California 101 Travelers Guide

california 101 Travelers Guide

LIVE • STAY • PLAY • GETAWAY

24

I

CRUISE THE CANNABIS COAST How to go on a Farm Tour

SPRING 2020

®

VENTURA • SB • SLO COUNTIES

CA 101

90

I

WHALE WATCHING 101 A guide to viewing some of Earth’s largest animals

106+ acre country retreat with mountain and lake views, horse facilities, and exceptional, custom stone house minutes from shops, restaurants, golf, spas and more.

LuckyQRanchOjai.com Price Upon Request

Four-bedroom Arbolada home with formal living and dining rooms, family room, wood floors, three fireplaces, many recent upgrades, guest house, pool, and mountain views. 407TicoRoad.com $2,199,000.

4 BR, 4 BA + 2 powder rooms on 5.43 acres with formal living and dining, butler’s pantry, two walk-in pantries, covered porch, and so much more.

1436NorthMontgomeryStreet.com $1,595,000

Nora Davis (805) 207-6177 CA BRE#01046067

2016 Realtor® of the year!

2

ojaivalleyestates.com Spring 2020

2 BR, 1 BA with detached garage, RV parking, recent upgrades within walking distance of shops and restaurants. $519,000

We Know Ojai.

The Davis Group nora@ojaivalleyestates.com LIV | Sotheby’s International Realty california101guide.com

Custom Spanish Revival home on 7.5 acres in Ojai’s East End with central courtyard, several patios, multi-room master suite and gated entry.

5180ReevesRoad.com $3,450,000

5 bedroom, 3.5 bath hacienda-style home on 5+ acres in Upper Ojai with horse facilities, pool, tennis court, courtyard, views, and much more.

12605HighwindsRoad.com $2,649,000

3 BR, 3 BA home in Island View with fireplace, formal dining room, Italian tile floors, and double ovens. Within walking to $762,900 shops, restaurants, salons. 1923 South Hill Road

We’re Lifelong Residents.

The Davis Group nora@ojaivalleyestates.com LIV | Sotheby’s International Realty

california101guide.com

Meticulously renovated three-bedroom, two-bathroom oasis with pool, cabana and views on large lot one block from downtown $1,879,000 and adjacent to Ojai Valley Trail.

Nora Davis (805) 207-6177 CA BRE#01046067

2016 Realtor® of the year!

ojaivalleyestates.com Spring 2020

3

4

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

california 101 Travelers Guide

CALIFORNIA 101

SUMMER

®

STAY • PLAY • GETAWAY

C O N T ESLO N •TSBS• VTA COUNTIES

Travelers Guide®

california101guide.com MAGAZINE INQUIRIES (833) 805-0101 Published by Blue Highways Productions MANAGING EDITOR Misty Hall CREATIVE DIRECTOR Dennis DeLano COVER PHOTO BY David Beeninga CONTRIBUTORS Tiobe Barron Tracy Wilson Amelia Rose Simpson The Unknown Golfer Barbara Verde Zachary Rosen Michele Roest

Alison Withers COPY EDITOR Pamela Gaughan

Editor California 101 Travelers Guide mhall@ca101guide.com

Springtime on the Central Coast usually means wildflower blooms, migrating whales, and tons of amazing events. But 2020 had other plans for us (“social distancing,” anyone?). We can’t see into the future, but we can plan ahead. So, yes, we do encourage you to check websites and call/email before you head out to any of the locations, events, or activities you see in these pages.

We also encourage you to consider the ways you can still have a positive impact on your community — and how you can stay sane (and healthy!), too. The Central Coast is a stunningly beautiful place, but it’s the people, and the amazing things they do here, that truly set it apart.

So, let’s help each other. If your event has been canceled or you can’t attend the rescheduled date, ask if you can roll your tickets over to next year. Maybe you can’t go to that brewery, shop, or hotel in person right now, but you can buy a gift certificate for a future trip! Many businesses are now also offering to-go and delivery options, as well. Supporting our local businesses in this challenging time will help ensure that, when things return to normal, this vibrant region — and all it has to offer — will be here to welcome us back.

Be well!

ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Mike Dawkins ACCOUNT EXECUTIVES Sandi Diekhuis

CONTACT US

U

By Tiobe Barron

84 Fusing Flavors of the 101 Beer-wine, ginger beer,

and hard kombucha

Cruise the Cannabis Coast

24

By Barbara Verde

EDITORIAL mhall@ca101guide.com PHONE (833) 805-0101 FAX (833) 805-0101 x2 MAILING ADDRESS 1129 Maricopa Hwy. #B-201 Ojai, CA 93023

38

Into the Blue with Artist Blakeney Sanford

By Amelia Rose Simpson

HIGHW

S AY

BL

Central Coast Sleeps

ADVERTISING mdawkins@ca101guide.com

®2020 Blue Highways Productions LLC All rights reserved.

E

9

California 101 Travelers Guide is a quarterly magazine distributed to over 300 business locations throughout Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo Counties.

Total circulation is 30,000 per quarter.

BLUE HIGHWAYS PRODUCTIONS LLC california101guide.com

california101guide.com

Dear Readers,

Misty Hall

By Zachary Rosen

CA

49 California 101 Golf Trail

Teeing up on East Ventura

County Greens

The Unknown Golfer

60

Olive Oils Reveal the Robust Character of the Central Coast

By Tracy Wilson

72

Santa Ynez Culture yesterday and Today

By Linda Small

90 Whale watching 101 101 A guide to viewing some of

Earth’s largest animals

By Michele Roest

102

Quilty Pleasures Textile arts celebrated in the Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour

By Misty Hall

106 Paddling Pals

Outrigger canoeing off

the Central Coast

By Alison Withers

110

Spring Events Spring 2020

5

6

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

SANTA BARBARA

california101guide.com

CAMARILLO

LOS ANGELES

Spring 2020

7

WINE • BEER • FOOD Featuring artisan wine and craft beer by-the-glass or bottle.

Creative food menu and gourmet Panini.

Serving lunch and dinner.

WINE CLUB DISCOUNTS WINE TASTING THUR-SUN BOTTLE SHOP, WINE BAR & CHEESE MARKET HO U RS Monday Clos ed | Tu e/Wed 1 2 – 7 P M Thur/Fri/Sat 12 – 9 P M | S u n d a y 1 2 – 5 P M

SUNDAY, JUNE 7TH, 2020 California State University Channel Islands

WINE • BEER • FOOD

24 2 3 Ve ntura B lvd . , Cam ar i llo , CA 9 3 0 1 0 (80 5 ) 38 3 -9 8 1 2 | wi n eclo s et i n c. co m Photos courtesy of Trinity Wheeler, Mike Adams and Joey Carman.

cpwinefoodbrewfest.com Hosted By The Zarley Family The Van Huisen Family

Benefiting

8

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Central Coast Sleeps

by Tiobe Barron

When it comes to scenic, relaxing, unique, and luxurious hotels and inns, the Central Coast has an embarrassment of riches. Whether you have a yen to stay somewhere romantic, contemporary and hip, retro and funky, or comfy and cozy, you get your pick of the hospitality industry’s crème de la crème in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties. Here’s a selection of Central California gems we love.

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

9

Santa Ynez Inn

3627 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez

This Four Diamond rated inn is the perfect destination for those seeking understated elegance and comprehensive luxurious amenities, including Tesla charging stations, an on-site full-service spa, and outdoor fire pits to relax by.

“Our charming property is thoughtfully appointed with a variety of signature services ... that appeals to discerning guests who aspire to find an escape from the hustle and bustle to a place where comfort, food, and wine come together,” says Santa Ynez Inn Marketing Director Veronika Libao. “With every stay, guests can enjoy made-to-order breakfast each morning, and Wine Hour and Seasonal Dessert in the evenings. We also proudly partner with over a dozen local wineries to provide guests with an exclusive Tasting Passport, perfect for experiencing all that the lush valley has to offer. The passport includes complimentary tastings for two at every winery on the list.”

For reservations and more: (805) 688-5588 or santaynezinn.com

Photos by by Jim Bartsch

Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn

51 E Highway 246, Buellton

This iconic, Tudor-style inn has been a family-run California institution since the 1970s. It’s located in Buellton, just outside of Solvang — California’s unofficial Little Denmark. Special touches like the on-site pool to cool off in the summer heat, to the trademark pea soup, conspire to make Pea Soup Andersen’s feel like home-away-from-home.

“Our biggest goal really is the repeat guests,” says Vincent Solorio of Pea Soup Andersen’s. Where other chain hotels are profit-driven, he says Andersen’s focuses on value and rapport, developing real relationships with travelers, and using the opportunity to act as an emissary for this unique pocket of California.

For reservations: (805) 688-3216 (tollfree (800) 732-7687) or peasoupandersens.com

Photos by Valley Media Solutions

King Frederik Inn

1617 Copenhagen Dr, Solvang

Situated right in the heart of Solvang, King Frederik Inn is owned and operated by the same family that brought us Pea Soup Andersen’s Inn. “It’s right in the hustle and bustle of the city. There are attractions just steps from our front door,” says Vincent Solorio, who hosts wine tours from both locations. “We try to go over the top for guests. We want you to feel relaxed, but not cooped up, to get a real feel for this place.” $50 gets you a tour of four (or more, or fewer; the choice is yours) local wineries.

Shops, art galleries, museums, and parks are all within walking distance of the King Frederik, and breakfast is on the house, served daily.

For reservations and more: (805) 688-5515 or kingfrederikinn.com

Photos by Valley Media Solutions

10

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Wine Stone Inn

255 W Clark Ave, Orcutt

Nestled in the heart of Orcutt and surrounded by wine country, this 12-room boutique offers casual elegance with its luxurious details like plush bathrobes, sumptuous beds, contemporary decor, welcome baskets, and a manager’s reception held nightly from 5 pm to 7 pm with complimentary beer, wine, and eats.

“What makes us really proud is that we look at this as an extension of our home,” says Lauren Wise. “We want to show you our town, to have the full experience from start to finish, make sure it’s relaxing.”

For reservations and more: (805) 332-3532 or winestoneinn.com

Photos by Shylah Chavez

The Butler Hotel

1511 Monterey St, San Luis Obispo

A former 1950s prefab automotive garage made by the Butler Manufacturing Co., The Butler Hotel building was rescued by a local architect who bought the property to ensure it wouldn’t be torn down. The goal was to provide guests somewhere unique to stay when visiting the area at a time when San Luis Obispo was less of a tourist hot spot than it is today.

With hand-written notes awaiting each guest upon arrival, a personalized entry code they can reuse when revisiting, a communal record player with a vinyl library and more, the six-room Butler Hotel is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.

“The hotel was designed not as hotel people, but as and for people who love to travel. (The Butler) has more a feeling of staying in a friend’s granny flat, rather than a big, anonymous hotel,” says Kelly Santos. “I really love this job. I have quite the collection of handwritten notes from guests (46% of whom are repeat customers). It’s better than tips!”

Photos courtesy The Butler Hotel For reservations and more: (805) 548-1884 or thebutlerhotel.com

Olallieberry Inn

2476 Main St, Cambria In keeping with Cambria’s already romantic seaside village feel, this 1865 boutique hotel sits amidst vibrant, picturesque gardens; a 130-year-old Redwood tree bedecks the property’s front entry. The interior speaks to old-world elegance meets crisp ocean air, and while rooms are free of televisions and phones, the property does have free WiFi. This is the perfect spot for a restful, restorative, distraction-free getaway.

For reservations and more: (805) 927-3222 or olallieberry.com

Hotel Cheval

1021 Pine St, Paso Robles Two words: s’mores butler. That’s right; at Hotel Cheval, a designated deliverer of deliciousness is on hand in the courtyard from dusk to 9:45 pm nightly, solely to dole out complimentary marshmallow-chocolate-graham cracker sandwiches. If that’s not enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, an on-site candy bar awaits you in the library.

The 16-room Hotel Cheval is steps from the Paso Robles historic town square, and offers up quiet luxuries and authentic comfort. Thoughtful touches, from the Brown Butter Cookie Company’s welcome treats, daily newspapers delivered to each room every morning, two electric vehicle charging stations on-site, a gourmet breakfast buffet featuring fair-trade locally roasted coffee and pasture-raised eggs, walk-in European showers, and cozy wood-burning fireplaces in common areas indoors and out, all ensure your stay here will be memorable and sweet.

For reservations and more: (805) 226-9995 or hotelcheval.com

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

11

Inn on Summer Hill

2520 Lillie Ave, Summerland

Inspired by the Cape Cod designs of Nantucket, Mabel and Paul Shults built the Inn on Summer Hill in the late 1980s after deciding, following years of designing hotels for clients, to finally create a project of their very own.

“The Inn has been family-run for all these years, with daughter Lin Richardson managing for several years, and currently (myself),” says daughter Paulette Bermant.

“Paul and Mabel are still actively involved. The Inn on Summer Hill is a passionate part of the family and we are committed to giving our guests a special experience each stay.”

Located in Summerland, a quaint coastal community just south of Santa Barbara, the Inn on Summer Hill offers gorgeous ocean views, fireplaces in each room, complimentary fresh breakfast, afternoon hors d’oeuvres/wine and cheese, and desserts served daily.

For reservations and more: (805) 969-9998 or innonsummerhill.com Photos by Blake Bronstad

The Blue Iguana Inn

11794 N Ventura Ave, Ojai

Husband-and-wife duo Julia and Marc Whitman envisioned creating a truly unique destination when they launched The Blue Iguana Inn. Marc, an architect and painter, handled the design and construction of the buildings, while Julia traveled the world to curate the interiors.

“We strive for a creative, artistic experience. It’s a very unique and beautiful environment,” says Julia. “The whole thing really is art, from the architecture, to the broken tile mosaics, the stonework throughout the property, and the many local artists’ artwork featured in the rooms.”

The result is a getaway that truly evokes the spirit of the Ojai Valley, simultaneously artsy and earthy, casually glamorous.

For reservations and more: (805) 646-5277 or blueiguanainn.com

Photos courtesy of the Blue Iguana

Emerald Iguana Inn

108 Pauline St, Ojai

Brought to you by Marc and Julia Whitman, the same dynamic family who created the Blue Iguana Inn, the Emerald Iguana Inn is centrally located in Ojai, and features bungalows geared toward extended-stay visitors. The property features lush native plant landscaping, a whirlpool spa, sanctuary pool, and suites that feel more like elegant, well-appointed townhomes than typical hotel accommodations. Continental breakfast is served daily, and rental bicycles are available so you can truly experience Ojai like a local. Non-cyclists will find downtown Ojai just a few blocks away by foot.

For reservations and more: (805) 646-5277 or emeraldiguana.com

Photo courtesy of the Emerald Iguana

12

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Lavender Inn and Spa

210 E Matilija St, Ojai

This landmark bed and breakfast right in the heart of downtown Ojai was once the city’s first schoolhouse. Magical flower gardens bedeck the property, a locale so romantic it’s become a popular destination for tying the knot.

“Our property is so much larger than people expect ... They come back into our gardens and are shocked at the size because the house itself and the gardens look small from the front,” says Lavender Inn owner Kathy Hartley. “We also have so many nooks and crannies for people to hang out. This summer we had a Secret Garden, which was a vine-covered room we walked through an arch … It was sooo cool!

Some people got married in front of that arch.”

But the beauty and sensuality isn’t limited to couples; Lavender Inn is also home to Ojai Culinary School, serving up specialty cooking classes, and a spa specializing in results-oriented facials and massage therapy, so you can nourish and pamper yourself no matter the occasion.

For reservations and more: (805) 646-6635 or lavenderinn.com Photo courtesy of the Lavender Inn

Cuyama Buckhorn

4923 Primero St, New Cuyama

This hidden gem in an area of Santa Barbara County known as the “Hidden Valley of Enchantment” is a destination in its own right. Nestled between Carrizo Plains National Monument and the Los Padres National Forest, Cuyama Buckhorn is a perfect getaway for stargazers and outdoor adventurers.

“The inn is an old-meets-new, rustic culinary haven just off the beaten path in Central California. With an emphasis on sustainability, as well as unique culinary experiences, there truly is something special happening in the area right now,” says Kati Miller, Buckhorn media and marketing Account Coordinator. “It’s a classic old motel that is getting a stylish revamp from two Los Angeles designers, set to be completed in late Spring 2020. The vibe is Stone Barns (NY) meets Marfa (TX), meets something like Scribner’s Catskills Lodge. The road from Ojai to New Cuyama is the only unmarked Scenic Highway in North America and is a great way to have a fun California road trip, escape the city, and indulge in curated dining experiences like no other.”

Sustainability, community, and gourmet food are all integral to Cuyama Buckhorn, which sources local ingredients from surrounding wineries, ranches, and farms. Menus incorporate cheese from Santa Barbara Cheese Co., honey from Rock Front Ranch, eggs from SZ Ranch, and wine from Condor’s Hope and Sagebrush Annie’s.

“After a couple of years entrenching ourselves in the culture, we are truly starting to understand the food and more specifically the local, small farming world,” says proprietor Ferial Sadeghian. “And it really is incredibly rewarding when you can do business with people you know and have formed friendships with.”

“My approach to hospitality is driven by simplicity and honesty. Our situation in the valley will be unique in that we are also there to serve the greater good of a very small community,” Matthew Roberts, Cuyama Buckhorn Culinary Director and Farm Liaison, says. “The hotel will provide a beautiful oasis in which to disconnect from the hustle of day-to-day life in the city. The serenity and silence of the valley will be a place to lose yourself and find yourself at the same time.”

For reservations and more: (661) 766-2825 or cuyamabuckhorn.com

Bella Capri Inn & Suites Camarillo

2050 E Ventura Blvd, Camarillo

Located in the heart of Old Town Camarillo, Bella Capri Inn & Suites is near both the Camarillo Outlets shopping center and California State University Channel Islands, with shops and restaurants directly surrounding it. A lovely patio area greets you on your way into the front office, which is perfect for people watching, reading, or relaxing.

Amenities include flat screen TVs, free WiFi, on-site vending machines, laundry room, fitness equipment, breakfast area, and office meeting spaces indoors and out. Dogs are allowed on the ground floor, with an additional deposit. An on-site restaurant, Old Town Cafe, is available if you’re feeling peckish.

For reservations and more: (805) 482-0777 or bellacapriinn.com california101guide.com

Spring 2020

13

Things to do in Santa Paula Santa Paula is nestled among the lemon, orange, and avocado orchards of the Heritage Valley, the last great citruscape in California. Rising to the north and south of the city, the picturesque San Cayetano and Oakridge mountain ranges are incised by the free-flowing waters of Santa Paula Creek and the Santa Clara River. The beauty of the oak-studded natural landscape is complemented by a wide variety of attractions and activities in the city.

Downtown Street Festival Saturday August 27th from 11 am – 6 pm.

Admission is free.

Come spend the day in Santa Paula for the Downtown Street Festival. Join us for live music, art, great shopping, with a wide variety of vendors and featuring some delicious food from some of our finest restaurants.

Something for everyone!

Historic Downtown Santa Paula is where all the fun will be/ What a great way to spend a Summer day with us in Santa Paula!

