Santa Paula, Agricultural center in Ventura County, United States
Santa Paula is a city in Ventura County nestled in a valley surrounded by citrus groves and avocado orchards. It developed as a major processing center for citrus fruit and was also a center for oil extraction for many decades.
The town was founded in 1872 when a settler purchased land and began planting orange trees in the valley. Over the following century, it grew into an agricultural center and later became important for oil production in the region.
The California Oil Museum sits in a former Union Oil Company building and tells the story of petroleum work in the region. Walking through it helps you understand how this industry shaped the town's growth.
The town is small enough to explore on foot, with easy access to local museums and attractions. The best time to visit is in fall and early winter when the weather is pleasant and agricultural activity is visible throughout the valley.
In the early 1900s, the town was actually a film production center before Hollywood took over the industry. A filmmaker established operations here and made movies using the local landscapes and facilities.
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