All posts tagged: Ojai

7 new things to do in Ojai, like roam in an oasis of giant tortoises

7 new things to do in Ojai, like roam in an oasis of giant tortoises

First, let’s get this straight: All tortoises are turtles, but not all turtles are tortoises. The Turtle Conservancy, a 90-acre property on the outskirts of Ojai, is dedicated to the protection and proliferation of these creatures worldwide. The nonprofit organization was founded by Eric Goode and Maurice Rodrigues in 2005. The Ojai site is not open to the public. But members of the conservancy and guests at the Ojai Valley Inn and just-opened Hotel El Roblar can book tours for a fee. And those tours can be fascinating. “We’re now at 48 different species and more than 500 turtles on site,” Education director Manci Rasmussen told four of us one recent morning. As we roamed the tree-shaded property, Rasmussen explained how some turtle species can vocalize beyond human hearing range, see beyond the human spectrum, pause their pregnancies until their health is better, live 190-plus years and last a year without food or water. Yet thanks to human habits, many species are endangered. We also learned firsthand that radiated tortoises like shell rubs. Before the …

Looking for a reset? Try these 6 spiritual spots in Ojai to recharge

Looking for a reset? Try these 6 spiritual spots in Ojai to recharge

There are many reasons to visit the Ojai Valley — the hiking, the vistas, the sweet-smelling orange groves. But for the last 100 years, this small mountain town an hour east of Santa Barbara has been drawing spiritual seekers to its beautiful environs for meditation, inspiration and the dream of building a new, more peaceful civilization. Ojai’s modern spiritual roots can be traced back to 1922, when the philosopher and teacher Krishnamurti and his brother Nitya arrived in the rural mountain town with the hope that its warm, dry climate would soothe Nitya’s tuberculosis. The brothers enjoyed their time in the peaceful, scenic valley so much they decided to keep a permanent residence there and Krishnamurti continued to speak and teach in Ojai until his death in 1986 at the age of 90. Krishnamurti was already a well-known spiritual teacher when he arrived in Ojai, and his presence drew early 20th century seekers to the valley to attend his lectures. The area’s reputation as a spiritual center received a further boost in 1924 when the …

The best staycations near L.A.: Idyllwild, Palm Springs, Ojai and more

The best staycations near L.A.: Idyllwild, Palm Springs, Ojai and more

When my wife and I want to escape the hustle and bustle of L.A., we usually head to a nearby campground in Angeles National Forest. When I asked her if she wanted to take a little staycation to a cute chalet near Idyllwild, she did not hesitate to affirm she would like to sleep on a mattress indoors. Hicksville Pines has 10 themed rooms to choose from, including Christmas Town, whose guests can dress up in a provided Santa suit and enjoy a fireplace; the Dolly, an homage to everyone’s favorite blond country icon, where you can play a themed pinball game (but promise not to take her man), enjoy Dolly Parton movies and sleep in a giant bed; and the Honeymoon Suite, where you can feel the motion of the ocean in the king-sized bed (regardless of what you do in it) and take a dip in the heart-shaped tub. We chose the “Nerds! Nerds! Nerds!” room that comes equipped with a Pong table (where I lost several times to my wife) and six …