For more information about Santa Paula visit our website at santapaulachamber.net or heritagevalley.net.

Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce 200 N. 10th St., Santa Paula

(805) 525-5561 Downtown Cruise Nights More information will be available on our website.

Santa Paula Murals This collection of fine art outdoor murals adorn the walls of downtown buildings in Santa Paula, depicting fascinating chapters and events in the history of the city. Walking tour maps are available at the: Santa Paula Chamber of Commerce 200 N. Tenth Street, 805-525-5561 and at the California Oil Museum 1001 E. Main St., 805-933-0076 14

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

RED HOT FOODS S A N TA P A U L A S A L S A C O M PA N Y

Established in 2011, Rabalais’ Bistro was founded as a tribute to my grandmother, Anesia Lois Rabalais. She relied on the resourceful roots of her Cajun upbringing to feed her family of eight. Our menu is inspired by the simple , honest comfor t foods her and her family shared together.

We are a cannery and co-packer that specializes in salsas, hot sauces, bbq sauses, seasonings, and much more.

Our goal is to bring people and culture together over great food, drinks, and comfor table atmosphere . We seek to be a gathering place rooted in traditional Southern values bringing together friends, family, and community.

We ser ve the Cajun classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, made from scratch, the old fashioned way. We make all of our baked goods here in house , from the french bread, to cakes, to cookies. We ser ve Prospect Coffee Roasters coffee in a specialty setting, plus some New Orleans inspired chicor y drinks.

Come and see why we are one of the highest rated restaurants, baker y, and coffee shops in Santa Paula and Ventura County.

Open Baker y & Coffee - 7AM Bistro - 8AM Dinner - 5PM

Closing Tues/Wed/Thurs - 8PM Fri/Sat - 9PM Sun/Mon - 2PM

RabalaisBistro RabalaisBistro.com (805) 525-2109 861 E. Main Street, SP C A 93060

820 E Railroad Ave, Santa Paula, CA 93060

(805) 258 3650

Dates subject to change. Please check our website for current information - www.santapaulatheatercenter.org

EXPLORE. DISCOVER. CELEBRATE. at the Agriculture Museum in Santa Paula

Santa Paula season 2020 Theater Center Rapture, Blister, Burn

by Gina Geonfriddo April 17 - May 24, 2020

that’s what she said ...

HUELGA!

PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE FRONTLINES BY JORGE CORRALEJO

Closes August 2, 2020

FREE FIRST SUNDAY Every 1st Sunday of the Month!

A TICKET TO RIDE:

HOW TRANSPORTATION TRANSFORMED VENTURA COUNTY

Opens June 1, 2020

!

Please Note

“Smart, funny, and thought provoking.”

- Los Angeles Times Circle Mirror Transformation

by Annie Baker June 26 - August 2, 2020

“Absorbing, unblinking and sharply funny!”

- New York Times

The Children

by Lucy Kirkwood A Celeb ration of September 4 - October 11, 2020 Out standing “An astonishment! Bristling ht s with chills and suspense!”

- New York Times Female Playw rig

Follow Us on

The Secret of Chimneys

by Agatha Christie November 13 - December 20, 2020

“An entertaining thrill ride through the mind of Agatha Christie.”

- The Toulocan Times

Buy Season Tickets ONLINE Today!

Agriculture Museum • 926 Railroad Ave. Santa Paula, CA 93060 805.525.3100 • Wednesday—Sunday, 10 AM—4 PM california101guide.com

www.santapaulatheatercenter.org

805-525-4645 sptcbox@gmail.com

Located Just 15 minutes off of CA 101 via CA 126 Spring 2020

15

Ventura County’s

1CBD choice for topical relief!

#

FROM SEED TO STORE

We are a licensed hemp grower and manufacturer. Our Hemp is grown in Ventura County, California. Our Products are made in Ventura County, California. We use local, natural and organic products.

Veterans, Disabled, Cancer, Special Needs Discounts Available

539 Sespe Ave., Fillmore California oceangoldcbd.com

34 N. PALM ST. VENTURA, CALIFORNIA 805 | 667 | 9288

16

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

446 E. Main St. Ventura, 93001

805-643-9309

www.BonMain.com

442 EAST MAIN ST. VENTURA, CA

CUSTOM DESIGNED JEWELRY

MENTION THIS ADD TO RECEIVE A 10% DISCOUNT OFF YOUR PURCHASE

Monday – Saturday: 11am-7pm Sunday: 11am-6pm

(805) 628-3665 brooklyncharm.com

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

17

18

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Welcome to Ventura Harbor Village - a vibrant, seaside attraction boasting 35 seaside boutiques, art galleries, and waterfront restaurants, plus entertainment venues, events, harbor boat tours, and more!

1583 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, CA 93001 venturaharborvillage.com

CALIFORNIA 101 Ventura Harbor Village

CA 101

Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Fish Market 1449 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura Harbor Village (805) 654-0546 www.andriasseafood.com Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Fresh Fish Market located at the water’s edge in the beautiful Ventura Harbor Village, has been the destination for locals and tourists alike for fresh seafood for over 30 years. Andria’s, well known for their fabulous Original Fish & Chips and world famous Clam Chowder made from scratch daily, simply delicious. Dine in a casual family atmosphere while enjoying the scenic views of the Ventura Harbor. Enjoy your choice of Shrimp, Salmon, Scallops, Calamari, Halibut, and a variety of Fresh Fish Daily, prepared to order grilled, fried, baked or broiled. It just doesn’t get any better or any fresher than Andria’s. Open 7 days a week for Lunch & Dinner. Located in the Beautiful Ventura Harbor Village. Master Card, Visa, & American Express accepted.

Ventura Swimwear 559 Spinnaker Dr # 102, Ventura, CA 93001 (805) 642-6281 A Southern California Favorite!

Ventura Swimwear is a local favorite! You’re sure to find the right suit in their large selection of swimsuits, including board shorts, bikinis, and one-pieces! Ventura Swimwear also carries everything else you need for the beach: towels, apparel, hats, cover-ups, and cute jewelry, too. Stop by the shop and find out why people travel for miles to visit Ventura Swimwear.

The Mermaid Gallery 1575 Spinnaker Dr. #107B, Ventura, CA 93001 (805) 746-2566 www.tinaobrienfineart.com The Mermaid Gallery is located in the charming Ventura Harbor Village. Surrounded by the ocean air, Tina O’Brien never loses inspiration from her beach town home. Visit the gallery to view and purchase her work in the heart of what inspires her art!

There are not enough hours in a day to paint all that inspires me. I feel very lucky to be a woman artist living in Ventura, California, with her husband and two kids. Playing, surfing, walking, happy days at the beach with my family has been the inspiration for all of my paintings. The colors of the ocean, sky and sand are teeming with beauty. I try to get the viewer to see their everyday surroundings with new eyes. One painting leads to another. I consider each piece a character study. The gallery features our beautiful local beach scenes and paintings of Mermaids! california101guide.com

Spring 2020

19

20

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

F RED E VANS S ELLS ... V ENTURA C OUNTY T O THE W ORLD !

Member of RE/MAX Hall of Fame • Top 1% In The Nation

ONE OF VENTURA COUNTIES TOP LISTING & SELLING AGENTS

5348 RINCON BEACH PARK DRIVE, VENTURA Gated Ocean Front Seacliff Beach Colony, Ventura. Tri-level oceanfront home w/ 4 BR, 5 ½ BA, approx. 4,142 sq. ft., 50 feet of ocean frontage. Waterfront master bedroom suite view. Custom elevator to all 3 levels. Private guest quarter w/ separate entrance. Offered at $4,575,000 www.5348RinconBeach.com

7477-7481-WHEELER CANYON ROAD, SANTA PAULA Two luxury homes on 20 acres, Santa Paula. Log cabin inspired in Wheeler Canyon. Main residence 4 BR, 5 full & 2 half BA w/ over 5600 sq. ft. Three stories w/ elevator. The 2nd residence, single story 3 BR, 2 BA approx. 1190 sq. ft. Over 1200 sq. ft. garage for each home. Listed for $1,999,999. www.FredEvans.com

PECK & FOOTHILL, SANTA PAULA 32.5 Acre former avocado ranch. 32.5 Acre former avocado ranch. Located at the west end of Santa Paula, intersection of Foothill & Peck Road. Unmatched views of the Santa Clara River Valley and Channel Islands. Seven Membership Shares in Farmers Mutual water company. Potential for future subdivision development. Seller financing available for qualified buyer. Listed for $1,800,000 www.FredEvans.com

3207 FOOTHILL ROAD, VENTURA Ventura Ocean & island View. A Mid-Century beauty with a second story addition completed in 2001 with 5 bedrooms & 3 baths and over 2000 square feet. Lot approx. 9100 sq. ft, enough room for accessory dwelling unit.

NOW LISTED FOR $939,000. www.3207Foothill.com

1029 PACIFIC VIEW DRIVE, VENTURA Ventura 240-degree panoramic ocean, island & city lights view lot. Above downtown Ventura on a private street. Over a quarter acre lot. Now is your chance to secure spectacular view lot in the city. Offered at $795,000 www.FredEvans.com

8138 SILVER CIRCLE, VENTURA Popular Citrus Walk, East Ventura.

Welcome home to this beautiful 4-bedroom, 2.5 bath home built in 2007. Over 2300 square feet, family room & two fireplace. Highly upgraded with wood floors, plantation shutters, air conditioning & large backyard. Granite counters & stainless-steel appliance in kitchen. Close to Ventura Community Park. Listed for $749,000. www.8138SilverCircle.com

685 SAPPHIRE AVENUE, VENTURA Popular East Ventura Stonehedge. Sought after & largest single level model w/ family room. Three bedrooms, two baths approx. 1627 sq. ft. Highly upgraded w/ newer stainless-steel appliances, & granite counter tops.

Gorgeous newer engineered wood flooring in living room, family room, hall along w/ custom tile flooring in kitchen & bathrooms. Cathedral ceilings in several rooms.

Fireplace in living room. Oversized lot w/ fabulous resort style backyard, & drought tolerant artificial grass. Priced to sell at $699,900 www.685SapphireAve.com

645 SPRINGFIELD AVENUE, VENTURA East Ventura, desirable Edgemont tract. Three bedrooms, 2 ½ baths.

Living room with w/ fireplace. Master bedroom w/ walk-in closet. Light & bright w/ skylights & high ceilings. Updated bathrooms. Close to Citrus Glen School, Kimball Community Park. Listed for $649,000 www.645Springfield.com

405 PROSPECT STREET, OAK VIEW New construction, Oak View.

Featuring 2 BR / 1 BA on almost 2.5-acre lot. Adjacent to bike & horse trail that runs from Ventura to Ojai. End of street location.

High quality constructed, high-end finishes. House built to latest energy codes. Seasonal creek located on property. City water plus shared well. Listed for $575,000 www.405ProspectSt.com

Fred Evans - Bringing a world of Real Estate knowledge & experience to Ventura County.

NOW IN MY 35TH YEAR OF SELLING REAL ESTATE!

fredevans.com global.remax.com california101guide.com

Translated in over 42 languages

Buying or Selling?

Call The Fred Evans Team:

805-339-3502 (office) or 805-267-6701 (cell) DRE Lic.# 00893591 Spring 2020 21

22

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

CALIFORNIA 101 Boating and Fishing

CA 101

- AT CHANNEL ISLANDS HARBOR

Hook’s Landing 3600 Cabezone Cir., Suite 115, Oxnard, CA 93035 (805) 382-0402 www.hookslanding.net Get Hooked on Fishing!

LOCAL FISHERMAN EXPECT THE BEST Welcome Aboard! Hook’s Sportfishing is a 4th generation family operated business that specializes in providing the finest in saltwater sport fishing experiences in the Channel Islands.

We offer open party and private charter trips for all occasions! Whether you are looking for an exotic outer island overnight or multi-day adventure to local freelance half and 3/4 day trips, we stand ready to help make unforgettable memories that will last a lifetime!

Hopper Boat Rentals 2741 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard, CA 93035 (805) 382-1100 www.hopperboatrentals.com Come on down and enjoy a day on the water. Hopper Boat Rentals is the best place along the coast to rent almost any kind of “U-Drive” boat you’ve been looking for.

We have electric boats, kayaks, paddle boat and paddle boards, all available for hourly rentals.

Most popular are our electric boats which can fit 8-12 passengers; perfect for packing a picnic and some beverages and heading out with a few friends in the early afternoon for a little buzz around the harbor.

Channel Islands Sportfishing (CISCOS) 4151 S. Victoria Ave., Oxnard, CA 93035 (805) 382-1612 www.ciscos.com

BL

E

Blue Highways Productions Magazine production from start to finish.

HIGHW S AY

U

Fishing enthusiasts love having access to the thriving marine habitat that surrounds the Northern Channel Islands. Fish species include World record Halibut, White Seabass, Yellowtail, Sheephead, a variety of Rockfish, Lingcod and Whitefish, along with surface fish, which can include Calico bass, Barracuda, Sand Bass and more! In the off season, Sand Dab fishing is excellent.

Daily trips available include, 1/2 day, 3/4 day, Full day and Overnight trips. Seasonal Whale watching, private fishing charters, harbor cruises, dolphin adventures, and more are also available. *All sport boats at Channel Islands Sportfishing are privately owned and operated.

At Blue Highways Productions, we design and produce a variety of publications.

®

WE MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU! Depending On Your Needs, We Offer Design, Production, Editorial, Advertising Sales, Printing, Distribution, Web, Social Media.

Contact our office at (833) 805-0101 x101 • info@ca101guide.com 1129 Maricopa Highway #B-201 Ojai, California 93023 Publications Blue Highways Productions has produced in 2018/19 ia 101 californ

FALL 2019

LIVE • STAY

• PLAY

• GETAWAY

VENTURA

Ojai The 119th

Film Festival

19th Annual

s Guide S Traveler COUNTIE SB • SLO ®

stival

Ojai Film Fe

•

November 1

Tennis Tournament April 24-28, 2019

- 11, 2018

33 Countries Representing 90+ Films cutive Panels •

Exe orees | Film Celebrity Hon Screenings s | Gold Coast Focus Earth Film

54 6

AM 2/8/19 8:31

_v1.indd

OACT Mag_2019

california101guide.com

1

CA101TG

SOME PASO

ME n I POUR ies of the regio Winer

SLO.indd

PGS _VTA-SB-

_FALL19_

1

CA 101

EVENTS

y

DAY each count I HOLIsugge stions for Top

9/17/19

9:13 AM

Full screening

schedule and

tickets online

estival.com

at OjaiFilmF

UCLA No. 1 and Weil Academy Alum Max Cressy • Photo by Holly Roberts

TheOjai.Net

Schedule of Events: Page 5 Pac-12 Previews: Pages 8-9 Map of Sites: Pages 24-25

Spring 2020

23

A view inside the greenhouse at Coastal Blooms farms.

Cruise the Cannabis Coast

By Barbara Verde All photos by Fran Collin

“I can’t smell any cannabis, can you?” whispered one silver-haired woman to another as we waited outside Coastal Blooms farm in Carpinteria on a particularly blustery Monday.

I discreetly lifted my nose up and sniffed the air, bloodhound-style.

Even though I was standing in the parking lot right outside of a 12-acre cannabis farm, I couldn’t smell a thing. I was a little perplexed, considering I can’t even hide the smell of the CBD oil I stash in my kitchen cupboard (anyone hungry for some Cheech and Chong Cheerios?)

The odor of this newly legitimized crop is much talked about in the small seaside town of Carpinteria, near where Coastal Blooms farm, and others like it, sit. The issue is a contentious one to say the least, which is one reason the free farm tours exist — to invite the public in behind the curtain, 24

Spring 2020

explain some of the nuances of farming this stinky weed, and allow people to give cannabis farms the “sniff test” in person.

For visitors, the upside is that there’s a brand-new Central Coast experience to be had, something very few people get to do: tour a legal working cannabis farm, and chat with a real live weed farmer.

In the era of legal “Mary Jane,” touring a cannabis farm in Carpinteria is the Central Coast equivalent of touring the chocolate factory in Hershey, Pennsylvania — minus the samples, but with heaps more natural light and laughs.

Ed Van Wingerden explains the nuances of cannabis farming on a tour of his farm.

Outside the entrance to Coastal Blooms, a stately man with a full head of silver hair and a light Dutch accent chats away with eager visitors. He looks like he could be the younger Dutch brother of Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise.

Ed Van Wingerden, owner california101guide.com

Racks of clones getting their start in growing medium.

of Coastal Blooms and leader of the tour, immigrated to Carpinteria with his family at age 11, in 1967. The Van Wingerden family brought more than 300 years of lettuce and tomato greenhouse farming experience with them — farming experience that tour-goers would later learn is just as applicable to farming the “jazz lettuce” as it is to cabbage and iceberg.

Our tour kicks off with Ed introducing himself and his farm, explaining that he got his farming start at 23 years of age. He has been farming for more than 40 years. His first crops were avocados, and then he transitioned into buds.

Not the smokable kind, but the Gerbera Daisy variety.

“It was the exchange rate with Canada that killed our Gerbera business,” he explains.

When Canada was able to offer Gerberas at a fraction of the price, even long-standing customers stopped buying. “And right around this time,” Ed continues, “cannabis became an option.”

Ed leads us to our first stop on the tour: a humid room, where it all begins, where stems from mature california101guide.com

“Orange Cookies” clones in growing medium at Coastal Blooms.

hardiest, best-growing of the babies will get to be one of the chosen few whose flower buds eventually land in someone’s pipe, tincture, mint, or joint.

Ed Van Wingerden shows off one of his cannabis plants on a tour of his farm.

plants (clones) get put into growing medium. If this were a hospital, we’d be in the delivery room. As Ed explains how the cloning process works, a woman in the corner strips leaves from small cuttings that will then be placed in rockwool, a medium used to start the plants off.

Unlike real newborns, these little plants must prove their worthiness in the “hardening off” area. Only the

As the tour moves along, we wind our way through the various stages of a commercial cannabis plant’s life. Every stage has a tag and is recorded by the state of California, even if the plant gets tossed and mulched. On our way to the greenhouse, one of the younger tour-goers, a clean-cut athletic fellow in his 30s, asks if this farm correlates to any specific cannabis brands. “Yes!” pipes Farmer Ed. “Pacific Stone!”

The guy who asked the question smiles.

“Aw, I have some of that at home. I like it.” His smile seems contagious as others in the crowd glance at each other with knowing smirks.

Much of the cannabis grown on farms that host tours will go directly into packaged brands, such as Glasshouse, ValyCali, Autumn Brands, Pacific Stone, etc. These brands can be purchased directly at dispensaries, bringing new meaning to the highly sought-after “farm-totable” — or rather, “farmto-toke” – concept.

Farmer Ed leads us down a hallway and opens some doors. The air that rushes Spring 2020

25

One of the happy employees at Coastal Blooms checks for pests on the cannabis plants.

out feels like it’s straight from Tahiti — warm, humid, and tropical.

