I backpacked here this past Sat-Sun during the massive heatwave. Temps were expected to be highs…read more100s and lows 80s. Idk what possessed me to go through with this hike even through the heatwave but I survived! The hot spring is a big metal tub with a few pipes that lead sulfurous water into the tub. The Willett hot spring is not as nice as Sykes, because it doesn't come with a view and the tub does not provide a place to sit unless you're sitting on the edge of the tub or on the wooden plank that someone threw across. The people before us also didn't rest the pipe properly so the hot spring water was not flowing into the tub and the water was lukewarm. We didn't have time to drain and refill the tub but if the water had been hot, it would have been a better experience. A few notes on the trail to get to Willett Hot Springs: The Sespe River Trail was a moderate trail that was easy to follow, but water was scarce due to the summer heat. I think Spring would be the best time to do this trail. There are no trees along the trail, only small bushes so no shade. However each campground had plenty of trees. The Bear Creek campground (4 miles in) had plenty of water to swim and filter drinking water. This was a really cool campground if you're looking for an easy, relaxing quick trip. Oak Flat (7 miles in) had water to filter but it was kind of a gross pond and I had to force myself to drink it. Willett Campground (9 miles in) had very little water and you would have to trek through dense bushes to get to the stream to filter. It's doable, though. The trail to the hot spring (0.5 miles from Willett Camp) is difficult compared to the Sespe River Trail to get to Willett Campground. To get to the hot spring, you have to take a side trail from the main Sespe River Trail at Willett Campground. Someone marked the sidetrail with blue flag tape. Follow the blue flag tape and head towards the mountain. You'll need to head North and cross the stream (or river if you're there in the Spring) and climb up a super steep trail to get to a small trail that bears Northwest up the mountain. You'll eventually get to a small crevasse in the mountain and you'll want to follow the warm sulfurous water. The trail disappears since you're climbing directly on the sulfurous water to get to the source. Keep left when the hot spring water trail splits and just use your ears to follow the flow of water. We hiked here at night and found the hot spring after getting a little lost for about 30 minutes. I want to note that we got caught in a sudden thunder storm on our night hike back to our camp at OakFlat. We def didn't expect any rain or cold temps so as always, bring headlamps, first aid, and food if you're taking a day trip. We didn't encounter any people after we left Bear Creek Campground so we were on our own for most of our overnight trip. It was unnerving but nice to have the place to ourselves. We hiked in on Sat at 9:30 am and arrived back at our car on Sun at 11:30 am.

Came here on dry New Year's eve 2 years ago. Wasn't Sespe hot springs, but still a nice experience…read moreon the way to them; nice half way point too.

I'll echo what the other reviews say... A windy and long…read moredrive to get here- make time for it and keep your eyes on the road. My Subaru loved the creek crossing over the road. A short, beautiful hike to the waterfall, very FernGully feeling. So many birds here including Western Bluebirds, Scrub Jays, Turkey Vultures, and various raptors. The air is crisp and cool, bring a warm layer for sure. And, as always, pack it in pack it out, and leave it better than you found it.

This is a quick little jaunt up to the waterfall which is very fun to play around in. It was pretty…read moremagical with the miss and all the little cavelets. We saw a snake swimming in the water which was super cool, but be aware! It's nice and cool and shaded as the end.

Fantastic cool morning break on the summer heat made for a great hike before church. The clouds…read morewere gray and preparing for a summer storm and the humidity was low. I set out from Drown Ave and walked all the way up Signal Street to the trailheads. I decided to ascend Luci's trail and descend John's Fox trail. It was a great decision and I made it back home just in time for church. Left at 7:30 AM and got home at 9:10 AM. Just under 6 miles total

My husband Matt B. and I spent our twelfth anniversary in Ojai, away from our kids and dogs. We…read morewoke up from an uninterrupted night of sleep with no one to take care of, and used that surplus of time and energy for a morning hike at the Valley View Preserve. I'm a reluctant hiker, but I admit that it can be nice to go outside, especially if it makes your husband happy. This was a lovely hike, scenic and mostly relaxing. We didn't go as far as we could have, but we made it pretty deep, hiking at a leisurely pace for a little under two hours. It was peaceful, with great views, and we got ideal weather. A very Southern California paradise kind of morning. The trail was rocky and sometimes slippery, so I'd recommend hiking shoes if you have them. I wore my regular sneakers and almost slid to my demise a couple times. It would've looked bad for Matt if I'd died in a hiking accident on our anniversary. My friends would've been like, "Steph doesn't even hike." I'm glad we visited the Valley View Preserve and would recommend it to anyone looking to enjoy some outdoor time in Ojai. The trails are easy enough for a novice level hiker. Just bring water and good shoes and maybe a spouse who doesn't want to kill you.

