Piru is a small unincorporated community in the eastern area of Ventura County located in the Santa Clara River Valley near the Santa Clara River. It is east of Fillmore and Ojai, and west of Santa Clarita and the Santa Clarita Valley. Piru is primarily an agricultural area. The area was originally inhabited by the Tataviam People and Chumash People who left extensive information about their cultures etched or painted in local caves and on stone cliffs. The Tataviam People and Chumash People lived in Ventura County along the Santa Clara River for thousands of years before Southern California was claimed by Spain and later by Mexico.

 

Lake Piru

Lake Piru is a man-made lake located in the Los Padres National Forest in Ventura County not far from the community of Piru. The Lake was formed in 1955 by the construction of the Santa Felicia Dam on Piru Creek which is over 70 miles long. Piru Creek is a major tributary of the Santa Clara River that drains nearly 500 square miles and provides over half of its flow.

 

Pyramid Lake - Pyramid Dam

Pyramid Lake is a large reservoir located near Castaic in northern Los Angeles County. Pyramid Lake was formed by the construction of the 386 foot high Pyramid Dam in 1970 on Piru Creek. Pyramid Lake is part of the California State Water Project and California Aqueduct and is the deepest lake in the system. The reservoir is located on the border between the Angeles National Forest and the Los Padres National Forest. The lake offers fishing, boating, jet skiing, and beautiful picnic areas.

 

Piru Mansion

The Piru Mansion, also known as the Newhall Mansion or Cook Mansion, is a Ventura County Historical Landmark that was constructed in Piru in 1886. The magnificent Queen Ann style home was constructed by Piru's founder David C. Cook who subsequently sold it to the Newhall family in 1968. The home is now used as a venue for weddings, corporate retreats, and other functions. 

 

Rancho Camulos

Rancho Camulos Museum

Rancho Camulos, established in 1853, now known as Rancho Camulos Museum, is a ranch located in the Santa Clara River Valley approximately 2.2 miles east of Piru, California. The 1,800 acre ranch is designated a National  Historic Landmark and a California Historical Landmark. It was once part of the original rancho of 48,612 acres established in 1839. The western area of the original rancho was once the Tataviam Indian Village of Kamulus. Rancho Camulos is open for docent conducted tours most Saturdays.

 

Warring Park

Warring Park, a California Historical Landmark is the location where in 1769 the Portola expedition discovered a village of Chumash people in what is now the community of Piru in Ventura County. The exact site is just west of Piru Creek and north of Piru Lake. It has been designated a California Historical Landmark known as Warring Park. The Portola expedition was the first Spanish exploration of the interior of California that took place from 1769 through 1770.