Ventura Ranch KOA has a strong sense of place: “the natural beauty of the oak and sycamore trees, the natural sound of Santa Paula Creek, the starry nights” that Cory said can be found just a few miles from “downtown Santa Paula or 100 miles from Los Angeles... but you feel like you were transported 300 miles back into a forest.... Staycations,” vacations close to home that save on gas, convenience and the stress of longer journeys “are very easy to do at Ventura Ranch KOA.”
Even so, he admits the “numbers astound me, the growth we have had under KOA... the goal was to build a vacation destination where people can quickly get away from the busy city and relax and enjoy the beauty of Southern California at their comfort level. I’m happy we can offer such a unique experience.”
And that includes the Zipline, the first and only such attraction of its kind in the KOA family of more than 470 parks. The Zipline, said Cory, is “more than 750 feet long; we haven’t timed it on speed yet,” but he estimates it will travel 30 mph to 40 mph along the approximately 50 foot drop from the Pavilion area to the creek’s edge.
Cory, who was in senior management with KOA corporate before he and Bitter decided to have their own KOA franchise, said there is also a new rock-climbing wall and jumping pillow at the campground. And to preserve the camping resort’s breath-taking surroundings, Cory and Bitter made sure that Ventura Ranch practices ecotourism with low impact development.
“From the beginning, we have made it a priority to protect the natural surroundings of Santa Paula and we have created a place where we can enjoy the outdoor environment that nature provides,” said Bitter. “Buildings and tent sites were constructed in locations best suiting the natural layout of the property, while trimming trees was kept to a minimum.”
Ventura Ranch KOA is located at 7400 Pine Grove Rd., Santa Paula, and is open all year with activities dependant on the season. Special grand-opening activities will continue Saturday for Ventura Ranch KOA camping guests.
For more information on Kampgrounds of America, visit www.KOA.com. To make your reservations at Ventura Ranch KOA, visit http://koa.com/campgrounds/ventura-ranch/.