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Things to Do in Fillmore

A railroad town's museum, a working trout hatchery, Lake Piru and rose fields, plus this week's events in the Last Best Small Town in Southern California.

9 upcoming events in Fillmore

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Trunk or Treat
Halloween
🎉 HolidayFree

Trunk or Treat is a family-friendly Halloween event where costumed participants collect candy and treats from decorated vehicle trunks in…

Oct 28 · 5:00 PM

Downtown Fillmore

Fillmore, CA

Fillmore at a glance

Fillmore was founded in 1887, when the Southern Pacific line arrived. The first train crossed the Sespe Bridge on January 4, 1887, and the Fillmore Historical Museum says the railroad named the new town after Jerome Fillmore, a vice president of the line. The city incorporated in 1914, and about 17,000 people live here, according to the state's January 2026 estimate. It calls itself the Last Best Small Town in Southern California, and it pitches itself to filmmakers as Any Town, USA.

The 1994 Northridge earthquake nearly destroyed the business district along Central Avenue and Main Street, and it took years to rebuild. Today the historical museum keeps the 1887 depot and a 1919 Rancho Sespe bunkhouse, the state's Fillmore Fish Hatchery raises about 700,000 trout a year, and Lake Piru and Rancho Camulos are a short drive east in Piru. The Fillmore and Western Railway, long a local draw, no longer runs train rides. Below you'll find this week's Fillmore events, then the outdoors, museums, shopping and kid-friendly spots worth knowing, where to eat, and the annual events worth planning around.

Details checked Sep 16, 2026. Hours and prices change, so confirm with the venue before you go.

Top things to do in Fillmore

Outdoors and hikes

Lake Piru Recreation Area

A reservoir run by United Water Conservation District, with 238 campsites, boat and kayak rentals, a playground and a 9-hole disc golf course.

4780 Piru Canyon Rd., Piru · $10 per vehicle October to March, $14 April to September; $5 walk-in

Outside city limits, 6 miles north of Piru. Swimming is allowed only at designated beaches, and only in summer. Pets are $3.

Official info for Lake Piru Recreation Area

Dough Flat Trailhead and the Sespe Wilderness

The trailhead into the Sespe Wilderness, about 14 miles north of town by way of Goodenough Road. Hikers enter the wilderness within a quarter mile, and the Alder Creek Trail runs 7.5 miles.

Free; campfire permit required

Outside city limits. A gate about 2 miles below the trailhead is locked for road repairs, so park there. The road closes each winter from about mid-December to the end of April. Watch for oil trucks.

Official info for Dough Flat Trailhead and the Sespe Wilderness

Museums, arts and history

Fillmore Historical Museum

A museum campus with the 1887 Southern Pacific depot, the 1905 Hinckley House, a 28-room 1919 Rancho Sespe bunkhouse with an exhibit on movies made in the area, the Bardsdale Post Office and a 1968 caboose.

340 Main St.

Open Wednesday to Friday 9 to noon and 1 to 4, and Saturday 10 to 3.

Official info for Fillmore Historical Museum

Rancho Camulos Museum

Ventura County's only National Historic Landmark: the 40-acre historic core of a working ranch, known as the Home of Ramona.

5164 E. Telegraph Rd., Piru · $10; private tours $15

Outside city limits. Sunday tours 1 to 4, with the last tour at 3.

Official info for Rancho Camulos Museum

Fillmore Town Theatre

A historic 325-seat downtown theater, run by the nonprofit Mud Turtle Theatrical, in a building that dates to about 1915.

338 Central Ave. · Varies by show

Official info for Fillmore Town Theatre

Shopping and markets

Central Avenue

Fillmore's two-block downtown, rebuilt after the 1994 earthquake, with restaurants, shops, the town theater and Central Park, where the tree lighting and summer concerts happen.

Central Ave., downtown Fillmore

Official info for Central Avenue

Otto & Sons Nursery

A 38-acre rose nursery with more than 130,000 rose plants in over 700 varieties, plus display gardens that include a children's area.

1835 E. Guiberson Rd.

Outside city limits. Open to the public Wednesday to Saturday 8 to 4; closed Sundays and from Christmas Eve through New Year's Day. The fall sale runs September 30 to October 31, 2026.

Official info for Otto & Sons Nursery

Bennett's Honey Farm

A honey farm with a shop on Highway 126, open seven days a week.

3176 Honey Ln.

Outside city limits. Open Monday to Friday 8 to 4:30 and Saturday and Sunday 9 to 5.

Official info for Bennett's Honey Farm

With kids

Fillmore Fish Hatchery

A state trout hatchery, dedicated in 1942, that raises about 700,000 rainbow and brown trout a year for release into California waters.

612 E. Telegraph Rd.

Open 8am to 2pm every day of the year, with a visitor parking lot.

Official info for Fillmore Fish Hatchery

Kenney Grove Park

A county campground in an oak grove just outside town, with a playground and a group picnic area.

823 N. Oak Ave. · Tent sites $29 in peak season; full hookups $52

Outside city limits. Up to 6 people per campsite.

Official info for Kenney Grove Park

Where to eat in Fillmore

Well-reviewed local spots from our directory, chosen by rating and number of reviews. Chains are left out.

Browse all Ventura County restaurants

Big dates and annual events

Good to know

Things to do in Fillmore: FAQ

What is Fillmore known for?

Its small-town downtown and railroad history: Fillmore grew up around the Southern Pacific line in 1887, and the historical museum keeps the original depot. It calls itself the Last Best Small Town in Southern California and is a regular filming location. The state trout hatchery, Lake Piru and Rancho Camulos are all close by.

Is the Fillmore and Western train still running?

No. The Fillmore and Western Railway's website now says its train rides are permanently closed and that it offers movie prop rentals only.

Can you swim at Lake Piru?

Only at designated beaches, such as Juan Fernandez and Reasoner Cove, and only in season, which runs from the Friday before Memorial Day weekend to the Friday after Labor Day. Day use is $10 per vehicle from October to March and $14 from April to September.

Can you visit the Fillmore Fish Hatchery?

Yes. The state lists the hatchery at 612 E. Telegraph Rd. as open from 8am to 2pm every day of the year, with a visitor parking lot. It raises about 700,000 rainbow and brown trout a year.

When is the Fillmore tree lighting?

Sunday, November 29, 2026, from 5 to 8pm at Central Park, 250 Central Ave., with a night market. The Lions Club Christmas Parade follows on Saturday, December 5, at 10am on Central Avenue.

Where can you hike near Fillmore?

The Dough Flat Trailhead, about 14 miles north of town on Goodenough Road, leads into the Sespe Wilderness. For now a locked gate about 2 miles below the trailhead means parking at the gate, and the road closes each winter from about mid-December to the end of April. A campfire permit is required.

Is there a farmers market in Fillmore?

Not a certified one. Ventura County's July 2026 list of certified farmers markets has none in Fillmore.