Santa Paula started as the Chumash villages of Mupu and Srswa, became part of the Rancho Santa Paula y Saticoy land grant in 1840, and was founded as a town in 1875, with Nathan Blanchard credited as its founder. It incorporated on April 22, 1902, and about 32,000 people live here today, according to the state's January 2026 estimate. The city still calls itself the Citrus Capital of the World.

It's an oil town too. Oil was discovered here in 1880, and Union Oil Company was formed in 1890. Its first headquarters, a Queen Anne building on Main Street, is Ventura County Landmark No. 36, though the California Oil Museum inside has been closed since 2021. Today the draws are downtown's murals, the free Agriculture Museum in an 1888 mill, the Santa Paula Art Museum in the 1924 Limoneira headquarters, and Santa Paula Airport, which opened in 1930 and opens its Chain of Hangars to visitors on the first Sunday of every month. Below you'll find this week's Santa Paula events, then the trails, 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 Santa Paula

Outdoors and hikes

Santa Paula Canyon Trail

A Los Padres National Forest trail up Santa Paula Canyon to swimming holes and a 25-foot waterfall just past Big Cone Camp, with little shade along the way.

Highway 150, just north of the Thomas Aquinas College entrance · Free

Outside city limits. The first mile crosses private land, so stay on the trail. Parking is limited. Dogs on a leash of 6 feet or less.

Official info

Steckel Park

A county park along Santa Paula Creek with an aviary of peafowl, a playground, horseshoe pits and campsites.

8080 Mistletoe Rd. · $2 per vehicle weekdays, $5 weekends and holidays

Outside city limits. Day use 7:30am to dusk. It fills up on busy weekends, so arrive early.

Official info

Museums, arts and history

Santa Paula Art Museum

An art museum in the 1924 Limoneira headquarters, open since 2010, with rotating exhibitions.

117 N. 10th St. · $4 adults, $3 seniors, free for students, and free for everyone on the first Sunday

Open Wednesday to Saturday 10 to 4 and Sunday noon to 4. Free parking behind the building.

Official info

Aviation Museum of Santa Paula

A self-guided walk, or tram ride, through the Chain of Hangars at Santa Paula Airport, which opened in 1930. In 1938 Santa Paula had more airplanes per person than any other town in the country.

800 E. Santa Maria St. · Free

Open the first Sunday of each month, 10 to 2, and canceled if it rains.

Official info

Downtown murals

The city's official murals, including "Main Street Santa Paula, ca 1910" at Main and Mill, "Citrus Capital of the World" at Main and Davis and "Discovering Black Gold" on North 10th Street, plus a 2024 mural by Nick Santos at Harding Park.

Free

Official info

Santa Paula Theater Center

A theater company founded in 1985 that stages five main stage shows a season.

125 S. 7th St. · Varies by show

Official info

Shopping and markets

Main Street and Cruise Night

Santa Paula's historic downtown, with its murals and the 1890 Union Oil Building, fills with classic cars for Cruise Night on the first Friday of the month from May to October.

Main St., downtown Santa Paula · Free

Official info

Santa Paula Society of the Arts Gallery and Gift Shop

Artwork by society members for sale in the historic train depot, with the show changing every three months.

963 E. Santa Barbara St.

Open Saturday and Sunday noon to 4.

Official info

With kids

Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum

The county's farm history museum in the 1888 Mill building, open since 2011, with vintage tractors, a living beehive and hands-on activity stations for kids.

926 Railroad Ave. · Free, with free parking

Open Sundays only, 11 to 5.

Official info

Free Family Day at the Santa Paula Art Museum

Free art activities for families on the first Sunday of every month, with all materials provided.

117 N. 10th St. · Free

First Sundays, noon to 3.

Official info

Where to eat in Santa Paula

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 Santa Paula: FAQ

What is Santa Paula known for?

Citrus, oil and airplanes. The city calls itself the Citrus Capital of the World, Union Oil Company was formed here in 1890, and Santa Paula Airport, open since 1930, opens its hangars to visitors on the first Sunday of every month. Downtown is also known for its murals.

Is the California Oil Museum open?

No. The museum in the 1890 Union Oil Building at 1001 E. Main St. closed in September 2021 and hasn't reopened. The city is planning a new use for the building, which Chevron donated along with $2 million. You can still see the landmark from the street.

Can you hike Santa Paula Canyon to the swimming holes?

Yes. The Forest Service lists the Santa Paula Canyon Trail as open daily, year-round, with no fee. It starts off Highway 150 just north of the Thomas Aquinas College entrance, parking is limited, and the first mile crosses private land, so stay on the trail. It leads to swimming holes and a 25-foot waterfall past Big Cone Camp.

Which Santa Paula museums are free?

The Agriculture Museum is always free and open Sundays from 11am to 5pm. The Aviation Museum's hangars are free on the first Sunday of the month from 10am to 2pm. The Santa Paula Art Museum is free for everyone on the first Sunday and always free for students.

When is the Santa Paula Christmas Parade?

Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 10am downtown. The city's holiday lineup also includes a free Come See Santa pancake breakfast on December 5, which needs registration, and Santa Tours through town from December 15 to 18.

Is there a farmers market in Santa Paula?

Not a certified one. Ventura County's July 2026 list of certified farmers markets has none in Santa Paula; the nearest are in Ventura and Ojai.

When is Cruise Night in Santa Paula?

On the first Friday of the month from May to October, downtown. The last one of 2026 is Friday, October 2.