The Small Town of Ojai in Southern California

There's a small town in Southern California located a short commute from the sprawl of Los Angeles that offers a friendly break from the hustle and bustle. It's the town of Ojai in Ventura County, about 60 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles.

Like most small towns, Ojai is a close knit community. However, this town also offers a diverse population composed of a blend of artsy, creative, hippie and entertainment people. Being so close to LA, quite a few actors, authors and people involved in the movie business call it home. One of the unique things about Ojai is that there are no franchises permitted within the city limits, only small mom-and-pop stores, spas and restaurants. Of course, just outside the city limits, there are the usual fast food restaurants, coffee houses and other franchises.

The downtown area is quaint, yet modern, with a centralized park complete with tennis courts and a fountain. There is a weekend farmer's market in the spring and summer and numerous film festivals, plays and music events. During some of the festivals, the main street is shut down. Even though Ojai is small, with a population of just over 8,000, there is a trolley system throughout the residential areas so that it's convenient to get around.

Ojai is also a very beautiful, picturesque town, nestled in a valley, surrounded by the towering Topa Topa Mountains, Matilija Range and Los Padres National Forest. There is plenty of hiking, bike riding and horseback riding, not to mention the treat of spending a weekend at one of the spas.

The City of Ojai is proud to admit that the town is the smallest within Ventura County. It's only about 14 miles from the city of Ventura and the beaches along the coast of southern California. A bit further away to the west is Santa Barbara and with Los Angeles to the southeast, there is a lot to do only a short distance away. Although Ojai doesn't have an airport, there are small airports close by in the surrounding towns and then, of course, the international airport of Los Angeles.

Ojai is also the home to a lot of orchards, most notably, citrus and avocado. Also close by in the Sespe wilderness area is the California Condor wildlife refuge. The endangered condor has been tracked and bred in captivity for years, then released back into the wild. Some years are better than others for the sensitive condor, but it's holding its own at the moment with some wild births being recorded.

For parents, Ojai provides a safe haven to raise a family and enjoy the many outdoor activities. The LA smog rarely finds it way to Ojai. Like the smog, the fog from the ocean in Ventura County will only sometimes drift up the mountain valley into Ojai.