As we step inside the expansive, lightfilled greenhouse, an emerald ocean of happy, pristine cannabis plants reveals itself. Most of us are smiling, some are downright giddy. It’s hard not to sport a cheesy kid-in-a-candy-store grin when walking around thousands upon thousands of plants that only a short while ago were “verboden,” as the Dutch would say.

As we walk between rows of cannabis plants with labels like “wedding cake” and “forbidden fruit,” Ed talks about cannabis farming practices. He stops and holds up some small bags. “This is persimilis. This guy right here takes care of two-spotted mites … We buy enormous amounts of predaceous insects, which means that they literally go after the bad guy and eat ‘em up.”

Farmer Ed isn’t kidding when he says an “enormous amount.” He goes on to share that Coastal Blooms purchases about $20,000 worth of beneficial insects every week. That’s a brand-new Tesla’s worth of insects every month!

The insects are needed because pesticides are not an option for cannabis farmers, due to the extensive 26

Spring 2020

testing their finished product goes through before it gets into a licensed shop.

Thankfully, the state of California doesn’t want pesticides or any other nasty chemicals to end up in your legal doobies, so everything sold in licensed dispensaries is tested to an incredibly high standard — we’re talkin’ parts-per-billion. This has effects that reverberate all the way back to the farm, with the end result being that cannabis farming is one of the cleanest types of farming around.

On our last stop on the tour, Farmer Ed shows off his odor control machine: the technology responsible for concealing the cannabis smell of a 12-acre farm from prying bloodhound-noses, like mine.

He explains that the odor control machine creates the olfactory equivalent of a curtain, blocking out the smell of cannabis from the surrounding town and neighborhood.

“And it’s not Febreze were spraying here ... it doesn’t mask the odor, it

neutralizes it.”

Apparently, the technology works by pitting terpenes against each other.

Terpenes are the aromatic oils that make roses smell like roses, oranges smell like oranges, and cannabis smell like cannabis. Coastal Blooms’ odor control system uses the pine terpene to cancel out the terpenes most associated with the cannabis smell.

Not all farms employ odor control machines. That’s something Ed hopes will change so that residents will be talking less about the smell of weed, and more about the vibrant new industry on the Central Coast.

At the end of our tour, Ed answers questions and shakes hands as people filter back out into the real world — the world where people don’t nonchalantly walk around thousands of weed plants.

There are lots of smiles and goodwill, and we all leave with a deeper understanding of the hard work and care that goes into farming cannabis. california101guide.com

Forbidden Fruit has a fruity, tangy smell.

How to go on a Farm Tour • Email CARP Growers, info@carpgrowers.org, for their current schedule of free tours.

Larger groups can have a private tour arranged.

Know Before You Go • You cannot purchase any cannabis on the farm tours and consumption is not allowed. This is strictly enforced.

• Wear clothes and shoes that you are comfortable walking in.

• Give yourself a bit of extra time to find the farm you are touring.

Cannabis farms often have nondescript, easy-to-miss-entrances.

• Be prepared for lots of Instagramworthy shots inside the farm.

What Pairs Well with a Cannabis Farm Tour?

After your farm tour, check out these spots in nearby Carpinteria: california101guide.com

• Island Brewing Company: Rest your dogs as you sip some cold ones and enjoy the ocean air at this family-run, award-winning microbrewery.

• Crushcakes, Robitaille’s, or Fosters Freeze: Got the munchies after your cannabis farm tour? Treat yourself at one of these sweet Carpinteria establishments for cupcakes, candy, and milkshakes, in that order.

• The Palms: For heartier hunger pangs, hit up this historic 1912 bar & grill featuring cook-your-own burgers, steaks, and chops.

• Heritage Goods and Supply: Pick up a “Support Your Local Farmer” t-shirt at this chic boutique off Linden Avenue.

The Ultimate Cannabis Farm Tour Pairing: A Dispensary!

The ultimate cannabis farm tour pairing is a local dispensary. Smell some cannabis flower, purchase a locally grown brand, ask questions, and enjoy responsibly. You can find local

dispensary listings on page 28.

Other Cannabis-Related Activities on the Central Coast • Try SB Verde free Self-Guided Cannabis Walking Tours for elevated adventure. Tours are available for Santa Barbara and Ojai, and pair elevated states with local eateries and experiences. Free to download from SBVerde.com.

• KopSun hosts educational events such as Leaf Learning and Coffee with a Cannabis Farmer, check KopSun.com for details.

• Sespe Creek Collective in Ojai hosts pottery making sessions (BYOC) and cannabis cooking classes. See sespe.org/events for dates and times.

Barbara Verde is co-creator of SBVerde.com, the premier guide to cannabis on the Central Coast.

Spring 2020

27

Your Guide to Cannabis-Friendly 805

28

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

29

CALIFORNIA 101 SB Verde - Cannabis Directory - Brands Autumn Brands autumnbrands.com

edge environmental controls maximize the coastal sun’s benefit and eliminate harsh elements and bugs that tamper with quality. Finally, each flower is trimmed and packaged with exceeding care to deliver a consistently premium product that we, as highly discerning consumers, are proud to sell.

Pacific Stone

pacificstonebrand.com

CA 101

We’re a small, hardy bunch of innovators and misfits, making a living off the land like generations before us in the Santa Ynez Valley. Our family-owned farm is nestled deep within the mountains where we farm sun-grown cannabis using sustainable and organic practices.

Our philosophy is simple: grow quality flower, respect the trailblazers, take care of the Earth, and make people feel good.

Wellfounded Autumn Brands is a licensed California cannabis cultivator dedicated to the synergy of health and wellness. The Autumn Brands’ family farm started in Holland more than a century ago, and today, sixth-generation farmers apply the same expertise garnered in growing the world’s finest tulips to producing pure and potent strains of cannabis in sunny, coastal Santa Barbara County.

Autumn Brands is proud to be 50 percent woman-owned, free of pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

Glass House Farms glasshousefarms.org

wellfounded.com

Pacific Stone is a labor of love from a group of friends and family located in beautiful Santa Barbara on the Pacific Coast. Pacific Stone cultivates, cures and packages sungrown cannabis direct from our greenhouse to you. In over 500+ retail locations, Pacific Stone was rated the best-selling brand in North America according to Leaflink in 2019.

Our customers have come to love our consistency; we truly provide premium cannabis at a great reliable value.

Outpost Cannabis Co. outpostcannabis.co

Earth-friendly and state-of-the-art, Glass House Farms takes the high road in all that we do. This begins at the roots with finding the finest strains of cannabis. We cultivate our crop in sparkling clean greenhouses. Cutting30

Spring 2020

Wellfounded Botanicals provides topicals, tinctures and supplements for wellness seekers and cannabis connoisseurs alike. Dedicated to wellness for people, plant and planet, we use the highest concentration of full spectrum cannabis oil allowed.

Derived from small batch single source production-lovingly sun-grown on our family farm in Santa Barbara and meticulously selected for quality and effect. We put in everything science and nature have to offer to give you holistic care for your body and mind. Sun-grown with love. california101guide.com

CALIFORNIA 101 SB Verde - Cannabis Directory - Dispensaries Coastal Dispensary

1019 Chapala St, Santa Barbara, (805) 380-7730 coastaldispensary.com And 124 S. J Street, Lompoc (805) 741-4210 coastaldisensary.com

stigma, beyond stereotype, to deliver enriching and natural experiences in a genuinely welcoming environment where even someone who’s brand new to recreational cannabis feels at home.

GreenHouse Collective 126 S H St, Lompoc (805) 819-0623 thegreenhouseca.com

CA 101

We offer an extremely friendly and knowledgeable staff, products of exceptional quality, and a discreet location near the airport in Goleta (turn at McCleans Auto Body by the blue car on the lift). Our expert staff are fully trained and are ready to recommend products. We’re here to help - not sell!

Let us help you find the exact right product for your needs.

Sespe Creek Collective 408 Bryant Cir, unit C, Ojai (855) 722-9333 • sespe.org At Coastal, our goal is simple: encouraging and embracing happy, healthy lifestyles through our premium cannabis products. You can find our dispensaries throughout central and southern California including Santa Barbara (our hometown, flagship store) and our newest location in Lompoc.

Let us help you experience what the Coastal lifestyle is all about.

Farmacy

128 W Mission St, Santa Barbara (805) 880-1207 • thefarmacysb.com

The GreenHouse Cannaboutique is a sophisticated, upscale dispensary providing a one-on-one, boutique experience. We are Santa Barbara County’s first and only female owned and operated cannabis dispensary showcasing a variety of top quality products with knowledgeable staff and a welcoming environment. Upon entering our chic reception area, you’ll receive a warm welcome and refreshments. One of our friendly and knowledgeable budtenders will personally assist you inside the Budroom.

We’re excited to provide welcoming, educated access in Lompoc, the Valley of the Flowers.

Organic Greens 5902 Daley St, Goleta (805) 770-0580 ogcollective.org

The Farmacy Santa Barbara is an expertly curated, fully licensed 21+ cannabis shop and delivery service serving Santa Barbara County—no prescriptions or medical cards required.

We believe in the power of sustainably produced cannabis products for recreation, self-care, and social connection. We are moving beyond california101guide.com

Whether you’re new to cannabis or consider yourself a discerning aficionado, your visit to Sespe Creek Collective promises to be memorable.

Our highly trained and passionate staff is committed to helping our guests find the most therapeutic solutions for their needs. Our focus is always on the medical use of this healing plant.

And whether you shop in our lovely Ojai boutique, order online for fast pickup or choose discreet delivery to your doorstep, you’re guaranteed only the highest quality products and accessories from the most reputable vendors in the business. It’s no wonder we’ve been voted the Best Dispensary two years in a row!

Spring 2020

31

Two Distinct Hotels

One Unique Vision

Blue

Emerald

the

the

Capturing the Essence of Ojai

Escape the Ordinary

ROOMS, SUITES & COTTAGES IN-ROOM SPA TREATMENTS MOST HAVE FIREPLACES CLAWFOOT OR WHIRLPOOL TUBS

Nestled in the heart of downtown Ojai, the Emerald Iguana Inn is an intimate and luxurious hideaway inviting relaxation and rejuvenation amid a lush oasis of exquisite beauty.

ROOMS, SUITES & BUNGALOWS IN-ROOM SPA TREATMENTS LUSH GARDENS, POOL & SPA PICTURESQUE COURTYARDS

Distinguished as “hip and stylish” by Sunset Magazine, the Blue Iguana Inn is considered a local artistic treasure. This charming Inn is truly a unique and affordable destination.

805.646.5277

iguanainnsofojai.com Two Boutique Hotels

The Iguana Inns of Ojai were designed and built by Whitman Architectural Design Marc Whitman, A.I.A., LEED, NCARB PRINCIPAL ARCHITECT

www.whitman-architect.com 805.646.8485 marc@whitman-architect.com 32

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

33

CALIFORNIA 101 Dining Guide

— OJAI

CA 101

AZU Restaurant & Ojai Valley Brewery 457 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai CA 93023 (805) 640-7987 www.azuojai.com AZU Restaurant and Ojai Valley Brewery is located in downtown Ojai on Main Street. Offering Fresh California, Mexican Cuisine, Local Artisanal Beers handcrafted on Bryant street, Local Wines and Craft Cocktails. We make gluten free beer and have a dedicated gluten free fryer for celiac-friendly french fries.

We offer a multitude of dining experiences with family tables and bar in the front, romantic fireplace dining room, private dining room with bar and garden patio open seasonally. We are open all day 7 days a week, serving Brunch, Lunch and Dinner. Check out our website for more information

Bonnie Lu’s Country Cafe 328 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 646-0207 Open Daily for Breakfast & Lunch 7am - 2:30pm • Closed Wednesdays We are a charming country cafe serving good fixin’s with a smile!

An Ojai favorite classic American diner since 1995.

Traditional comfort food including farm-fresh omelets, homemade soups, and hearty sandwiches made with ingredients from local distributors.

Ca’ Marco Ristorante 1002 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 640-1048 www. camarcoojai.com Ca’ Marco has become a hit in Ojai with its inviting atmosphere and delicious authentic Italian dishes. On warm days, guests enjoy the patio with views to the back nine of the Soule Park Golf Course.

When it chills up they cozy up inside near the fireplace.

No matter where you sit, you bask in that sweet spot between fine dining and comfort food that Ca’ Marco has managed to master.

The food is prepared to impress, from the fresh bread and dipping sauce brought to the table, to the thoughtfully constituted salads, to the homemade pizza and large, interesting wine list.

Hakane Sushi - Ojai Style Sushi ESTABLISHED

2008

967 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 640-3070 Izakaya Menu • Unique Appetizers • Bento Gozen • Bento Omakase Top Sushi Chef with over 30 years experience “We treat our fish with care from the heart” • Locally Owned Patio Dining • Pet Friendly Patio • Wine & Beer • Variety of Cold Sake, Daily Lunch & Dinner Specials • Vegetarian Menu • Seasonal Hot Soups Available Check out our Fish Art Gallery

34

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

CALIFORNIA 101 Dining Guide

— OJAI

CA 101

Sakura Ojai Japanese Restaurant 219 E. Matilija St., Ojai, CA 93023 www.sakuraojai.com (805) 646-8777 Mon - Thur - 11:30 - 2:30/5 - 9:30 • Fri - 11:30 - 2:30/5 - 10 • Sat 11:30 - 10 • Sun - 11:30 - 9:30 • Sushi, Roll• Vegetarian Dishes • Teppan Yaki (Salmon, Shrimp, Chicken, Beef, Rib Eye Steak) • Soup and Noodles • Salad and More!

Jim & Rob’s Fresh Grill 214 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 www.jimandrobsojai.com (805) 640-1301 Voted Best Burrito & Best Burger in town! Proudly serving locals & visitors for over 21 years!

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Veggie, Vegan & G-free items available!

Margaritas, Seasonal Cocktails, Craft Beers • Happy Hours 3-6pm Mon-Fri, Sports on 5 HDTVs! Restaurant open @8am Daily Enjoy a drink on the patio! Cantina open @12pm M-F, 11am S-S

Food Harmonics 254 E. Ojai Ave. In The Arcade, Ojai, CA 93023 www. foodharmonicsojai.com (805) 798-9253 Paleo Healing food & drink in a beautiful setting, in Ojai’s Historic Arcade. Inside & Patio setting. Organic Wine & Beer

Ojai Cafe Emporium 108 S. Montgomery St., Ojai, CA 93023 www. ojaicafeemporium.com (805) 646-2723 Open 7 days a week from 7am till 3pm Serving the Ojai Valley since 1985.

A favorite Breakfast and Lunch spot for locals and visitors.

Voted Best Bakery, Breakfast and Lunch. Beautiful outdoor dining as well as indoors. Visit our Bakery located in the front of the building, featuring fresh baked goods and coffee bar.

We are known for our fresh food and extensive menu, you’re sure to find something to please everyone.

We look forward to serving you soon. california101guide.com

Spring 2020

35

COMING SOON

Immaculate 3 bed, 2 bath single story house on 1/3 acre in prime Ojai area. Includes legal second unit with separate entry. Great entertaining back yard with pool, mountain views, BBQ area and fire pit. Includes oversized garage, new roof, remodeled kitchen solar panels (owned) and low maintenance landscaping. $1,295,000

READY TO BUILD

RARE FIND IN OJAI

– SOLD – One of the last buildable lots in Rancho Matilija---Buyer to verify.

Completely flat, interior location, mountain views, adjacent to walking and riding trails and includes 1 Casitas water and sewer hook up. $549,500

Rare find in Ojai. Spacious duplex in heart of downtown Ojai just steps from Libbey Park and walking trail. Set among towering Oaks, the front unit-A is 3-bed, 2.5-bath recently updated and currently vacant. Unit-B is 2-bed, 1.5-bath with rent $2050/mo $995,000

DENNIS GUERNSEY

cell: 805.798.1998 Office: 805.646.7288 727 W. OJAI AVE., OJAI CA 93023 dennisguernsey.com dennisguernsey@gmail.com Lic. 00499291 36

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Full Bar. 50 beers.

Full Kitchen from 5:00.

Summer Camp is a home, lifestyle and custom frame shop, located in a 1950’s gas station along highway 150, in Ojai.

We carry handmade objects and gifts, with a focus on small batch, local and sustainable work.

We love working with local artists and makers to bring one of a kind goods to you. We also specialize in custom picture framing. Preserving and showcasing your artwork, paintings and photography, with a wide range of options to choose from.

We will match any written framing quote, including online framing websites.

Open Tues-Saturday 11am - 5pm & Sunday 12pm-4pm

Wine tasting available 7 days a week Open Noon Every Day Live music 7:30-11:00

1020 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 861-7109 www.shopsummercamp.com

308 E Ojai Ave

C O MCOME E F FIND I N DYOUR YOUR

HANGRI-LA SHANGRI-LA CARE CENTER CARE CENTER

ATIO N A L & &MMEDICAL E D I CDISPENSARY AL DISPENSARY RECREATIONAL

aturdayMonday-Saturday

7pm10am-7pm

ay

Sunday

7pm12pm-7pm

408 Bryant Circle, 408 Bryant Circle, Ste. G, Ojai Ste. G, Ojai

805.640.6464 805.640.6464 State permit C10-0000474-Lic

State permit C10-0000474-Lic

us online at SLCC.info and onon Instagram @SLCC_Ojai @SLCC_Ojai line atVisitSLCC.info and Instagram california101guide.com

Spring 2020

37

The Ojai Art Center presents the 43rd Annual

in the T Ar ParK

poster art by

Amy Lynn Stevenson

Libbey Park | May 23rd & 24th, 2020 | 10-5pm

ART ~ MUSIC ~ FOOD ~ FUN ~ FREE

ojaiartcenter.org

Explore Ojai Valley’s History, Art and Culture 130 West Ojai Avenue 805 640-1390 www.OjaiValleyMuseum.org

38

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

CALIFORNIA 101 Mind, Body & Soul

— OJAI

CA 101

Body Essentials of Ojai Wellness Spa 236 W. Ojai Ave., #101, Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 646-7600 www. bodyessentialsojai.net Voted 2018 BEST DAY SPA & BEST FACIAL Conveniently located in the heart of downtown Ojai, Body Essentials is the valley’s oldest day spa. Using a holistic approach with an emphasis on stress reduction, and the balance of mind, body and spirit, we offer a wide variety of relaxing, detoxifying and revitalizing spa treatments. Our team of professionals provide excellent customer service in a beautiful environment where our guests are truly cared for. Give us a call today and enjoy state-of-the-art wellness delivered with Ojai love!

The Day Spa of Ojai 209 N. Montgomery St., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 640-1100 www. thedayspa.com Our mission is to offer a place of tranquility and rejuvenation. A place where one can come to mend … to rest their body and their mind. A quiet place to reconnect with the spirit within. We will do all we can to make you feel comfortable … to take care of you… to help bring you back to an energized feeling of wellbeing.

The therapists at The Day Spa of Ojai are highly trained to recognize and apply our various treatments and products to your specific needs. The professional and personalized skin analysis and recommendations you will receive at The Day Spa of Ojai are simply not available at your local department or drug store.

