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OJAI REVEALED

06.27.10

by Joanne Tucker

The picturesque Ojai Valley, which is located just 120 miles from OC, was once known as a tiny, sleepy hamlet for eccentric artists, the health conscious, cattle ranchers and spiritual devotees.

But today, Ojai is an artsy, eclectic, organic community with small town traditions like no fast food drive throughs, no big box chain stores, not many traffic lights and a peaceful vibe that reverberates in all of its culture, history, shops and accommodations. With more than 8,000 residents, this thriving upscale town boasts a new generation of inns, hotels, spas, boutiques, art galleries, cafes, restaurants and wine tasting rooms.

So, what are Ojai’s secrets? On a fantastic trip to nearby Ventura Harbor Marina and then Ojai Valley, we discovered the insider mysteries and natural wonders of Ojai.

Tucked away at the end of a quiet lane, an elegant, architectural treasure exists: Emerald Iguana Inn.

A charming collection of Art Nouveau inspired-cottages, this luxurious inn is like walking into an enchanted forest from Alice and Wonderland for a one-of-a-kind, adults-only getaway or a romantic hideaway.

As guests arrive, they are greeted by a large emerald iguana statue, which stands in a multi-colored tiled mosaic fountain. Walking along a stone path leading to the cottages, one could easily slip into a state of absolute bliss from the sound of chirping birds in the old oak groves and the smell of jasmine wafting through the lush landscape.

The inn’s accommodations range from single rooms and suites to private cottages with spacious living rooms and full kitchens. Many guest rooms have wood-burning stove fireplaces, claw-foot bathtubs and private patios or balconies. All are surrounded by lush gardens that serve to create an ultra romantic ambiance unlike any other.

We stayed in Tadpole, a guest room with an interior décor that blends Southwestern style and middle-eastern aesthetics. Decorated in rich colors, handmade furniture pieces, overstuffed chairs and exotic rugs, the Tadpole was luxurious, yet comfortable. Original artworks by Ojai’s renowned artists adorned the walls.

At the crystalline pool, guests lounge in the sunshine and marvel at the exquisite stone statuary and artistic architectural details that abound on the property. Relax with an in-room massage or facial or surf the net with the inn’s free wireless connection. We highly enjoyed a European-style continental breakfast, served poolside each morning. In the evenings, guests can stop by the poolside office for pre-dinner cheeses, fruits and locally-made wines.

The Emerald Iguana Inn was designed and furnished by Ojai residents, Julia and Marc Whitman. On the Whitman’s property just outside Ojai, guests from the Emerald Iguana Inn can be treated to private tours of the Taft Botanical Gardens, which are renowned for South African and Australian native plant collections.

The Emerald Iguana Inn is a short walk to downtown Ojai and the famed Ojai Arcade filled with shops, art galleries and gourmet dining.

A fine-dining spot, the Azu Mediterranean Restaurant and Tapas Bar is located on Ojai’s main drag. Azu offers an extensive tapas menu, featuring an eclectic blend of Spanish, Italian, Moroccan and Greek cuisine. Nosh on delectable marinated Moroccan olives and dates stuffed with chorizo and wrapped in bacon for starters. For wine and spirits lovers, Azu has over 25 wines available by the glass and dramatic signature cocktails like flaming Lucid absinthe.

Vesta Restaurant offers farm-fresh New American cuisine that showcases Ojai produce. Vesta is a haven for locals who hang out on the patio under shady oak trees and savor their favorite salad, wrap or sandwich. Order the sweet potato, garlic and rosemary-salted fries with cucumber wasabi dressing and a carb-conscious cocktail. Yummy!

Ojai is filled with a variety of wine tasting opportunities. The Casa Barranca Winery Tasting Room and Art Gallery is located in Ojai’s historic arcade just a few doors down from Vesta. Casa Barranca specializes in boutique wines handcrafted from organic grapes.

Another Ojai treasure is Bart’s Books. Bart’s is a used bookstore that’s home to more than 100,000 used and rare volumes. What makes Bart’s Books so special? An unbelievable honor system! Customers drop their coins into a metal box to pay for books taken from the street-facing outdoor shelves after the bookstore closes. Only in Ojai!

Located in upper Ojai Valley, the New Oak Ranch is a family run farm. Dedicated to growing quality lavender, pixie tangerines, olives and walnuts, Bill and Karen Evenden use ecological farming methods to produce exceptional lavender products and superior olive oil. A retail shop in the charming barn features the Evenden’s natural products.

The Ojai Valley has much to offer outdoor enthusiasts as well such as horseback riding, golf, biking and hiking. Boating and fishing are popular pastimes on Lake Casitas. Some love the family-friendly water playground and lazy river at Casitas Water Adventure.

Two of Ojai’s secrets have been revealed, but there’s another treasure that Ojaians hold dear. The Pink Moment! When the sun sets behind Ojai’s gorgeous Topa Topa Mountains, the sky turns a soft, romantic pink for a brief time. This magical moment is breathtakingly beautiful like a priceless Monet painting.

The best place to watch the pinkish twilight is from Meditation Mount. Located about three miles west of downtown Ojai off Reeves Road, this peaceful park setting allows visitors to leave their stresses behind and blissfully fade away as the mountains are bathed in a heavenly pink.

