Santa Paula, California

{{Short description|City in California, United States}} {{redirect|Santa Paula|ships with the name|SS Santa Paula}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}} {{Infobox settlement  |official_name = Santa Paula, California |other_name = |settlement_type = City |native_name =   | image_skyline = {{Photomontage | photo1a = Thomas Aquinas Chapel Facade 2.jpg | photo2a = Santa Paula, CA, Train Depot Art Center, 2012 - panoramio (cropped).jpg | photo2b = Santa Paula, CA, Agriculture Mural, 2012 - panoramio (1) (cropped).jpg | spacing = 2 | position = center | color_border = white | color = white | size = 260 | foot_montage = Top: Thomas Aquinas College; Bottom: historic train depot (left) and downtown (right) }} |image_flag = Flag of Santa Paula, California.webp |flag_size = |image_seal = Seal of Santa Paul, California.jpg |nickname = Citrus Capital of the World<ref name=EpodunkAgriculture>[http://www.epodunk.com/slogans/agriculture.html Claims to Fame - Agriculture] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007140000/http://www.epodunk.com/slogans/agriculture.html |date=October 7, 2011 }}, Epodunk, accessed April 16, 2007.</ref> |motto = | mapframe = yes | mapframe-zoom = 11 | mapframe-point = none | pushpin_map = USA | pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States | pushpin_relief = 1  |coordinates = {{coord|34|21|21|N|119|4|6|W|display=inline,title}} |subdivision_type = Country |subdivision_name = United States |subdivision_type1 = State |subdivision_name1 = California |subdivision_type2 = County |subdivision_name2 = Ventura  |established_title = Founded |established_date = 1872<ref name=facts>{{Cite web | url = https://www.spcity.org/317/Fast-Facts | title = City Facts | publisher = City of Santa Paula | access-date = January 6, 2021 | archive-date = January 22, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210122035009/https://spcity.org/317/Fast-Facts | url-status = live }}</ref> |established_title1 = Incorporated |established_date1 = April 22, 1902<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc | title = California Cities by Incorporation Date | format = Word | publisher = California Association of Local Agency Formation Commissions | access-date = August 25, 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141103002921/http://www.calafco.org/docs/Cities_by_incorp_date.doc | archive-date = November 3, 2014 | df = mdy-all }}</ref>  | government_type = Council–manager | governing_body = {{collapsible list|expand = yes | title = City council<ref name=co>{{Cite web | url = https://www.spcity.org/250/City-Council | title = City Council | publisher = City of Santa Paula | access-date = April 18, 2025}}</ref> | Pedro Chavez (Mayor) | Carlos Juarez (Vice Mayor) | Leslie Cornejo | Jenny Crosswhite | Gabby Ornelas }} | leader_title1 = City manager | leader_name1 = Dan Singer<ref>[https://www.spcity.org/directory.aspx?eid=6 Santa Paula city manager]</ref> |leader_title2 = State senator |leader_name2 = {{Representative|casd|21|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=ccrc>{{Cite web |title=Final Maps {{!}} California Citizens Redistricting Commission |url=https://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/final-maps/ |access-date=October 16, 2025 |language=en}}</ref> |leader_title3 = Assemblymember |leader_name3 = {{Representative|caad|38|fmt=sleader}}<ref name=ccrc/> |leader_title4 = U.S. rep. |leader_name4 = {{Representative|cacd|26|fmt=usleader}}<ref>{{Cite GovTrack|CA|26|access-date=October 16, 2025}}</ref>  |total_type = City |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_06.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 30, 2021}}</ref> |area_total_sq_mi = 5.69 |area_total_km2 = 14.75 |area_land_sq_mi = 5.53 |area_land_km2 = 14.32 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.16 |area_water_km2 = 0.42 |area_water_percent = 2.87 |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis>{{Cite GNIS|1652793|Santa Paula|access-date=December 3, 2014}}</ref> |elevation_ft = 279 |elevation_m = 85  |population_as_of = 2020 |population_footnotes = <ref name=quif>{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/santapaulacitycalifornia,US/PST045221|title=Santa Paula (city) QuickFacts|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 6, 2021}}</ref> |population_total = 30657 |population_density_sq_mi = 5543.76 |population_metro_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/P1/320M100US0637100|title=American Fact Finder - Results|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 23, 2015|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021659/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/P1/320M100US0637100|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> |population_metro = 823318 |population_density_metro_sq_mi = auto  |timezone = Pacific |utc_offset = −8 |timezone_DST = PDT |utc_offset_DST = −7  |postal_code_type = ZIP Codes |postal_code = 93060, 93061 |area_code_type = Area code |area_code = 805 |blank_name = FIPS code |blank_info = {{FIPS|06|70042}} |blank1_name = GNIS feature IDs |blank1_info = {{GNIS 4|1652793}}, {{GNIS 4|2411826}} |website = {{URL|https://spcity.org/}} |population_density_km2 = 2081.00 }} thumb|St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel [[File:Santa Paula, California (21399016118).jpg|thumb|Santa Paula, California, the Santa Clara River and South Mountain from the air, 2015]] [[File:SouthMountain1 (cropped).jpg|thumb|South Mountain, showing part of the South Mountain Oil Field and radio towers]]

'''Santa Paula''' is a city in Ventura County, California, United States. Situated amid the orchards of the Santa Clara River Valley, the city advertises itself to tourists as the "Citrus Capital of the World".<ref name=Citrus_Capital>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-03-30-tr-1981-story.html|title=Santa Paula: Citrus Capital of World|work=Los Angeles Times|date=March 30, 1986|first1=Michele|last1=Grimm|first2=Tom|last2=Grimm|access-date=May 17, 2015|archive-date=September 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916201617/http://articles.latimes.com/1986-03-30/travel/tr-1981_1_glen-tavern-inn|url-status=live}}</ref> Santa Paula was one of the early centers of California's petroleum industry. The Union Oil Company Building, the founding headquarters of the Union Oil Company of California in 1890, now houses the California Oil Museum.<ref name=Citrus_Capital/> The population was 30,657 at the 2020 census, up from 29,321 at the 2010 census.

