Fillmore was put on the map in 1887 when it was developed as a train depot for the Southern Pacific Transportation Company. It’s grown since then, but not much, with a footprint of less than 4 square miles between farm fields and the Topa Topa Mountains. Realtor Theresa Robledo, founder of Diamond Realty and who’s been selling here since 2005, says, “People move here because it doesn’t have that big city vibe. The prices are lower, and it’s not congested like Los Angeles or the San Fernando Valley.” Fillmore still has a small-town America feel, with city hall sitting near the intersection of historic Main Street and Central Avenue — the city’s main arteries. Restaurants and local shops on Central Avenue are just a few blocks from most homes on the city’s grid. Students also have a short walk to elementary, middle and high schools, all within a few blocks of each other.
A peaceful farm sits beneath the hills surrounding Fillmore.
Fillmore sits quietly beneath the Topa Topa Mountains.
There's plenty of open green space to enjoy a walk at Shiells Park.
Downtown Fillmore attracts residents and visitors for its charming shops.
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An all-American main street
Main Street and Central Avenue are the intersecting veins of Fillmore’s historic downtown. Main Street hasn’t changed much since the city’s establishment as a train depot in 1887 for Southern Pacific. The original depot and bunkhouse are still standing and are home to the Fillmore Historical Museum. Main Street’s Old West train town setting has made it a popular filming location over the years, from early 1900s Charlie Chaplin films to “Seabiscuit” in the 2000s. Fillmore’s stately City Hall and Central Park sit near the intersection of Main Street and Central Avenue. Restaurants, antique stores and markets line either side of Central Avenue. Shoppers can get convenient items at Central Market, pastries from Roan Mills Bakery, and dine with a view of Central Park and City Hall from Los Altos Mexican’s breezy patio.
The historic Fillmore Town Theater is where timeless charm meets the magic of the big screen.
Downtown Fillmore is the city's heart, where people can meet to talk, eat, and shop.
Grab a freshly made drink from the bar at El Pescador in Fillmore, CA.
Fillmore City Hall is a timeless symbol of civic pride and community spirit.
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Older homes and recent developments
Fillmore has grown slowly over the years, allowing homes to remain from each generation of the city’s development. “We’ve got a real mixture of 1920s homes, ranch homes and homes with land,” says Robledo. “We’ve even got new developments now; it’s really growing.” The city has grown because of its available space and comparatively low prices. Fillmore’s median home price is just over $700,000, compared to Ventura County’s overall median of almost $1 million. Most homes on the main city grid fall around the median price. Styles vary from 1920s cottages to more suburban-looking 1970s ranch-style homes with grassy lawns. The city has seen a lot of growth since the 2010s, with new developments of Mediterranean-style and contemporary Craftsman homes that can go for around $1 million. The developments are built outside the city’s downtown area, but are still connected to everything. Ranch properties with acreage on the outskirts can reach about $4 million.
Craftsman homes are one of several styles that you can find in Fillmore.
Older homes in Fillmore are primarily ranch or bungalow-style homes.
You can also find some Spanish or Mediterranean-style homes in Fillmore.
Contemporary ranch-style homes in Fillmore blend sleek design with cozy, open living spaces.
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Walk to each level of school
The Fillmore Unified School District serves the city and earns a C-plus overall rating from Niche. Most students have a short walk to each school level. For example, San Cayetano Elementary is three blocks from Fillmore Middle, both given a C-minus. Fillmore Senior High gets a B-minus and is next to the middle school in the heart of the city.
Fillmore Middle School is home to the Bulldogs.
Rio Vista Elementary is a public K-5 school in Fillmore.
Fillmore High School serves students from grades 9 to 12.
Fillmore High School serves students from grades 9 to 12.
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Mountain hiking, parks and bike trails
Fillmore sits in the Santa Clara River Valley, surrounded by mountains. Hikers can descend Grimes Canyon to the south, set off into Hopper Mountain National Wildlife Refuge to the northeast and trek up San Cayetano Mountain to the northwest. San Cayetano is the highest peak of the Topa Topa Mountains within Los Padres National Forest. Those hiking up the river valley might see a California condor, as the mountains north of the city are designated as the Sespe Condor Sanctuary. Mountain bikers can ride through the city on the Fillmore Bike Path. It starts as a paved path running parallel to the train tracks through the city, then leads east, where it becomes a gravel trail. The city also has community parks like Delores Day Park and Central Park, which offers a relaxing courtyard at the steps of city hall.
Fillmore's fertile land allows for large-scale agriculture.
The Fillmore Bike Path offers cyclists and nature lovers a peaceful escape.
Parents can relax while kids run and play at Delores Day Park in Fillmore.
Shiells Park in Fillmore has a variety of facilities for residents to enjoy.
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The Fall Harvest Festival
The city celebrates its agricultural industry during the Fall Harvest Festival. It’s held every year in late fall on Sespe Avenue, one block up from Main Street. The avenue comes to life with food and craft vendors, farm stands and live music.
Twenty-mile commute to Thousand Oaks or Simi Valley
Folks tend to move out to Fillmore because there isn’t much going on, so they often commute for work. Research labs and biotech companies in Thousand Oaks are 20 miles south on State Highway 23. Healthcare personnel might drive 10 miles west on state Route 126 to Santa Paula Hospital. Adventist Health Simi Valley is a much larger facility 20 miles southeast. Some even make the trip to downtown Los Angeles, about 60 miles southeast, by taking Route 126 east and merging south onto Interstate 5.
Residents can take the Valley Express to get around Fillmore.
Wildfires and fluctuating crime
Fillmore is in a high-risk region for wildfires. The 2017 Thomas Fire was the closest recent disaster. It burned almost 300,000 acres of Ventura County before being put out just a few miles north of Fillmore. This is just one of many fires that have affected Ventura County. Residents should have a set evacuation plan ready to go.
Crime is less of a concern in Fillmore. According to FBI data, the city’s violent crime rate has fluctuated above and below California and national rates over the past decade, but its numbers have been trending lower since 2022. In 2019, the Fillmore Police Department reported a violent crime rate of 113 offenses per 100,000 people, compared to California’s rate of 87. In 2023, Fillmore’s rate dropped to 59, compared to California’s 103 per 100,000 people.
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