Location: Old Town Camarillo, CA
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Hey AV explorers, Thomas here – if you’re looking for a day trip that swaps desert heat for cool Ventura County breezes, small-town character, and a full-blown street festival, Old Town Camarillo is your move this week. About 1.5 hours from Lancaster, Camarillo sits at the base of the Conejo foothills and enjoys some of the most reliably mild weather in Southern California year-round – it’s the kind of place where a summer evening actually calls for a light jacket, which is a gift in mid-July.
This week, Old Town is hosting the Heritage Days Fiesta (July 15–19), a five-day community celebration that drew over 70,000 visitors last year. It’s a genuine hometown festival – not a corporate event – with carnival rides, live music stages, local craft vendors, live art, a beer and wine garden, and a classic car show on the weekend. Admission is completely free, making it one of the best bang-for-your-buck day trips in the archive. The festival grounds run along Ventura Boulevard in the heart of Old Town, with two entertainment stages running simultaneously through the evening. Weekday hours are 4–10 PM Wednesday and Thursday, and 4–11 PM on Friday, so this is a great mid-week evening trip if you want to skip weekend crowds – head out after lunch and arrive as things heat up. Saturday runs 10 AM–11 PM and Sunday 10 AM–8 PM for those who want a full day.
Old Town itself is worth the trip any time of year. The historic Ventura Boulevard strip – originally laid out in 1910 – is lined with locally owned restaurants, boutique shops, an antique mall, wine bars, and craft breweries, all walkable in a leisurely afternoon. Twisted Oak Tavern & Brewery is a local favorite in a 100-year-old building, with 15–20 rotating craft beers on tap and creative burgers. Twenty88 Wine Bistro is the spot for a sit-down dinner, with a dog-friendly patio, a strong wine list, and a menu of steaks and seasonal California fare. For something classic, Ottavio’s Italian Restaurant has been a fixture in Old Town for over 50 years. And if you want to keep it simple, Old Town Cafe is a beloved family-owned breakfast and lunch spot right on the boulevard.
Making it a Full Day:
If you’re going on Saturday, start early at the Camarillo Farmers Market (8 AM–noon), one of the most beloved Saturday morning traditions in Ventura County, with local produce, artisan goods, baked goods, and live music right in Old Town. From there, browse the Antique Mall and Old Town shops before the festival grounds open at 10 AM. Car show fans will want to arrive Saturday morning when the classic car show is in full swing.
For a weekday trip, hit the road after lunch, stop at the Camarillo Premium Outlets (160 stores including Polo Ralph Lauren, Coach, Tory Burch, and more) on your way in for a couple of hours of shopping, then make your way to Old Town as the festival kicks into gear at 4 PM. If you have aviation buffs in the group, the Commemorative Air Force Southern California Wing Museum at Camarillo Airport is an impressive detour – flyable WWII combat aircraft, exhibits, and a library – and it’s just a few minutes from Old Town.
Thomas’s Local Tips:
- 🎡 Free admission – no tickets needed – The Heritage Days Fiesta is completely free to attend. Carnival rides are ticketed individually, and the beer and wine garden is open to guests 21 and over with ID, but walking the festival, watching the car show, catching live music, and browsing the vendors costs nothing.
- 🚆 Take the Metrolink and skip the parking headache – The Metrolink Ventura County Line stops right in Old Town Camarillo, walking distance from the festival grounds. During the festival weekend, parking in Old Town gets tight fast. Catching the train from Burbank or Chatsworth is a genuinely stress-free option – and it adds a fun road-trip feel to the day.
- 🍺 Hit Twisted Oak early for dinner – Twisted Oak Tavern fills up fast on Heritage Days evenings. If you want to snag a patio table, get there right when it opens rather than after you’ve already walked the festival.
- 🌬️ Pack a light layer for the evening – Camarillo evenings in July regularly drop into the mid-60s, especially once the marine layer rolls in. Coming from the AV, you’ll appreciate the cool air – but bring a jacket if you’re staying for the late show.
Nature’s calling, it’s time to pick up… See you out there!