==History== The area of what today is Santa Paula was inhabited by the Chumash, a Native American people, before the Spanish arrived. In 1769, the Spanish Portola expedition, first Europeans to see inland areas of California, came down the Santa Clara River Valley from the previous night's encampment near Fillmore and camped in the vicinity of Santa Paula on August 12, near one of the creeks coming into the valley from the north (most likely Santa Paula Creek). Fray Juan Crespi, a Franciscan missionary traveling with the expedition, had previously named the valley ''Cañada de Santa Clara''. He noted that the party traveled about {{convert|9|to|10|mi|km|0}} that day and camped near a large native village, which he named ''San Pedro Amoliano''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bolton |first=Herbert E. |pages=157 |year=1927 |title=Fray Juan Crespi: Missionary Explorer on the Pacific Coast, 1769-1774 |url=http://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/000288788 |via=HathiTrust Digital Library |access-date=June 2, 2019}}{{cbignore}}</ref> The site of the expedition's arrival has been designated California Historical Landmark No. 727.<ref>California State Parks [http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/ListedResources/Detail/727 "Portolá Expedition"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213092715/http://ohp.parks.ca.gov/ListedResources/Detail/727 |date=December 13, 2014 }} ''Office of Historic Preservation''</ref><ref Group=note>Registered on February 5, 1960, at Harding Park, Santa Paula Boys and Girls Club Recreation Center, 1400 block of East Harvard Blvd</ref><ref group=note>{{coord|34.35585|N|119.050867|W}} Coordinates of plaque</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://santapaulatimes.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/1375/El_Camino_Real_Bell_officially_designated.html|title=El Camino Real Bell officially designated|newspaper=Santa Paula Times|access-date=February 25, 2019|archive-date=February 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190225044851/http://santapaulatimes.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/1375/El_Camino_Real_Bell_officially_designated.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Franciscan missionaries, led by Father Junipero Serra, became active in the area after the founding of the San Buenaventura Mission and established an Asistencia; the town takes its name from the Catholic Saint Paula. Santa Paula is located on the 1843 Rancho Santa Paula y Saticoy Mexican land grant.

In 1872 Nathan Weston Blanchard purchased {{convert|2700|acre|km2|1}} and laid out the townsite. Considered the founder of the community, he planted seedling orange trees in 1874.<ref>{{Cite web|last=II|first=Wes Woods|date=August 14, 2021|title=Pandemic has silver lining for author who sheds light on personal, Santa Paula history|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2021/08/14/pandemic-has-silver-lining-author-who-writes-santa-paula-history/8092848002/|url-status=live|access-date=August 17, 2021|website=Ventura County Star|language=en-US|archive-date=August 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210817133954/https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2021/08/14/pandemic-has-silver-lining-author-who-writes-santa-paula-history/8092848002/}}</ref><ref name=EIR>{{cite web|title= Historic Resources Report: East Area 1 Specific Plan EIR, Santa Paula, California|date=November 7, 2008|publisher=City of Santa Paula | url=http://www.ci.santa-paula.ca.us/eastareaone/AppM-HistoricResourcesStudy.pdf|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923203244/http://www.ci.santa-paula.ca.us/eastareaone/AppM-HistoricResourcesStudy.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Several small oil companies owned by Wallace Hardison, Lyman Stewart and Thomas R. Bard were combined and became the Union Oil Company in 1890.<ref name=GPHistoric>{{cite web|title= General Plan Conservation & Open Space Element Appendix: Cultural and Historic Resources|publisher=City of Santa Paula|date=April 13, 1998| url= http://www.ci.santa-paula.ca.us/planning/General%20Plan/Conservation-OpenSpaceElementAppendix.pdf|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923203249/http://www.ci.santa-paula.ca.us/planning/General%20Plan/Conservation-OpenSpaceElementAppendix.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Waterfall|first1=Louis|title=Santa Paula Oil Field, in Geologic Formations and economic development of the Oil and Gas Fields of California|date=1943|publisher=State of California Dept. of Natural Resources Division of Mines, Bulletin 118|location=San Francisco|page=394}}</ref>

Santa Paula was incorporated in April 1902.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://santapaulatimes.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/3463/Four_decades_of_officials_pay_homage_to_Santa_Paula_92s_centennial_.html |title=Four decades of officials pay homage to Santa Paula's centennial |access-date=December 17, 2022 |archive-date=August 31, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831034156/https://santapaulatimes.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/3463/Four_decades_of_officials_pay_homage_to_Santa_Paula_92s_centennial_.html |url-status=live |newspaper=Santa Paula Times |last=Kelly |first=Peggy }}{{cbignore}}</ref> The first mayor was Lewis Arthur Hardison.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 28, 1921 |title=Press-Courier Oxnard, California |url=https://www.newspapers.com/search/?query=lewis%20hardison&t=467 |archive-date=September 27, 2022 |access-date= |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927194239/https://www.newspapers.com/search/?query=lewis%20hardison&t=467 |url-status=live }}</ref> thumb|1st Mayor of Santa Paula, CA (1902), Lewis Arthur Hardison 1853–1921 In April 1911, Gaston Méliès moved his Star Film Company from San Antonio, Texas to a site just north of Santa Paula.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ventura Ready for Its Close-Up|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=January 2, 1997|first=Jane|last=Hulse|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-02-ca-14827-story.html|access-date=May 5, 2018|archive-date=October 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007203703/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-01-02-ca-14827-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

The large South Mountain Oil Field southeast of town, just across the Santa Clara River, was discovered by the Oak Ridge Oil Company in 1916, and developed methodically through the 1920s, bringing further economic diversification and growth to the area. While the field peaked in production in the 1950s, Occidental Petroleum continues to extract oil through its Vintage Production subsidiary and remains a significant local employer.

A major expansion began in 2016 when construction started on a {{convert|500|acre|ha|adj=mid}} master-planned community of 1,500 homes.<ref>{{cite news|title=Limoneira teams with residential developer on East Area One|first=Claudia|last=Boyd-Barrett|date=September 9, 2015|work=Ventura County Star|url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/santa-paula/limoneira-teams-with-residential-developer-on-east-area-one_04687689|access-date=September 10, 2015|archive-date=September 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911052342/http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/santa-paula/limoneira-teams-with-residential-developer-on-east-area-one_04687689|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Disasters== The town has been devastated by floods, fires, and was once affected by a nearby truck explosion that resulted in an industrial disaster.

