NEIGHBORING CITIES

Approximately 16 miles (30 minutes) from Santa Paula is the charming town of Ojai.

Ojai’s charms are many. The community has long been known as a haven for artists, musicians and health enthusiasts. Ojai is a vibrant place with so much natural beauty that it gained fame decades ago when the area was photographed to represent Shangri-La in the 1939 movie, The Lost Horizon. The Chumash Indians are the first known residents of Ojai, and it is from their word ‘âhwaiâ’ meaning ‘moon’ that the name Ojai is derived. One of the oldest towns in Ventura County, Ojai was settled in the 1800s and incorporated as a city in 1921. Nestled in the Ojai Valley, the town is surrounded by peaks that give off a glow in the evening light known as the pink moment.

One of the prominent early settlers was Edward D. Libbey, a wealthy glass manufacturer who is responsible for the layout of the town. It was Robert Winfield who built the stately Arcade that today houses shops and eateries, but it was Libbey’s vision that the town have a distinctive center faithful to its Spanish heritage. Thus Libbey teamed with architect Richard Requa from San Diego and together they created what today draws the eye and captures the heart.

Filled with delightful shops, art galleries and a host of places to retreat from the fast-paced lifestyle, Ojai nurtures its art and artists. The Ojai Center for the Arts, Summer Art Stroll, Ojai Studio Artists Tour and Art in the Park offer venues for an abundance of artistic expression. Numerous galleries show the work of both local and non-resident celebrated artists.

Ojai’s reputation as a golfing paradise brings many to the city. The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa is listed as one of the top 25 golf resorts in North America. The course is as challenging as it is lovely. Soule Park is a beautiful public course with spectacular views just past downtown on Ojai Avenue.

Numerous restaurants dot the village, many taking advantage of local harvests with an abundance of fresh food.

Approximately 32 miles (40 minutes) from Santa Paula like the Santa Clarita Valley

The Santa Clarita Valley is where the excitement of Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hollywood mix with the tranquility of wilderness areas. There are a number of activities that offer excitement and relaxation for visitors including touring a western movie star’s mansion, exploring filming locations or visiting a real working western movie ranch. Dancing under the moonlight at free summer concerts is also possible on Town Center Drive or in SCV’s Central Park.

By day one can cool off at Santa Clarita Aquatic Center, with a zero-depth entry pool complete with a 160-foot water slide. Wake boarding is also possible at the valley’s reservoir, Castaic Lake. Summer swimming, sailing, boating, jet skiing, and fishing are available in addition to hiking, biking, and picnicking within this 8,700-acre recreational area.

When it comes to dining, The SCV offers a variety of dining choices, from authentic Mexican restaurants to French cuisine. One can stroll through Valencia Town Center, SCV’s crown jewel which houses boutique and specialty shops, department stores, restaurants, and entertainment concentrated within one mile. Town Center Drive is best explored on a warm summer evening when tiny white lights decorate the public areas and music is heard through well-placed speakers.

In cooler months, one can hike the trails of the SCV wilderness. The Santa Clarita Woodlands of East & Rice Canyon, as well as Towsley Canyon, take the adventurous and the novice past a creek and through lush landscape. Placerita Canyon, off State Highway 14, offers a network of hiking trails as well as the Oak of the Golden Dream, which marks the spot where Gold was first discovered in California.

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) 68 miles (1 hour and 22 minutes from Santa Paula) Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

Los Angeles International Airport is the world’s busiest origin and destination airport. In total traffic, LAX is the sixth busiest airport in the world for passengers and ranks 13th in the world in air cargo tonnage handled.

In 2008, the airlines of LAX served 59.8 million passengers and handled 1.8 million tons of freight and mail. LAX handled 70 percent of the passengers, 75 percent of the air cargo, and 95 percent of the international passengers and cargo traffic in the five-county Southern California region.

Originally known as Mines Field, the LAX site has been used as a general aviation field since 1928. During World War II, it was used for military flights. Commercial airline service started in December 1946. The present terminal complex was constructed in 1961. In the early 1980s, LAX added domestic and international terminals and a second-level road LAX is a dynamic airport which creates, attracts and supports economic activity throughout Southern California. LAX has an annual economic impact of $60 billion. This is generated by aviation activity on or near the airport. Approximately 408,000 jobs, spread throughout the region, are attributable to LAX. The employment in the City of Los Angeles due to the airport is estimated to be 158,000 jobs. One in 20 jobs in Southern California is attributed to LAX operations.

Santa Barbara is the busiest airport on the California coast between Los Angeles & San Jose serving more than 750,000 passengers annually. Located eight miles northwest of downtown Santa Barbara, the Airport sits on 954 acres.5 passenger airlines and 1 cargo carrier operate approximately 40 daily departures. The Airport contributes over 1/2 billion dollars annually to Santa Barbara County’s economy & directly or indirectly. 221 General Aviation aircraft based at SBA are valued at more than $128 million. SBA has a commercial runway – 6,052 feet long and two parallel general aviation runways – approximately 4,000 feet long (each). A new $63 million project was recently completed which includes a new aircraft parking ramp, and a new airline terminal building. This new 72,000 square foot terminal was designed in the tradition of the Spanish Colonial Revival architectural style which defines the City of Santa Barbara’s local culture and sense of place.

Burbank (Bob Hope) airport is the closest airport to Downtown L.A. and Staples Center, Hollywood, Disney, Warner Bros., NBC, Universal Studios, the Rose Bowl, Dodger Stadium, Griffith Park, L.A. Zoo, Autry Museum, Magic Mountain and many other attractions. Bob Hope Airport is owned and operated by the Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport Authority. In 1978 the Authority purchased the airport from Lockheed Corporation, which had owned the airport since 1940. At the time of the sale, this was the last privately owned airport in the country with commercial airline service. The airport contains two paved runways measuring 6,885 and 5,802 feet in length.