After you have experienced your own pink moment, take your soul back to the secluded Emerald Inguana for one of the most peaceful and restful night’s sleep of your life.

Joanne Tucker is a freelance lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif.

VENTURA ADVENTURE!

06.26.10

by Joanne Tucker

Located only an hour north of LA along Highway 101, Ventura County boasts miles of pristine beaches, surfing hot spots, rugged islands, groves of citrus trees and avocado orchards, fields of strawberries, wineries and and quaint country towns. Sounds like the OC of days-gone-by, doesn’t it?

Ventura may still represent the “real” California of decades past with its abundant local produce and fresh seafood, but it also has all the amenities of urban communities, a Historic Downtown Cultural District with a small town vibe and boundless opportunities to play in the waves, kayak with dolphins or relax and soak up some rays.

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites may not sound like the best place to stay in Ventura’s harbor and marina, but you’d be wrong. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel was originally part of The Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor, a luxurious property nestled on 17 acres overlooking Ventura Harbor Marina. Now a sister hotel, the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites features affordable luxe by sharing upscale amenities with the across-a-scenic-bridge The Four Points by Sheraton.

Plus, Ventura’s Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites and The Four Points by Sheraton makes the perfect jumping off point to the offshore Channel Islands National Park, nearby Heritage Valley (often called the “citrus capital of the world”) and the renowned Ojai Valley, which is located just 20 minutes northeast of Ventura on a windy and wonderful mountain road.

We stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel and our guest room, bathed in hues of gold and blue, was spacious and comfy. From our ocean view balcony, we had a magnificent view of Ventura Harbor, where sports fishing vessels cast off for a catch of halibut and sea bass and boats depart for the Channel Islands.

It is an easy and refreshing walk to Ventura Harbor Village, which offers a variety of restaurants, shops and seaside fun. The Village Arcade has fun games for people of all ages as well as a “kids” room with games and rides and a charming 50-year-old merry-go-round ride.

At Ventura Harbor Marina, rent a kayak or paddle boat to explore the nooks and crannies of the harbor and visit the Channel Islands Visitors Center, which presents films and exhibits. Hop aboard a cruise ship to the Channel Islands and experience a timeless treasure of unspoiled wildlife habitat. The Channel Islands National Park makes an ideal place for whale watching, hiking, diving, kayaking through sea caves and walks led by naturalists.

One of the delights of Ventura’s downtown district is its “strollability” to navigate on foot an array of eclectic art galleries, stylish boutiques, fine-dining restaurants, gastro pubs, wine tasting rooms, and the historic Mission San Buenaventura.

With the renaissance of Ventura’s downtown, the city has emerged as a destination for both sophisticated and casual dining. Here, you’ll find a beautifully restored building, dating back to the 1920s that houses the Watermark Restaurant. Surrounded in breathtaking architecture and priceless murals depicting the El Camino Real, we dined on a delicious Sunday brunch of stuffed brioche French toast and eggs Benedict.

For lunch, try the Anacapa Brewery, which serves fresh hand-crafted ales and lagers with such menu items as pretzel-crusted fried chicken and the famous two-story Brewhouse burger. Or drop in for a tasting at the Wine Rack, specializing in wines from Santa Ynez Valley and Santa Barbara County.

Off the beaten path on Main Street and well worth the culinary visit, sits the SideCar Restaurant. Located in a historic 1920 Pullman train car, Chef Tim Kilcoyne’s menu highlights local organic and sustainable ingredients for his seasonal, farm-driven fare. We dined on fresh grilled sea bass, seasonal roasted vegetables and beet salad, and for dessert, an awesome berry cobbler.

Scenic Highway 126 takes you to the rural Heritage Valley, featuring fantastic produce stands of citrus, avocados, fresh farm produce and cut flowers. The region also includes the charming and historic farming communities of Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru.

A tour of the historic Limoneira Packing Plant near Santa Paula shows the intricate process of bringing citrus from grove to table. We watched thousands of freshly picked lemons ride on long conveyors belts from catwalks, and the most surprising part of the tour was the “solar” orchard, where pygmy goats munched on vegetation under solar panels.

Ventura County is home to many wineries and wine tasting rooms. One of the best is Old Creek Ranch Winery. Still a working cattle ranch, Old Creek Ranch Winery, is located along Highway 33 in lower Ojai Valley. We spent a lazy afternoon among this family-run winery’s oak groves eating a picnic lunch and sipping some of the winery’s delicious varietals.

And, don’t miss Ojai. The artsy village of Ojai is itself a wellness oasis with an abundance of health-minded spas, restaurants, shops and galleries. Also, visit Lake Casitas Recreation area, where you will find a freshwater lake filled with bass and rainbow trout.

In Ventura County, you really can travel back in time to the “real” California. Here, you will get a unique glimpse into Ventura’s living heritage and enjoy its pristine landscapes, fresh fruits and vegetables, vintage downtown district and abundant wildlife just offshore at the Channel Islands.

Joanne Tucker is a freelance lifestyles writer based in Costa Mesa, Calif.

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