Santa Paula, California travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Santa Paula is a small town in Ventura County in California. The town was an early center of California's petroleum industry and today advertises itself as the "Citrus Capital of the World".

1 sights · 1 places to eat · 1 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Santa Paula

California Oil Museum

This museum is housed in the historic Union Oil Building.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 80°F; winter lows dip to about 44°F. Wettest: Jan and Feb. (climate data from nearby Camarillo)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
BUR Hollywood Burbank/Bob Hope Airport, Burbank — 41 mi away (major hub). Directions
SBA Santa Barbara Municipal Airport, Santa Barbara — 45 mi away. Directions

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Get in

Go Santa Paula Airport (SZP)

General aviation only

Maps Website

See

See California Oil Museum

This museum is housed in the historic Union Oil Building.

📍 1001 E. Main St.🕒 Wed Thu noon-2PM; Fri noon-3PM; Sat Sun 11AM-3PM☎ +1 805-933-0076

Maps Website

Eat

Eat Rabalais' Bistro

FrenchBakery / Café

A New Orleans-style cafe with an excellent atmosphere and famous beignets.

📍 861 E. Main St🕒 Mon 7AM-2PM; Tue-Thu 7AM-8PM; Fri Sat 7AM-9PM; Sun 7AM-2PM☎ +1 805-525 2109Checked Nov 2023

Video reviews: Instagram reels · TikTok · YouTube

Maps Website

Sleep

Stay The Glen Tavern Inn

An inn built in 1911 that is on the National Register of Historic Places. Ghosthunters claim that the hotel is one of the most haunted in the region, and it serves as the headquarters for the American Paranormal Research Association (APRA).

📍 134 N. Mill St💲 $75-125☎ +1 805-933-5550⚠ Last checked Oct 2015 — confirm before you go

Maps Website

Go next

Ojai - Located 17 miles to the west, Ojai is a popular weekend getaway for Southern California residents, offering wine tasting, art galleries, hiking, horseback riding, spas, and a rustic environment for those looking to escape the big cities.
Ventura - Located on the coast 12 miles southwest of Santa Paula, Ventura is home to many interesting shops, the historic Mission San Buenaventura, and is the gateway for excursions to the Channel Islands National Park.
Fillmore - Located 10 miles to the east, Fillmore is primarily an agricultural area, although it does have a historic downtown that dates back to the late 1800s when the Southern Pacific railroad built a line through the town.