Southern California's 'Last, Best Small Town' Has A Historic Downtown With Mountain Views

People have many reasons for traveling. Some want to visit a place with a unique history. Others hope to discover a local culture they can't find anywhere else. Some people simply want to enjoy nature or the scenery. Occasionally, travelers will be lucky enough to find a sleeper hit of a destination that offers all of the above.

Fillmore, California, is one such place — and an excellent destination to learn more about California's history. It all began in the late 1880s, when a major railroad arrived in the area looking to add a stop between Los Angeles and San Francisco. That's how the town earned its moniker: It was named after the vice president of the Southern Pacific Railroad, Jerome Fillmore. Although Southern Pacific discontinued train service there after less than a century, the initial railroad site eventually became the city's official historical museum.

History was at the center of the city's downtown revitalization project, which included the reopening of the Fillmore Town Theatre: a historic venue now used for classic movie screenings, comedy shows, and private events. It's one of the key downtown attractions that draws out-of-town visitors, but it's not the only business enticing visitors. Roan Mills Bakery is a new establishment that has "customers coming from over 60 miles to get bread," former Fillmore city manager David Rowlands told Business View Magazine. Just a seven-minute walk from the bakery is the Fillmore Historical Museum, where visitors can learn more about the storied past of "the last, best small town," Fillmore's motto.

Fillmore is sandwiched between two of the most picturesque areas in the Santa Clara River Valley, adding impressive mountain views to its historic charm. It sits at the southern edge of Los Padres National Forest, which is home to the Topatopa Mountains and offers nearby hiking opportunities at the Dough Flat Trailhead/Alder Creek Trail or Santa Paula Canyon, both less than an hour's drive from Fillmore.

South of Fillmore is the Happy Camp Canyon Regional Park in nearby Moorpark, which offers more spectacular vistas (note that because of the Santa Clara River, it's about an hour's drive). Grimes Canyon Road offers an unbelievably scenic route, albeit one that visitors with a fear of heights or those who dislike winding roads might want to skip.

Fillmore visitors don't have to go far for mountain views, however, which serve as a backdrop to the downtown area. Walking or driving along main roads and side streets alike offers impressive hilly scenery, as do Fillmore's parks, with some recommending Shiell's Park in particular. It's no wonder Fillmore is such a popular filming location; it's "a tiny little pocket that [looks] different than the surrounding areas," Mark V. Olsen, a TV series creator and executive producer, once told the Los Angeles Times.

Fillmore is close to some of California's most beautiful natural wonders, where, unfortunately, wildfires are becoming more frequent and widespread. Planning a trip to the area also means planning for contingencies and evacuations. Familiarize yourself with evacuation routes and know where you can go and stay should you need to leave the area. If you plan to visit the surrounding forests and parks, check for fire status alerts and closure orders.

Within the limits of Fillmore proper, lodging options are limited but promising. Visitors looking to immerse themselves in the area's natural environment can reserve campsites at the nearby Kenney Grove Park, situated right along the edge of southern Los Padres National Forest, starting at $25 a night. If central air conditioning and a swimming pool are more your thing, Fillmore's Best Western La Posada Motel offers both and sits among a mountainous backdrop. Rates fluctuate by season and typically range from $150 to $200 per night.

The nearest international airport is Los Angeles International Airport, about a 90-minute drive to Fillmore. Slightly closer is Hollywood Burbank Airport, which offers domestic flights and is about an hour away from Fillmore by car. Amtrak also services a curbside bus stop in Fillmore, but routes are limited. Take advantage of the railway's trip planner before you go.