===Floods===

====The Great Flood of 1862==== {{Main|Great Flood of 1862}}

The Great Flood of 1862 began on December 24, 1861, when it rained for almost four weeks, reaching a total of {{convert|35 |inch}} at Los Angeles.

====St. Francis Dam Disaster==== {{Main|St. Francis Dam#Collapse and flood wave}}

The failure and near complete collapse of the St. Francis Dam took place in the middle of the night on March 12, 1928. The dam was holding a full reservoir of 12.4 billion gallons (47 billion liters) of water that surged down San Francisquito Canyon and emptied into the Santa Clara River. The town was first hit by the waters at approximately 3:00 a.m. Though hundreds of homes and structures were destroyed, the loss of life would have been greater if it were not for two motorcycle police officers that noisily warned as many people as possible.<ref>(March 12, 2008) [http://www.vcstar.com/news/2008/mar/12/the-st-francis-dam-disaster-80th-anniversary-a/ "St. Francis Dam disaster: A tale of failure, tragedy and heroism"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522055141/http://www.vcstar.com/news/2008/mar/12/the-st-francis-dam-disaster-80th-anniversary-a/ |date=May 22, 2014 }} ''Ventura County Star''</ref> A sculpture called "The Watchers" in downtown Santa Paula depicts this act of heroism.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://m.santapaulatimes.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/31744/The_Warning:_Famed_Santa_Paula_statue_warns_passersby_about_COVID-19!_______.html|title=The Warning: Famed Santa Paula statue warns passersby about COVID-19!|date=March 31, 2020|newspaper=Santa Paula Times|language=en-US|access-date=April 1, 2020|archive-date=January 24, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124090455/http://m.santapaulatimes.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/31744/The_Warning:_Famed_Santa_Paula_statue_warns_passersby_about_COVID-19!_______.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Wildfires=== ====Thomas Fire==== {{main|Thomas Fire}}

In December 2017, the Thomas Fire broke out nearby. While it was the largest wildfire in modern California history at the time, the Santa Ana winds drove the fire toward Ventura and Santa Barbara. Over a thousand structures were destroyed which included a few out buildings just outside the city. It was finally confirmed to be fully contained in January 2018, and a reported 281,893 acres (440 sq mi; 114,078 ha) had burned. One firefighter and one civilian were the only fatalities directly caused by the fire. The cost of the fire rose to be an estimated $297 million.

====Maria Fire==== {{main|Maria Fire}}

On October 31, 2019, the Maria Fire was reported burning at the top of South Mountain between Santa Paula and Somis and expanded throughout that evening.<ref name="South Mountain explodes">{{cite news |last1=Carlson |first1=Cheri |last2=Diskin |first2=Megan |last3=Jazi |first3=Mo Najafian |title=Maria Fire atop South Mountain explodes between Santa Paula and Somis |work=Ventura County Star |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2019/10/31/crews-mount-string-response-new-fire-breaks-out-santa-paula/4113674002/ |url-status=live |access-date=October 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105073518/https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2019/10/31/crews-mount-string-response-new-fire-breaks-out-santa-paula/4113674002/ |archive-date=November 5, 2019}}</ref> Heavily influenced by {{convert|20|-|30|mph|abbr=on}} winds within the canyons, the fire became a full scale conflagration, growing from {{Convert|50| to| 750| acres}} inside an hour, to over {{Convert|4,000|acre|km2|0}} after several hours.<ref name="South Mountain explodes" /><ref name="Explodes to 4,000 acres">{{cite web |last1=Wigglesworth |first1=Alex |title=Brush fire in Ventura County explodes to 4,000 acres, prompting evacuations |url=https://ktla.com/2019/10/31/maria-fire-ignites-on-top-of-south-mountain-near-santa-paula/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105034507/https://ktla.com/2019/10/31/maria-fire-ignites-on-top-of-south-mountain-near-santa-paula/ |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |access-date=October 31, 2019 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> The fire worked its way north towards Santa Paula where the topography of the Santa Clara River Valley which can serve as a funnel for Santa Ana winds.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Fry |first1=Hanna |last2=Puente |first2=Mark |last3=Lin II |first3=Rong-Gong |last4=Wigglesworth |first4=Alex |date=November 1, 2019 |title=Maria fire charges toward Santa Paula neighborhoods, forcing additional evacuations |language=en-US |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |url=https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-31/maria-fire-south-mountain |url-status=live |access-date=November 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106141702/https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2019-10-31/maria-fire-south-mountain |archive-date=November 6, 2019}}</ref> Mandatory evacuations were ordered for a wide swath of over 1,800 homes surrounding the fire area, affecting over 7,500 residences.<ref name="South Mountain explodes" /><ref name="Explodes to 4,000 acres" />

