Highlights of the Ojai Valley

10 Reasons to Love Ojai and the Ojai Valley

"As little towns go this is a great place to hang out and live."

People often ask us why should we move to Ojai or the Ojai Valley? What makes Ojai such a special place to live? What is unique about Ojai that sets it apart from other communities in California and around the nation?

To answer these questions we put together 10 Reasons that we think make the Ojai Valley a Special Place to live, work, play, raise a family and visit.

If you are thinking of Relocating to Ojai this is a list you will want to explore. This is a collection of links to the very best web sites for the Ojai Valley. Follow each link below to learn more about the Ojai Valley and why we love this community.

Reason #1 .
The Ojai Valley is a great place to raise children,
great support organizations and excellent school.

Ojai Youth Foundation. The Ojai Valley Youth Foundation offers free programs mainly for ages 12 to 18 that make a difference in the after school hours. OVYF employees and prescreened volunteers run the programs. Studies have shown that students who participate in after-school activities attend school more regularly, complete more homework, often have higher test scores, and have a more positive school experience.
Ojai Valley Schools, private and public schools in the Ojai Valley

You will find that the Ojai Valley is full of friendly, creative, community minded people. Ojai is a community where, on the 4th of July everyone comes-out to watch the local parade and the fireworks. It is a community where people gather to raise money for and provide support for the land conservancy, Ojai Valley youth, the arts and to promote local theatre and music and film festivals. There is always something going on here and if you want to get involved and participate, you will never be bored or lonely. In the Valley there are more than 250 clubs and organizations that provide a wide-range of cultural, fraternal, and social opportunities.

Reason #3
The Ojai Valley, Communities and Neighborhoods
that care about the environment

Ojai Valley Green Coalition: The Ojai Valley Green Coalition is a gathering of residents and friends of the Ojai Valley actively working together to create an environmentally sustainable community in Ojai.

Ojai Land Conservancy. The Conservancy is a community-based, nonprofit group of more than 1,200 private citizens and landowners working for the common goal of protecting and restoring open space in the Ojai Valley for your benefit and the benefit of future generations. The Ojai Valley is blessed with ideal living conditions and its stunning beauty inspires comparison to the mythical land of Shangri-la. Without responsible stewardship of the land, our valley will not endure encroaching development. Because Ojai is a small valley surrounded by mountains with limited water and air resources, the need to preserve our remaining open space is acute. While regulations governing development presently exist and a great deal of work has gone into protecting the valley environment over the years, these regulations are vulnerable to the changing political landscape and growing development pressures. There is still an additional need to permanently protect our vanishing open spaces from further development through the efforts of the Land Conservancy. As a nonprofit, tax exempt corporation, the Ojai Land Conservancy acquires, holds and manages land in the public interest.
Ojai Raptor Center, people who care. Ojai Raptor Center (ORC) is dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of injured, orphaned and displaced birds of prey in Ventura County, California. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, licensed by California State Fish & Game and Federal Fish & Wildlife. As such we rely solely on charitable contributions for our operations. ORC is operated by volunteers thoroughly trained in the care and handling of raptors. We take in and assess over 350 birds each year for injuries or illnesses, rehabilitate them, and when ready, release them back into nature. In addition to rehabilitating birds, our Wildlife Education Program teaches the community about our local wildlife and the environment and explains what individuals can do to help. We bring live, non-releasable ambassador birds into the classroom and other venues to illustrate the behaviors and essential roles each raptor species plays in its natural habitat.

Reason #4
The Great Outdoors, Sports and Recreation

Los Padres National Park. Los Padres National Forest encompasses nearly two million acres in the beautiful coastal mountains of central California. The forest stretches across almost 220 miles from the Big Sur Coast in Monterey County to the western edge of Los Angeles County.

Lake Casitas. Beautiful Lake Casitas is conveniently located between Santa Barbara and Ventura nestled between the sandy beaches of the coast and spectacular mountains towering over the Ojai Valley. Lake Casitas has 32 miles of shoreline and 6,200 acres of oak trees and rolling hills. The lake is filled with trout, bass, catfish, crappie and sunfish with "world class" fish catches frequently recorded. Facilities include two boat launching ramps, large fishing docks, electrical and water hookup camping sites and picnic areas.

