Fillmore, California is a small city in Ventura County known for its classic 20th-century architecture and rich agricultural heritage. The city’s motto is “The Last, Best Small Town,” a compelling proclamation given the bounty of charming small towns dotted around our great state.
Keep reading to learn more about what makes Fillmore stand out among the many alluring escapes near Los Angeles.
History of Fillmore
The town of Fillmore was founded in 1887 with the arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was incidentally named after the railroad’s general superintendent, Jerome Fillmore. Thanks to the area’s fertile soil and landscape, Fillmore’s agricultural industry flourished with citrus, avocado, and tree farming, a fact which shapes the city’s economy to this day.
20th-century buildings
Much of Fillmore’s historic downtown still retains its early 20th-century architecture, such as the one-screen Fillmore Towne Theatre, the picturesque city hall, and vintage storefronts. The Fillmore Historical Museum is a good place to see restored buildings like the 1887 Southern Pacific Depot and the 1919 Rancho Sespe Bunkhouse.
Hollywood cameos
Fillmore’s Western Railway no longer serves passenger trains, but it still stands as a symbol of the city’s early rail history and has even been immortalized in some recent major Hollywood productions. The railway was a key backdrop in Seabiscuit (2003), where the filmmakers brought in historic trains and rail cars to create a 1930s scene, and The Lone Ranger (2013), where production filmed chase scenes, stunts, and explosions.
Visiting Fillmore from L.A.
As far as day trips go, Fillmore offers an appealing escape from city life without having to stray too far from home. While history and film buffs may be intrigued to visit the Fillmore Historical Museum and Western Railway, families may well prefer to spend a few hours at the Fillmore Bike Park or feed trout at the Fillmore Fish Hatchery.
Other options include a hike in the nearby Sespe Wilderness, a glass of wine at the cozy Glessinger Winery, or treasure hunting in the funky antique shop ReGEN Haus.
Fillmore is about 56 miles away from Downtown L.A., making for a 1 to 1.5-hour drive on I-5 and CA-126.