Ojai Camping

Like other tribes in Southern California, the Chumash thrived off the area's natural advantages. The Topa Topa mountains, which encompass the Ojai valley, offered protection from the summer sun and would be enemies. Los Padres National Forest and Lake Casitas provided food and ideal locations to construct homes.

Camping in Ojai is the best way to rediscover what humankind has known for centuries: nature is our greatest provider. Visitors and locals flock to one of the Ojai Valley's many camping sites and realize the area's natural splendor. If you are not interested in camping overnight, going for an afternoon hike in the mountains and stopping to rest at a campground is a consideration.

Camping is about more than just pitching a tent and roasting marshmallows. And with the growing popularity of camping, especially in California, planning ahead is usually a must; consider making a reservation several weeks in advance. It's advisable to purchase a guide book of review campsite descriptions online to learn about costs, times of operation (some sites are not open year round) as well as amenities like firewood or coin-operated showers.

Los Padres National Forest is where it all begins. The forest boundary sprawls along the California coastline to its northernmost point in Monterey. It is less visited than the popular Big Bear National Forest, so that should work in your favor. The forest is filled with an array of wildlife, including a variety of birds like golden and bald eagles. Ojai's services around Lake Casitas also offer rental boats and guides to enjoy some of the country's best bass fishing.