35 miles E of Santa Barbara; 88 miles NW of L.A.
In a crescent-shaped valley between Santa Barbara and Ventura, surrounded by mountain peaks, lies Ojai (pronounced Oh-hi). It's a beautifully serene environment, selected by Frank Capra as Shangri-La, the legendary utopia of his 1936 classic Lost Horizon. The spectacularly tranquil setting has made Ojai a mecca for artists and a large population of New Age spiritualists, drawn by the area's mystical beauty.
Life is low key in the Ojai Valley. Perhaps the most excitement generated all year happens during the first week of June, when the Ojai Music Festival draws world-renowned classical artists to perform in the Libbey Bowl amphitheater (for more information, call tel. 805/646-2094 or visit www.ojaifestival.org).
