Welcome to the latest issue of Weekly Waves!
In this issue, we invite you to explore Ojai, California – a hidden gem, nestled in the Ojai Valley and one of my top recommendations for anyone looking to escape the stress of everyday life without leaving the country.
Ojai (pronounced "Oh hi") is an Indian name generally accepted as meaning "the nest," although experts also interpret it as "moon."
Serving as a backdrop for various Hollywood films for decades, Ojai is a small city in Ventura County, California, 75 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 30 miles south of Santa Barbara. Set in a valley in the Topatopa Mountains, the city has a village-like center dotted with art galleries, restaurants, boutiques, breweries, and wine, kombucha, olive oil and honey tasting rooms. It is home to artisans of every calling, farmers, hippies, celebrities, spiritualists and of course the famous Ojai Valley Inn. Explore the outdoors with opportunities to kayak, horseback ride, mountain bike, rock climb, hike, golf or play tennis. Surrounded by scenic hills and aromatic orchards, Ojai is the perfect place for a rejuvenating retreat.
Next time you’re looking for a unique place to celebrate a special occasion or just get away with friends, I highly recommend you consider Ojai!
Waves to you and smooth sailings again soon,
Kim
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For over 80 years, the Ojai Valley Inn & Spa has been considered one of the best secrets among travelers from California and around the world.
Clark Gable, Lana Turner, Judy Garland, and Paul Newman are just a few of the stellar guests who have frequented this historic Spanish-style resort in Southern California’s Ojai Valley.
Originally built in 1922 as a country club for Edward Drummond Libbey, a wealthy glass manufacturer from Ohio, the resort has 303 spacious rooms and suites with fireplaces, terraces, and spectacular views of the mountains.
In addition to the classic 1923 golf course, the 800-acre ranch has stables and horseback riding, a full-service tennis center, two heated swimming pools, and a spa that regularly makes top-10 lists. The Kuyam mud or healing clay treatment is the spa’s signature, but it also offers seasonal scrubs such as spring’s pixie tangerine body scrub or winter’s peppermint and nutmeg foot and leg scrub.
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THE FARMHOUSE AT OJAI - A culinary inspired event venue!
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The Farmhouse at Ojai is a 30,000 square foot culinary inspired event center designed to connect world-class food culture with indoor/outdoor events.
Stunning views of the mountain range with its gorgeous indoor-outdoor spaces make it a truly
one-of-a-kind space for your next group gathering –
whether it be a wedding, corporate retreat, or culinary event.
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LOOKING FOR A CULINARY EXPERIENCE
THAT GOES BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATIONS?
This Ojai restaurant offers perfect Southern California charm!
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THE RANCH HOUSE
Hidden away in the beautiful Ojai Valley, the Ranch House is a gourmet restaurant famed for original, award winning cuisine.
This truly unique venue offers gourmet dining, a beautiful art gallery, an exotic garden and a perfect spot to host weddings or other private venues. The restaurant grows its own herbs and bakes all goods fresh on the premises, while the bar has more than 650 wine selections to choose from.
The Ranch House’s reputation has withstood the test of time, and it continues today at the start of its seventh decade with a notable procession of celebrity admirers: John Lennon and Yoko Ono, Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward, Dave Mason, Reese Witherspoon, Marlon Brando, Kirk Douglas, Ann-Margret, Robert Redford, Malcom McDowell, Barbara Streisand, and many others.
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Bart's Books
Bart’s Books is the world’s largest outdoor bookstore, serving the Ojai community since 1964.
Bart's believes that there is a book for everyone and that reading is the catalyst for a connection amongst passionate people.
Bart’s hosts a collection of over 130,000 used and new books, ranging from rare out-of-print gems to well-loved paperbacks.
What makes Bart’s so different from other bookstores is the fact that most of its books are shelved outdoors, where they are left overnight for customers to buy on the honor system by dropping money through a slot on the front door.
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TOP THINGS TO DO
IN OJAI VALLEY
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1 | CHANNEL ISLANDS KAYAKING
Kayak through Channel Islands National Park, home to the world’s largest collection of sea caves. Referred to as the American Galapagos, this wilderness covers 5 pristine uninhabited islands and the surrounding sea, providing an opportunity to encounter diverse species from the microscopic to the earth’s largest creature, the blue whale. Explore Painted Cave, one of the largest sea caves in the world!