Bamboo Creek Spa 1002 E. Ojai Ave., Suite B, Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 299-5899 www.bamboocreekspa.com Open every day 10am - 10pm (except Tuesday 11am - 8 pm) Bamboo Creek Spa is a sanctuary located in downtown Ojai, California. Opened in 2012

by Alice Ramsay, a Chinese native now living in the USA, the spa is an outgrowth of Alice’s desire to bring massage to more people at modest prices. Hot oil massage - Allows for deep finger pressure and slow firm strokes, releasing chronic patterns of tension and stress. Reflexology - An ancient Chinese healing therapy that stimulates the entire body and brings on natural healing properties. Hot Stone Therapy - Hot stones bring heat to sore, stiff muscles, restoring energy and balance while melting away tension.

AA Relaxing Station 323 E. Matilija St., Ojai, Ca 93023 (805) 640-1602 Wed - Mon: 10am - 10pm • Tues: 10am - 8pm Both men and women can find professional spa services to suit their needs at Ojai’s AA Relaxing Station. Reduce stress and unwanted knots with a full body massage. Seeking alternative remedies like physiotherapy? This spa can help you with all of your needs. Stop going to places that make you wait days or even weeks for an appointment. This spa lets you come in when you’re ready with their convenient walk-in policy. Customers at AA Relaxing Station will love the simple and nearby street parking options.

Ojai Energetics CBD Integrative Health Center 236 W. Ojai Ave., #100, Ojai, Ca 93023 (805) 640-5586 www.ojaienergetics.com Ancient Roots | Modern Innovation. Full Spectrum Hemp CBD Elixir · CBD Sport Gel · CBD Coconut Oils Experience the most advanced CBD on the planet. Our water-soluble Full Spectrum Hemp Elixir is the fastest-acting, most bioavailable CBD available. All Ojai Energetics products are organic and free of synthetics to deliver the purest, safest, most effective CBD rich hemp oil.

15% off first purchase for California 101 Traveler’s Guide Visitors!

Wed- Sun · 9AM - 5PM - Community Ear Acupuncture Clinic · Most Sat - 10am-2pm california101guide.com

Spring 2020

39

Photo by Blakeney Sanford

Santa Barbara County artist Blakeney Sanford mixes of fiberglass and resin to create largerthan-life installations inspired by the ocean.

40

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Into the Blue

By Amelia Rose Simpson

WITH

Blakeney Sanford loves the blues — in her work, that is. This Santa Barbara County artist creates installations big and small that pay tribute to the ocean that borders her childhood home.

But the road to installation art was a long and winding one. Born in the Santa Barbara area, Blakeney grew up on a ranch. “I ran wild in the hills of California my entire childhood!” Blakeney shares. Today, she lives and works in her art studio on another ranch, scant miles away from where she was raised. Her family, pioneers in the local wine industry, were the first to plant pinot noir grapes in the area in the early 1970s.

“My parents had a huge impact on the wine

ARTIST BLAKENEY SANFORD

industry because of the way they farmed and their respect for the environment,” Blakeney says. “I grew up with an important connection to nature on many levels. I was totally emerged in it throughout my childhood, and deeply influenced by my parents and their awareness of our connection to nature and our impact on it, as well.”

Love of the outdoors prompted Blakeney, as a young adult, to become a full-time teacher. She took

students on ocean expeditions in a sailboat. She Photo by Blakeney Sanford Sanford’s Shark Park Series was commissioned cites a brush for the Surf Rider Foundation’s “Women Making with death Waves” awards. (her appendix burst in a remote part of Mexico) as the reason her life made a 180-degree turn. “I had always wanted to create art, but I never had the courage until that experience in Mexico,” she reflects. “It was then I realized how brief our time on the planet can be. I dove into art and life with unstoppable zest and passion.”

Blakeney works in several mediums, including painting and photography, but she considers herself a sculptor and installation artist first. She’s best known for her sitespecific, large scale installation sculptures. She draws on her love of the water, surfing, and swimming, and aims to share the awe she feels while in the water by giving the viewer a sense of being surrounded by the ocean. “Ultimately, what translates is an all-encompassing

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

41

Photo by Bill Dewey

Sanford created “Blue Tube - 7.85” by wrapping panels in a half circle formation around a wall mirror.

experience of floating or being submerged in water,” Blakeney explains. “I find peace and tranquility in the ocean, and I am trying to translate this experience into my art.”

She set about inventing a material — a mix of fiberglass and resin — to bring her artistic vision into the world. Blakeney uses the highest quality materials with the least amount of environmental impact. “I had worked on boats and with surfboards, so I was very familiar with resin and fiberglass, and knew how to manipulate these materials to execute my vision of what I wanted to create.”

Photos by Bennett Williams

Above and below: Sanford’s 40-foot-square recreation of The Big Break is on permanent display on Center Drive, in the Playa District of Los Angeles.

Almost immediately after Blakeney turned her full attention to her art, she was offered an opportunity to show her work in a gallery in San Clemente, CA. This became the first installation of a series, called Shades of Blue, which has evolved over the last decade. For this installation, Blakeney used an epoxy bioresin tinted in various shades of blue to create a series of panels, held together by a steel armature in the shape of a giant arching wave.

The result was a large-scale, immersive piece of art where the viewer becomes a participant in the piece, and the blue tiles cast shadows upon the viewer.

Blakeney’s work received critical acclaim, and commissions came in from ROXY and QuickSilver. She was commissioned by ROXY to design the 1st and 2nd Place trophies for their Australian Pro Tour, and was a participant in multiple solo and group shows in museums and galleries around the United States.

Blakeney also had success with Shark Park, a two-part series that is close to her heart. She created paintings along with small, matching resin sculptures of silhouettes of women in surfing positions, all in shades of blue. These were exhibited in shows (including one at the Sullivan Goss Gallery in Santa Barbara) and in galleries around the U.S. when the Surf Rider Foundation commissioned two Shark Park surfers for their “Women Making Waves” awards, honoring women who made the biggest impact in protecting the ocean.

Most of the work Blakeney does is site-specific, creating sculptures for a space. She also enjoys working on smaller pieces that are models for her larger work. This gives her a chance to work out the details and to focus on the more intricate facets of the piece. Most recently she completed a permanent public installation called The Big Break. It sits in a courtyard in the Playa District, at 6080 Center Drive, in Los Angeles. It is a two-dimensional copy of a threedimensional piece she had made previously. “I was working with a team to help

42

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Photo by Bill Dewey

“Rogue Wave” breaks from the outside of the building through the wall and into the inside of this Carpinteria building.

Photo by Blakeney Sanford

Light plays across this outdoor installation.

translate my work using an ultra-highresolution image that can be applied in any space. It looks 3-D, but when you walk up to it you realize that it is 2-D.” For the last two years Blakeney has been working on a huge, permanent installation for the corporate headquarters of Go Pro. While she’s still using her famous resin panels,

Photo by Blakeney Sanford

“Cocoon” envelops the participant in a blanket of blue, inspiring a sense of calm and security in this Santa Barbara installation.

this piece is moving away from Blakeney’s more literal ocean and wave pieces. “This is much more of a contemporary piece,” she shares. “I am now pushing into the more modern and abstract arena, but still using my variation of blues, shadows, and light to create that fully-consuming experience that I love.”

Blakeney encourages people who are interested her work to reach out, and welcomes studio visits to her ranch. To schedule a tour, visit blakeneysanford.com.

Photo by Nick Reinhardt

In New Jersey, “Building Swell” casts blue shadows on the space beneath, enveloping the participant in color. california101guide.com

Spring 2020

43

HORSE, HEART & CONNECTION An Equine Experience in Ojai, Califor nia Explore spiritual wellness, mindfulness and embodied intuition with the horse as your mirror - with Equine Facilitated Learning teacher, Andrea Gaines

i s an o p p o r tun i t y t o be w it h

Small group s es s io ns a nd privates , maxim um 6 participants.

t o ex p l o r e yo u r in t u it ive

Cultivate your inner k nowing with hors es.

Equine F a ci l i ta te d L e arn in g hor s es, w i th ou t riding, n a tu r e, no n -ve rbal

Andre a G a i n es (847) 971-3643

c o mmu n i ca ti o n an d be you r a uthenti c se lf.

10 0

EMIU R P + 0

Instagram: @horseheartandconnection

horseheartandconnection.com

M

UC PROD

TS

Ojai Cafe’ Emporium,

Prime Commercial Real Estate in Downtown Ojai with WellEstablished Business. Prime location steps away from all of Ojai’s events and attractions. Ojai Cafe’ Emporium has for over 34 years addressed the need in the community for a warm and friendly dining destination for family, friends and business. Included on the property is an adjoining bakery/coffee shop producing fresh baked goods every morning.

Real Estate and Land $2,200,000

Tom Weber - Broker Cal DRE#00805061

44

Spring 2020

805-320-2004 TomWeber@ojaitom.com

california101guide.com

CLOTHES JEWELRY VINYL YARN FABRIC CLASSES A creative lifestyle shop and inspiring gathering place for makers and lovers of beautifully crafted goods.

209 W Ojai Ave Open daily california101guide.com

cattywampuscrafts.com 805-633-9222 Spring 2020

45

Ojai Cafe Emporium Ojai’s favorite gathering and eating place for over 30 years.

Voted Best Bakery, Breakfast & Lunch Place ‘10 ‘11 ‘12 ‘13 ‘14 ‘15 ‘16

805 646 2723

108 S. Montgomery Street / off Ojai Ave www.ojaicafeemporium.com BREAKFAST Served All Day Every Day LUNCH Served Daily11am-3pm BAKERY & COFFEE BAR Open Daily 6:30am-3pm 46

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Photo by Nathan Wickstrum

Together, our community will help protect Ojai’s trails and open spaces for everyone to enjoy, forever.

Visit a participating Wild About Ojai business today and take part.

A Taste of Ojai

GoOjai.com

Ojai Quarterly

Alojai Creations

Greyfox Investors

Rowsie Vain

BeCalm of Ojai

Jennifer Keeler, Hair Stylist

Sol Haus Design

Chamber on the Mountain

Lorraine Lim Catering

Char Man Brand Hot Sauce

Mary Nelson Skincare & Massage Studio

Tobias Parker, General Contractor

Dogs Fly Design The Glass Man Professional Window Washing Company california101guide.com

Meridian Design Construction

Tonya Peralta Real Estate Services, Inc

Mooney Creative

Watercolors by Patty Van Dyke Spring 2020

47

Wilde

Larry 805.640.5734

Erik 805.830.3254

Modern Ranch in Downtown Ojai $7,900,000

48

Rancho Matilija | 3500 SF+ | Open Floorplan 2.3 Acres | $1,495,000

East End | Spectacular Views “Rodney Walker” Pedigree $2,950,000

Arbolada Classic | One plus acre Guest Suite | $1,595,000

Ojai Church For Sale | Half Acre | Approximately 4000 SF Steps to Ojai Downtown | $1,295,000

East End Six Acres | Very Productive Water Well Grand Avenue | $1,200,000

2+ acre Oak Studded lot with water in Rancho Matilija | $549,000

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

East End Ojai Craftsman | $1,800,000 | 1615McNellRoad.com

IN ESCROW

25+ Acres | Thacher Road Well Water | $1,750,000

IN ESCROW

Nine Cottages | Thacher Road Five Acres | $2,750,000

Light-Industrial | Bryant Circle | 2450 SF Solar Electricity | $959,500

Commercial Lot in Ojai $375,000

Ojai Avenue Lot For Sale $325,000

727 W. Ojai Ave. - Ojai - CA 93023 - Larry - 805.640.5734 - Erik - 805.830.3254 wilde-wilde.com - lwilde@west.net - erikw@west.net Larry Wilde DRE:#15216270 - Erik Wile DRT:#01461074

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

49

INDIA

RISHI VALLEY

the art of JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

OAKGROVESCHOOL.ORG

NOW ENROLLING 2020-2021

OAK GROVE SCHOOL The Art of Living and Learning

50

Spring 2020

living & learning Oak Grove’s expansive, 150-acre campus is reflective of its academic approach: A college preparatory DAY and BOARDING High School with an intimate, home-style boarding program. A rich academic curriculum, emphasizing depth over breadth, spanning PRESCHOOL through HIGH SCHOOL. Engaging OUTDOOR EDUCATION courses that include camping, backpacking, international and domestic travel. This approach prepares students to function with excellence, care, and responsibility in the world. california101guide.com

California 101 Golf Trail

Teeing up on East Ventura County Greens

By The Unknown Golfer

PHoto

By

tyLer Hendy

C

entral California weather is golfing weather. It’s no wonder, then, that the Thousand Oaks/Westlake/Camarillo area has a number of amazing golf courses — suited for alifornia playground anyone loves101. the outdoors. From hiking golfers of is allaabilities — withinfor easy access who of Highway

C

and fishing, to surfing and camping, it would take 100 lifetimes to explore

Here are three courses we would recommend checking out this spring: Sterling Hills Golf Club, every nook and cranny of the Golden State. When you factor in the more Los Robles Greens, and Westlake Golf Course. Over the span of two days, I visited the Sterling than 900 (astoestimated Southern PGA), Hills Golfgolf Clubcourses and talked a twosome by as they enjoyedCalifornia a post-round drink,California talked with is thea golfer’s come Generaldream Manager of thetrue.

Westlake Golf Course about what they have to offer the golf community, and, finally, got out and played a delightful round with a longtime friend at Los Robles Greens.

From the rolling hills and mountain views, to the cliffs and ocean vistas, there’s no My take away from all and three greens experiences: All three courses are fun and in greattoshape as we shortage of fairways for every level of linksman seeking find some come out of the winter months; all three are good values; and, I’ll be returning in the very new swinging grounds. All of these courses offer golf instruction, rentals, andnear futurethat to getcan in some funtogolf adventures! dining cater any group or individual’s specific needs. Let’s take a look at a few courses in Santa Barbara County.

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

51

S

terling Hills Golf Club - 901 Sterling Hills Dr, Camarillo. Located in beautiful Camarillo, the Sterling Hills Golf Club is a popular choice for area golfers, and it is an excellent choice for those golfers looking for an excellent value. The motto at Sterling Hills is “Great greens fore not much green.” If you play 18 holes, you can expect to spend $43 before noon on a weekday, which includes your green fee, cart, range balls, and food. Weekends prior to noon will run you $55.

STERLING HILLS GOLF CLUB PHOTOS PROVIDED BY STERLING HILLS GOLF CLUB

Built in 1999, Sterling Hills is a par-71 course with a slope of 133. Golfers appreciate the layout and design of the course, which is in excellent condition. We ran into Mark and Carol from Los Angeles, who drove up and walked on midweek (without a tee time) and loved their Sterling Hills experience.

“We come two or three times a year. Sterling Hills is a fun course and it is a nice getaway from L.A. We usually come early in the morning, so the pace is good and we enjoy the beautiful setting. My wife likes to hit the Camarillo outlets when we are done with our round, so we make a fun day of it,” said Mark.

Sterling Hills provides a full-service practice range, chipping area, practice bunker, and putting green for those looking to get in a practice session.

They also have PGA instructors on-site to provide insight into the secrets of the game, and to help you take strokes off your 52

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

golf game. If you are not playing a round, 99 range balls will only run you $12, which again is a value that is hard to beat.

“My handicap usually hovers around 14,” added Mark, “so this course is definitely a challenge for me. My wife likes the challenge as well, and Sterling Hills is definitely one of her favorite courses to play. Right now, the course is in good condition and it seems to be getting better, so the grounds crew here do a great job.”

Golfers also rave about the staff at Sterling Hills, led by Lee Harlow who serves as the head of golf. Harlow and his team work hard to ensure a positive experience and they have made several improvements in recent months that have golfers returning for more.

For more information or to book a tee time, visit sterlinghillsgolf.com, or (805) 604-1234 california101guide.com

Spring 2020

53

L

os Robles Greens - 299 S Moorpark Rd, Thousand Oaks - Leading up to my visit to Los Robles Greens, I did a little research and learned the course was recently redesigned. Online, reviewers raved about the condition of the course, and they were not lying! Los Robles Greens is in phenomenal condition and provided one of the best rounds I’ve had in recent memory.

I invited my friend Katie to join me for the round. She is currently a medical student in the Los Angeles area, so the invitation to get away for a round of golf was most welcome. Katie is a beast off the tee and solid around the green, so she’s always a fun playing partner.

LOS ROBLES GREENS

PHOTOS PROVIDED BY LOS ROBLES GREENS

Los Robles Greens is a par-70 course with a yardage of about 6,300. As we started our round, the beauty of the course definitely stood out, and the one thing both Katie and I realized is staying in the fairway is a very good thing on this course. With trees lining the fairways and lots of bunkers to navigate, I found myself taking more of a conservative approach on the tee than I normally would.

Katie, who hits long and straight, also felt the toughness of the course. “I hit the ball really well today, but I ended up off the fairway more than normal on the front nine; I made some adjustments on the back and scored much better. I think the biggest thing was I just relaxed, and took controlled swings and that paid off,” she said.

Aside from some challenges off the tee, my approach shots were solid, and the greens held onto my ball which gave me a number of makeable par putts. However, in what seems to be a recurring theme for my golf game, I left far too many putts short of the hole and recorded bogeys most of the round en route to a final score of 89.

In my pre-round research, I read that pace of play can be a challenge at Los Robles Greens, but that was not an issue for us. Both Katie and I are avid walkers when we golf; we take pride in keeping a good pace and finished our round in about four and a half hours.

Los Robles Greens was a blast, and I’ll be back in the very near future! If you are looking to play a fun and challenging course that is in great shape, consider this course! The motto at Los Robles Greens is “A public course in a private course setting,” and I think they nailed that description. Rates range from $75 on weekends during the morning (with cart) to $39 to walk on a weekday morning.

After the round, Katie and I added up our scorecards and enjoyed a drink in the Oaks Bar and Grille before heading back to our busy lives.

For more information on Los Robles Greens, visit their website at losroblesgreens.com or (805) 495-6421 54

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

W

estlake Golf Course - 4812 Lakeview Canyon Rd, Westlake Village - The Westlake Golf Course is a gem of a course, and one of the best in the area for golfers who prefer to walk. At just over 5,000 yards, the course is not long, but it does provide plenty of challenges for golfers of all abilities. “Our course is a shorter course, but it presents a good challenge,” said general manager Chris Vatcher, who has been at the course for more than 30 years. “Our greens are in excellent shape, and as we come out of the winter months, the rest of the course is really starting to green up.”

WESTLAKE GOLF COURSE PHOTOS PROVIDED BY WESTLAKE GOLF COURSE

Westlake has nine par-4 holes, seven par-3, and two par-5 holes for a total of 67. “People really like our 13th hole, which is a 170yard par-3 over water. It can be a challenging but fun hole,” added Vatcher. The final hole of the round is a 240-yard par-4, which is enticing for many golfers. “Number 18 is a great chance for a birdie. It’s drivable, but you have to hit a little draw to be able to do it. We see a lot of guests birdie the hole to end their round, which is always fun,” said Vatcher.

