{"id":144,"date":"2018-07-26T18:28:59","date_gmt":"2018-07-26T18:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.com\/blog\/?p=144"},"modified":"2024-08-12T13:49:59","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T17:49:59","slug":"the-southern-california-seven","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/the-southern-california-seven\/","title":{"rendered":"The Southern California Seven"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Few places allow you to reconnect with nature quite like Southern California. With its golden sandy beaches, legendary surf spots, mountains for hiking and biking, and picturesque vineyards for tasting,\u00a0Southern California is one giant outdoor playground. Here we put the spotlight on some of the area\u2019s hottest beach towns and inland hideaways, ideally suited for weekend escapes, raising a family, or simply retiring on the beach.<\/p>\n

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VENTURA |\u00a0 The City of Good Fortune<\/h4>\n

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\"\"This \u201cunder-the-radar-charmer\u201d is perhaps one of the California real estate market\u2019s best kept secrets\u2014and the classic beach town wouldn\u2019t have it any other way. Known for its panoramic mountain vistas, miles of\u00a0uncrowded beaches, and mild year-round climate, Ventura offers a\u00a0 relaxed vibe, ideally situated on one long stretch\u00a0 of sand that has been transformed into several popular beaches for surfing, windsurfing, and sunbathing beneath big blue skies and salty ocean breeze.<\/p>\n

Located just 27 miles south of Santa Barbara and 60 miles north of Los Angeles, Ventura is the gateway to Channel Islands National Park, which encompasses five remarkable islands for exploring \u2014 Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara. Each island is abundant with wildlife, plants, and archaeological resources found nowhere else on Earth. At the heart of town lies its centerpiece, a revitalized downtown with a thriving arts district reflecting the charms of a bygone era. Here you\u2019ll find boutiques, wine bars, restaurants, inns, galleries, and stage theaters for endless entertainment.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n“The in-between of coastal Heaven. Ventura is a unique beachfront town, wonderful because almost anywhere you are you have a view of the ocean. Well known for its surfing, sailing and other water sports, but also very\u00a0<\/em>close<\/em> to Ojai Valley, minutes from Santa Barbara and an hour from LA\u2014making it a highly desirable location.”\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014Larry <\/em>Krogh, <\/em>Managing<\/em> Broker<\/em>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Downtown Ventura\u2019s Main Street also includes notable landmarks like the historic Mission San Buenaventura with its iconic church circa 1809, and the wooden\u00a0Ventura Pier where people can watch boats depart from one of California\u2019s last working harbors. The\u00a0town is also home to more than 700 acres of parkland and facilities for unbeatable outdoor recreation. Home styles can range from sprawling estates to beachfront\u00a0cottages. Residents enjoy pristine bike paths, lush parks, numerous historical sites, and designated areas for\u00a0sailing, surfing, tennis, and league sports. With postcard views and pristine California beachfront, it\u2019s easy to see why Ventura is called \u201cThe City of Good Fortune.\u201d<\/p>\n

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OJAI |\u00a0 The Charms Are Many in Ventura County\u2019s Smallest City<\/h4>\n

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\"\"First populated by the Chumash Indians, Ojai\u2019s name was originally derived from the native word Ahwai, meaning moon. Although it is just a few short miles up Highway 33, Ojai feels worlds away, as it is situated in a secluded valley in the Topa Topa Mountains. About 12 miles inland from\u00a0Ventura, this village-like city is the smallest in Ventura County, but its charms are many. Nestled in the Ojai Valley, the town is surrounded by natural mountainous peaks that give off a magical glow in the evening light, known to locals as \u201cthe pink moment.\u201d This enchanting spectacle was made famous in the 1939 movie, The Lost Horizon, when it was photographed to represent Shangri-La in the film.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n“Ojai Valley is a great place to visit, but even a better place to live! Once you visit the Ojai town you\u2019ll see why so many people from all around the world come to visit and eventually stay as it\u2019s a unique place with a chill vibe making it an inviting stop for tourists along\u00a0<\/em>their way, as well as families looking to relocate and call Ojai Valley their home.”<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014Nate Minkel, Sales Associate<\/em>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Bordering the north of town sits Los Padres National Forest with meandering trails for hiking. Nearby Lake Casitas is popular for\u00a0camping, boating, and fishing, as well as the renowned Libbey Park, which is the site of the Ojai Tennis Tournament and number of\u00a0community events. Ojai is recognized for focusing on small business and serves as a hub for non-profits. A longtime haven for artists, musicians, and health enthusiasts, Ojai entertains residents and visitors with its thriving arts scene, New Age shops, and places to retreat from the faced-paced lifestyle of the city. Every year, the Ojai Music Festival draws a crowd, namely for its reputation as a creative laboratory for artists and audiences alike. As one of the oldest towns in Ventura County, Ojai is a treasure you have to see to believe.<\/p>\n