2 | OFF-ROAD JEEP TOUR
Climb aboard a custom Jeep and take off on a unique adventure through the amazing
back-country of beautiful Santa Barbara. Travel from the coastal floor into the breathtaking Santa Ynez Mountain Range.
3 | TAKE A SCENIC HIKE
Treat yourself to Ojai's stunning views along our many trails. From novice to expert, you'll revel in the majestic beauty of our mountains.
4 | BIKE THE OJAI VALLEY TRAIL
Enjoy the scenic beauty along the historic Ojai Valley Trail – a converted rail line where trains once hauled citrus from Ojai to the coast.
5 | GO HORSEBACK RIDING
Ojai Valley Trail Riding Company offers guided horseback rides along the Ventura River valley and through the Los Padres National Forest.
6 | PLAY GOLF
With temperate weather year-round, it’s no wonder that Ojai is a golfer’s paradise.
7 | SHOP DOWNTOWN BOUTIQUES
Leave chain stores behind, slow your pace while walking through the village, and discover friendly shopkeepers offering sustainable and eclectic wares.
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PINK MOMENT SUNSET
... a must see!
Because of the adjacent east-west facing mountain range, the Ojai Valley offers a dusk setting available in few other places in the world. Between late December and early January, the Ojai Valley experiences a phenomenon dubbed as the “pink moment” during sunset when a pink, lavender and peach glow fills the sky for a breathtaking view unlike any other.
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FASCINATING FACTS ABOUT
OJAI VALLEY
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1.
The town of Ojai celebrates the sweet, seedless Pixie Tangerine during the month of April.
Unique to Ojai, there are over 25,000 Pixie trees and when at its peak (April), you can smell the sweetness in the air.
Local businesses get together and commemorate the Pixie through themed cocktails, tangerine-inspired meals, special Pixie classes, deals and infused products.
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2.
Every June, visitors can enjoy the annual Ojai Valley Lavender Festival.
Taking place at Libbey Park, the festival pays tribute to the fragrant plant that grows prominently in the valley’s Mediterranean climate.
The festival features 100+ vendors selling lavender plants, jewelry, clothing and other wares, plus live entertainment and food.
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3.
During harvest time in October or November, watch the workers at Ojai Olive Oil handpick the olives by sliding a gloved hand down the branches, taking the young with the ripe.
Ojai Olive Oil is proud to contribute to the area’s diversity and is the valley’s oldest and largest producer of extra virgin olive oil. Located on the Asquith family ranch in the east end of the valley, these groves date back over 150 years.
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Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
Brussels Sprouts
Tender yet crispy brussels sprouts and bacon are offset by the tang of pickled sweet peppers and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese, making this a robust side dish or light dinner.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 1/2 cups Brussels Sprouts cut in half lengthwise
- 1/3 cup sweet Italian peppers cut into rings with seeds removed
- 2 cups rice wine vinegar
- 1 tsp pickling spice
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1-2 tbsp Parmesan cheese
- 1 strip chopped raw bacon
- 1/3 cup chopped cauliflower
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INSTRUCTIONS:
Heat a deep pot of oil to 350F. Peanut oil is recommended because of its high smoke point and relative affordability. If you want to roast instead, heat your oven to 400F.
Place the pickling spice into a sauce pot with the rice wine vinegar and bring to boil.
Once boiling, strain the liquid over the sliced peppers and set aside to marinate.
When the oil is heated, carefully add the sprouts, bacon and cauliflower and cook until crispy.
Alternately, if roasting, place the sprouts, bacon and cauliflower in a roasting pan and toss in 1 tbsp of olive oil; roast for 20-25 minutes.
Remove the fried/roasted items and place them on a paper-lined plate.
Season with salt and pepper, then move to a serving platter.
Remove peppers from marinade and sprinkle over the sprouts.
Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and top with Parmesan cheese.
Recipe Credit: Ojai Valley Inn & Spa and Andrea Howe, https://www.howewelive.com
Photo Credit: Andrea Howe, https://www.howewelive.com
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BACK TO SCHOOL...MATH TIME |
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SUDOKU
Sudoku is played on a grid of 9 x 9 spaces. Within the rows and columns are 9 “squares” (made up of 3 x 3 spaces). Each row, column and square (9 spaces each) needs to be filled out with the numbers 1-9,
without repeating any numbers within the row, column or square.
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