In addition to being a fun, challenging, and a walker-friendly course, Westlake Golf Course also has a stellar driving range with lights, so those looking to get in an evening practice session have a great option. “Our driving range is very popular, and we are open until 9 pm. We also have a number of great teachers on staff, and we do a ton of lessons here at the Westlake Golf Course.”

Golfers rave about the greens, which roll true and can provide a good challenge when they are fast. The water hazards and bunkers are said to be fair and fun to navigate. Given that it is a shorter course, the pace of play is generally well above average. As well, the staff at the Westlake Golf Course are friendly, helpful, and excited to greet newcomers.

If you walk 18 on a weekday, your green fee will run $32 with a weekend rate of $42. If you want to add a cart, that will add $14 to your total. Westlake also offers twilight and super twilight rates. The course has a snack bar, pro-shop, and bar to satisfy all of your other needs.

For more information on the course or to book a tee time, visit westlakegc.com or (818) 889-0770 california101guide.com

Spring 2020

55

CALIFORNIA 101 Golf Trail

CA 101

Simi Hills Golf Course 5031 Alamo St., Simi Valley, CA 93063 (805) 522-0803

www.simihillsgolf.com

Simi Hills Golf Course offers tree-lined rolling fairways and plush greens that will challenge golfers of all skill levels. Water hazards come into play on eight holes, and over 50 bunkers are strategically placed throughout the layout.

The course is extremely fair and fun for all golfers - just pick one of the five sets of tees to match your game, and you’ll be on your way to a great day.

Simi Hills is dedicated to providing an exceptional golf experience and one of the best values in the state.

In addition to 18 great holes of golf, Simi Hills offers exceptional practice facilities, with a lighted driving range and practice putting green, as well as chipping and bunker practice areas.

Westlake Golf Course 4812 Lakeview Canyon Rd., Westlake Village, CA 91361 (818) 889-0770 www.westlakegc.com Westlake Golf Course is centrally located between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara in the beautiful city of Westlake Village. Famed architect Ted Robinson built Westlake Golf Course in 1967. The course is tree lined and has lakes that come into play to challenge golfers. At 5005 yards from the tips, Westlake Golf Course allows a wide range of players to enjoy a great golf outing. Westlake Golf Course is an easy course to walk for exercise or take carts for a day of leisure. Westlake Golf Course offers an assortment of amenities including a 40-stall night lighted driving range, pro-shop, snack bar, a friendly fully stocked bar, nine teaching professionals, and a practice putting and chipping green. We can provide rental clubs for play on the course or driving range. Our courteous staff is always here to help in anyway that they can.

Sterling Hills Golf Club 901 Sterling Hills Dr., Camarillo, CA 93010 (805) 604-1234 www.sterlinghillsgolf.com Great Greens for Not Much Green Rates include fee, cart, range, and meal or drink.

Sterling Hills Golf Club is a hidden jewel, tucked in among Ventura County’s fertile fields of Camarillo, California, just half-way between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. Lush avocado and citrus groves give way to the 18-hole championship golf course. The course architects took advantage of the strong natural features of the area, with the sculpture of the course mirroring the beautiful topography. Boasting the best year round weather on the California Coast, Sterling Hills offers a fun filled golf experience for players of all skill levels. Come and experience our exceptional golf value with your friends! Golfers of all abilities will appreciate the four sets of tees and the finely manicured features of our course. Scenic fairways lead into large greens with subtle undulations to enhance your round of golf.

Soule Park Golf Course 1033 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 646-5633

www.soulepark.com

Soule Park Golf Course is one of the Country’s most highly regarded municipal golf courses. Situated in the spectacular Ojai Valley, Soule Park was ranked the 48th best municipal golf course in the country by Golf Week magazine in 2014.

The golf course at Soule Park was originally designed by renowned architect William F. Bell in 1962. Bell was responsible for many other iconic Southern California golf courses including Torrey Pines (North and South) in San Diego and Sandpiper in Santa Barbara. In 2005 Soule Park underwent a golf course renovation led by Gil Hanse who is one of the industry’s most highly regarded modern-day golf course architects.

Monarch Dunes 1606 Trilogy Parkway, Nipomo, CA 93444 (805) 343-9459 www.monarchdunes.com Monarch Dunes is located along the Central California Coast, just south of San Luis Obispo in Nipomo, CA. Monarch Dunes features two award-winning golf courses. The first 18-hole championship “Old Course” as well as the acclaimed 12-hole, Par-3 Challenge Course, both designed by architect Damian Pascuzzo & PGA Tour Pro Steve Pate. Both courses were uniquely created to test your skills and tempt your senses. Monarch Dunes is part of The Woodlands, a master-planned resort and Trilogy residential community which is surrounded by windswept dunes, eucalyptus trees, coastal vistas and amber-colored hillsides. Journey through central California’s coastal highlands and discover the evolving conditions and natural beauty that inspire an unforgettable golf experience... one that calls you back time and again.

Collared shirts are required on the Old Course, Challenge Course and driving range.

56

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

For over 60 wineries & 250 wines, more than 35 craft brews, Lakefront VIP Lounge with Hors d’oeuvres, a selection of local restaurants, fine artisan vendors, silent auction, fine crystal souvenir wine glass, free boat rides and all-day entertainment!

OjaiWineFestival.com

Maximillian Hair Artistry

Buddhas to Birthday Cards

OJAI HOUSE m

a

and a Huge Selection of Crystals

est. 2000 ...

um

Bumperstickers to Beeswax

ys tical empori

INTUITIVE READERS DAILY Tarot Readers Spiritual Counselors Astrologers Chair Massage & Energy Healing

OPEN DAILY 11-6

304 N. Montgomery Street, Ojai, CA

2 blocks north of Ojai Avenue & A World Apart!

805.640.1656 • OjaiHouse.com • california101guide.com

nutmegs_ojai_

Japanese Hair Straightening is the best and most popular method for PERMANENTLY straightening your hair, to tame frizzy unmanageable curly mane, straighteners are not created equal, analyzing your hair elasticity, porosity, texture, curl pattern, we will recommend you the smoothing system that is best including Keratin Treatments that are not permanent Come and select your new hair color and style your hair with a modern or traditional cut.

61 S. Ash St. Ventura, CA 93001

(805) 652- 1818 Spring 2020

57

works by

Roger de La Fresnaye Giorgio Morandi Ben Nicholson

March 12 – May 31

canvas and paper

311 N. Montgomery Street Ojai California 93023

Thursday – Sunday noon – 5pm

canvasandpaper.org

58

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

PRIVATE DOWNTOWN OASIS Situated on a private road in downtown Ojai, this elegant oasis is graced by ancient oak trees and stunning views of the Topa Topas. The 5 bedroom, 4½ bath home features a great room with a standalone double fireplace, skylights, vaulted ceilings and a chef ’s k itchen. The floors are reclaimed oak and the bathrooms feel like spas. Amenities include solar panels, a 3-zone HVAC system, double paned windows, a circulating hot water system, and a mud room. On over an acre, the proper ty includes more than 40 organic fruit trees, a double car por t, a chicken coop and an organic vegetable garden. A grapevine covered pergola offers spectacular outdoor dining and some of the best hik ing trails in Ojai are only minutes from the door.

815CanadaStOjai.com

Offered at $1,840,000

PAT T Y WALTCHER

(805) 340-3774

pattywaltcher.com california101guide.com

Lic. 01176473

Spring 2020

59

CALIFORNIA 101 Artists and Galleries

— OJAI

CA 101

Human Arts Gallery: FOR SALE 246 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 646-1525 humanartsgallery.com An arts destination for over 44 years, Human Arts is known for a diverse and unique collection of jewelry, furniture, ceramics, glass, textiles, art and sculpture.

Located in the middle of Ojai’s historic shopping district the gallery represents over 120 nationally known artists, including 25 who are local.

2500sq.ft. space, lease with options; includes fixtures, point of sale, inventory and more; great reputation in the community and loyal following.

For more information, e-mail Stan: humanartsgallery@gmail.com Hours: 11-5 Mon., Wed.-Fri. (closed Tues.) Sat. 11-6, Sun. 12-5

Firestick Pottery 1804 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 272-8760 www.firestickpottery.com FIRESTICK POTTERY STUDIO, is home to more than 20 ceramic artists, who sell their wares and teach classes. Stop in for a tour of the studio, or browse in the gallery.

You may even sign up for a Pottery Party or 2-hour Workshop.

The Studio is on a park-like acre, with pomegranates, succulents and citrus trees: Open Daily 10am - 6pm Call to schedule a workshop or party

Brittany Davis Gallery 214 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (714) 369-9869 www.brittanydavisgallery.com

@BrittanyDavisGallery /BrittanyDavisGallery

Open Monday-Sunday 11am-7pm Closed on Tuesday Brittany Davis Gallery is a classical fine art gallery with a new exciting twist. Showcasing a wide variety of paintings, sculpture, photography, ceramics, jewelry, glassware and more by local and international artists. The gallery has monthly rotating exhibits with group and solo shows. Every time you visit, there are new works to enjoy with our monthly rotation.

Also, you can find a few surprise installations in the gallery. One being the in the Sky room. Walking around the gallery is friendly to all that want to view and learn about who and how the work is made.

Dan Schultz Fine Art Gallery & Studio 106 N. Signal St., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 317-9634 www.danschultzfineart.com The gallery’s exclusive focus is artwork by American fine artist, Dan Schultz.

Visitors will see the full range of his subject matter including his popular plein air Ojai landscapes, his award-winning paintings of figures outdoors and also his portrait work. “In fact, Dan has been named Best Artist in Ojai by the Ojai Valley News Best of Ojai competition.”

When Dan isn’t outdoors painting the beautiful Ojai landscape, he is usually painting in his studio area inside the gallery. Please stop and visit next time you’re in the Ojai area!

canvas and paper 311 N. Montgomery St., Ojai, CA 93023

www.canvasandpaper.org March 12 – May 31 works by Roger de La Fresnaye, Giorgio Morandi, Ben Nicholson Hours: Thursday – Sunday, noon – 5pm A non-profit exhibition space showing paintings and drawings from the 20th century and earlier in thematic and single artist exhibits. info@canvasandpaper.org

60

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

NEW CITY ORIGINAL GINGER BEER

NEW CITY MULE

ABV

Brewed Moscow Mule w/ fresh lime

Naturally gluten-free

ABV

Made with fresh ginger Only

Naturally gluten-free

ingredients

Made with fresh ginger

Sparkling, dry & spicy

Only

ingredients

A

Now available at select bars, restaurants, grocery stores throughout Ventura County! To find us, visit newcitybrewery.com/visit/find+new+city

N

E

W

C U YA

M

A

19

52

CALIFORNIA

I N N  R E S TAU R A N T  B A R  C O F F E E cuyamabuckhorn.com | (661) 766-2825 | @cuyamabuckhorn Photo by Richard Fusillo

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

61

Olive Oils Reveal the Robust Character of the Central Coast

By Tracy Wilson

It’s late morning on a winter weekend at the Ojai Olive Oil Company tasting room, a warehouse tucked amid the olive and orange groves in the Ojai Valley’s verdant East End. Reba and Ron Seba, a friendly couple who work weekends at the tasting room, eagerly greet visitors and offer free tours of the orchards and processing facility – all while extolling the health virtues of extra virgin olive oil generally, and the sumptuous character of Ojai olive oil in particular.

“It is so fresh, and they really take care of the groves here,” Ron says of the organic, family-owned operation. “The first time I came, I was astonished. I had only had Trader Joe’s olive oil. But this — it has a nice richness and personality.”

Indeed, California olive oils reflect much of the varied and vibrant character of the Golden State, and visitors can sample the best in artisanal olive oil at tasting rooms and farmers markets across the tri-county region. The 2019 winter harvest just ended and local growers are celebrating what could be one of the best yields in years.

California farmers grow the vast majority of olive oil produced nationally, but it is the small-batch extra virgin olive oils produced by boutique farms on the Central Coast that are worth exploring. Varietals from France, Spain, and Italy thrive here, offering unique flavors from mild and buttery to peppery and robust. Many growers have further diversified their products to include herb-infused oils, balsamic vinegars, and olive oil-based soaps, lip balms, and creams.

While online sales account for a solid percentage of their profits, many growers see the tasting room experience as a key part of their mission to teach consumers about flavor profiles, health benefits, cooking tips, and production standards.

“At our tasting room, we really emphasize education, provided in a fun, experiential way,” said Audrey Burnam, co-owner and founder of Kiler Ridge Olive Farm in Paso Robles. “Our olive oil tastings take about 30 minutes, and in the process of tasting five or six of our estate olive oils, we try to provide our visitors with an understanding of what ‘extra virgin’ means, how high-quality extra virgin olive oils are produced, what flavors to look for in authentic extra virgin olive oils, and how to use them.”

Audrey and partner Gregg Bone were inspired to start their own olive farm during a vacation in Tuscany. They left Los Angeles and settled in Paso Robles 16 years ago, planting their first trees. Today, they grow seven different Italian varietals on 15 acres with 2,700 trees. They offer tours and a weekend tasting menu of seasonal dishes highlighting their different oils.

Try enough olive oils and you’ll start to notice the different flavors. It is the best way to determine your own palate preferences. Luckily, there are ample tasting rooms across the Central Coast as well as one fabulous festival devoted to olive oil.

62

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Paso Robles Olive Oil Festival In May, Paso Robles hosts its annual Olive Oil Festival. The event, now in its 17th year, celebrates olive oil producers from throughout the region with tastings, cooking demonstrations, and ample food vendors showcasing fresh, local ingredients.

There is even olive oil ice cream!

The festival will be held on Saturday, May 2 from 10 am to 5 pm. Admission is free. To round out the weekend, there will be a pre-event mixer on Friday and a Brunch-on-a-Farm event on Sunday featuring local olive oil producers.

Visit pasoroblesolivefestival.com for more festival weekend details.

Kiler Ridge Olive Farm

1111 Kiler Canyon Rd, Paso Robles This Tuscan-inspired farm offers educational tours, weekend food pairings, and olive oil tastings that conclude with a small scoop of ice cream finished with sea salt and extra virgin olive oil. Tasting fee is $5 per person but waived with a $20 or more olive oil purchase. On weekends, complimentary tours are available for visitors interested in learning more about growing and production of high-quality extra virgin olive oil.

For more: (805) 400-1439 or kilerridge.com

Central Coast tasting rooms California is a world-class producer of olive oil and much like the state’s wineries, many olive oil growers in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Ventura counties welcome visitors for complimentary tastings and tours at their ranches and stores.

Here is a listing of some Central Coast tasting rooms and growers, who also offer online sales of their products.

We Olive

1311 Park St, Paso Robles We Olive oils can be found at many specialty stores in Southern California, but stop by the tasting room in Paso Robles to learn more about the process and character of its oils. We Olive takes pride in teaching visitors about nuanced flavors, health benefits and history of olive oil. We Olive also offers recipes and a robust calendar of fun weekend events featuring We Olive oils, vinegars, and gourmet foods.

Store hours are Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm.

For more: (805) 239-7961 or weolive.com california101guide.com

Spring 2020

63

Olea Farm

2985 Templeton Rd, Templeton (just off Highway 101) Olea Farm’s cozy countryside tasting room is located just outside the town of Templeton in the Paso Robles wine appellation. It showcases Olea’s award-winning extra virgin Spanish Arbequina olive oil, two blended extra virgin oils, and flavored lemon and basil olive oils. The tasting room offers free tastings and is open weekends from 10 am to 4:30 pm, and weekdays by appointment. Private tastings and farm tours for 10 people or more can be pre-arranged for a fee.

For more: (805) 610-2258 or oleafarm.com

Drop by the Rancho Olivos farm stand in the heart of the Santa Ynez wine country to enjoy free tastings of their artisan olive oils, which include Spanish and Italian blends as well as specialty flavored oils, including jalapeño, garlic, and Meyer lemon. The farm stand is open Monday to Thursday from noon to 4 pm, and Friday to Sunday from 11 am to 4:30 pm.

For more: (805) 686-9653 or ranchoolivos.com

Ojai Olive Oil Company

2989-B Limestone Way, Paso Robles Olivas de Oro’s tasting room and shop is located in Tin City, a hip industrial space outside Paso Robles. Olivas de Oro also sells artisan vinegars and other gourmet products, and offers private dining experiences featuring Spanish-inspired dishes.

Try the popular mandarin orange olive oil.

For more: (805) 227-4223 or olivasdeoro.com

1811 Ladera Rd, Ojai Located in the East End of the valley, Ojai Olive Oil Company’s rustic tasting room offers free tours of the orchards and processing facility. Sample regular and infused organic olive oils, including pixie tangerine, garlic, rosemary, and lemon. Balsamic vinegars, olive oil soaps, lip balm, and creams are also available. Ojai Olive Oil Company bottles can also be purchased at the Ojai Certified Farmers’ Market, held Sundays from 9 am to 1 pm just off the Downtown Arcade along Ojai Avenue.

For more: (805) 646-5964 or ojaioliveoil.com

Pasolivo Olive Oil

Ojai Tasting Room

Olivas de Oro Olive Company

Pasolivo has a spacious ranch and downtown Paso Robles locations to sample its olive oil. This family-owned operation also produces a range of specialty foods, and luxurious bath and beauty products. You can also reserve a stay at the Pasolivo Penthouse on the Park in downtown Paso Robles or visit one of their three locations.

For more: (805) 226-8800 or pasolivo.com

326 E. Ojai Ave, Ojai Carolïna Gramm offers a curated experience in organic Californian extra virgin olive oil and savory balsamic vinegars from a central tasting room and shop in the heart of downtown Ojai. Carolïna’s products include a luscious, fine skincare line. Hours are generally 11 am to 5 pm. Closed Wednesdays.

For more: (805) 798-5900 or ojaitastingroom.com

Montello Olive Oil 784 Main St, Cambria

Owner Lorraine Montello offers a tasting experience focused on fresh California olive oil and aged Italian balsamic vinegar. Located in charming downtown Cambria, her tasting room offers free tastings from 10 am to 5 pm. Montello also offers a bottle refill program, recipes, and an assortment of tapenades, mustards, and stuffed olives.

For more: (805) 865-4484 or montellotastingroom.com

Il Fustino

3401 State St, Santa Barbara Il Fustino’s store offers tastings of its olive oils and vinegars. In Italian, il fustino means “the tank” and the store greets visitors with gleaming stainless steel tanks crafted in Italy. Come here to taste from the tank and then shop from the pantry of olive oils, vinegars, pasta, and other gourmet goodies. Open weekdays 11 am to 6 pm, Saturday 11 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 3 pm.

For more: (805) 845-3521 or ilfustino.com

Rancho Olivos Olive Oil 2390 Refugio Rd, Santa Ynez

64

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Randy’s recipes: Olives and Olive Oil

by Chef Randy Graham

Olives and olive oil are extremely healthy. They are not only loaded with beneficial fatty acids and powerful antioxidants but are also an integral part of the Mediterranean Diet — a way of eating based on the traditional cuisine of countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. While there is no single definition of the Mediterranean Diet, it is typically high in vegetables,

fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts and seeds, and olive oil. The Mayo Clinic website says, “The Mediterranean Diet is one of the healthy eating plans recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans to promote health and prevent chronic disease ... It is also recognized by the World Health Organization as a healthy and sustainable dietary pattern and as an intangible cultural asset by the United National Educational,

Scientific, and Cultural Organization.”

