Where do southern California families go for spa, fresh air and fun kids’ activities with little fuss? Ojai.
Shangri-La would not be too grand a name for the classic Southern California resort that continues to lure upscale families from Palm Springs to Bevery Hills seeking a poshly rustic getaway.
In the Past
Built in 1923 by architect Wallace Neff as an inn and clubhouse for glass magnate Edward Drummond and his cronies, today’s Ojai Valley Inn and Spa (855/697-8780; 805/646-1111) retains much of its Roaring 20’s charm, even after major renovation. Sporting the Old Hollywood pedigree of having been featured in Frank Capra’s 1937 film, Lost Horizon, it continues to attract a celebrity crowd.
In the Present
Much of Ojai’s appeal to its largely Los Angeles-based clientele (LA is about a 90-minute drive) comes from its pure air, mountain scenery and casual elegance. (Its reputed legacy as a ‘place of healing’ for the indigenous Chumash Indians helps, too.) Tropical banana plantations and horse farms dot the low-lying Topa Topa Mountains.
This makes the Ojai Valley Inn a favorite weekend retreat of peace-seeking celebrities and their families, who enjoy the immaculately maintained abode and tile buildings, cozy guest rooms and fine restaurants. The 800-acre resort features an 18-hole Sr. PGA Tour golf course — a classic designed by George C. Thomas, Jr. back in 1923 — plus three heated pools, tennis, fitness and award-winning spa facilities. Complimentary wellness classes include water aerobics and yoga that teens may enjoy. Kayaking, bass fishing, horseback riding, good hiking and vineyard touring are all nearby.
Ojai earned a AAA 5-diamond designation in 2006 and has maintained it ever since. A spa expansion created 28 treatment rooms and a terrific fitness facility. The lobby, slated for updating in 2017, will be more welcoming than ever, and updates to many of the guestrooms are underway. Jimmy’s Pub pizza is a family favorite at night, while the Golf Shop, The Tennis Shop and the Hacienda Gift Shop are popular on-site spots. Ojai Valley continues to update its offerings while retaining its old-fashioned charm.
For the Family
The Ojai Valley Inn & Spa has repeatedly been rated in the “Top Ten Resorts for Familes” by Parents Magazine. FTF member Y. G. of Los Angeles told us, “My husband and I loved taking Annie, then 3-years old, up to the Ojai Valley Inn, where they have a great kid’s program. [Camp Ojai welcomes kids 4-12 daily in summer and over school holidays.] I would take Annie over in the morning, when she did an arts n’ crafts project, some reading or other things with the kids. Part of the time she would go to a huge ranch nearby to visit the animals while older kids went on a trail ride. I could go to the spa or just relax, while Andy played some golf.
“Then, after they fed the kids lunch back at the Inn, the counselors took them all down to swim. We would meet them at the pool and spend the afternoon together. It was a wonderful vacation. I like the area, too, because you can make a day trip into Santa Barbara and visit some local museums.”
Rooms and Rates
Within a luxurious hacienda-style compound are elegant rooms which can be adjoined, plus separate suites and cottages. Most have fireplaces for chilly evenings and terraces to show off the mountain views. Rooms ($$$$) with king or two queen beds vary depending on view; 1BR suites begin at $$$$$.
Photo Courtesy Ojai Valley Inn and Spa
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your picture of the horses on the beach remind me of Sweden. Thanks for bringing back the memories
You wrote a really good article on such an interesting & sad topic!
I’ve always wanted to go to P.E. Island! I loved those books. Luuuucky
nicely written 🙂
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Hello, Ralph. An email voice from the past. Would like to catch up some time. I left Amtrak in '95 and have been living in the Boston area since '97. Have wonderful wife and 3 daughters (the oldest a senior at Barnard). Hope you and Fran are well. Send me a note some time.
Peter
Its really informative. Thank you Goldenberg.In Australia I like Sydney more because of its added attractions. Thank you .
Its really informative. Thank you Arrien .In Australia I like Sydney more because of its added attractions.
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Parents and guardians with questions about transporting minors between countries other than the U.S. should ask the Visa Division of each country's Embassy for exact regulations. Canada, for example, can be very strict about granting children visas and may require a health exam.
