If you've ever dreamed of retiring to a community where residents take a relaxed attitude toward life, and the fine art of relaxation actually is a major contributor to the local economy, head to Ojai, California. This town, located within a valley approximately 45 minutes southeast of Santa Barbara, is bordered by the spectacular Los Padres National Forest, containing more than 500,000 acres of mountain trails, valleys and streams. Lake Casitas has blessed the town with 100 miles of shoreline. Orange groves, lining the eastern side of Ojai, fill the air with a sweet scent. The town's stunning natural beauty -- the inspiration for the film "Lost Horizon," filmed here in Ojai -- is a true sensory experience, providing the perfect setting for relaxation. Little wonder, then, that one of the United States' most-loved resorts is located here. The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa offers world-class golf, flavorful cuisine and the ultimate in R&R.

Ojai's pleasantly warm temperatures keep most residents (population is about 8,000) and visitors outdoors, even those who aren't sports buffs. (Consider that the daily high temperatures in Ojai right now are in the mid 60s, while the rest of us bake throughout the country.) Even local merchants have taken to moving their wares into open-air settings. Take the Arcade, for example. This unique outdoor/indoor shopping center runs the gamut from art galleries to jewelers to bookstores and cafes. Oak trees provide the walls for Bart's Books, an outdoor bookstore with a huge local following.

A trip to Ojai should include the exploration of its magnificent coastline. One of the best vantage points from which to view this scenery is Casitas Pass, which takes you through mountain passes overlooking the seacoast below. A portion of the tour takes you along the famed Highway 101, an experience not to be missed. For a good look at Ojai's orange groves, take the Grand Avenue Loop, which leads you along country roads lined with historic stone walls and sweet-smelling orange groves in the springtime. And to experience the natural highlight of the film "Lost Horizon," head to Dennison Grade for an unforgettable glimpse of the "Valley of Shangri-La."

Other fascinating points of interest here include the Beatrice Wood Studio, where its namesake allows visitors (provided you call ahead to make reservations) to view her world-class ceramic creations. Ojai's setting brings out the meditative side in all of us, so it's not surprising to find such places as Meditation Mount, a peaceful, beautifully landscaped respite where visitors are invited to attend monthly meditation services in Tibetian-style facilities. Also in Ojai: the Krotona Institute of Theosophy, a center dedicated to the principles of ethics, brotherhood and unity with all living things. You'll certainly feel one with nature during your visit here. The institute is surrounded by aging oak trees and provides breathtaking views of the mountains. You might arrive a skeptic, but you'll leave here a believer. You'll want to visit the on-premises library, too, where you can check out various titles on psychology, meditation, health and alternative healing practices.

Home prices, true to California's comparatively higher cost of living, are rather expensive. Many properties afford scenic views of the Pacific, surrounding mountains or both. Architecture ranges from Spanish to Mediterranean-style to English tudor to ranch-style. Much like Ojai itself, anything goes. Existing homes generally range from the mid $200s up, although one's options seem to increase substantially beginning in the $300 range. Or, if you're looking to build your own home, you've got plenty of land parcels from which to choose. Your only limitation is your budget.

To experience Ojai is to experience quintessential California: breathtaking scenery, a refreshingly relaxed approach to life, a fascinating spirituality, the suspension of disbelief and an open attidude with regard to new ideas. This jewel, located just 80 miles outside the comparative chaos of Los Angeles, is the microcosm of what Californians love about their state -- and what far-away, landlocked admirers wish they had in theirs.

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Published: August 9, 1999

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