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Real Estate & Homes in Moorpark - Moorpark Information
Moorpark
Moorpark History
In 1795, the land that would later become the city of Moorpark was included in a grant given to the Pico family by Spanish Governor Diego Birico. The land, then called Rancho San Jose De Garcia De Simi, remained in the Pico family for almost 50 years. The property would change hands a few more times before coming under the ownership of the man considered to be the father of Moorpark, Robert W. Poindexter. Poindexter, an employee of Simi Land and Water Company, obtained the Moorpark site as a company distribution of landholdings. He spearheaded the city's development by plotting and mapping the town and planting the pepper trees that still decorate the streets today. Pointdexter chose to name the community Moorpark after the moorpark apricot, a cultivated selection of the fruit that flourished in the area. Pointdexter founded Moorpark in 1887, but the real growth came a few years after the turn of the century. In 1904, the Southern Pacific Railroad completed its Coast Line, which ran from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles; with Pointdexter's approval, the line ran right through Moorpark. Pointdexter sold his Moorpark holdings two years later, after having established the base from which the community would grow.
The early economic activities were ranching and farming. Ranching had an early stronghold, but the completion of the rail line made farming a more profitable use of the land. Via the rail line, farmers had relatively quick access to the large markets in Santa Barbara and Los Angeles. Beans, grains, citrus fruits and apricots were the primary crops. Later, poultry ranching became popular, and still remains a primary economic activity in the city today. Moorpark's second major growth spurt occurred in the 1970s and 1980s, after the completion of State Routes 23 and 118. Together, the highways provide access to Thousand Oaks, Simi Valley, the coastline, Ventura, Santa Barbara and the San Fernando Valley. The community responded to this growth by incorporating as a city of Ventura County in 1983.
About Moorpark
Today's Moorpark is best described as a wholesome city that remains in touch with its rural roots while being open to modern progress. Consistently ranked as one of the safest cities of its size, Moorpark is an ideal place to raise a family or enjoy a peaceful retirement. Modern home subdivisions provide excellent living options and the schools have proven their ability to develop students who excel. These factors, combined with expanses of agricultural land on the outskirts of the city, create the fresh, innocent atmosphere that characterizes Moorpark. Housing options range widely, from exclusive golf course homes to starter condos and townhouses. Prices for detached, single-family homes range from $600,000 up to about $2 million. The most expensive homes are new construction with acreage, great views and perhaps golf course access. One trend that is becoming more prevalent in Moorpark is the tendency for new subdivisions to be gated. Moorpark Country Club, for example, is a high-end, gated community designed around a 27-hole, championship golf course and situated to take advantage of beautiful views of surrounding hillsides and orchards. Additional amenities include equestrian facilities, hiking trails and courts for basketball and tennis. The Country Club neighborhoods feature six stately home styles with at least four bedrooms and 4,000 square feet of living space.
Large family homes in the South Moorpark neighborhoods are priced in the $800,000s. These typically have four bedrooms and 2,000-3,000 square feet of living space. Condominiums and townhouses are priced between $200,000 and $500,000. The northeastern section of Moorpark is called Campus Park or North Moorpark. These neighborhoods consist of patio homes and detached homes, plus some townhouse and apartment complexes. These great housing options are complemented by a strong transportation infrastructure. Three commuter airports, Burbank, Van Nuys and Oxnard, are within 35 miles of Moorpark and LAX is about 50 miles southeast. Metrolink and Amtrak also provide rail service for commuters to the city of Los Angeles and neighboring counties.
Activities
Moorpark has 15 parks covering more than 65 acres of land. Facilities include multipurpose fields, ball fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, open spaces, basketball courts, tennis courts, horseshoe pits and bocce ball. The 5-acre Monte Vista nature park features hiking trails and benches, ideal for a leisurely afternoon stroll. The city's Community Services Department also manages programs and activities for children, adults and seniors; many of these are hosted by the Arroyo Vista Recreation Center on Tierra Rejada Road. For those interested in horses, there are several equestrian stables and facilities in Moorpark. Most of these facilities provide riding lessons, boarding facilities and riding arenas. Some even offer summer youth programs. Golfers have several options as well, including three local public facilities: Moorpark Country Club, Rustic Canyon Golf Course and Tierra Rejada Golf Club.
Old town, boutique-style shopping is available on Moorpark's historic High Street. Visitors can also catch a movie or play at the Theatre on High Street, housed in the same building that was at one time the only talking movie house in eastern Ventura County. The building, known as El Rancho, was constructed in 1928. It was closed in the 1950s, and then reopened in the 1980s as a live theater. Moorpark's eastern Ventura County location puts many additional attractions within driving distance. In Valencia, about 30 miles northeast of Moorpark, you'll find the roller coasters and water slides of Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor. The beaches of Malibu and Ventura are both less than 30 miles from Moorpark as well. The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, about 15 minutes from Moorpark, features hiking trails and relaxing ocean views.
Schools
Public education is provided by Moorpark Unified School District. The district is comprised of 11 campuses: six elementary schools, two middle schools, one traditional high school, one continuation high school and a satellite high school campus at Moorpark College. District-wide enrollment is roughly 8,000 students. Notably, Moorpark High School's academic decathlon team has gone to the national finals three times since 1999. Opportunities for higher education are available at Moorpark College, California Lutheran College, Oxnard College and Pepperdine University. Moorpark College, a public community college, has been a fixture in the community since 1963. California Lutheran College is a private liberal arts school located in neighboring Thousand Oaks. Pepperdine, also a private university, is in Malibu, about 30 miles south of Moorpark.
Moorpark Fast Facts
Location: Moorpark is located in the southeastern quadrant of Ventura County, bordered by Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley on the east and south, respectively. The center of Los Angeles is roughly 47 miles southeast of Moorpark, while Santa Barbara is about 54 miles northwest.
Total area*: 19 square miles
Population*: 31,415
Housing units*: 9,094
Average annual rainfall: 18.4 inches
Average temperatures: summer, 71; winter, 55
*Information provided by 2000 Census
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