Cal State University Channel Islands

Cal State Channel Islands has the feel of a master planned community. The grounds are lush and pretty, and a lot of money has obviously been poured into everything, but that can't entirely cancel out the fact that it's in the middle of some very dusty, nasty agricultural fields. It's a strange feeling as you drive up to the campus. You're in the middle of no-mans-land. Not a tree in sight. Then you reach the road that leads to the university and finally there are some trees. But still it's a long drive up through nothingness until you finally reach some signs of life. It must be strange to live there with basically nothing you can walk to. Definitely not a cool college town, though with Old Town Camarillo being revitalized there may soon be a place fairly nearby to hang out.

But the campus is pretty, the weather is great, and the library is ultra modern with row upon row of spanking new computers.
The campus is built on a former psychiatric hospital so there are some elegant historical buildings. There are wide lawns and established large trees. Little mountains with Flintstones-style boulders pop up here and there. And colorful CSUCI flags with dolphins adorn every light post.
The campus extends to a tiny master-planned community of cookie cutter faculty apartments and homes. All new and tidy with little lampposts. The hills here with the little boulders are nice.
Old Town Camarillo, which has been revitalized recently, has Olas de Carlos Surf Grill, with good food. A walk around the old town to beautiful St. Mary Magdalen Church is really pleasant.
Camarillo Ranch House, where Adolfo Camarillo lived, is one of the nicest Victorian houses I've seen- it's well worth visiting and you can learn more about the area from the great tour guides. Valle Lindo Park is a large park filled with redwoods, bridges, winding paths, and play equipment- a pleasant place for a walk or to stop with your kids.

Directions

If southbound on Highway 101, don't follow the signs because they will take you forever through agricultural and industrial junk. Exit at Lewis Rd. Turn left on Ventura Blvd, and then right on Lewis Rd. Follow it for 2 1/2 miles and then turn left on University Dr. It's almost 2 miles and then you reach the campus.
From Highway 101 northbound, exit at Lewis Rd/CA-34. Follow Lewis Rd south and then turn left on University Drive.
Click "satellite" to see what I mean about the location.
The address is 1 University Drive, Camarillo, CA 93012, call (805) 437-8400.

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