===Explosions=== ====Santa Clara Waste Water explosion==== {{Main|Santa Clara Waste Water explosion}} A vacuum truck exploded at the Santa Clara Waste Water plant in the early morning hours of November 18, 2014. Two workers were injured in the initial explosion, three responding fire-fighters were injured by the fumes from the spill of a highly volatile chemical mixture, and 50 others were exposed to fumes and required treatment at local hospitals.<ref>The Associated Press (November 19, 2014) [http://www.miamiherald.com/living/health-fitness/article4010237.html "Crews try to ID substance in Calif. plant fire"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129101246/http://www.miamiherald.com/living/health-fitness/article4010237.html |date=November 29, 2014 }} ''Miami Herald''</ref><ref>Wenner, Gretchen (November 26, 2014) [http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/oxnard/oxnard-shuts-out-santa-clara-waste-water-from-sewer-system_94457633 "Oxnard shuts out Santa Clara Waste Water from sewer system"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141203072445/http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/oxnard/oxnard-shuts-out-santa-clara-waste-water-from-sewer-system_94457633 |date=December 3, 2014 }} ''Ventura County Star''</ref> The driver was transporting waste from a temporary storage drum to a processing center when he stopped to take a meal break.<ref>Wilson, Kathleen and Von Quednow, Cindy (November 21, 2014) [http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/santa-paula/officials-consider-limited-access-to-area-near-santa-paula-chemical-explosion_64965397 "Truck explosion near Santa Paula draws scrutiny"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219054518/http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/santa-paula/officials-consider-limited-access-to-area-near-santa-paula-chemical-explosion_64965397 |date=December 19, 2014 }} ''Ventura County Star''</ref> The rear of the truck exploded, spreading a white liquid over a {{convert|300|by|400|ft|m|adj=mid|area}} that spontaneously combusted as it dried and was sensitive to shock, pressure and the application of water or oxygen. The tires of the first fire truck on the scene and the boots of three firefighters sparked small explosions when they drove and walked over the substance as they went to help the injured workers.<ref>Von Quednow, Cindy (November 18, 2014) [http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/ventura/officials-working-to-decontaminate-people-at-vcmc-exposed-to-substance-in-santa-paula-explosion_29956958 "Santa Paula chemical explosion causes injuries, evacuations, road closures"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141121224700/http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/ventura/officials-working-to-decontaminate-people-at-vcmc-exposed-to-substance-in-santa-paula-explosion_29956958 |date=November 21, 2014 }} ''Ventura County Star''</ref><ref>Rocha, Veronica (November 18, 2014) [http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-five-people-hospitalized-after-chemical-truck-explosion-20141118-story.html "2 dozen treated after truck explodes; chemical hits air, ignites"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119053156/http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-five-people-hospitalized-after-chemical-truck-explosion-20141118-story.html |date=November 19, 2014 }} ''Los Angeles Times''</ref> The incident evolved into a disaster when later in the morning additional materials began to burn and explode, which resulted in a {{convert|3|mi|km|spell=in|adj=mid|-long plume of toxic smoke}} and the closing of Highway 126.<ref>Kelly, Peggy (November 27, 2014) [http://santapaulatimes.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/29492/_913-mile_plume_of_toxic_smoke_92:_VC_Sheriff_declares_emergency_in_wake_of_SCWW_blasts,_fires.html "‘3-mile plume of toxic smoke’: VC Sheriff declares emergency in wake of SCWW blasts, fires"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129213326/http://www.santapaulatimes.com/news/fullstory.php/aid/29492/_913-mile_plume_of_toxic_smoke_92:_VC_Sheriff_declares_emergency_in_wake_of_SCWW_blasts,_fires.html |date=November 29, 2014 }} ''Santa Paula Times''</ref> Chemical smoke drifted over the area and nearby residents and businesses were required to evacuate.<ref>{{cite news|last=Aguilar |first=Mercedes |date=November 22, 2014|url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/santa-paula/town-hall-meeting-schedule-in-santa-paula-after-explosion_10832450 |title=Evacuation order lifted near Santa Paula explosion site|newspaper=Ventura County Star|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141208110741/http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/santa-paula/town-hall-meeting-schedule-in-santa-paula-after-explosion_10832450|archive-date=December 8, 2014}}</ref>

==Geography== The city of Santa Paula has a total area of {{convert|5.7|sqmi|km2}}, {{convert|5.5|sqmi|km2}} of it land and {{convert|0.16|sqmi|km2}} of it (2.87%) water.<ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020"/> Santa Paula is located in the Santa Clara River Valley on the north bank of the Santa Clara River and is surrounded by fruit orchards. The downtown area is centered around Main Street, which is home to the oldest homes in the city. Homes are often bungalows, cottages, Victorian-style houses and craftsman homes.<ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 116">McCormack, Don (1999). ''McCormack's Guides Santa Barbara and Ventura 2000''. Mccormacks Guides. Page 116. {{ISBN|9781929365098}}.</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/santa-paula/2019/10/02/police-find-mountain-lion-santa-paula-backyard/3846975002/|title=Santa Paula prowler proves to be a mountain lion|last=Childs|first=Jeremy|date=October 2, 2019|website=Ventura County Star|language=en|access-date=October 3, 2019|archive-date=October 4, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191004003339/https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/santa-paula/2019/10/02/police-find-mountain-lion-santa-paula-backyard/3846975002/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Climate=== Santa Paula has a warm-summer mediterranean climate (Csb) typical of the coastal Southern California with warm summers and cool winters. {{Weather box |location = Santa Paula, California, 1981–2010 normals, extremes 1894–2008 |single line = Y |Jan record high F = 97 |Feb record high F = 92 |Mar record high F = 98 |Apr record high F = 105 |May record high F = 106 |Jun record high F = 108 |Jul record high F = 105 |Aug record high F = 105 |Sep record high F = 110 |Oct record high F = 108 |Nov record high F = 99 |Dec record high F = 99 |year record high F = 110 |Jan high F = 69.3 |Feb high F = 69.2 |Mar high F = 71 |Apr high F = 74 |May high F = 75.1 |Jun high F = 77.2 |Jul high F = 80.7 |Aug high F = 82.7 |Sep high F = 81.6 |Oct high F = 78.5 |Nov high F = 73.8 |Dec high F = 69.2 |year high F = 75.2 |Jan mean F = 55.2 |Feb mean F = 55.9 |Mar mean F = 57.5 |Apr mean F = 60 |May mean F = 62.5 |Jun mean F = 65.1 |Jul mean F = 68.8 |Aug mean F = 69.4 |Sep mean F = 68.1 |Oct mean F = 64.4 |Nov mean F = 59.1 |Dec mean F = 55.2 |year mean F = 61.8 |Jan low F = 41.1 |Feb low F = 42.5 |Mar low F = 43.9 |Apr low F = 45.9 |May low F = 50 |Jun low F = 53.1 |Jul low F = 56.9 |Aug low F = 56.1 |Sep low F = 54.7 |Oct low F = 50.2 |Nov low F = 44.4 |Dec low F = 41.1 |year low F = 48.3 |Jan record low F = 20 |Feb record low F = 23 |Mar record low F = 25 |Apr record low F = 30 |May record low F = 35 |Jun record low F = 35 |Jul record low F = 38 |Aug record low F = 36 |Sep record low F = 40 |Oct record low F = 32 |Nov record low F = 28 |Dec record low F = 22 |year record low F = 20 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 3.72 |Feb precipitation inch = 4.85 |Mar precipitation inch = 2.69 |Apr precipitation inch = 0.83 |May precipitation inch = 0.35 |Jun precipitation inch = 0.07 |Jul precipitation inch = 0.01 |Aug precipitation inch = 0.04 |Sep precipitation inch = 0.16 |Oct precipitation inch = 0.69 |Nov precipitation inch = 1.44 |Dec precipitation inch = 2.53 |year precipitation inch = 17.38

|source 1 = NOAA<ref name = NOAA> {{cite web |url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&stations=USC00047957&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Santa Paula, CA |access-date = May 7, 2023 }} </ref> |source 2 = National Weather Service<ref name = NOWData> {{cite web |url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=lox |publisher = National Weather Service |title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Los Angeles |access-date = May 7, 2023 }} </ref> }}

