Explore Ojai Meadows Preserve

If you're looking for a quick escape to nature with a dose of inspiration, Ojai Meadows Preserve is the place to go. This picturesque pocket of wilderness, once a construction waste dump, is now a shining example of how a community can come together to restore the land to its natural beauty. The Ojai Valley Land Conservancy purchased this 58-acre property in 2000 with the help of local residents and businesses, and worked with local organizations to restore its important wetland habitats. Water has returned to the preserve, wildlife has returned, and the preserve is now an Ojai treasure.

A leisurely stroll through Ojai Meadows Preserve is the best way to enjoy it. The mostly flat dirt trail is simple to navigate and takes about 30 minutes to complete. Clouds of bright yellow mustard flowers cloak the fields in the spring, and wildlife sightings are common at any time of year. Animals that live here include long-tailed weasels, bobcats, skunks, and numerous bird species.

You can also walk around the mile-long trail on the Krishnamurti Foundation-owned Ojai Saddle Trails. Sunset is a particularly lovely time to visit, as the surrounding mountain peaks glow pink and purple in the late light. Planning to take your dog? Note that this is a Sensitive Wildlife Habitat, which means Rover should stay on leash, and visitors should stay on the trail. You can't miss the preserve – you'll drive right by it on the way into town along Highway 33. Parking is plentiful.