Ojai

Nestled in a picturesque valley inland of Santa Barbara, the quaint village of Ojai is surrounded by peaks that glow pink at dusk. If it looks familiar, perhaps it's because the valley was used to represent Shangri-La in the 1937 movie, Lost Horizon. Ojai valley is said to hold mystical powers. Its salubrious climate is one reason Ojai has become a draw for visitors seeking rejuvenation. A good place to regain your youth is The Oaks health spa, or the deluxe Ojai Valley Inn & Spa - one of the top 25 golf resorts in North America. Joggers take to the nine-mile-long Ojai Valley Trail, with a parallel path for horses. When summer comes, ...

Nestled in a picturesque valley inland of Santa Barbara, the quaint village of Ojai is surrounded by peaks that glow pink at dusk. If it looks familiar, perhaps it's because the valley was used to represent Shangri-La in the 1937 movie, Lost Horizon. Ojai valley is said to hold mystical powers. Its salubrious climate is one reason Ojai has become a draw for visitors seeking rejuvenation. A good place to regain your youth is The Oaks health spa, or the deluxe Ojai Valley Inn & Spa - one of the top 25 golf resorts in North America. Joggers take to the nine-mile-long Ojai Valley Trail, with a parallel path for horses. When summer comes, up to 30,000 spectators arrive for The Ojai, the oldest amateur tennis event in the United States. The town is full of art galleries and delightful shops, many in Ojai's trademark Spanish Revival style. At its heart, oak-shaded Libbey Park is a venue for events, none more popular than the Ojai Music Festival held in early June. Linger, too, for the Ojai Wine Festival at nearby Lake Casitas, where anglers can bend a rod for bass. For a little history on the area, check out the Ojai Valley Museum, while art buffs shouldn't miss the Ojai Center for the Arts.

About the Expert

Christopher P. Baker has authored guidebooks to Costa Rica, California, and various Caribbean islands for Frommer's, Lonely Planet, and National Geographic, among others.