===Ecology=== {{expand section|date=April 2020}} {{see also|California coastal sage and chaparral}} Bears can come down out of the hills and roam in neighboring agricultural areas and occasionally come into residential neighborhoods.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mason |first=Dave |date=May 23, 2024 |title=Mountain lions and bears, oh my. Wildlife in Moorpark, Santa Paula put public on alert |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2024/05/23/mountain-lion-seen-in-moorpark-bear-in-santa-paula/73829084007/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |newspaper=Ventura County Star}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Carlson|first=Cheri|title=Bear bites man working in orchard near Santa Paula; one of five attacks statewide in 2020|url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2020/08/17/authorities-man-injured-encounter-bear-near-santa-paula/3387701001/|date=August 18, 2020|access-date=August 19, 2020|newspaper=Ventura County Star|language=en-US|archive-date=August 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200818154016/https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/2020/08/17/authorities-man-injured-encounter-bear-near-santa-paula/3387701001/|url-status=live}}</ref> Mountain lions have periodically been spotted in residents' backyards.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kelly |first=Peggy |date=April 3, 2009 |title=Mountain lions: Two reports of cats seen in McKevett Heights, the Oaks |url=http://www.santapaulatimes.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/18359/Mountain_lions:_Two_reports_of_cats_seen_in_McKevett_Heights,_the_Oaks.htmlz |work=Santa Paula Times}}</ref>

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1880= 188 |1890= 1047 |1910= 2216 |1920= 3967 |1930= 7452 |1940= 8986 |1950= 11049 |1960= 13279 |1970= 18001 |1980= 20658 |1990= 25062 |2000= 28598 |2010= 29321 |2020= 30657 |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=January 6, 2021|archive-date=July 17, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220717060613/https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|url-status=live}}</ref> | align = right | align-fn = center }}

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, Santa Paula had a population of 30,657. The population density was {{convert|5,543.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The median age was 35.0 years. The age distribution was 26.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% aged 18 to 24, 26.6% aged 25 to 44, 23.1% aged 45 to 64, and 13.9% aged 65 or older. For every 100 females, there were 99.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.9 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0133P%2CDP1_0137P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=place%3A70042&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 19, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

99.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.8% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=place%3A70042&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 19, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> The census reported that 99.6% of the population lived in households, 0.1% lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 0.3% were institutionalized.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 8,917 households in Santa Paula, of which 44.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.8% were married-couple households, 6.5% were cohabiting-couple households, 25.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present, and 14.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present. About 16.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.43. There were 7,046 families (79.0% of all households).<ref name="Census2020DP"/><ref name="Census2020DHC"/>

There were 9,187 housing units, of which 2.9% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 1.9%. Of occupied units, 53.9% were owner-occupied and 46.1% were renter-occupied.<ref name="Census2020DP"/><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=place%3A70042&in=state%3A06|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 19, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Racial composition as of the 2020 census<ref name="Census2020PL"/> ! Race !! Number !! Percent |- | White || 9,854 || 32.1% |- | Black or African American || 127 || 0.4% |- | American Indian and Alaska Native || 815 || 2.7% |- | Asian || 243 || 0.8% |- | Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 28 || 0.1% |- | Some other race || 13,001 || 42.4% |- | Two or more races || 6,589 || 21.5% |- | ''Hispanic or Latino (of any race)'' || 25,051 || 81.7% |}

===2023 ACS 5-year estimate=== In 2023, the US Census Bureau estimated that the median household income was $77,130, and the per capita income was $30,453. About 12.2% of families and 15.3% of the population were below the poverty line.<ref>{{cite web |title=Santa Paula city, California; DP03: Selected Economic Characteristics - 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates Comparison Profiles |url=https://data.census.gov/table/ACSDP5Y2023.DP03?g=1600000US0670042 |website=US Census Bureau |access-date=June 3, 2025}}</ref>

===2010 census=== The 2010 United States census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0670042|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129161928/http://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=06:0670042|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2016|title=2010 Census Interactive Population Search: CA - Santa Paula city|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=July 12, 2014}}</ref> reported that Santa Paula had a population of 29,321. The population density was {{convert|6,230.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of Santa Paula was 18,458 (63.0%) White, 152 (0.5%) African American, 460 (1.6%) Native American, 216 (0.7%) Asian, 24 (0.1%) Pacific Islander, 8,924 (30.4%) from other races, and 1,087 (3.7%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23,299 persons (79.5%).

The Census reported that 29,188 people (99.5% of the population) lived in households, 44 (0.2%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 89 (0.3%) were institutionalized.

There were 8,347 households, out of which 4,087 (49.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 4,767 (57.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 1,267 (15.2%) had a female householder with no husband present, 650 (7.8%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 540 (6.5%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 45 (0.5%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 1,331 households (15.9%) were made up of individuals, and 678 (8.1%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.50. There were 6,684 families (80.1% of all households); the average family size was 3.85.

The population was spread out, with 8,722 people (29.7%) under the age of 18, 3,295 people (11.2%) aged 18 to 24, 8,012 people (27.3%) aged 25 to 44, 6,193 people (21.1%) aged 45 to 64, and 3,099 people (10.6%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.1 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.5 males.

