clarita to Ventura
is 44 miles and will take approximately 2 hours.
Article by Matthew Martz
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Oxnard
a unique blend of
maritime adventure and natural resources. |
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Ojai
Valley is located a few miles up highway
33 about 12 miles inland from Ventura |
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