American Gam

“Imagine a life where you can say goodbye to the rush and instead embrace a slower, more deliberate pace that allows you to savor each moment. Small towns invite you to relish in the simple pleasures of life—whether it’s a spontaneous chat with a neighbor or a leisurely stroll through downtown. This relaxed pace encourages you to live more presently and connect deeply with your surroundings and community.” ~ Emmie Heath

So, we took a quick weekend trip from Malibu to Fillmore, a charming city nestled in California’s Heritage Valley. We found a cozy spot at a Harvest Host Winery called Giessinger’s. The winery is at one end of our parking lot, and city hall is at the other. Our ‘front yard’ was unused train tracks with a history museum dedicated to the trains. There was also a lush park right in front of us, filled with towering sycamore trees and rows of resplendent roses bordering the park. If we could put a house anywhere in Fillmore it would be right in that spot.

This quaint city that feels more like a town, only two hours from Hollywood, also has a rich history of TV and films being shot here. Known in Hollywood as a versatile “Anytown, USA”, Fillmore has filled-in for towns in movies like La Bamba, Hero, Seabiscuit, Lone Ranger, Chapman, City Slickers 2, and others that continue to this day. However, there was a lull in filming in Fillmore.

At about 4:30am the morning of January 17, 1994, Fillmore sustained significant damage from an earthquake. It was the worst-hit community in Ventura County. No one in the community died or was injured, but over 200 buildings were damaged, including about one-fifth of the historical downtown that had been the center of numerous Hollywood films and TV shows. The quake caused an estimated $50 million in property damage and losses. Ultimately, 60 buildings needed to be torn down, and Fillmore rebuilt most of its downtown area to what it is today.

Giessinger’s Winery played host to us on the two evenings we stayed in Fillmore. We sat at the quiet bar while Dana poured samples of various white wines and ciders. (We’re not red wine drinkers.) The Pineapple Cider was different and pricey, while the Orange Merlot required seconds on both evenings.

The museum never opened so we just wandered around the area and took lots of pictures of the trains that you will see below…

It was a pleasant weekend getaway despite one rainy morning.

I wrote about another “Anytown” called Lancaster, Ohio in a previous post that has a similar, pleasant small town vibe. Are there any singular “Anytowns” in your area?

I hope you get to visit them often.

The gam continues…