There were 8,749 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,859.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}, of which 4,694 (56.2%) were owner-occupied, and 3,653 (43.8%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0%; the rental vacancy rate was 4.1%. 15,528 people (53.0% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 13,660 people (46.6%) lived in rental housing units. ==Economy== thumb|Orange grove outside of Santa Paula, California. thumb|The Santa Paula Earth Station While agriculture is the most important industry in Santa Paula today, the city experienced an economic boom after oil was discovered in 1880.<ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 116"/>

The economy is primarily agriculturally based, originally focusing on the growing of oranges and lemons.<ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 116"/> Santa Paula's mediterranean climate combined with an estimated {{convert|20|ft|m}} of topsoil have made it a prime location for growing citrus. Avocado has also become a major crop and an avocado was added to the city's official seal. Calavo Growers, Inc. is headquartered here.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.calavo.com/store/facilities.html|title=Calavo Growers|website=www.calavo.com|access-date=October 10, 2016|archive-date=October 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011075359/http://www.calavo.com/store/facilities.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Santa Paula has very few large retail stores but residents often travel to neighboring cities to purchase hard goods. The Main Street area consists mostly of clothing shops, specialty shops, novelty shops, dollar stores, restaurants, service-oriented businesses and office space. The city also has neighborhood stores and small grocery markets. Many of these small shops and markets have a distinct Latin-American flavor, often selling a myriad of imported items. In addition some markets also have a meat department which sells a variety of beef, poultry, and seafood.

A {{convert|501|acre|ha |adj=mid|expansion}} on the eastern edge of Santa Paula was approved in 2015. This residential and commercial development by Limoneira was known as "East Area One" for the purpose of approval. Officials and residents were hoping this major expansion of the city would create new jobs and increase tax revenue for the cash-strapped city.<ref name=massive>{{cite news|url=http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/santa-paula/limoneira-gets-final-goahead-for-massive-project-in-santa-paula_14560821|title=Limoneira gets final go-ahead for massive project in Santa Paula|author=Boyd-Barrett, Claudia|work=Ventura County Star|date=February 18, 2015|access-date=March 1, 2015|archive-date=February 21, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150221034453/http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/santa-paula/limoneira-gets-final-goahead-for-massive-project-in-santa-paula_14560821|url-status=live}} (subscription may be required for this article)</ref> When the project was first proposed in 1997, concerns were raised that Limoneira was beginning to develop their extensive holdings of prime farmland. Company officials claimed that 83% of the Teague-McKevett parcel was either unsuitable for agriculture or had a low value because of poor soil and drainage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-jul-20-mn-14616-story.html|title=Cultivating Change in Santa Paula|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 20, 1997|first=Nick|last=Green|access-date=May 24, 2015|archive-date=October 24, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024093707/http://articles.latimes.com/1997/jul/20/news/mn-14616|url-status=live}}</ref>

Goonhilly Earth Station operates an Earth station in Santa Paula. Prior to 2023, the Earth Station was operated by COMSAT.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.satellitetoday.com/technology/2023/11/01/goonhilly-acquires-two-us-based-comsat-teleports/|title=Goonhilly Acquires Two US-Based Comsat Teleports|date=November 1, 2023|first= Rachel |last= Jewett|website=satellitetoday.com}}</ref>

===Tourism=== [[File:Union Oil Company Building.jpg|thumb|Union Oil's original headquarters, now the California Oil Museum.]]

The Santa Clara Valley represents one of the best preserved examples of a mature Southern California landscape of citrus groves.<ref name=EIR/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/orangecounty/la-me-oranges-20150204-story.html|title=How Orange County's namesake was squeezed out—and is being squeezed in|work=Los Angeles Times|date=February 4, 2015|first=Emily|last=Foxhall|access-date=May 23, 2015|archive-date=May 26, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150526202923/http://www.latimes.com/local/orangecounty/la-me-oranges-20150204-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Tourists find a town with a main street reminiscent of Middle America in an agricultural setting preserved through Ventura County's greenbelt agreements.<ref name=EIR/> The California Oil Museum,<ref>[http://www.oilmuseum.net/ California Oil Museum] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090410065854/http://www.oilmuseum.net/ |date=April 10, 2009 }}.</ref> within the historic Union Oil building, is located downtown, as are the Santa Paula Art Museum<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.santapaulaartmuseum.org/|title=Home|website=Santa Paula Art Museum|language=en-US|access-date=April 10, 2017|archive-date=March 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323164130/https://www.santapaulaartmuseum.org/|url-status=live}}</ref> and Museum of Ventura County Agriculture Museum.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2020-02-06/santa-paula-weekend-trip-glen-tavern-inn|title=Looking for a weekend road trip from L.A.? This historic gem is closer than you think|date=February 6, 2020|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|first=Charles|last=Fleming|language=en-US|access-date=February 7, 2020|archive-date=February 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200207024853/https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2020-02-06/santa-paula-weekend-trip-glen-tavern-inn|url-status=live}}</ref> The Santa Paula Mural Project has completed numerous murals depicting the city's history.<ref>Nash, Bill (January 17, 2008) [http://www.vcstar.com/news/2008/jan/17/colorful-history/ "Giant murals on Santa Paula walls are visions of city's vibrant past"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522122416/http://www.vcstar.com/news/2008/jan/17/colorful-history/ |date=May 22, 2014 }} ''Ventura County Star''</ref><ref name="LAT 20170224">{{cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-ln-santa-paula-20170224-story.html|title=Gripped by fear of ICE raids and deportations, one town tries to separate fact from rumor|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|first=Brittny|last=Mejia|date=February 24, 2017|access-date=February 25, 2017|archive-date=February 25, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170225191440/http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-ln-santa-paula-20170224-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The monogram "SP" on South Mountain above the city is visible from around town and along Highway 126. Students from Santa Paula High School first etched the letters into the hills in December 1922.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Salgado |first=Cytlalli |date=July 17, 2022 |title=Santa Paula's hillside 'SP' monogram is fading. Here's what we know |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/county/2022/07/17/sp-mountain-monogram-fading-heres-what-we-know-ventura-county/7822366001/ |url-access=limited |newspaper=Ventura County Star |access-date=July 18, 2022 |archive-date=October 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007203703/https://www.vcstar.com/restricted/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vcstar.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2Flocal%2Fcommunities%2Fcounty%2F2022%2F07%2F17%2Fsp-mountain-monogram-fading-heres-what-we-know-ventura-county%2F7822366001%2F |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Government== The city changed from an at-large city council election to a district system on 2023 under the threat of a lawsuit under the California Voting Rights Act. The mayor's seat, which rotates among them, did not change.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Woods II |first=Wes |date=February 16, 2023 |title=Santa Paula decides shape of future council elections with district map |url=https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/2023/02/16/santa-paula-city-council-chooses-district-map-for-future-elections/69908682007/ |access-date=February 17, 2023 |website=Ventura County Star |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Education== Historically, education was provided by the Santa Paula Elementary School District and the Santa Paula Union High School District. In 2013, the two bodies were merged to form the Santa Paula Unified School District. Many schools in Santa Paula, largely serving students from low-income families, are scoring low in state-administered tests, below the 30th percentile in statewide comparisons.<ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 116"/>