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CAMARILLO |\u00a0 A Bedroom Community Where “The People Are the City”<\/h4>\n

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\"\"Located just 18 minutes from downtown Ventura, rests the inland bedroom community of Camarillo. The town is nestled in Pleasant Valley 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,\u00a0and the western reaches of the Santa Monica Mountains to the south. Ventura\u00a0 Highway\u00a0 (U.S.\u00a0 Route\u00a0 101) is\u00a0 the city\u2019s primary thoroughfare and serves as a great access point to the abundant Pleasant Valley parks and recreation. From one-story ranches, to towering estates with ocean views, the city\u00a0is made up of large housing tracts surrounded by great schools and quaint shopping centers.<\/p>\n

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\"\"Camarillo has\u00a0 its\u00a0 own\u00a0 unique personality bustling with arts, culture, and specialty shops, but at its center is the main attraction \u2014 Old Town Camarillo. This thriving business district aims to preserve the heart and soul of Camarillo and gives people a place to gather. Set against a picturesque backdrop of agricultural vistas with cool ocean breezes, the town enjoys a temperate Mediterranean-style climate with over 300 days of sunshine each year, and an occasional morning fog in spring and early summer. From breweries, bistros, and sporting events, to a world-class\u00a0outlet mall, country clubs, and concerts in the park, Camarillo is a tight-knit community that invites people to come for the sun, and stay for the fun.<\/p>\n

\n“A\u00a0 <\/em>gateway <\/em>between <\/em>the Pacific <\/em>ocean <\/em>and the <\/em>California <\/em>of\u00a0 yesteryear, Camarillo\u2019s sun-filled landscape proves to\u00a0 be\u00a0 an\u00a0 ideal setting for\u00a0\u00a0 a variety of Californians, from budding families to retirees. The city is well known for protecting its agriculture.The people in\u00a0 Camarillo are fun, laid-back and gravitate toward the many great restaurants and street fairs held in \u201cOld Town.\u201d When you can nearly always\u00a0<\/em>count on a gorgeous 75 degrees, golf courses and tennis clubs are a haven that attract athletes and visitors for miles around.”<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014Ju<\/em>liana Lisheski, Sales Associate<\/em>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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OXNARD |\u00a0 Strawberry Fields Forever<\/h4>\n

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Widely known for its annual California Strawberry Festival and over 20 miles of pristine Pacific coastline, Oxnard is for people who thrive in outdoor recreation without all the crowds. From coastal bike rides and leisurely hikes among the wildflowers, to surfing at Silver Strand\u00a0Beach and whale watching off the Ventura Coast, Oxnard boasts a near perfect year-round climate with incredible outdoor amenities that allow you to refresh and renew. It\u2019s a major destination for sailing, golf, sport fishing, and kayaking, but it\u2019s the town\u2019s fantastic art scene, and number of eclectic festivals that truly set it apart. Whether you\u2019re looking\u00a0for a romantic stroll down Mandalay Beach, or prefer to experience downtown\u2019s museum tours, gallery events, ethnic markets or historic houses, there is something for everyone in Oxnard.<\/p>\n

Originally an agricultural city centered on cattle grazing, crops, and orchards, Oxnard has grown into a culturally diverse and enterprising community that is as business-friendly as it is forward-thinking, and somehow remains true to\u00a0 its roots. Oxnard is noted for its exceptionally fertile soil and plays host to weekly farmer\u2019s markets where residents flock to stock their fridge with fresh produce. On any given day, head to Oxnard\u2019s Heritage Square to enjoy a bite to eat on the courtyard plaza marked by striking fountains, lush gardens, and a collection of restored Victorian and Craftsman houses once owned by the city\u2019s pioneering families.<\/p>\n