Ojai Valley Biking, Ojai Valley Hiking by Potter. Come for hiking, biking, and rock climbing with experienced guides Ian & Stacy Margolin Potter, a.k.a., Trails By Potter, in beautiful Ojai, where fantastic trails await you, in Southern California. 805.646.0382

Ojai Athletic Club. Ojai Valley Athletic Club features a beautiful new clubhouse located in the scenic Ojai Valley. We offer a new, state of the art fitness facility, group exercise studio, spinning studio, child care, kid's game room, plus ten lighted tennis courts and four clay courts. Ojai's mild weather enable members to swim year-round in our two heated pools. We also offer a lighted basketball court and sand volleyball court. The club welcomes families, singles, and seniors alike to our unique facility.

Ojai Valley Tennis.
Ojai Weather. Great year around weather allows residents and visitors to enjoy the great outdoors a majority of the time.

Reason #6
Ojai Valley - On going, year around Educational and Self Help Events

The Center for The Work in Ojai, California.
Ojai Playwriters
Ojai Education Foundation. The Ojai Education Foundation is a community-based, nonprofit organization that promotes excellence in public education by building community support and providing resources to our schools.
The Ojai Foundation. The Ojai Foundation is a non-denominational land-based educational sanctuary located on a beautiful 40-acre semi-wilderness site at the foot of the Los Padres Mountains, ninety minutes north of Los Angeles. The purpose of The Ojai Foundation is to create and nurture an educational sanctuary for youth and adults.
On Going Seminars in Art, Science, Spirituality, Heath and Healing.
Krishnamuriti Foundation of Ojai

Reason #7
Meditation, Health, Healing and Spiritual Retreats

The Ojai Retreat. THE OJAI RETREAT offers a beautiful place for individual and group retreats. In addition, it has a "Cultural Center". It is a place of quietness, education and culture.
Ojai Valley Meditation
Ojai Valley Churches and Spiritual Centers
Ojai Valley Yoga
Ojai Healing Arts. The Healing Arts Council of Ojai is a not-for-profit, service organization of health care practitioners dedicated to the highest standards of their profession, and committed to increasing public awareness of the benefits of complementary medicine and natural holistic therapies. We acknowledge health as the harmonious function of body, mind and spirit, and strive to further cooperation among all healing arts professionals, and to empower our clients / patients on their journey toward wholeness The Healing Arts Council of Ojai recognizes the need to inform the public of holistic therapy options that complement medical care. HACO members are drawn together by the philosophy that acknowledges the body's inherent wisdom and ability to heal itself, and accepts health as the balanced function of our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. This philosophy underlies our different healing approaches as we work with our clients /patients to facilitate the healing process and restore wholeness. 805.646.0693

Edible Ojai. Edible Ojai is an award-winning quarterly newsletter which promotes the abundance of local foods, season by season – we celebrate our small family farmers, farmers market vendors and local chefs for their dedication to producing the highest quality, organic, fresh and seasonal foods. The fruits, vegetables, fish, poultry, cheese and other artisanally produced foods they bring to the table are what makes our community an interesting and healthy food community to live and work in.

Reason #8
Ojai Valley Art, Theatre, History, Music, Cultural, Education

Ojai Valley Art Galleries and Ojai Valley Artists
Ojai Artist
Local Artist Cassandra Jones
Gallery Luscombe
Caroline Hanania
Local Artist Kimberly Smith
Ojai Valley Museum
The Ojai Art Center. Ojai, California is already renowned as an artistic community and we add one more element to that already strong reputation. Our philosophy is that what is good for art in Ojai collectively is good for artists individually. This web page project began in 1998 to promote art, artists, and art galleries in Ojai. We provide world-wide exposure of all Ojai related art activities and publicize art, artists, art galleries, and art activities in and around Ojai.

