Oak View

Oak View grew as a rural settlement along the Ventura River in the early twentieth century and filled in with modest homes after the Second World War, when the Ojai Valley became reachable by car from Ventura. It never incorporated and remains a county community with a post office, a few businesses along the highway and the Oak View Community Center and park.

The Ojai Valley Trail, built on the old Southern Pacific rail bed, runs through the community, and Lake Casitas and its recreation area are a few minutes west on Highway 150.

Most of the housing is single-story ranch and cottage construction from the 1940s to 1970s on lots that range from small in-town parcels to half-acre and larger properties on the hillsides and along Old Creek Road. Horse-keeping is common on the larger lots. Prices sit below Ojai and Ventura for comparable square footage, which draws buyers who want the valley setting at a lower entry point.

Because the community is unincorporated, buyers should check whether a property is on sewer or septic and on municipal water or a well, and review the county fire-hazard zoning for insurance.

The Ventura Unified School District serves most of Oak View, and the northern edge of the community toward Mira Monte falls within the Ojai Unified School District. The district line runs through the area, so a specific address should be checked with both districts before an offer.

Highway 33 runs south to Ventura and the 101 in about 15 minutes and north to Ojai in about ten. Highway 150 leads west to Lake Casitas and Carpinteria. The Ojai Valley Trail gives a car-free bike route to both towns.