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\n“Oxnard is a thriving Thermopolis, full of action and a thriving community. From the oceanfront homes to the expanding condo and new home development in the Riverpark Collection area, you\u2019ll find plenty to do. Oxnard may be a beautiful growing city but you can also find the tranquil serenity of flower and fruit farms alongside wineries sprawling throughout. Whether you\u2019re a local or a visitor, there is always something to pique your interests. <\/em>“<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014Teri Pe\u00f1a<\/em>, Sales Associate<\/em>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Named one of the safest cities in America, Oxnard is very family-friendly, with a state-of-the art high school, revitalized junior high, and several new elementary schools. Rich with history and culture, Oxnard is also where world-famous activist and union pioneer C\u00e9sar Ch\u00e1vez spent his childhood. Today, it\u2019s home to some of the best sushi on the West Coast, is a mecca for music and dance, and hosts the wildly popular Oxnard Salsa Festival each year.<\/p>\n

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MALIBU |\u00a0 Beachfront Town with Star Power<\/h4>\n

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\"\"Famous for its warm, sandy beaches, and home to countless movie stars and pro athletes, Malibu is\u00a0 one of\u00a0 Southern California\u2019s hottest beach towns. It\u2019s also considered to have some of the most perfect waves anywhere. The town consists of a 21-mile strip of Pacific coastline, rugged mountains,\u00a0wooded canyons, and sheltered coves, loved by residents who appreciate the privacy, surf, and unforgettable sunsets.<\/p>\n

The town\u2019s famed Surfrider Beach off the Malibu Pier was named the first World Surfing Reserve, long admired for its surfing waves and super long right hand break for riding. Nearby Zuma Beach is a magnet for locals looking to lounge seaside and soak up the sun. In winter, Point Dume is an ideal perch to spot migrating gray whales on Malibu\u2019s north end, and for a memorable afternoon any time of year, try a Malibu Wine Hike. At Saddlerock Ranch Vineyard you\u2019ll be treated to a view of the original Chumash cave drawings.<\/p>\n

As for homes, most residents live within a few hundred yards of Pacific Coast\u00a0Highway (State Route 1), which traverses the city. Others choose to live up to a mile away from the beach in the narrow canyon. Whichever you choose, you will quickly find that Malibu is bounded more or less by Topanga Canyon to the east, Santa\u00a0Monica Mountains to the north, Pacific Ocean to the south, and Ventura County to the west. You\u2019ll never tire of the views.<\/p>\n

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From serene beach picnics and hikes through the hills, to savoring the day\u2019s catch\u00a0at a caf\u00e9 on the pier, then perusing Ancient Greek and Roman Art at the Getty Villa, Malibu is riddled with attractions. And it\u2019s highly regarded lifestyle, unmatched\u00a0surf, sand, and rising home values are what keep attracting buyers from all over the world. Just keep your eyes open, homes in Malibu don\u2019t stay on the market long.<\/p>\n

\n“Malibu is the unique coastal playground for celebrities and the local community who love the beaches, outdoor activities, beautiful weather and overall lifestyle. Malibu offers some\u00a0<\/em>of the most luxurious ocean view homes to be found in all the world and attracts visitors from faraway places, too. The Malibu experience is iconic and highly coveted!”<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014Gwen Mulligan, Sales Associate<\/em>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

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CARPINTERIA |\u00a0 The Best Things Come in Small Packages<\/h4>\n

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\"\"The ocean is your backyard in this adorable enclave, prized by visitors and residents for its small town charms, neighborly spirit, and relaxed pace.\u00a0From pristine beaches to majestic mountain views, Carpinteria certainly has enough to keep a person busy despite its small size. Ideally located between Ventura and Santa Barbara, Carpinteria has historically been isolated from other coastal towns, relying mostly on entertainment and a diverse economy to sustain. Today, it\u2019s where people come to let loose, and partake in the ultimate seaside escape.<\/p>\n

Here you can swim, surf, roller blade, skateboard, dance, ride bikes or sweat it out at the gym. Almost any Sunday afternoon you\u2019ll find a game of\u00a0soccer or a family picnic at one of the many beautiful parks. For the perfect gift or unique addition to your wardrobe, residents head to the shops on Linden Avenue. Savor a gourmet meal at a local caf\u00e9 or walk the pathways of the estuary, in Carpinteria you\u2019ll never get bored. In addition, the Santa Barbara Polo & Racquet Club\u2019s facilities are located here, which is great pastime for polo enthusiasts and newcomers to the sport.\"\"<\/p>\n