===Santa Paula Unified School District===

'''Elementary schools''' *Barbara Webster Elementary * Thelma Bedell Elementary * Blanchard Elementary * Glen City Elementary * McKevett Elementary * Grace Thille Elementary '''Middle school'''

* Isbell Middle School

'''High schools'''

* Renaissance High School * Santa Paula High School

===College===

Thomas Aquinas College, outside city limits

===Briggs School District===

* Olivelands School (elementary) * Briggs School (middle)

===Mupu School District===

* Mupu School (elementary)

===Private schools===

* St. Sebastian School (K-8) * Westside Baptist Preschool

==Infrastructure== The Santa Paula Water Recycling Facility was built in 2010 for $63 million to treat the city sewage.<ref>Kelly, Peggy (December 15, 2010) [http://www.santapaulatimes.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/22183/Santa_Paula_92s_new_water_recycling_facility_officially_completed.html "Santa Paula’s new water recycling facility officially completed"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150405105743/http://www.santapaulatimes.com/news/archivestory.php/aid/22183/Santa_Paula_92s_new_water_recycling_facility_officially_completed.html |date=April 5, 2015 }} ''Santa Paula Times''</ref> Santa Paula Water, a partnership of two corporations, financed, built and operated the facility under the agreement with the city. The city purchased the facility for $70.8 million in 2015 to take control and end a dispute over the failure of the plant to sufficiently remove chlorides. Although the new plant used modern treatment methods, the treated wastewater contained contaminants called chlorides that must be removed under state law before being discharged into the Santa Clara River.<ref>Boyd-Barrett, Claudia (February 3, 2015) [http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/santa-paula/santa-paula-will-buy-wastewater-treatment-plant_43356306 "Santa Paula will buy wastewater treatment plant"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211053105/http://www.vcstar.com/news/local-news/santa-paula/santa-paula-will-buy-wastewater-treatment-plant_43356306 |date=February 11, 2015 }} ''Ventura County Star'' (subscription may be required for this article)</ref>

===Fire department===

The Santa Paula Fire Department provided fire protection and emergency medical services at the basic life support level (BLS) from two fire stations. American Medical Response (AMR) is the paramedic ambulance provider for the city. On July 8, 2018, The Santa Paula Fire Department was disbanded after serving Santa Paula for 115 years. The Ventura County Fire Department now provides fire protection services for the City of Santa Paula. Both fire stations used by Santa Paula Fire were transferred to Ventura County Fire.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://vcfd.org/news/268-santa-paula-fire-joins-vcfd|title=Santa Paula Fire joins VCFD|website=vcfd.org|language=en-gb|access-date=July 27, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180728002858/http://vcfd.org/news/268-santa-paula-fire-joins-vcfd|archive-date=July 28, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Law enforcement===

The Santa Paula Police Department provides law enforcement services for the city. The overall crime rate is low.<ref name="McCormack, Don 1999 Page 116"/>

==Notable people== *Gaston Méliès (b. 1852): Brother to Georges Méliès; he set up the American branch of their Star Film Company in Santa Paula, filming many movies in the area. *Jim Colborn (b. 1946): former Major League Baseball pitcher and pitching coach; he was a 20-game winner in 1973. *Laura Diaz: (b. 1958): newscaster, most notably with KABC-TV from 1983 to 2002, KCBS-TV from 2002 to 2011, and KTTV-TV from 2012–Present. *Dana Elcar: actor, played Pete Thornton in the ''MacGyver'' television series from 1985 to 1992 and was featured in many films including ''The Sting''; spent later years at his home on Laurel Road in Santa Paula. *Nola Fairbanks: born Nola Jo Modine, had a notable singing career on Broadway. *Eric Fleming: actor, star of ''Rawhide''; born as Edward Heddy, Jr., July 4, 1925. *Danny Flores: musician, a.k.a. Chuck Rio, wrote and played sax on the 1958 song “Tequila”, winner of best R&B song at the 1st Annual Grammy Awards; he became known as the "Godfather of Latino Rock ‘n’ Roll" *Grupo Bryndis: internationally known Mexican musical group. Formed by their leader and songwriter Mauro Posadas in 1983, they won a Latin Grammy Award for best album in 2007. *Joi Lansing: Actress and pin up model is buried there. *William Lucking: actor, played Piney on Sons of Anarchy; spent much of his early career as a resident, raising two daughters and serving on the school board. *Steve McQueen (1930–1980): actor, spent the last two years of his life (1979–1980) in Santa Paula, often flying his biplane from the Santa Paula Airport; he and his soon-to-be wife Barbara lived in his hangar at the airport until they moved into a home on South Mountain Road<ref>{{gnis|249741|South Mountain}}</ref> just outside town.<ref>Johnson, Brett (January 13, 2008) [http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jan/13/big-legend-in-a-small-town/ "Steve McQueen turned to quiet life in Santa Paula before 1980 death"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515190809/http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/jan/13/big-legend-in-a-small-town/ |date=May 15, 2009 }} ''Ventura County Star''</ref> * Randy Mendoza (b. 1996): soccer player *Charles M. Teague (1909–1974): U.S. Representative from California, born in Santa Paula and buried in the local cemetery. He served as director of McKevett Corp. and Teague-McKevett Co.