I like to cook with olive oil because it is a healthier alternative to butter. Its pungent yet smooth taste provides a great flavor profile in a wide variety of meals. I also like to use high-quality olive oil from a trusted olive oil company.

Need an excellent recipe?

Read on!

Randy Graham is a private chef, writer, and author. His Ojai Valley Cookbook series of books include vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free recipes. The seventh and newest cookbook has soup and stew recipes created specifically for the Instant Pot. See Randy’s cookbooks on his website at Valley-Vegetarian.com.

Tapenade Tapenade is an olive-based spread common in Mediterranean cuisine.

The traditional recipe involves only a few ingredients, including black olives, caper berries, olive oil, and anchovies ground together to make a thick, spreadable paste. The dish originated in the South of France but is popular all over the world today and comes in many different variations.

This is a simple yet flavorful vegan recipe. Use on bruschetta, as a topping for a scrumptious burger, or use on pizza instead of sauce.

I even use it in place of salsa for quesadillas.

Ingredients: 1 cup giardiniera (drained) 1 small clove garlic (minced) 2 tablespoons capers (drained)

¾ cup green olives (pitted and drained) 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil california101guide.com

Directions: Drain giardiniera and rinse with cold water to remove excess brine. This will help the tapenade from tasting too salty.

Using a food processor, combine giardiniera, garlic, capers, and olives and chop until you have a coarse chop. With the motor running, add olive oil in a constant stream. Puree until mixture forms a coarse paste. Cover and chill until ready to use. Tapenade will keep for up to a week in the refrigerator.

Spring 2020

65

Chorizo-Stuffed Poblano Peppers This is a tasty and colorful appetizer that doubles as a complementary side dish for almost any entrée. It’s that good. ‘Nuff said.

Ingredients: 5 Poblano peppers 2 chorizo sausages (chopped into quarter-inch pieces) 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil ½ white onion (chopped fine) 1 small jalapeño pepper (seeded and chopped fine) 1¾ cups cooked brown basmati rice 1¼ cups canned black beans (rinsed and drained) 1 cup fresh corn off the cob (about one corn cob) ½ teaspoon California chili powder 1½ teaspoons cumin 1 teaspoon Mexican oregano (not Mediterranean oregano) Salt and pepper to taste 2½ cups Monterey Jack cheese (finely shredded) 3 green onions (sliced for garnish)

Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Cut peppers in half lengthwise. Remove seeds and ribs. Rinse and place on a baking sheet.

Place the peppers in the center rack of an oven set on broil. Roast for four to five minutes on one side, turn over and roast for another five minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

While the peppers are roasting, chop two of the sausages into quarter-inch pieces. Measure out 1-1/2 cups and set aside.

Heat the oil in a large skillet on medium-high heat. Add the onion and jalapeño and sauté for two minutes. Reduce heat to medium. Add the sausage, stir, and sauté until sausage is warmed, about six minutes more. Stir in rice, beans, and corn. Sprinkle in the seasonings (chili powder through salt and pepper) and stir well to combine. Remove from heat and set aside.

Place the cooked peppers on a baking sheet and mound the sausage mixture into each pepper. Top liberally with shredded cheese. Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese begins to brown.

To serve, sprinkle with green onions. You can also drizzle a creamy chipotle dressing over the top for extra taste.

Killer Panini Sandwiches Remember the Panini sandwich craze of the 1990s? Millions of people bought electric Panini grills as either a gift for others or for their own use. I did both. Now that Robin and I have downsized and do not have as much counter space as in the past, a Panini grill on the counter, sitting unused for most the year, doesn’t make much sense.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t make Panini-style sandwiches!

Here’s how to make four tasty vegetarian Panini sandwiches without an expensive grill. They don’t have the distinctive “grill marks” of the traditional Panini sandwich, but the flavor and crunchy texture are there. Serve with a fresh green salad for a nutritious and filling lunch. Directions: Ingredients: Preheat a large pan, a griddle, or grill to medium-high heat.

Place olives and giardiniera in a blender or food processor ¾ cup pitted Kalamata olives and pulse chop into a relish. Divide the relish among the ¾ cup pitted green olives four sandwich roll bottoms and top with a single slice of 1 cup giardiniera (drained and rinsed well) cheese, then artichoke slices and peppers, then top with another slice of provolone. Add pepper to taste. Press tops 4 fresh Kaiser rolls (cut in half) in place.

8 slices provolone cheese Place sandwiches on grill and press with heavy skillet 1 15-ounce can artichoke hearts in water (drained – sliced thin) weighted down with cans. Press a few minutes on each 1 8-ounce jar roasted red peppers (drained) side. When sufficiently grilled, remove the sandwiches and cut in half. Serve hot off the grill!

Fresh ground black pepper to taste 66

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Egg Rolls These vegan egg rolls are easy to prepare and explode with flavor when eaten. As a bonus, the sweet and sour sauce is also vegan and ready for dipping in about 10 minutes.

Egg Roll ingredients: 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil 4 cloves garlic (sliced thin) 1 onion (sliced thin) 2 carrots (cut into thin sticks 2-inches long) 4 leaves of cabbage (slice into ribbons)

Place a wrapper on a cutting board and place two tablespoons of filling near one corner. Tightly roll the wrapper, fold over the left side, fold over the right side, brush a little water along the edge and close it up tightly. Do the same for the other five wrappers.

Add plenty of extra-virgin olive oil to the skillet and heat on medium-high heat. When it’s hot, add the egg rolls and cook for about 30 seconds on each side or until golden brown.

Remove rolls from the pan and place them on a cutting board. Cut them in half and bring them to the table on a large platter.

Sweet and Sour Sauce Ingredients: 2 tablespoons ketchup 2 teaspoons tamari sauce 4 tablespoons rice vinegar

½ cup agave syrup

2 tablespoons tamari sauce 6 sheets of egg roll wrappers Egg Roll Directions: Add olive oil to a large skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add the garlic, onions, carrots, cabbage, ginger, and tamari sauce. Cook for about five minutes. Remove from heat, scoop into a serving bowl, and set aside. Wash the skillet for later use.

4 teaspoons cornstarch 2/3 cup water Sweet and Sour Sauce Directions: Mix ketchup, tamari, vinegar, and agave syrup in a small mixing bowl.

Dissolve the cornstarch in water. Stir into ketchup mixture.

Cook the mixture in a saucepan over high heat until it just begins to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook until it thickens, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat so the sauce can cool to room temperature. Pour into small, individual dipping bowls and bring to the table along with the egg rolls.

Jollof Rice Bowl

½ teaspoon smoked paprika

My friend asked me the other day if I had a recipe for Jollof. I told her that I had heard of it but had never made any. I was intrigued and told her I would check it out.

So, what is Jollof? Jollof is a one-pot rice dish popular in many West African countries, including Ghana and Nigeria. If it has a North American equivalent, you could loosely say it is similar to jambalaya without the celery.

Spicy and colorful, Jollof is fun to bring to the table where it is sure to elicit oohs-and-aahs. My recipe includes slices of sausage. You can leave the sausage out, but the sausage turns a side dish into a hearty meal. I like to remove the seeds from the habanero pepper, but if you like super spicy rice, leave the seeds in!

Ingredients: 2 sausages (cut into half-inch thick pieces)

1 heaping teaspoon tomato paste

½ teaspoon ground ginger

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil plus 1 teaspoon (divided) 4 medium red bell peppers (sliced fine) 2 large sweet onions (fine dice) 3 cloves garlic (minced) 2 teaspoons salt 1 habanero pepper (deveined, seeded sliced thin) 4 ounces plum tomatoes (medium dice) 1 teaspoon dried thyme

½ teaspoon ground ginger ½ teaspoon Aleppo pepper california101guide.com

2½ cups vegetable stock

1¼ cups basmati rice Directions: Using a nonstick pan, fry the sausage over medium-high heat for two minutes.

Turn each slice over and continue frying for two minutes more. Cover, remove from heat, and set aside.

Using a 4-quart saucepan, sauté the peppers and onions in the oil over medium-high heat for about five minutes, stirring frequently. Add garlic, salt, habanero pepper, tomatoes, and dry seasonings (thyme through paprika) and cook for another 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring on occasion. Add the tomato paste, cook for 60 seconds more.

Stir the vegetable stock into the pepper/onion mixture. Heat over medium-high heat until it begins to bubble. Add rice and stir to combine. Cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Open the lid and stir gently, but thoroughly, again. Cover and simmer for another 10 minutes. Open and stir for a final time, then cover and simmer for a final 10 minutes.

Turn the heat off and allow the rice to steam, covered, for another 10 minutes. Keeping it covered while it cools improves the final taste and texture of the rice. Take off the cover and let the heat escape for five minutes. Fluff with a fork to separate the rice, slowly working inward from the edge of the pan in a swirling motion. Gently fold sausage into cooked rice and serve immediately.

Note: This recipe makes a generous amount for two and can be doubled to feed four.

Spring 2020

67

68

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

CALIFORNIA 101 Carpinteria — off the beaten path

CA 101

quilting • Knitting needleworK • arts and gifts

Hours: M-s • 10 to 5 sun. • 11 to 4

Roxanne’s 919 Maple St., Carpinteria, CA 93013 (805) 566-1250 www.roxannequilts.com

Susan Willis Ltd. 4488 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria CA 93013 (805) 684-5085 www.susanwillisltd.com

Hours: M-S • 10 to 5 Sun. • 11 to 4

“Spring has sprung and you do not want to miss this hidden gem, located on the north end of Carpinteria Ave. off the beaten path!

Susan Willis LTD, is a very classy and eclectic gift shop that has been here for 27 years, with it’s own parking lot, it is easy and convenient to access. Come browse through her many choices of perfectly selected seasonal items. Susan has a knack for picking just the right items to get us out of he winter blues and Into feeling our spring step again. From, “not your ordinary” little stuffed animals to yummy scented lotions and spring treats. Treasures, to many to mention. Great gift ideas for your Easter Baskets and your table!”

Monday- Saturday 10-5

A colorful and whimsical shop with everything you need for quilting, knitting, embroidery, special gifts and so much more!

Not only will you find great fabrics, beautiful yarns, supplies, books and classes but you will have an experience in artful living.

Come in and be inspired!

…simply fine wines at great prices!

Carpinteria Wine Company 4193 Carpinteria Ave. #1, Carpinteria CA 93013 (805) 684-7440 www.carpinteriawineco.com

Robitaille’s Fine Candies 900 Linden Ave., Carpinteria CA 93013 (805) 684-9340 www.robitaillescandies.com

Wines for all occasions

Located in the heart of Carpinteria, Robitaille’s Fine Candies is home of the famous Presidential mints and Santa Barbara County’s largest retail candy store.

NEW ARRIVALS WEEKLY Stop in and shop our tremendous selection!

M-F 10-6pm Sat 10-5pm Take the Carpinteria Avenue exit from 101 South - 4th building on the right

california101guide.com

Our unique selection of handmade candies, sugar free candies, and gigantic selection of packaged candy have been pleasing Santa Barbara County for over 40 years!

Spring 2020

69

CALIFORNIA 101 Wineries of the Presidio Neighborhood

CA 101

SANTA BARBARA’S PREMIER WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE

Grassini Family Vineyards 24 El Paseo - in the Center Courtyard, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 897-3366 www.grassinifamilyvineyards.com At Grassini Family Vineyards and Winery, our extended family’s passion for beauty, the commitment to hard work, and a special place all come together to make the wine in bottles bearing our family’s label something special… and it is our hope that you will enjoy the poetry of the wine and its sense of place and tradition with your friends and family.

Open Daily 12 - 6pm (last tasting at 5:30pm)

Au Bon Climat 813 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 963-7999 www.aubonclimat.com Open since 2011, our tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara offers current releases and select library wines in a warm and casual setting. The wines of Au Bon Climat, Clendenen Family Vineyard, Ici/La-Bas, Barham Mendelsohn, Vita Nova, and Jim Clendenen’s other creative endeavors are featured, representing an array of varietals beyond Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. With over 100 different wines stocked, the selection is amazing.

We are open 7 days a week.

Noon - 6 pm on weekdays & 11 - 6 pm on weekends.

Drop in any time to taste our wine.

Jamie Slone Wines Tasting Room 23 E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 560-6555 www.jamieslonewines.com Voted best tasting room and best winery in the 2019 Santa Barbara News-Press Readers’ Choice Awards. Our mission is to provide our guests an outstanding Santa Barbara wine experience.

In our cozy tasting room, you’ll discover our passion for family, entertaining, and delicious handcrafted 90+ point wines from the best local vineyards. We’re sipping on Albariño, Sauvignon Blanc, Sparkling, Chardonnay, Rosé, Pinot Noir, Red Blends and Cabernet Sauvignon. We are living the wine lifestyle. A Yelp and TripAdvisor favorite...join us!

Mon-Thur 12 - 6pm • Fri 12pm - 7 pm • Sat 11am - 7 pm • Sun 11am - 6 pm

Cebada Tasting Room 8 E. De La Guerra St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 451-2570 www.cebadawine.com Cebada Wine’s tasting room is located just off State Street in the heart of downtown Santa Barbara. We feature Estate Grown, Burgundian style Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. You can even taste our Estate Blueberry Dessert Wine. Enjoy delicious treats from fruits grown on our farm, chocolate and honey parings and unique gift items. Our friendly atmosphere and beautiful view of the mountains create the perfect spot for a relaxing afternoon sipping on our Sparkling wine or a romantic sunset Pinot, all served by our knowledgeable staff.

Tasting Hours: Monday-Wednesday open by appointment. Thursday 2-6 • Friday 1-6 • Saturday 12-6 • Sunday 12-5

70

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Over 250 5-Star Reviews!

Perfect for groups celebrating a special event!

12 Person Occupancy

Bright, open space with high ceilings and beautiful natural light throughout, as well as new appliances, outdoor grill and hot tub.

Ideal Downtown Location Located in the heart of downtown, next to the Paseo Nuevo Shopping Center and a block from State St. where you can walk to cafés, restaurants and wine tasting venues.

Take the trolley or walk to the ocean.

(805) 699-5577 www.maisonsantabarbara.com

maisonsantabarbara@gmail.com

Superhost: Rachael Quisel

Hollister Brewing Company - Goleta

Hollister Brewing Company (HBC) was established in May 2007 with a vision of creating a fun, relaxing establishment offering handcrafted beer to complement handcrafted food.

We are a locally owned and operated brewpub and our goal is to provide and maintain a comfortable, unpretentious environment that appeals to our local clientele as well as beer and food aficionados from around the country. We’re here to exceed expectations, to introduce people to things they may not have had before, and to do it in a fun and educational way.

6980 Marketplace Dr., (Camino Real Marketplace) Goleta, CA 93117 (805) 968-2810 hollisterbrewco.com california101guide.com

Spring 2020

71

WE GOT THE FUNK - THE FUNK ZONE IS SANTA BARBARA

CA 101

Bluewater Grill Santa Barbara 15 E. Cabrillo Blvd., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 845-5121 www.bluewatergrill.com Bluewater Grill Santa Barbara combines locally caught sustainable seafood and shellfish with the latest releases from Santa Barbara County wineries in a landmark lighthouse at the foot of Stearns Wharf.

The destination beachfront restaurant offers lunch, dinner, and small plates daily on two floors featuring an oyster bar, dining counter overlooking an open kitchen, and an upstairs dining patio and bar offering beach views, local wine flights and locally caught fish. Chef Chanel Ducharme offers up to 40 varieties of seafood and shellfish annually, either simply grilled or in gourmet presentations like Chipotle Blackened Swordfish and San Francisco Cioppino with Hope Ranch Black Mussels.

Segway of Santa Barbara 122 Gray Ave., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 963-7672 www.segwayofsb.com Professionally guided Segway tours, Segway rentals, and Polaris Slingshot roadster rentals. You won’t find a better way to experience Santa Barbara!

Make the most out of your day... Get on a Segway and glide away!

Looking for an adrenaline rush? Get behind the wheel of a new Polaris Slingshot. Our 3-wheel, open cockpit roadsters are guaranteed to make you smile. Take a journey along the coast or through the hills in style!

Conveniently located in ‪the Funk Zone, only 1 minute from the visitor center and Stearns Wharf. Gift cards are always available and make great Christmas / Birthday presents. Come check us out!

Lama Dog Tap Room & Bottle Shop 116 Santa Barbara St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 880-3364 www.lamadog.com At Lama Dog Tap Room & Bottle Shop we do craft beer a little differently in Santa Barbara. We offer a revolving tap that changes every day and we also offer local wines. Whether you are located in Goleta, Santa Barbara or the surrounding communities, Lama Dog Tap Room & Bottle Shop is the place to go for wine and beer. We are the craft beer bottle shop that actively seeks out the finest craft beer in California to serve in our beer bar.

We have 20 different tap beers that change every day to ensure that you always have the best selections. We keep our bottle shop full of different craft beers from around the world!

Sunday-Thursday: 11:30am-10pm Friday-Saturday: 11:30am-12am

Cutler’s Artisan Spirits 137 Anacapa St., Suite D, Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 680-4009 www.cutlersartisan.com Santa Barbara’s First Legal distillery - Located in The Funk Zone It all began with great grandpa Duke Cutler, great-grandfather to current Cutlers’s Distillery owner, Ian Cutler, in 1915. Duke set out to follow his dream and open a local bar serving the hundreds of thirsty gold miners looking to strike it rich. As the gold mines began to dry up, Duke decided to move south to the town of Oakdale, Ca. located in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, just west of Yosemite National Park.

Over 80 years since Old Duke Cutler started the family in the distilled spirits business, Ian Cutler is revitalizing the Cutler heritage in distilled spirits, following the same dedication to providing the finest possible spirits to thirsty locals pioneered nearly 4 generations ago.

72

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

73

Santa Ynez

CA 101

By Linda Small

Culture Yesterday and Today A few miles east off Highway 101, lies the Township of Santa Ynez.

Established in 1882 along an old stagecoach route, Santa Ynez’s current population is under 5,000 people. It was first established as a “service” town and was referred to as the “new town” where services such as a blacksmith shop, mercantile and grocery stores, a barber shop, and a drug store sprang up to supply services to the farmers and new settlers of the day.

Photo by courtesy SYV Historical Museum

Murphy Brothers General Mercantile.

The Township

followed the founding of Mission Santa Inés in September 1804, the 19th of the 21 Missions in California. The Chumash Indians were the first to populate the area and bore witness to the changes to come. The Chumash people once numbered in the tens of thousands and lived along the California coast with territory spanning from Malibu to Paso Robles. Calling themselves the “first people” and the Pacific Ocean their first home, they enjoyed the rich resources of both land and sea, and a more prosperous environment than other Native American tribes. Wheels were set in motion for growth with the establishment of the Mission in the area. The Mission Santa Inés could be considered the first “industrial site” as a grist and fulling mill were built; a grist mill to grind wheat grown at the Mission, and a fulling mill to provide

a means of softening sheep’s wool by pounding it with a large wooden wheel to make better and softer woven goods. Both mills drew from the abundant water flow from the Alamo Pintado River to power the hand-built mills. Both mills currently stand today and are under the care of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.