The paperwork for vacations and short stay visits can be found at this link:
http://www.familytravelforum.com/how/advice/10545-Required-Documents-For-Travel-With-Minors.html?p=4
Would appreciate a copy of the sample formpermission letter for minor traveling with other than parent situation.
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Playground Safety Common-sense rules. We are getting parents and professionals to pool together to create a kid-friendly understanding of how to have fun safely on any playground.
Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze is so much fun, and clean for an outdoor facility. Pumpkins arriving in one week!
hi looking for a quote for a pick up from newark airport on the 22/10/09 for four people to east 88st
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Looking for what ever we need for my Fiance to bring his daughter from Jamaica to Canada. He is a single parent and has primary custody, but I'm sure travelling internationally, that he will need a letter from her birth mother.
Thanks
Pattii
The mother of my daughter left her with out my consent to D.r and left her there with her mother returning to the United State abondoning my child for 5 years and just to go visit her every year a 1 year old little girl ..Wjat u think is dat
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Eva, the document is available on page 4 of this story. Thanks!
Please send me Permission to Travel Form
THanks for this resource!
Hello,
I would like to introduce a famous restaurant in Budapest, Liszt Ferenc square 9. Café Miró Grande restaurant is located in the heart of Budapest.
I think Café Miró Grande's chef prepared the best Hungarian dishes in Budapest, for example Goulas soup, 'Lecsó', etc.
Don't miss it, when you visit the beautiful city of Budapest.
Another attraction of note is taking a canopy tour. When we filmed the pilot episode for our TV series "Paradise Hunter" we filmed with The Original Canopy Tour. They were excellent and provided some great knowledge of the bio-diversity in the cloud forest.
I would like to obtain a sample form or letter to authorize my mother in-law (my daughters grand mother) to travel to orlando florida where they will be meeting up with the other parent & then in a few days travel on a domestic flight to miami
please email me. Need a sample Permission to Travel letter for International Travel with one parent.
read the instructions first
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I need sinple form traveling with my step daughter, her mother is deceased. Her Father will not be traveling with us to the Bahamas
Hi to parents and grandparents traveling with minors, in need of this Permission Letter.
You can get a free sample of this blank form by filling out the email request at the end of this story. We ask everyone to sign up this way so that we can send you email updates as these regulations change, which is often!
Please read the story through to the end so that you understand the issue in full. Thanks for your interest in family travel!
FTF Editors
please send me the Permission to Travel letter for International Travel with one parent form.
This resort is totally top notch. It's great there. And Amelia Island is one beautiful relaxing place. Love Fernandina Beach and also visiting Fort Clinch. All the best.
My granddaughter a minor,is travelling out of the country with me for two weeks, and I need a permission form for her parents to sign, in case of emergency, so that I can make medical decisions for her. Thank you.
This is really interesting take on the concept. I never thought of it that way.
Thanks for the comment, Paola! Fun story and glad you took the time to write.
Here's to roses and wine!
Can you please send me a standard document for a minor travelling with one parent.
Thanks
Javier,
You can request a sample Permission to Travel letter by using the form at the end of this story. For information on a temporary resident visa, please check with the Canadian High Commission at this webpage: http://www.visabureau.com/canada/canadian-high-commission.aspx
good luck!
Hello there i am looking for a letter sample of the one paren tarvel with child,the one Canadian Embassy requiring to extend temporary resident visa. Thanks for your kindly help.
What a great story, you were so lucky to be home at that time of year and your pictures are beautiful… Wish I could see it too.
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I liked hearing about Verona, I never knew there really was a balcony there and that any of that R&J story was true!
The legend of H? Long has it that, “Once upon a time, soon after the Vi?t people established their country, invaders came. The Jade Emperor sent Mother Dragon and her Child Dragons down to earth to help the Vi?t people fight against their enemy. Right at the time invaders’ boats were rushing to the shore, the dragons landed down on earth. The dragons immediately sent out from their mouths a lot of pearls, which then turned into thousands of stone islands emerging in the sea like great walls challenging the invaders’ boats. The fast boats couldn’t manage to stop and crashed into the islands and into each other and broke into pieces.
Diane:
Please go to the last page of this story and fill out a request form. Then the documents will be e-mailed to you.
Jillian
Need a sample Permission to Travel letter for International Travel with one parent.