Shea Homes, the 128year-old company that has been honored as America's Best Builder and Professional Builder magazine's Builder of the Year, is offering an extensive variety of new homes in some of Ventura County's most desirable locations, including Moorpark, Big Sky in Simi Valley, The Cottages and the new masterplanned community of RiverPark in Oxnard.

In Moorpark, Shea Homes' Canterbury Lane combines the carefree convenience of townhome living with the spaciousness that families need and the luxurious amenities that appeal to mature couples. Enhanced by quiet cul-de-sac locations and private rear yards, the community's stylish residences range from approximately 1,629 to 1,921 square feet, including three to four bedrooms and two and one-half baths plus a two-car attached garage with storage space.

Canterbury Lane is conveniently located within walking distance of retail stores and a Metrolink commuter rail station. Moorpark has an award-winning school district. All of those advantages are included in prices starting in the high $300,000s with no Mello-Roos taxes, low HOA fees and a low tax rate of 1.25 percent.

Windstone is a collection of luxurious residences set amid the scenic beauty of Big Sky, which is tucked among the ridge lines and canyons of the hills above Simi Valley. As the final Big Sky neighborhood, it has released the final phase of view homes along with models. Windstone offers a limited selection of two-story designs extending from approximately 4,027 to 4,435 square feet, including four to six bedrooms and four and one-half to five and one-half baths plus three-car split garages.

Among the many included luxuries are granite kitchen countertops, Bosch stainless steel appliances and jetted master bath tubs. Prices start in the high $800,000s, and there are no Mello-Roos taxes.

At The Cottages in Oxnard, families can select the Plan One model home with approximately 1,972 square feet of living space, including three and two and one-half baths. The gated residence is both ocean close and family friendly, priced from $399,900s and offers a private swimming pool, spa and tot lot and are only two miles from the beaches of Silver Strand and Hollywood Beach. In addition, the Cottages has no Mello-Roos taxes.

Located just 10 minutes from the beach and Channel Islands Harbor, RiverPark is emerging as the newest address of distinction in Oxnard. This master-planned community has it all: residential neighborhoods, a variety of parks and recreational amenities, two brand-new schools and a new town center that is set to open in late 2009, all within walking distance of homes.

The Collection at RiverPark will encompass, stores, restaurants and entertainment, including Whole Foods and Cineplex. Plans also call for a hotel and convention center, as well as community service facilities such as city and county fire stations.

With its scenic location around the RiverPark's Central Park, Shea Homes' Meridian offers charming townhome designs ranging from approximately 1,301 to 1,980 square feet, with three to four bedrooms, two to three baths and a twocar garage, as well as private courtyards, balconies and covered porches per plan that extend living spaces outdoors. Prices start from the high $300,000s.

At Shea Homes' Market Street, open, light-filled townhomes range from 2,362 to 2,631 square feet of living space, with three to four bedrooms, 3.5 bathrooms, plus a two to threecar tandem garage. Amenities include 20-foot cathedral ceilings and extensive windows in the great room of the Plan Four and a courtyard in Plan Three. Most plans feature a convenient downstairs bedroom and bath suite for members of an extended family. Prices start from the high $300,000s.

Shea Homes will soon be introducing two new RiverPark neighborhoods. Boardwalk and Reflections will expand the choices to make a RiverPark address available to a broad spectrum of home buyers.

Complete details on all of Shea Homes' Ventura County communities, including driving directions, is available by visiting www.sheahomes.com.

Shea Homes Southern California is a division of Shea Homes Limited Partnership, an independent member of the Shea family of companies, which celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2006. Over the past 128 years, members of the Shea family and their companies have accomplished many milestones, including completing work on the foundation of the landmark Golden Gate Bridge, working on San Francisco's Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) and serving as a managing partner for the construction of the Hoover Dam.

Yet Shea Homes' most satisfying achievements continue to revolve around listening to its customers' needs and satisfying those needs by providing an extensive selection of new home floor plans and quality workmanship in the finest neighborhoods and communities available today. Shea Homes is also investing in the future of children and communities across America by sponsoring a multi-faceted literacy awareness program that urges parents to "Read With Your Child 15 Minutes a Day." For more information, visit sheahomes.com.