This has got to be one of the best hikes in Ojai during the summer before it gets too hot because…read morethe river gets low enough to cross over to the canyons where the hiking is so beautiful. There are quite a few few trail options once you get across the river. I like to take the 5 mile loop up rice Canyon and over to will's Canyon. There are Meadows and Fern grotto's and Oak shaded trails along the creek. It's a nice gradual uphill climb and then steady downhill on the way back to the river. I actually was able to jog the entire trail at a nice slow pace and the ground is so forgiving that it's not hard on your knees or your back. If you feel like getting some elevation, you can climb to Kennedy Ridge and there's other options as well which I have done before. But it was too hot at this time of the year to be out on the open trails. I always enjoy the river crossing and I wear a river shoes so I can just walk across and wait in the river and enjoy cooling off on the way home. Parking can get scarce in the summertime so be prepared.

Walked this hike with my sister and it had a beautiful view of the mountain side. If you have…read moreissues with any hard incline, this is the place for you. Most of the trail was flat lands. Very peaceful but can also get pretty dusty. So for all of you allergy buddies out there, bring your meds. There are many trails to choose from and could spend quite a while here. Don't forget to bring your shades and water since it could get pretty hot out. The trails are also pretty easy, you can bring your kids here. Overall it was nice and would go again.

We had an hour to kill in Ojai and decided to bike to the Ojai Meadows Preserve. It was the last…read moremorning of a relaxing weekend, and this was a great, easy activity--a scenic walk on level terrain. The weather was fine, the sky blue, the land around us green and gold. The trail was so smooth and flat I wouldn't even call it a hike, really just a leisurely stroll with pretty Southern California views. At some point, we strayed from the preserve onto the Ojai Saddle Trails, on Krishnamurti Foundation of America land. It all felt of a piece, though, with the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy managing the Saddle Trails. I'd recommend the Ojai Meadows Preserve, especially if you're looking for an outdoor activity with low physical demands. It's a lovely, peaceful place, ideal for a quiet morning.

This is a nice little getaway spot that you can walk around and enjoy the nature and outdoors…read more It's not too far from the downtown of Ojai. Parking is a little tricky. There's striped lines in front of the meadows on the main street that's designated for parking. It looks like you can't park there but you can. The park itself is wonderful. Beautiful walk in the park as they say. We even saw a little gopher. The further you go inside you are greeted with beautiful flowers and wildlife. The park itself looks like a loop so you end up back where you park. Definitely a nice bit of outdoor life.

We went to Ojai for our twelfth anniversary and took a romantic bike ride on the Ojai Valley Trail…read more And by romantic, I mean that Matt B. is 42, and his mid-life crisis has taken the form of an intense interest in biking and hiking and other forms of being outside, and no matter how sedentary I am in my natural state, I can't risk him leaving me for a 26-year-old with a more active lifestyle. So we borrowed bikes from our hotel and set off on a ride: him with his year's worth of cyclist muscle, me with traumatic memories of huffing and puffing behind him in Copenhagen, senior citizens passing me easily on every street. The trail runs nine miles, from Ojai to Ventura. We only did part of it, turning around at Mira Monte, for fear that I might break on our way back. The way there was so pleasant and easy that I got flashbacks to a bike ride I took nine years ago with my monstrously fit friend Melissa K., from Santa Monica to Venice. I called Matt from the beach, surprised at how pleasant I'd found the ride, only to have him tell me, ominously, that the path to the beach went downhill. I barely made it back to Santa Monica, and I was only 30 then. To my relief and astonishment, the Ojai Valley Trail was different. Maybe it was the smooth, well maintained pavement, or a bit of Ojai magic, a little push from the universe for the health of our marriage. While the ride was occasionally challenging, there were nice places to stop and sit, and the trail seemed to be 90% flat or downhill both ways. It was also extremely pretty, scenic and peaceful, a perfect way to spend a temperate September afternoon. If you are at all capable of riding a bike, I'd strongly encourage you to check out the Ojai Valley Trail. It's a beautiful way to experience Southern California, and I promise it requires only the lowest level of fitness.

This is a very nice trail for biking back and forth between Ventura and Ojai. There are interesting…read morebridges, most of the path is smooth, and not very steep. There are portions for stopping, hiking, enjoying nature. It's easy to follow and a good day trip. We've been many times on both regular bikes and e-bikes.