You can take a tour of the Old Mission Santa Ines from 9-4:30 seven days a week, excluding holidays. Call two weeks ahead if you would prefer a docent led tour.

The Santa Ynez Township was originally to be built around the Mission, but that never materialized. Instead, Santa Ynez was the second town (first was Ballard in 1881 which served as a stagecoach station), to be formed in the link of five small towns in the area.

The new settlement in Santa Ynez was

Photo by courtesy SY Chamber

Santa Ynez Mission.

74

Spring 2020

initially to be named “Sagunto” after Sagunto, Spain, the hometown of Catholic Bishop Francis Mora. Bishop Mora had received Congressional approval and authorized the sale of parcels of land known as the College Ranch. The College Ranch land had been granted to the Catholic Church by the Mexican government in 1843, and Bishop Mora wanted to encourage and incentivize the early settlers to form a township rather than live the outer reaches or “far-flung” land holdings. He wanted to see a community develop in Santa Ynez, so he offered a free parcel in the town site with each additional $15 parcel purchased (at the time, the cost of a one-acre parcel was between $6 - $15). The name Santa Ynez was ultimately chosen and “anglicized” from Inés to Ynez, naming the town, most likely, after the Mission Santa Inés.

Photo by courtesy SY Chamber

Santa Ynez General. california101guide.com

Photo by courtesy SY Chamber

Photo by courtesy Chumash Foundation

Carr Wine Tasting Room.

Chumash Museum Rendering.

The stagecoach passed through the valley in 1858 from San Francisco to Yuma, Arizona until 1901, although there are reports that one of the last stagecoach runs through California did pass through the Santa Ynez Valley in 1914. The narrow-gauge railroad also has history in the surrounding area, bringing passengers and supplies which made travel and freight much faster and easier thus ending the stagecoach era. Visitors would travel the narrow-gauge to the valley and were then transported via stagecoach

over the San Marcos Pass to Santa Barbara, connecting them south. Some of the passengers the narrow-gauge railroad brought to the area were searching for property and a place to settle down. When the decision was made to expand rail services along the coast instead of through the Santa Ynez Valley, the landscape for growth changed, keeping the towns smaller than had once been anticipated and ultimately brought the stagecoach era to an end.

Photo by courtesy SY Chamber

Tumbleweeds wine country tees. california101guide.com

You can still see the remnants of a western town when you walk through Santa Ynez. Western storefronts, and an easy, country lifestyle is apparent both in outward appearance and inside the shops and restaurants. It is that warm, friendly, come-on-in kind of welcome that speaks to the small, yet savvy, business owners in the Township of Santa Ynez. WiFi is available around town and most shops have an active social media presence.

Harrison Hardware and the Santa Ynez Feed and Milling serve as “anchor stores� for valley residents

Photo by courtesy SY Chamber

Stagecoach marker sign.

Spring 2020

75

Photo provided by Natalie Asselstine

Forage Florals.

animal medical, surgical, dental, and emergency services since 1983.

Photo by courtesy SY Chamber

Owner Amy of Bakers Table.

and can take care of just about any need for your pets and livestock,

ranch or garden. The Santa Ynez Pet Hospital in town has provided small

If you are lucky enough to have a little time to wander, come take a walk around. Start your morning at Pony Espresso, named with a definite nod to the western heritage of Santa Ynez. They open at 6:30 and offer a variety of coffee choices including, you guessed it, espresso! Baker’s Table, the Longhorn Café, and Lucky Hen Larder also offer delicious morning fare as well as complete lunch menus.

Photo provided by the Santa Ynez Library

Santa Ynez Historical Library.

76

Spring 2020

While you stroll, take note of the horseshoes embedded in the crosswalk that connects Edison to Sagunto Street. This was a result of a small-community effort to enhance the downtown area with the spirit of the west. You might be lucky enough to see horseback riders on the streets or horses tied up outside one of the shops or restaurants.

Don’t be surprised, just know you’re in one of those special places when you’re in Santa Ynez! Check out the Maverick Saloon where Sagunto Street meets Meadowvale for a cowboyinspired western bar and restaurant (visit their website for concert listings and special events). Mosey on over to the Santa Ynez california101guide.com

Photo submitted

Santa Ynez street view.

Mercantile on Meadowvale while you’re there, it’s the closest thing you will find to a shopping mall in this country town.

It offers a cheese purveyor case at the Lucky Hen Larder with sandwiches, salads, and charcuterie platters. An upscale home consignment store at Home Design and Consign is in the center along with Wild Poppy Boutique.

Forage Florals offers floral workshops

in their studio. The Santa Ynez Elks Lodge #2640 also has a place in the Mercantile and is open 7 days a week from 2 pm weekdays and 1 pm on weekends.

From the beginning, Santa Ynez has offered services and supplies to the local townspeople and passersby.

Now, 138 years later, artisans and entrepreneurs in style, fashion, food and drink along with accountants, wealth advisors, and attorneys all make up the town today.

Drive a few miles east at the 246 exit off the highway 101 until you see the Township of Santa Ynez sign on Edison Street. Feel free to park the car, take a walk and explore the historic Township of Santa Ynez.

Photo supplied by Wild Poppy

Outfit by Wild Poppy.

california101guide.com

Please visit our website at santaynezchamber. org for links to our members, place online orders or call ahead for current hours and availability.

Photo by Dawn DeBartolo

Finch and Fern.

Photo by courtesy SY Chamber

Jewelry from Forever Posh.

Spring 2020

77

#Shop #ShopSanta SantaYnez Ynez Nestled Nestledamong amongoak oakstudded studdedhills, hills,Santa SantaYnez Ynezisisaathrowback throwbacktoto itsitsearly earlydays daysasasanan1800s 1800swestern westerntown townwhere whereranch ranchfolk folkcame cametoto purchase purchase just just about about anything anything they needed. Today, Today,bedecked bedeckedinin western westerninspired inspiredbuilding buildingfacades, facades,the theSanta SantaYnez YnezTownship Townshipisishome home totosignature signaturerestaurants, restaurants,unique uniqueretail retailshops, shops,aahistorical historicalmuseum museumand and local localbusinesses businessestotoserve serveevery everyneed. need.

AAvisit visittotoSanta SantaYnez Ynezisislike likestepping steppingback backinintitime meyet yetfifinding ndingevery every convenience will afind a gas stati on att endant conveniencereadily readilyavailable. available.You From hometown drug store that that pumps for you, a on relaxed gentrifithat ed country vibe.gasYou delivers to the yourgas door, a gasand stati attendant pumps the for will small town is full the entrepreneurial, you,find andthis a relaxed gentrifi ed of country vibe, you will fican-do nd thisspirit small that won The Township of can-do Santa Ynez a culinary delight town fullthe ofwest! the entrepreneurial, spirithas that won the west! on just about every street, coff eeashops serve up home baked The Township of Santa Ynez has culinary delight on just aboutgoods every along morning afternoon invite youother to street,with coffother ee shops serve and up home bakedtreats. goodsWe along with come explore Township of Santa Ynez, please ourhatt website or give usyou a call 805-350-8517 more morning and the afternoon treats.

You can even find acheck custom er andatdowww.santaynezchamber.org some wine tasting in town. We invite to at come explore thefor Township informati andplease a complete our members and services. of Santaon Ynez, checklist ourofwebsite at www.santaynezchamber.org or give us a call at 805-350-8517 for more information and a list of our upcoming events.

check santaynezchamber.org for a complete list of members and events going on in the town of Santa Ynez

78

Follow Followus uson onFacebook FacebookSanta SantaYnez YnezChamber ChamberofofCommerce Commerceor orInstagram Instagram#sychamber #sychamber california101guide.com

Spring 2020

CALIFORNIA 101 Santa Ynez Township Pony Espresso 3558 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 691-9187 • #ponyespressosy

Heather Grace Skincare

1050 Edison St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 637-9488 • heathergraceskincare.com

CA 101

Ellie’s Tap & Vine

3640 Sagunto St, Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (916) 390-3595 • elliestapandvine.com

Mention Code IG20 For a Discount

Pony Espresso is a rustic, modern coffee house in the center of Santa Ynez. Open daily from 6:30 am – 4:00 pm. Coffee with an Italian flair.

Breakfast and lunch plus novel specials daily.

Joe Olla 3575 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 686-5603 • joeollarealty.com

At Heather Grace Skincare, we offer clean and natural face and body skincare and are based in the beautiful wine country of Santa Ynez, CA. Our skincare line is made with love and attention going into each item we craft. We take pride in sourcing ingredients that are EcoCert, Whole Foods or COSMOS approved. All of our products are cruelty free and free of harmful toxins and harsh ingredients such as, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.

KJ Murphy’s 3569 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez CA 93460 (805) 686-4790 • kjmurphys.com

Charlotte’s Vintage Silver & Western Treasures

Forever Posh

3551 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 688-0016 • charlottessy.com

Forever Posh is known in the Santa Ynez Valley for their wonderful jewelry and clothing by some of the hottest designers.

An Eclectic Mix Of Clothing Designers.

Opened in May of 2017, Charlotte’s offers beautiful, collectible sterling silver jewelry for women and men as well as gorgeous western accoutrements for horse and rider. “I have curated a collection that includes something for everyone’s style and budget.

The most important requirement for a piece to enter my collection is that it is made with quality because everyone deserves a good piece, whether it’s a pair of simple sterling silver hoop earrings or a one-of-a-kind vintage squash blossom necklace.

3583 Numancia St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 688-1444 • foreverposh.com

After more than 30 years of doing business from the same location in the Santa Ynez Valley, we’ve earned a reputation with our clients for honesty, integrity, and loyalty. We pride ourselves that our clients return that loyalty with repeat business and refer their friends as well.

Simply put, that’s because we do business the old fashioned way ... the “Cowboy Way!” Drop by and visit next time you’re in the Valley.

Everything in the restaurant is inspired by Joy and her love of all things detailed and fabulous. From the wine, to the flowers, to the local and organically sourced produce for her dishes we hope that you feel Joy’s love for the world with every moment you spend and every bite you take here at Ellie’s Tap and Vine.

We’re happy to have you, and we know Joy is too.

Finch and Fern

1060 Faraday St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 693-2916 • finchandfern.net

To the Ranch and Back

1108 Edison St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 691-9273

KJ Murphy makes the finest custom felt hats in the west.

From outfitting a Vaquero, to the working buckaroo out on the range, or fitting the outdoor lifestyle that you are drawn to – his hats are hand-made works of art that tells a story unique to every bearer. He stands behind his hats, which are hand-made to fit your head the way a glove fits a hand. california101guide.com

Dawn De Bartolo is thrilled to have a space to showcase her range of home decor, garden items, vintage and new furniture and accessories, as well as offer interior and landscape design services.

She looks forward to inspiring and exciting you with one-of-a-kind vintage and new pieces that perfectly fit your personal style and home aesthetic.

Santa Ynez Valley’s new ranching lifestyle store. Old working values with the newest ranch fashion. Clothing, Gifts, Boots, even fashion for your animals.

Spring 2020

79

3551 Sagunto St Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 688-0016 Thur - Sat 10:30a - 5:30p Sun - Mon 11a - 4p charlottessy.com

WE DO

MORE

Exposure Resources Marketing Options Expertise Results

MONTECITO 805.969.8900 | SANTA BARBARA + MESA 805.681.8800 | SANTA YNEZ 805.688.1620

VILLAGESITE.COM

80

Spring 2020

Welcome to your Home Away from Home in the Santa Ynez Valley

“Nestled in Old town Santa Ynez. Finch & Fern specializes in home and garden delights. Offering both vintage and new furniture and accessories. Interior and landscape design services are available.

Let us inspire and excite you with a one of a kind vintage piece or something new that is perfect for you and your home.”

1060 Faraday St., Santa Ynez, CA 93460 Tues - Sat: 10:30am - 5pm — Sunday: 11am - 4pm — Monday: Closed

805.693.2916 — finchandfern.net california101guide.com

Come visit us in Santa Ynez or shop our online boutique

loveplent�.com

A brick and mor�ar women’s clothing boutique located in the hear� of the Wester� township of Santa Ynez. Owners Julie White + Stephanie Braly bring curated bohemian st�le mixed with vintage, and a bit of Santa Ynez wester� influence.

We source from local ar�isans as well as desig�ing our own handmade jewelr�. Plent� is celebrating 10 years of business in the Santa Ynez Valley.

RELAXED LUXURY IN THE HEART OF WINE COUNTRY

1110 Faraday St�eet Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 688-2221 Hours M-F 10a-5p, Sat 10a-6p, Sun 11a-5p

805.688.5588 3627 Sagunto Street, Santa Ynez, CA www.santaynezinn.com

Instag�am- @plent�boutique

CELEBRATING 20 YEARS IN THE SANTA YNEZ VALLEY

1511-B MISSION DRIVE, SOLVANG • WWW.WILDLINGMUSEUM.ORG 805-688-1082 • INFO@WILDLINGMUSEUM.ORG

kids are free • museum store • workshops art activities • lectures • film screenings • and more!

Alan Ross, Spring Rain, 1984

Sharing the Light

ANSEL ADAMS & ALAN ROSS

HOURS

ADMISSION

Weekdays: 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Members . . . . . . . . FREE

Weekends: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Adults . . . . . . . . . . . . . $5 Kids 17 & Under . . FREE

Closed Tuesdays & Major Holidays

Active Military ID . . FREE 3rd Wed. of Month. FREE

On view June 27 - February 2021 Opening reception: Saturday, June 27, 2020, 3 - 5 p.m.

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

81

Relax in style while you savor the flavors of the new Wine Stone Inn. Established as a place where friends can visit and feel at home in a Santa Maria Valley neighborhood of friendly people, casual pubs and eateries.

Located in nostalgic Old Town Orcutt, this 12 room boutique hotel inspires to be the perfect escape.

The beautifully crafted property has a country-meets-industry vibe, coupled with luxury 4 star guest rooms, featuring residence style décor that complements our authentic local charm.

255 West Clark Avenue Orcutt, California 93455 805.332.3532 winestoneinn.com orcuttwinestone@gmail.com

82

Spring 2020

11am - 5pm Sunday - Thursday | 11am - 6pm Friday & Saturday 795 West Highway 246 | Buellton, CA 93427 (805) 686-1208 ext. 206 | club@brickbarnwineestate.com

california101guide.com

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

83

Lompoc blooms big with art, wine and outdoor adventure.

Spring is the season to hit the road and discover something new.

If you’re looking for a charming, off-the-beaten track destination that offers impressive attractions, outdoor recreation, and affordable accommodations, set your navigation to Lompoc.

Secluded in a lush valley, where scenic Highway 1 meets Route 246 on the central coast, you’ll find the most authentically restored mission in California, exceptional Pinots and Chardonnays, a vintage downtown flowing with art, and exciting outdoor pursuits like skydiving, golf, cycling and surfing.

Spring is the season when Lompoc is most colorful, with verdant green hillsides, budding vineyards, sprawling ranches, and valley fields rich with rows of colorful blooms and seasonal produce. If you’re lucky, you might just catch a launch from nearby Vandenberg Air Force Base, since Lompoc is the best vantage point for viewing rocket launches on the West Coast.

Don’t miss Lompoc’s top visitor attraction, La Purisima Mission State Historic Park, where you’ll discover the most fully restored and furnished of California’s 21 missions.

Guided tours are offered most days at 1 pm, and living history events are slated on select Saturdays throughout the year. La Purisima’s 2,000 acres boasts 25 miles of hiking and horseback trails to explore, a visitor center, gift shop and exhibit hall. For history buffs and nature lovers alike, La Purisima Mission is a must see.

In Old Town Lompoc you’ll find an eclectic blend of vintage and new, with an impressive collection of outdoor murals depicting colorful scenes of Lompoc’s history and heritage on street corners and sides of buildings.

Take a self-guided mural tour and discover the Lompoc Museum, Cypress Gallery, and locally-owned shops along the way. Not to be

84

Spring 2020

missed is Sissy’s Uptown Café, a family-run eatery in Lompoc’s original post office building, where you can grab lunch, dinner and slice of homemade pie.

Ocean Beach Park & Sanctuary, renowned for bird watching and photography, is an easy 10 minute drive west of Old Town. En route, you can detour onto Union Avenue where you might find flower fields abloom with vivid color from April to September. The Explore Lompoc “Bloom Tracker” keeps visitors up to date on what’s in season; rotating varieties include stock, larkspur, delphinium and bells of Ireland.

Lompoc is also wine aficionado’s delight.

The Wine Ghetto, a cluster of small boutique wineries, is largest concentration of world-class, small-production tasting rooms in Santa Barbara County. Come meet the winemakers, and enjoy the convenience of strolling from one winery to the next. Just a few blocks west of the Wine Ghetto is longtime local favorite Longoria Winery as well as the Lompoc Wine Factory, a production facility for local winemakers.

For some wine country ambience, take the Lompoc Wine Trail loop, along Highway 246 and Santa Rosa Road to the Sta. Rita Hills AVA. Here you’ll find breathtaking vistas and estate wineries around every bend, where award-winning Pinots and Chardonnays take center stage. Pick up a picnic in town and enjoy the vineyard views along with a bottle of your favorite Lompoc vintage.

Exceptional weather year-round, and plenty to see and do in the region, makes Lompoc a popular playground for leisure travelers and thrill seekers alike. Boasting the highest tandem jump in Southern California, Skydive Santa Barbara at Lompoc Airport provides jumpers with a new perspective of the Central coast. From views of up to 18,000 feet, you’ll see glorious ocean, valley, and vineyard

views.

Golfers will want to test their skills at the 18-hole championship La Purisima Golf Course, designed by renowned architect Robert Muir Graves. Site of numerous PGA, LPGA and Senior PGA tournaments, it’s known as one of the country’s best designed courses by players of all skill levels who enjoy its scenic beauty as well as challenge. Prefer cycling? Lompoc Valley is also a popular cycling destination, so bring your bike to enjoy both flat and challenging country roads.

The 15 mile minute route from Lompoc to Jalama Beach, by car or bike, is full of postcard-worthy scenes ranging from ranches to rugged ocean overlooks, making the journey almost as impressive as the beach. At the end of the road you’ll reach Jalama Beach, a quiet, windswept spot where you can walk, surf, hike, fish or fly kites. Come for lunch at the Jalama Beach Grill, home to the famous “Jalama Burger,” a meaty patty stacked with shredded lettuce, onions, tomato, pickles, topped with a secret sauce. It’s a local favorite.

