AREA INFORMATION
A VIEW OF TOPA TOPA Mountain in the Los Padres National Forest from Meher Mount. (Brad Spurr Photo.)
Visitors to the area can select from a number of places to stay in the nearby towns of Ojai or Santa Paula, each about a 20-30 minute drive from Meher Mount.
OJAI, CA
Ojai, California is a small resort town and artists’ haven nestled in the Ojai Valley with a population of about 8,000. It is surrounded by peaks, particularly Topa Topa, that give off a glow in the evening light know as “the pink moment.”
Early on, Ojai established a reputation as a center of physical and mental health. It is well known for its mix of spiritual and meditation centers making it a draw for people of various spiritual backgrounds.
The Chumash Indians are the first known residents of Ojai, and it is from their word “A’Hwai” meaning “moon” that the name Ojai is derived.
Ojai Concierge: www.ojaiconcierge.com
Ojai Restaurants: www.ojairestaurants.com
Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce: www.ojaichamber.org
City of Ojai: www.ci.ojai.ca.us
Ojai Valley News: www.ojaivalleynews.com
SANTA PAULA, CA
The City of Santa Paula is located in the Heritage Valley with the free-flowing Santa Clara River running through it. With a population of nearly 30,000, Santa Paula is a mix of tourism, agriculture, and Main Street businesses.
The Santa Paula area was first settled by the Chumash tribe of Native Americans around 10,000 years ago. Oil pioneers Wallace Hardison and Lyman Stewart moved to Santa Paula in 1886 and began California’s earliest oil production in nearby canyons.
Discover Santa Paula: www.discoversantapaula.com
Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce: www.santapaulachamber.com
City of Santa Paula: www.ci.santa-paula.ca.us
Santa Paula Times: www.santapaulatimes.com
Heritage Valley Tourism Bureau: www.heritagevalley.net
Also near Ojai are the cities of Ventura and Santa Barbara, each about a 40-60 minute drive from Meher Mount.
SANTA BARBARA, CA
Sometimes called “The American Riviera,” Santa Barbara is located on the Pacific coast. A city of approximately 200,000 people, Santa Barbara is served by Amtrak and Santa Barbara Airport. It is home to one of California’s missions.
Santa Barbara: www.santabarbaraca.com
Santa Barbara Visitors Center: www.santabarbara.com
City of Santa Barbara: www.santabarabara.gov
Santa Barbara Chamber of Commerce: www.sbchamber.org
VENTURA, CA
Ventura is a gateway to The Channel Islands National Park with the Los Padres National Forest in the foothills. It is located along California’s Central Coast and is also home to one of California’s missions.
Ventura: www.ventura-usa.com
City of Ventura: www.cityofventura.net
Ventura Chamber of Commece: www.ventura-chamber.org