OJAI VALLEY SPAS & WELLNESS TRAVEL
On a good day, it takes one just over an hour to drive from downtown Los Angeles to Ojai, California, a wellness-focused city that, in many ways, is reminiscent of Sedona, Arizona. There are no red rocks here but there are the mountainous Topa Topas that embrace the peaceful valley, and like Sedona, Ojai (pronounced O – HIGH) seems to attract the spiritual and the artistic. There’s a pervading serenity and a sense of community here.
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Ojai's two main spas
The Pink Moment
Ojai Valley Farmer's Market
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In earlier times, the Ojai Valley was home to the Chumash tribe of Native Americans. The word itself - Ojai - is Chumash for "Valley of the Moon."
Today the population is said to be around 8,000, and while it’s officially the City of Ojai it really looks more like a town. Locals in fact, still refer to it as ‘the village.”
The city/village is an arts community that also packs a punch for the wellness-minded. Beyond Ojai's two major spas there’s hiking, cycling, a fabulous farmers market plus on the main street dozens of shops, restaurants, galleries and books stores.
Thankfully, there are no big box stores or “chain” anything. It truly is a little “tucked away place” perfect for a wellness vacation. The Ojai Visitors Bureau calls it, “a place to unplug and reconnect with real life.” The handful of other places I’ve visited that have some of the same appeal are the previously mentioned Sedona, Arizona, plus Tuscany, Italy; Sante Fe, New Mexico; and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.
For those who like to partner communing with nature and a fitness activity the Ojai Valley Trail runs from the centre of town to the Pacific coast along a converted rail line. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the change to check it out. You can also hike the local hills, and in nearby Lake Casitas there’s kayaking.
Citrus, nuts, grapes and lavender flourish here and Ojai is also known for its olive oil. So, Tuscany.
At Ojai Olive Oil You can take a tour of a 130-year-old olive grove, see the nursery and how the olives are picked by hand and cold-pressed within hours of harvest. There a tasting room and, of course, a retail area to purchase products including flavoured olive oils, soaps and face creams.
Ojai Valley definately makes the Travel to Wellness list of wellness detinations.
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SPA AT THE OAKS AT OJAI
No glitz and glamour but there’s lots of substance at The Oaks at Ojai, a health and wellness spa housed in a Spanish mission-ispired building right in the heart of Ojai.
Read about our visit to The Oaks at Ojai
Founder and fitness guru Shiela Cluff agrees it’s “very informal” but the understated, unpretentious look and feel is part of the charm. It’s just the type of place some might seek out for a week or weekend of relaxation and working out without the feeling that one should don make-up and heels for dinner.
It’s also been called one of the best value spas in the U.S. and we can certainly see why. Beginning from just under $200 per night per person, packages include accommodations, three meals plus snacks a day, daily exercise classes, facilities including swimming pool and gym, evening lectures or movies and free Wifi.
Oaks at Ojai was one of the first “destination spas” in the U.S.
SPA OJAI AT OJAI VALLEY INN & SPA
Surrounded by mountains and laid out like a village in the middle of a golf course, The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa is a family-owned resort located just a little over an hour’s drive (more during non rush hours)from Los Angeles. Separate villas house 308 guestrooms, restaurants and a first rate spa.
We especially loved the sprawling grounds, beautiful vistas, the close promixity to the tiny City of Ojai and the Artisan's Cottage & Apothecary.
Read about our visit to Ojai Valley Inn & Spa
OJAI FARMERS MARKET
One of Ojai’s main attractions is the Ojai Farmers Market, located right in the heart of the town and held every Saturday rain or shine year round. The day I attended there were about three dozen venders set up in tented kiosks – that’s a significant number for such a small town but it is both an agricultural region plus an arts community so they all tend to gather here on Saturday mornings.
It’s a lovely way for visitors to meet and mingle with locals. Lots of local produce, honey, plus works by artisans, a pure herbal skin care line called Earth Tones, lots of fresh cut flowers, a gourmet tamale stand, soaps, beeswax candles, bakery goods, Kelsey’s fudge and sugar free products, Arnel’s Gluten Free Bread…it’s all here.
Of course, Ojai Olive Oil is well represented. As was a persimmons farmer from a nearby valley. I’m told that the papaya-like fruit is packaged with nutrients such as vitamins A and E, magnesium and fibre plus more vitamin C than oranges.
One of the venders I stopped to speak with was Bernadette King owner of Ojai Sugar a local company making body scrubs from natural plant-base products and essential oils, and with grape seed and almonds oils as the moisturizing elements. A wide variety of scents such as Pink Grapefruit, Cinnamon and Vanilla are available to purchase online. It’s a lovely product and I was disappointed not to have room in my luggage to stock up.
Bernadette also mentioned that a great time to visit Ojai is during the summer Ojai Valley Lavender Festival
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