\u201cCarpinteria is a little piece of coastal paradise located east of Santa Barbara and northwest of Ventura. With a beautiful natural setting and small town charm, you can enjoy shopping or eating at the caf\u00e9s all clustered along the main street. You can also camp, explore tide pools, surf swim or watch seals and sea lions at the Carpinteria State Beach or surrounding beaches. With breathtaking mountain and ocean views, Carpinteria is a wonderful places to live, work and play!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\n– Lisa Marie Smithson, Sales Associate<\/em>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

As for beaches, the gorgeous long beach that fronts the ocean along the length of the city is actually considered two beaches \u2014 one is Carpinteria\u00a0City, the other Carpinteria State. Rincon Beach, a world-renown surf spot, is\u00a0 just southeast of\u00a0 downtown. To\u00a0 the northwest, residents take\u00a0 advantage of Padaro Beach \u2014 an unofficial beach primarily known to the locals. Homes here tend to be quaint beach cottages, stunning ranches, or Spanish\u00a0style retreats. Known for its safe shores and favorable weather, Carpinteria is a family-friendly town where wealthy retirees and artisans, live amongst avocado farmers, shopkeepers, and young families in harmony.<\/p>\n

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SANTA BARBARA |\u00a0 The American Riviera<\/h4>\n

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\"\"Located about 100 miles west-northwest of Los Angeles along the Pacific coast sits Santa Barbara. This breathtaking stretch along southern Santa Barbara County is\u00a0 often referred\u00a0\u00a0 to as the \u201cAmerican Riviera\u201d because of its favorable Mediterranean climate and undeniable beauty. The town itself is anchored by the majestic Santa Ynez Mountains, an east-west trending range that rises dramatically behind the city with several peaks exceeding 4,000\u00a0feet. Covered with chaparral and sandstone outcrops, they make a famously scenic backdrop to the town.<\/p>\n

Just off the Santa Barbara coastline, you\u2019ll find The Channel Islands National Park where protected waters offer some of the best diving in California. Living here also puts you minutes from Santa Barbara wine country with breathtaking vistas and notable attractions like Solvang and the Chumash reservation. Santa Barbara is also home to the world famous Stearns Wharf and nearby zoological gardens, which are great day trips for families. For\u00a0those who prefer a bit of retail therapy, State Street is a consumer\u2019s paradise and runs straight up to Stearns Wharf as well as the Santa Barbara Harbor. It comes chock full of boutique shops, retailers, and restaurants to keep you entertained.<\/p>\n

\n“Santa Barbara is the quintessential Southern California city, with the big city\u00a0<\/em>attitude. There is a big consciousness about community and supporting the residents with culture, art, music, food, sport and parks. Each aspect of Santa Barbara is like being on the French Riviera, with endless views, breathtaking real estate, world-class\u00a0<\/em>venues such as the Arlington Theater, Grenada Theater and Santa Barbara Bowl, as well as Cabrillo Boulevard for coastal recreation, to State Street for epic shopping.”<\/em><\/p>\n

\u2014Karen Davidson, Sales Associate<\/em>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

With over 300 days of sunshine each year, Santa Barbara is a very active, outdoorsy community. People can often be found running, hiking, riding bikes or sunbathing on East Beach. Downtown, you\u2019ll fall in love with the Spanish style architecture, palm tree lined\u00a0boulevards, and one of the freshest farmers markets around to collect peaches and avocados, and listen to local music. Great schools, a vibrant history, and strong sense of community make Santa Barbara a fabulous place to visit, although you may find it hard to leave.<\/p>\n

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<\/div><\/div>\n\t<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\n\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div> \n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Few places allow you to reconnect with nature quite like Southern California. With its golden sandy beaches, legendary surf spots,...","protected":false},"author":237480080,"featured_media":194,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"_wpas_customize_per_network":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[135],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-144","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-articles-of-interest"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/3b6df-liv-ca-blog_the-southern-california-seven_rev.jpg?fit=5000%2C3750&ssl=1","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/peJ6Dp-2k","jetpack-related-posts":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/237480080"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=144"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4062,"href":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144\/revisions\/4062"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/194"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=144"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=144"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/livsothebysrealtyca.blog\/spu\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=144"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}