| The climate of Ojai is Mediterranean, characterized
by hot, dry summers and mild winters, with lows at night sometimes
below freezing. As is typical for much of coastal southern California,
most precipitation falls in the form of rain between the months
of October and April, with intervening dry summers.
The town of Ojai and its surrounding area is home to
many unique recreational activities. Los Padres National
Forest borders the town on the north, and many backcountry areas
within the forest are accessible from Highway 33, which is the
major highway through town south to north. To the west, the Lake Casitas Recreation
Area offers camping, picnicking, and hiking as well.
WANT TO SWIM? While you are at The Ojai Retreat, enjoy 2 pools at The Ojai Valley Athletic Club! The Recreation pool is always available and the lap pool is available during non-class hours. Day passes are only $13.50 and include access to swimming, all classes and workout equipment. For more information about the facilities and to download a class schedule go to the OVAC home page. The club is conveniently located in downtown Ojai at 409 S. Fox Street, less than 10 minutes from The Ojai Retreat. (805) 646-7213.
Local Links We Recommend
• Ranch
House Restaurant.
• Horseback Riding in Ojai: see Western Trial Rides.
• Experience Alpacas at Working Ranch in Ojai Valley.
• Ojai
Valley Vegetarian Blog ... by Randy Graham.
• Hiking,
biking, rock climbing with experienced guides Ian & Stacy
Margolin Potter, in beautiful Ojai: see website.
Special Events in Ojai
The Ojai Music Festival, founded in 1947, is an annual
festival of performances by some of the world's top musicians
and composers, and occurs on the first weekend after Memorial
Day. Notable appearances include Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland,
Esa-Pekka Salonen and Pierre Boulez, who was festival director
in 2003.
The Ojai Poetry Festival began in 2003 as
a biennial gathering of poets for two days of readings and discussions.
It features poets of national repute such as Lawrence Ferlinghetti,
Galway Kinnell, Jane Hirshfield, Robert Bly, Coleman Barks and
Gary Snyder.
The Ojai Wine Festival which began in 1987,
draws approximately 4000 people and 60 wineries each year to
the shores of Lake Casitas in the Ojai Valley. The event is
held at the picturesque site of the 1984 Olympic Rowing competition
and features approximately 200 wines, a selection of beer, 10
local restaurants, live music, free boat rides, and many art
and craft vendors. Many of the wineries consider this festival
to be their favorite as it is the best combination of good weather,
great scenery, and enthusiastic people who come to enjoy the
food and wine culture of the Ojai Valley. The event is held
annually on the second Sunday in June.
The Ojai Big Chili Cook off, held on the first
Saturday in October each year, brings thousands of eager tasters
and approximately 50 cooks together for the areas largest chili
and salsa competition. The chili village is set on the shore
of Lake Casitas and includes live music, free boat rides, a
kids area, food, beer, and wine. The cooks compete in multiple
categories for over $4000 in prize money. Attendees taste a
wide variety chili and salsa and participate judging.
Ojai Visitors’ Bureau: Ojai California is a travel and tourism destination where you will find wonderful spa, retreat, festival, shopping, winery, restaurant experiences and more!
Ojai hosts the oldest competitive tennis tournament
in the United States, known as The Ojai, which has been held
since 1893.
The outdoor bookshop Bart's Books, subject
of news programs and documentaries, has been in Ojai since 1964.
Ojai is home to the annual Ojai Playwrights Conference,
a two week playwrights festival that brings professional writers
and actors from across the country to Ojai.Over a period of
just a few years, the Conference has become one of Southern
California's most eagerly anticipated annual cultural events.
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