Local Photography.Experience the Ojai Photography of Michael McFadden. Michael best captures the beauty of Ojai and its' residents to be shared with the world.
Acting and Local Theatre
Theatre 150
Art Center
Highlights of Ojai Valley Annual Events and Major Attractions. There is something always going on in Ojai.
Ojai Valley Music Festival. Established in 1947 by music aficionado John Bauer, the Ojai Music Festival has fostered a healthy spirit of eclecticism in its adventurous programs, gaining a worldwide reputation for attracting artists who are given artistic freedom as they perform exceptional pieces of classical music. Now celebrating its 60th year, the Festival - under the leadership of Artistic Director Thomas W. Morris - continues this unparalleled musical legacy in which the creativity of the moment and the artists define each year's event. The Ojai Music Festival offers educational programs for students attending Ojai Valley public schools, enriching the region's cultural opportunities and promoting classical music to future generations.
The Ojai Valley Film Festival. The Ojai Film Festival, like the new millennium, was launched in 2000 with great vision and promise. Each year Ojai Film Festival puts on a four day, non-stop screenings of new independent films. During the event there are film make seminars, special screenings of film classics, opportunities to mingle with the filmmakers, directors, production staff and premieres and pre-release screenings of major motion pictures.
Ojai Shakespeare Festival. Ojai Shakespeare Festival is a non-profit, community-based organization which brings to life the language, music and spirit of Shakespeare for audiences of all ages. Through both adult and youth Festival productions, educational outreach programs, school performances and reading groups, Ojai Shakespeare Festival provides the residents of Ventura and Santa Barbara counties exciting ways to appreciate and explore Shakespeare and the classics. By bringing these timeless stories to the community, Ojai Shakespeare Festival fosters a love of live theater and educates future generations on the importance of including theater, music and art in their everyday lives.
Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament. An annual event occurring in April this tournament has been a major part of the history of Ojai. Many of the greats of tennis have played in Ojai, including Bill Tilden, Tony Trabert, Bobby Riggs, Jack Kramer, Arthur Ashe, Billy Jean King, Pancho Gonzales, Alex Olmedo, Stan Smith, Jimmy Connors, Tracy Austin, Michael Chang, Lindsay Davenport, Pete Sampras and the Bryant twins. The "Wall of Champions" at the grandstand in Libby Park names over 80 players who competed at Ojai, and won one or more "Grand Slam" titles as professionals.

Ojai Renaissance Festival 2010 Fair. The picturesque Ojai Valley will again host Renaissance revelers as they re-create a marvelous 16th century European village amidst one of the most scenic settings to be found in the Western United States. Surrounded by rolling hills and oak shrouded canyons, the area abounds with wildlife and glorious examples of Mother Nature's best works, all highlighted by the majesty of Lake Casitas, the jewel in the crown of the Ojai Valley. The glistening azure waters of the lake make a perfect background to showcase 16th century life in the "Village of Wixonshire" that will be created there for a weekend of magical involvement by participants and visitors who interact to transport themselves back in time to the glories of Queen Elizabeth's Court. Spring Ojai Renaissance Faire The age of chivalry and honor will again come to life as the giant outdoor play unfolds amidst the beauty of nature's handiwork. Continuous entertainment on 3 stages, including Shakespeare plays, headliner acts and street performers. Food court featuring fine fare at reasonable prices. Roasted turkey legs, sausages, soft drinks, Thai food and more. A full tavern featuring imported and domestic beer, ale and mixed drinks.
Village of tales, Storytelling Festival and Performances to grow on. Performances for the family. "No matter what your age, we believe in the power of live performance to expand our boundaries, to connect with others and to foster self-discovery. "
Ojai Folk Music.
Ojai Day in October. Ojai Day is an annual street fair hosted by the Recreation Department of the City of Ojai. It's main focus is to feature the work of local artists. It's an opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Ojai. Although only 85 miles north of Los Angeles, this small community feels likes it's in another world! From the "Do Da" Parade to the 7 stages featuring every type of live music imaginable, to the overwhelming number of art and food booths - there is truly something for everyone. One of the most amazing things about this special day is that entrance, parking, and entertainment are all free.

Reason #10
Community Services