Fillmore – The Last, Best Small Town
in Southern California

Founded over 100 years ago beside a Southern Pacific RR station, Fillmore remains a “railroad” town to this day. Fillmore is in Northern Ventura County on the Heritage Valley Highway 126 between the cities of Santa Paula and Piru. A small, engaging town, Fillmore real estate is located below the peak of the San Cayetano Mountains, within the historic greenbelt of Ventura County’s agricultural land.

Fillmore´s downtown district is about six blocks of wonderful, well-maintained architecture ranging from the late 1800s to the 1940s. It is not a hodge-podge of buildings but a wonderful mixture of different eras. The downtown district is comprised of local small businesses and boasts a wonderful Central Park Plaza, reminiscent of the pueblo plazas. The new City Hall, built in the Neo-Classical design, sits directly behind it. A short distance from the park is the railroad promenade with unique shops, museums, the Glessinger Winery and the famous Fillmore Train Depot. The depot and surrounding buildings are almost like a village itself. Fillmore real estate is also home to the fabulous Elkins Ranch, a great local golf course.

Fillmore has the distinction of being named one of “The West’s Best Cities” by Sunset Magazine. This honor has only been bestowed on 24 communities in the western United States. This is a fact that Fillmore is naturally quite proud of.

Fillmore’s Economy

Agriculture is the mainstay of Fillmore’s economy. Small businesses and industries are also vital to the community. Fillmore USD is the largest employer in the city. Hollywood also contributes to Fillmore’s economy so much so that they have even formed a department to promote and act as a liaison for the City. The area has always been popular for its unspoiled beauty, even in Hollywood´s heyday. The 1992 movie “Chaplin” was filmed here largely due to its accurate representation of early historical California. With small towns quickly vanishing in Southern California, Fillmore and the valley are perfect movie settings.

Fillmore’s Educational System

Schools in Fillmore serve students from Fillmore, Barsdale and Piru. There are three elementary schools, one intermediate school as well as Fillmore High operating in Fillmore. A continuation school for students who march to the beat of a different drummer is also available in the city. Fillmore Bible Church offers parents a choice for private education for their children.

Things to See & Do in Fillmore

Fillmore is mostly known for its thriving historic train depot. There is a short-line train which runs from Fillmore to nearby Santa Paula. It is an enchanting roundtrip ride aboard a true old-fashioned train that travels through the Fillmore area, its farms and orchards and offers wonderful mountain views. The Fillmore and Western also offer several specialty tours that are a truly unique and fun experience. You can see some of Fillmore’s trains in such films as “Of Mice and Men” and “City Slickers”.

Fillmore Depot has its own “village”, with shops, museums and a winery within steps of the depot. The downtown area, with its Central Park and City Hall, should not be missed. Fillmore is a unique get-a-way for the whole family as well as a great place to visit for those extra special romantic times.

The small farming community of Bardsdale is situated across the river from Fillmore. Nearby is the Sespe Wilderness Area (where a giant California Condor sanctuary calls home), Lake Piru, Fillmore Equestrian Center, the private Kenny Grove Park and Los Padres National Forest.

Fillmore is a great place to stay when you want to be away from the crowds and hustle and bustle of the average tourist town and yet has every type of tourist attraction close at hand.