==In popular culture== {{more citations needed section|date=April 2014}} The city has been featured in Hollywood media on numerous occasions. Some examples include:

===Commercials=== Various commercials, including a Super Bowl Budweiser commercial, (The Human Bridge) have been filmed in downtown Santa Paula.

===Movies=== Santa Paula was the early film capital of California. Gaston Méliès brought his Star Film Company to the city in 1911, filming movies such as ''The Ghost of Sulphur Mountain''.

Parts of the movie ''Disorganized Crime'' (1989), starring Fred Gwynne, was filmed downtown on Main Street.

Main Street and other locations featured prominently in the 1990 Winona Ryder film ''Welcome Home, Roxy Carmichael''. And other films such as “Pee-wee's Big Holiday”.

''Chaplin'' (1992) filmed throughout the surrounding area and held a casting call in town for background actors.

Santa Paula also served as one of the locations for the motion picture ''Mr. Woodcock'' (2007), starring Billy Bob Thornton.

A good portion of ''Joe Dirt'' (2001) starring David Spade was filmed downtown as well as at the popular restaurant Mary B's.

The Lindsay Lohan movie ''Georgia Rule'' (2007) was filmed in Santa Paula.

The majority of the 1997 film ''Leave It to Beaver'' was filmed in Santa Paula, with many Santa Paula residents being cast in minor character roles and as extras. The famous scene of Beaver trapped in the giant coffee cup had Main Street blocked off for almost a week while filming continued.

Parts of the Brian De Palma movie ''Carrie'' (1976), starring Sissy Spacek, were filmed in Santa Paula.

Other movies that were filmed partially in Santa Paula include ''The Philadelphia Experiment'' (1984), the ''Chinatown'' sequel ''The Two Jakes'' (1990), the Martin Short/Danny Glover buddy comedy ''Pure Luck'' (1991), ''For Love of the Game'' (1999), ''Bubble Boy'' (2001), starring Jake Gyllenhaal, and ''Bedtime Stories'' (2008) starring Adam Sandler.

The James M. Sharp House is an historical Italian villa-style house built in 1890. It is located on West Telegraph Road, just outside Santa Paula, and has been the setting for several movies, including ''Amityville 4'' (1989), ''The Black Gate'' (1995), and ''How to Make an American Quilt'' (1995).

===Music videos=== The music video for “To Die For” by Sam Smith was shot entirely in the town.<ref>{{Citation |title=Sam Smith - To Die For | date=February 13, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POIK1H3L86k |language=en |access-date=September 25, 2022 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200213031329/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POIK1H3L86k |url-status=live }}</ref>

Dennis DeYoung, former lead singer of the popular 1970s and 1980s rock group Styx, filmed the music video for Desert Moon, also the title of his first solo album, at the train depot in 1984.

The music video for the 2001 song “Video” by American R&B artist India Arie was filmed in and around Santa Paula and its surrounding citrus groves. This was India Arie's debut song and video from her Acoustic Soul album.

===Television=== Parts of the 1976 season 3 episode of ''The Rockford Files'' "Coulter City Wildcat", were filmed in Santa Paula.

On the television drama ''The West Wing'', Santa Paula is the hometown of fictional presidential candidate Arnold Vinick (Alan Alda). In early 2005, Santa Paula Mayor Mary Ann Krause began a lobbying campaign to have Santa Paula declared Vinick's hometown. In a publicity move for the town, city officials officially "claim[ed] Senator Arnold Vinick as a resident of Santa Paula," in April 2005, and opened an official campaign headquarters for the fictional Republican Senator in the town's train depot. ([https://web.archive.org/web/20060205192742/http://www.ci.santa-paula.ca.us/vinick/ Santa Paula for Vinick]) On October 14, 2005, NBC released Vinick's official biography and revealed Santa Paula as the town in which he was raised.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbc.com/The_West_Wing/Campaign/Vinick_Sullivan/ |title=Arnold Vinick|department=The West Wing|publisher=NBC|archive-date=September 6, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060906124343/http://www.nbc.com/The_West_Wing/Campaign/Vinick_Sullivan/}}</ref>

Santa Paula served as the backdrop for the fictional Charterville in the 1996–98 TV series ''Big Bad Beetleborgs''.

An episode of the television series ''Matlock'' was filmed on Santa Paula St.

After a 1994 fire destroyed their sets in nearby Fillmore, the TV series ''The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles'' filmed in various locations, including Santa Paula's Ebell Mansion.

The Santa Paula Train Depot has been a location for various productions, including for the miniseries ''The Thorn Birds'' (1983), starring Richard Chamberlain and in the season 3 finale of ''Glee'' (2012).

Scenes for the third season of Mayans M.C. were shot on Main Street in October 2020 and February 2021.<ref>Wenner, Gretchen (February 5, 2021) [https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/santa-paula/2021/02/05/santa-paula-gets-dressed-up-third-season-mayans-m-c/4389398001/ "Santa Paula dresses up again for 'Mayans M.C.' shoot"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210213174705/https://www.vcstar.com/story/news/local/communities/santa-paula/2021/02/05/santa-paula-gets-dressed-up-third-season-mayans-m-c/4389398001/ |date=February 13, 2021 }} ''Ventura County Star''</ref>

==Notes== {{reflist|group=note}}

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading== *''Santa Paula'' (Images of America), by Mary Alice Orcutt Henderson. 2006, Arcadia. {{ISBN|0738531243}}

==External links== {{Commons category|Santa Paula, California}} * [https://spcity.org/ Official website] * [http://www.idcide.com/citydata/ca/santa-paula.htm Santa Paula city profile] {{Geographic Location (8-way) | title = '''Destinations from Santa Paula''' | Centre = Santa Paula | North = ''Topatopa Mountains'' | Northeast = Fillmore ''SR 126'' | East = Unincorporated Ventura County | Southeast = Unincorporated Ventura County | South = ''South Mountain'' | Southwest = Ventura and Oxnard Saticoy ''US 101 via CA 126'' | West = Unincorporated Ventura County | Northwest = Ojai ''SR 150'' }}

Category:Santa Paula, California Category:Cities in Ventura County, California Category:Incorporated cities and towns in California Category:Santa Clara River (California) Category:2014 industrial disasters Category:1872 establishments in California Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1872