Ventura County has a few Landmarks. Two Trees, the San BuenaVentura Mission and the Ventura Pier to…read morename a few. One the most distinguished is the looming mountain range visible from all points north of the Grade, known as the Topa Topa Bluffs. The granite cliffs mark pronounced diagonal etches across the mountains face. Often when one thinks of going to the mountains, these are the mountains one had in mind. Usually when venturing into the Los Padres National Forest the highest Mecca available is Reyes Peak atop Pine Mountain road, and that is where we often end up. Indeed Reyes Peak is a sight to behold, and arguably one of the best campsites in the tri counties. But to truly reach "those mountains" the Topa Topa Bluffs, you have to do your homework. You cannot simply drive up the "33" and get there like you can with Reyes Peak. Access is available by permit only, through the Ojai Ranger station. The road to the bluffs is OHV access only; therefore a locked gate bars access from the general public. The ranger district only allows 15 vehicles up per day. Unbelievably, after roaming these mountains for decades, I had never been to the Bluffs. But a year ago, I did some research and found the way to get to the Bluffs. Once I had my permit, and access code, I headed into the forest. Arriving at the gate, I felt like a kid with a backstage pass to Disneyland. As I unlocked the gate, headed thru and locked from behind, I felt the puzzled stares from other less fortunate campers. They didn't have access! Huahhhh...Hauuhhhh! Only I did, I alone had domain over this sacred land! Sorry, back to reality. I engaged four wheel drive, and proceeded to tear up the road. There are miles and miles of off road travel to be enjoyed, steep ascents, and uneven road abound. Off the main road it splits to the left or right. To the right the road leads to a old fire watchtower. Convivebly you could camp here, but there is one site with a fire ring and bench a few miles before you get to the tower. Taking the road to the left your journey hugs the mountain edge then dips into the valley for unspoiled views of Pierda Blancas, and Rose Valley Lake. Once on the mountain edge the road ends at a trail head that will take you directly to the Topa Topa Bluffs. A mile before the road ends there is the one singular campsite. From the site, you have clear views of the Oxnard Plain, the Ojai Valley, and the Bluffs themselves, so close you can make out the diagonal ruts visible form the city. On May 23rd 2008 I visited the Bluffs for the second time. The weather did not cooperate and while we did stay the night, the temperature stayed at an icy 36f degree. Visibility was only 15-20 feet, so we did not get the views I have loved. I cannot wait to return. The solitude of the place inspires meditation, with only 2 campsites off the entire road, you can be assured privacy and silence. Just you and the bluffs.

Great views. We climbed up the Pratt Trail which gave us great views all the way up. Be sure to…read morelook for the geological stamp while you are up there . Views are spectacular. You can see the Channel Islands and Topa Topa on a clear day. Breath taking. We took the Gridley back and that was a nice and less steep trail back down.

A day trip in this beautiful part of town included going for a quick hike in hopes of finding a…read morespectacular view before sunset. Parking near the trailhead was around a local neighborhood, meaning potentially limited spots in a slightly narrowing road during the weekend and busy season. This trail is fairly simple with some incline though nothing major. While the road is pretty well maintained, there are some bits of rocky and uneven areas to be aware of. If I recall correctly, it's a little more than 1.5 miles one way along the mountain over to where vehicle traffic continues. Along the route, the view is lush and tranquil with the town below and the air was refreshingly light. Most of the others on the trail stopped where we planned to for the sunset. It's a simple spot but has a clear view of the sky and several stones nearby to sit down. The sunset was awe-inspiring, and just as quickly as the sun disappeared from the horizon, we too decided to head down.

Fantastic hike from Gridley Road all the way to signal Street on shelf Road trail. It was a…read morebeautiful morning with the clouds lifting and then descending throughout the entire hike. Nice cool temperatures before the heat comes on for the week starting tomorrow. Plenty of wildflowers blooming in a small stream at the river crossings in the canyon. Such a delightful way to spend your morning in Ohio.

Beautiful trail within Lake casitas…read more This trail is relatively easy with about 5.7 miles (total) of beautiful scenery and some up and down small inclines. The single path makes it easy to follow without worrying of wondering off the trail and getting lost. The end of the trail rewards you with a beautiful view of the lake below. If you're lucky you'll get to see a deer or two crossing. Some cotton tail rabbits or see some of the birds of prey or Turkey vultures flying by. Good for running or walking and open year round, except when it's too muddy after rain. They try to preserve the trails. No bathrooms in the actual trail but at the beginning of the trail (where the large parking area is and a basketball court, too) they have restrooms that are kept up.

We had such an amazing stay! The park is absolutely beautiful, incredibly well maintained, and all…read moreof the facilities were spotless and so well cared for. Dean is doing an incredible job bringing new life to this park and making it feel like such a welcoming place for families to come back, spend time together, and enjoy the outdoors. You can really feel how much care and energy he is putting into it. We had a fantastic time, and anytime a little issue came up, Dean was immediately there to help us resolve it. He was incredibly kind, responsive, collaborative, and accommodating throughout our stay. Such a special place and a wonderful experience. We would absolutely come back. 10/10!

What's up: Staying the night here after a fun filled day picking strawberries at Underwood Farms…read more Parking: One parking spot is included within the campsite. Additional cars will require additional fee. Environment: We made a reservation for this campground ahead of time using their website. Once we got here, we drove to our numbered campsite and set up camp. The nice thing about this campground is that there is a small playground for the kiddo to play at. They also have a combination of portable toilets as well as flushing toilets (depends how far away your campsite is). They also allow RVs in a certain part of the campground. It's also open to day use for a fee. The campground ranger came by as we were setting up and welcomed us as well as gave us some campground info. What was ordered: - Campsite for one night (includes a parking spot, picnic table, and a bbq / campfire ring. Water tap is available in the campsite) Yay/Nay/Meh: Yay. The campground was nice and there are nice views of the Ojai Valley if you head up towards one of the day use spots. Credit cards are accepted.