Ventura Area, California
The most common soil here is San Benito, on about 5% of the land: a clay loam, firm and a little sticky. Calleguas and Mocho come next.
About 83% of the land drains well, and 12% stays wet for long stretches.
USDA rates 88% of the land very limited for a standard septic drain field, and 68% very limited for homes with basements. That means extra cost or special design, not that it can't be done.
Worth knowing: 4% of the land floods occasionally or more, and bedrock lies within 40 inches under 38% of it.
Soils change over short distances, so look up an address below for the soil at that exact spot and the reasons behind each rating.
The soils you're most likely standing on
The biggest named soils in Ventura Area, California, each drawn five feet deep from its official USDA description, in its recorded colors.
Dots mark gravel; white flecks mark lime. Shares are by acres across the survey area, and each mapped patch usually mixes several of these soils.
The biggest mapped areas
The dominant drainage class is Well drained and the dominant hydrologic group is C (slow infiltration, moderate runoff). The most common soil order is Mollisols — grassland soils with a thick, dark, fertile topsoil rich in organic matter. This report summarizes the major soil map units across the survey area to help you understand what to expect when buying, building, or gardening in Ventura Area, California. Search your address to find the exact soil composition, drainage, and series details at your specific location.
| Soil Map Unit | Acres | Drainage | Hydro Group | Dwellings | Septic |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Badland | 26K | Well drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| Calleguas very channery loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes | 23K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| San Benito clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded, MLRA 20 | 18K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Castaic-Balcom complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 16K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Castaic and Saugus soils, 30 to 75 percent slopes, eroded | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Soper gravelly loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded, MLRA 20 | 15K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Camarillo loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 14K | Somewhat poorly drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mocho loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, warm MAAT, MLRA 19 | 13K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sedimentary rock land | 13K | Excessively drained | Not rated | Not rated | |
| Hambright very rocky loam, 15 to 75 percent slopes | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Calleguas-Arnold complex, 30 to 50 percent slopes, erod ed | 11K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
| Hueneme loamy fine sand, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 10K | Somewhat poorly drained | B | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Nacimiento silty clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, warm MAAT, MLRA 20 | 9K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Riverwash | 8K | Somewhat poorly drained | Very limited | Very limited | |
| San Benito clay loam, 50 to 75 percent slopes, MLRA 20 | 8K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Mocho loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, warm MAAT, MLRA 19 | 8K | Well drained | B | Not limited | Somewhat limited |
| Sorrento loam, 2 to 9 percent slopes, warm MAAT, MLRA 19 | 7K | Well drained | C | Somewhat limited | Very limited |
| Linne silty clay loam, 30 to 50 percent slopes, eroded | 7K | Well drained | C | Very limited | Very limited |
| Pico sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | A | Not limited | Very limited |
| Gaviota rocky sandy loam, 15 to 50 percent slopes | 7K | Well drained | D | Very limited | Very limited |
Soil Orders in This Area
The USDA classifies every soil into one of 12 soil orders. Here are the dominant orders found in this survey area.
What This Means
Building & Foundations
About 68% of soils are rated "very limited" for dwellings with basements. Specific challenges include shallow bedrock, steep slopes, poor drainage in some areas, flood-prone areas. A geotechnical assessment is recommended before building.
Septic Systems
About 88% of soils are rated "very limited" for septic absorption fields. Despite good drainage overall, limitations may stem from shallow bedrock, steep slopes, or seasonal conditions. Engineered or alternative systems are frequently required. Always get a professional perc test before purchasing land that needs septic.
Gardening & Agriculture
Well-drained soils on sloped terrain — good for most plants but watch for erosion. Terracing, contour planting, and mulching help retain moisture and topsoil. Drip irrigation is more effective than sprinklers on slopes.