Accommodations in Lompoc range from full-service hotels to budget-friendly motels, all centrally located for enjoying Lompoc attractions and restaurants as well as nearby towns such as the Danish village of Solvang and Old Western town of Los Alamos. The closest city to Vandenberg Air Force Base, just 10 miles from the main gate, Lompoc has also become a popular destination to witness the thrilling west coast rocket launches by NASA and SpaceX from VAFB. For information on hotels and attractions, and to find out what’s in bloom this spring in Lompoc, visit explorelompoc.com

california101guide.com

A N

EXCL US I V E

I N V I TAT I O N

COME TOUR OUR NEW MODELS ...and find your forever home

NOW SELLING • • • •

Desirable private gated community Beautifully designed exquisite floor plans, 1,940 - 3,186 sf Expansive lots with stunning views Elegant master suites & gourmet kitchens

Priced from the low

$600,000s

You will love life here.

SALES CENTER OPEN DAILY 10AM – 5PM Sales Center located at 1119 Trilogy Circle, at the end of Bradley Road at Sage Crest Drive in Orcutt (805) 623-5607 / sales@ccb1.net

CCBcalifornia101guide.com H&L full page bleed ad master.indd 6

Spring 2020 12/5/19

85

7:34 AM

Fusing Flavors of the 101

By Zachary Rosen

Beer-wine, ginger beer, and hard kombucha are taking the Central Coast by storm.

The diverse landscape and climate found along the 101 is what makes the region not only prime for agriculture, but also an international destination.

From the world-renowned wine country to the plethora of craft breweries, this area has a little of something for everyone that appeals to a wide range of palates. But some of these establishments are moving further past their standard offerings to craft beverages that fuse several ingredients and highlight all that this area has to offer.

Beer-wine: A Surprising Marriage No brewery has done more to put the Central Coast on the map as Firestone Walker Brewing Company and, especially, Barrelworks, a separate facility that houses their barrel-aging program. Since opening in 2013, Barrelworks has made a name for itself and has cemented Firestone Walker’s legacy in the craft beer world. While their barrel-aged strong ales have received plenty of praise, the sour and wild-fermented beers of Barrelworks are known to rival the famous lambics and sour beers of Belgium.

Many of these beers are made with a variety of ingredients and incorporate local fruits, even some that include grapes from the very vineyards that make this area such a celebrated wine region. The end result is neither beer nor wine and is instead its own experience.

Photo courtesy of Buttonwood

Buttonwood Winery grows all its own hops for their hopped wine, Hop On.

86

Spring 2020

Photo by Zachary Rosen

Bretta Blanc fuses sauvignon and chenin blanc grapes with beer.

These beer-wine hybrids actually began as a collaboration between Firestone Walker and Mikkeller, the famed Danish craft brewery. When coming up with ideas, grapes were suggested, and both breweries quickly jumped on board. Jim Crooks, Master Blender for Barrelworks, started exploring local vineyards and began experimenting with Sauvignon Blanc and Chenin Blanc must, like the leftover stuff after the grapes have been pressed. This sparked what Jim calls the “curiosity phase” of the beer-wine program. He quickly realized that these beers could not be approached with the standard methods and Photo by Zachary Rosen Jim began experimenting The Buellton-based Barrelworks makes some of the further with different grapes, most renowned beer-wine hybrids in the world. california101guide.com

techniques, and microflora. An early experiment with grapes helped form the cornerstone of Barrelworks. One of the yeasts Jim discovered on a Chardonnay grape skin produced such a nice, crisp Belgian-yeast flavor that he knew immediately it would become their house yeast. This wine yeast now ferments a good majority of Barrelworks’ saisons and other beers. When Andrew from Andrew Murray Vineyards in Los Olivos began helping Jim with their beer-wine hybrids in 2013, the program really began to take off. Over the years, the two have experimented with a wide range of grape varietals and both brewing and winemaking techniques.

Today, collaboration remains an important part of the process and these experiments have culminated in the Terroir Project.

Each fall, Firestone Walker gathers some of the world’s best breweries for a festival that features beer-wine hybrids crafted only from grapes that have been grown within 100 miles of the respective brewery. But when the festival is not happening, it is easy enough to visit Barrelworks at their Buellton-based tasting room attached to the Firestone Walker restaurant. Visitors can taste a range of their barrel-aged specialties, including their beer-wine fusions. Bretta Blanc incorporates Sauvignon and Chenin blanc grapes from David Walker’s family vineyard into a silky yet tart brew that has white grape aromas of passion fruit, honeydew, and guava.

Thin Skin is made with Pinot Noir grapes and brings flavors of black cherry and peppered earth while the similar themed, Zin Skin, features Zinfandel grapes and is more herbal with a prominent American oak character of coconut cream. Of course, Barrelworks is an ongoing experiment and each visit will get you a different set of these imaginative brews.

spices. Still available in their Santa Barbara brewery and tasting room, it has a strong coconut and earth aroma with a rich cinnamon bun flavor that is not to be missed.

Wine-beer: A Fusion of the New and Old In nearby Solvang, Buttonwood Farm Winery & Vineyard is going a completely different direction with the idea of a beer-wine hybrid. Their Hop On white wine incorporates hops grown at the winery. This was a natural fit for Buttonwood winemaker Karen Steinwachs, who is both a beer lover and has a family history with beer. Her great-great-grandfather founded Pabst Brewery. After trying a hopped cider, she began to wonder why she couldn’t do the same with her wine.

She wanted to bring all of the complimentary aromatics of hops from her favorite IPAs, but without any of the associated bitterness.

It took some experimentation and help with local hop grower Brian DeBolt of Pacific Valley Hops in the Santa Rita Hills, but after some tries, she was able to produce a white wine that also captured the essence of hops. The product was so unique that the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau actually had trouble classifying it. Karen refers to this as easily the most difficult label-approval she has ever experienced. The persistence paid off though, and today Hop On has become one of their more popular products.

Down in Santa Barbara, Third Window Brewing Co. has been experimenting with a similar process, but with a beer Photo courtesy of Buttonwood that has its own tradition. The feast day of Saint Barbara, The result is a grape blend (93% Hop On from Buttonwood the city’s namesake, is held each year on Dec. 4 and is Sauvignon blanc, 7% Sémillon) that Winery is a hopped celebrated with burbara, a holiday porridge made of boiled is cold-infused with hops after the sauvignon blanc. barley, pomegranate seeds, raisins, anise, and sugar. When wine has undergone fermentation.

Third Window founder Kris Parker heard of this, it sounded like It is then matured in neutral French oak barrels to smooth out the perfect recipe for a beer-wine fusion. About five years and develop all the flavors. The original releases explored a ago, Kris got together with his neighbor, Potek Winery, and range of hop varietals, however the current Hop On is made friends at the Orange County-based The Bruery to craft with estate-grown Cascade and Crystal hops. The Sauvignon their own interpretation of burbara. Kris is the grandson of Blanc wine character comes through clearly in its flavors of honey, kiwi, and gooseberry, Fess Parker, actor and founder accented by some of the spicy of Fess Parker Winery, and so floral and citrus fruit aromas had already worked on a range of grapefruit and orange peel of beer-wine hybrids with The that these hops are famous for.

Bruery. The result was called It perfectly marries the flavors Bierbara and was a blend of of both wine and hops with beer with Santa Ynez Rodney’s a refreshing quality that can Vineyard Alvarelhão raisins, Fess attract both the beer and wine Parker estate raw barley, Turkish drinker. apricots, and a spice blend.

Since then, they have changed Ginger Beer: the recipe each year. This year’s Brews with Bite rendition is a Belgian Quad aged Photo by Zachary Rosen One brewery is developing in bourbon barrels with Syrah Third Window Brewing has worked on a variety of beer-wine something new that comes grapes and traditional burbara hybrids over the years. california101guide.com

Spring 2020

87

from something old. Before Prohibition, ginger beer was just as popular as regular beer and New City Brewery is trying to resurface that tradition. Their brewery is based in Southampton, Massachusetts, where their special line of ginger beers begins with something even older. The water in Southampton comes from a 10,000-year-old underground glacial lake and is famous for its quality, having been voted “Best Tasting Water” five years in a row by the National Rural Water Association in the Great American Water Taste Test held each year in Washington, D.C. “We like to joke that it has taken 10,000 years to make our beer products,” Ray Pierson, co-owner of New City Brewery, chuckles. But that’s not the only thing that particular area is known for. The brewery is housed in an old brick factory from the 1880s that specialized in flexible rubber products including tires for Model-T Fords made of cotton woven with latex. When the factory was being built, they had to recruit Photo courtesy of New City people from all Whether it is the New City Mule or Ginger over the region Beer, these spicy yet refreshing beverages fit and build a city the warmth of the West Coast. to house the new employees. The distinctive and historic building provided the perfect name for their blossoming brewery, New City Brewery.

The company is a family affair, being owned by Ray, his sonin-law, Sam Dibble, and two close friends. Sam runs the brewery, while Ray lives with his wife off of Hwy 101 in Ojai, where they self-distribute New City’s ginger brews throughout the area.

They felt that the refreshing bite of this ginger beer perfectly fits the California atmosphere and especially “goes with the Ojai vibe” since it is preservative-free and all natural. Their popular base ginger beer is made from only cane sugar, molasses, lemon, lime juice, and of course, ginger. Quite a bit of it, in fact. Each gallon of their ginger beer uses one whole pound of ginger, ground fresh by hand.

When they found that people were using the Ginger Beer to mix into cocktails, they decided to explore Photo courtesy of New City the possibilities of what their New City’s Ray Pierson brew could do. They developed a feels their ginger Moscow Mule version that ends the beer is the perfect fermentation a little early and then accompaniment to the sunny Central Coast. adds lime juice in the bottle to give 88

Spring 2020

the flavor of the popular cocktail. Ray notes that because the Moscow Mule does not contain any actual vodka, it goes down far smoother than the standard cocktail, and still brings the lively bite of ginger that their products have become known for. They will soon be releasing a Ginger Beer that uses blood orange juice to add a ripe finish. While these fusion ginger beers may be made on the east coast, they can be found all along the 101, and especially in Ojai. Ray mentions that he is happy to have the brewery grow organically to maintain the quality of their products.

Hard Kombucha: A Healthy Fusion of Flavors

Down in Ventura, Flying Embers is bringing their passion for healthy lifestyle practices and quality ingredients to the world of high-alcohol kombucha. The founder, Bill Moses, has a long history with fermentation and kombucha. He originally founded KeVita, a non-alcoholic kombucha company, that he eventually sold to Pepsi Cola. Healthy living is his ethos and he wanted to bring the health benefits of kombucha to the hard kombucha category.

After founding the experimental laboratory, Fermented Sciences, in his home’s hundredyear-old stone wine cellar, Bill almost lost everything during the Thomas Fire of 2017.

His neighbors and surrounding community came together to save their land and laboratory. In honor of the fiery battle they fought, he named the kombucha brewery Flying Embers.

Photo courtesy of Flying Embers Flying Embers founder Bill Moses Today they donate wanted to bring his passion for healthy a minimum of 1% of living to hard kombucha. all proceeds toward firefighters and first responders, wanting to be a positive force for change and show their appreciation for everything that these people do. Focusing on health, they use all organic ingredients and guarantee a minimum of 500 million live probiotic counts in every single can. Each product also uses an adaptogen root blend of ginger, astragalus, turmeric, and ashwagandha to promote homeostasis in its drinker. And with flavors like Pineapple Chili or Grapefruit Thyme, each one of their hard kombuchas are aimed to please the palate while also providing the benefits of kombucha.

Whether it’s a beer-wine hybrid, hopped wine, or something entirely different, like a high-alcohol kombucha, each of these items fuses the unique flavors found along the 101. california101guide.com

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

89

The Historic Village of Arroyo Grande

Posies

Whether you are just having a roadside rest for a couple of hours or plan to visit for a week, you’ll find Arroyo Grande a delightful community to explore. The historic village area is an adventure in itself as you explore the turn of the century old downtown area. There are an abundance of gift and specialty shops along with wonderful places to dine.

The Village also prides itself on several annual festivals that are enjoyed by thousands of visitors as well as residents. Arroyo Grande is located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco in the heart of the Central Coast of California.

Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the coastal foothills, Arroyo Grande enjoys a pleasant year-round climate with beautiful scenic views. The city is home to fine schools, a rich agricultural and tourism based economy as well as many cultural facilities and events. The warmth of the community is abundant with its friendly residents and small-town charm.

106 W. Branch St. Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

805-481-0404

6000 Sq. feet of Gifts, Fashion & Home Decor.

Open 7 days a week. @posiesinthevillage

RO AR

“THE PLACE TO BEE”

Handmade Mibo Avarcas from Menorca Spain

GRANDE YO

Live Music Every Wednesday And Friday Evenings, Beer On Tap, Local Wines, Large Patio.

203 East Branch Street Arroyo Grande, CA 93420

119 E. Branch St. Arroyo Grande Located in the heart of The Village • 805-668-2595 90

Spring 2020

805-489-9099

branchstreetdeli.com california101guide.com

The 36th Annual Central Coast

Renaissance Festival

BAILEYANA, TANGENT & TRUE MYTH 5828 Orcutt Road, San Luis Obispo, CA (805) 269-8200 nivenfamilywines.com/taste Reservations required for 8 or more OPEN DAILY 10:00am - 5:00pm In our Tasting Room, a re-purposed Schoolhouse built in 1909, taste through a flight of five featured wines or buy a glass or bottle from over 30 different white, red, sparkling and dessert wines. Browse our enticing shop stocked with gourmet foods and charming gifts, or picnic outside and play boccie ball with views of the vines across the valley to the mountains.

July 18 & 19

Laguna Lake Park − San Luis Obispo

Armored Contact Battles Four Stages of Entertainment Pirate Row − Artisan Market Delicious Food & Drink Fun For All Ages

CCRenFaire.com

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY

JUL 18  AUG 1 | california101guide.com

FESTIVALMOZAIC.COM Spring 2020

91

Whale watching 101

by Michele Roest

A guide to viewing some of Earth’s largest animals, just off the Central Coast The California coastline has some of the best places in the world for whale watching. The clean, nutrient-rich waters offer prime feeding areas for many species of whales and are part of a migration pathway that has been used for thousands of years. Besides the gray whales, who perform their astounding annual 10,000-mile round-trip migration, there are also frequent sightings of humpback, blue, and killer whales. Many species of smaller whales and dolphins also travel in nearshore ocean waters.

Whales are hard to spot — which is surprising, considering their size. The average adult gray whale is about 45 feet long, or about the length of the average school bus. Humpback whales range in length from 40 to 50 feet. Blue whales, the largest animals on the planet, can reach lengths of 80 to 100 feet.

Observing these behemoths of the sea can be aweinspiring. Whether you are spotting whales from a high overlook or promontory, or feeling the thrill of a boat ride, you can get terrific views of these mammals and their activities right here off the Central Coast.

Majestic water ballet, off the coast of Avila Beach.

92

Spring 2020

Photo by Kevin Winfield

Morro Rock stands sentinel as a humpback whale dives in Estero Bay.

Photo by Slocoastpix

california101guide.com

Whales can catch a lot of air — and make a massive splash!

Photo by Slocoastpix

When to watch

Shore viewing

Before going on a whale watching adventure, be sure to check with local whale watching or natural history organizations to confirm that whales have been spotted in the area.

When looking for whales from shore, select a high point of land that provides a broad view of the ocean. Select a time when the ocean is calm and the sun is not directly in your eyes. Mornings are usually the best time.

Gray whales travel annually along the coast of California between their breeding areas in Baja California and their feeding areas in Alaskan waters. In the fall, they are most likely to be seen heading south towards Baja, where pregnant females give birth to calves in late December. Gray whales travel north from January through May to reach prime feeding areas in the Bering and Chukchi Seas, where they spend the summer feeding on abundant amphipods and krill.

Scan the horizon and wait to see a blow or spout — the puff of water ejected through the blowhole when the whale exhales. Blows rise six or more feet above the surface of the water (some blows can be as high as 30 feet!). They usually linger for a few seconds before disappearing. Once whale blows are spotted, use binoculars to get a close-up view of the whale’s back or tail. In the springtime, the blows of cowcalf pairs traveling slowly northward may be spotted — the large spout of the mother, and smaller spout of the calf.

The gray whale migration is well documented and is a significant part of the cultural history of North America. Native peoples hunted gray whales for food and used whale bones for tools. Commercial hunting for whales at sea and from shore (called shore whaling) was common until the late 1800s, which led to the gray whale being on the verge of extinction.

Since protection began in the 20th century, gray whale populations have rebounded.

Humpback whales are summer visitors, mostly seen from late March to September. Blue whales can be seen in late spring and summer. Orcas, often called killer whales, may be seen offshore at any time of year.

california101guide.com

Whale acrobatics Humpback and gray whales are known for breaching — leaping clear out of the water, then falling back into the water with a resounding thump and splash that can be heard (and seen) for miles. Other behaviors visible from shore are lob-tailing, when a whale forcefully slaps its flukes on the surface of the water; spyhopping, when the whale’s head rises out of the water as much as eight to 10 feet; and sounding, when a whale prepares for a deep dive. When preparing to dive, the ridge of the whale’s back will appear above the surface of the water, usually ending with a show of the tail flukes.

Spring 2020

93

Photo by Kevin Bailey

False killer whales swim close to an Island Packers charter.

Photo by Steve Munch

A pod of dolphins pass Anacapa’s iconic lighthouse and natural arch.

Santa Cruz Island is home to Painted Cave, the longest sea cave in North America.

Photo by Robert Schwemmer

Whale watching from a boat Whale watching is a great combination of adventure and ecotourism, and is readily available in coastal California. For the adventurer, nothing beats a whale watching trip on a boat; they offer much closer views of whales, as well as a myriad of other interesting wildlife including birds, fish, dolphins, and other marine mammals. Boat excursion options vary from large boat charters carrying 50 or more people to small private groups of six or less.

Whale watching tours usually include a naturalist who is knowledgeable about whales and other marine life. The naturalist will explain details of whale behavior and activities. Whale watching boat operators know the 94

Spring 2020

Cover photo

Photo by David Beeninga

A whale’s fluke waves at onlookers as it descends into the depths. california101guide.com

Humpback whales lunge, feeding on small bait fish congregating near the surface

Photo by Liz Vernand

laws protecting marine wildlife, and how to avoid getting too close or harassing a whale.

islands may come across sharks, seals, sea lions, and even the occasional sea turtle.

What else to see

Boat safety

There are many other interesting animals to see on a whale watching trip.

Dolphins may come over to a boat and ride the wave generated by the moving vessel. This offers amazing opportunities to see dolphins up close.

Offshore trips may catch sight of seabirds like petrels and albatross.

Trips that explore remote

Boat-based whale watching trips may not be for everyone; seasickness is a common consequence of being on a moving boat, and small children and elderly people may not be able to easily keep their footing when a boat is in motion. Always listen to the captain and follow orders regarding safety.

Photo by Slocoastpix

Whales can catch a lot of air — and make a massive splash! california101guide.com

Spring 2020

95

Pacific White Side Dolphins frolic in the wake of a boat.

Photo by Lottie Keenan

Photo by Doug Mangum

Even on a slow day of whale watching, there’s plenty of beauty at the Channel Islands — especially at Anacapa’s Cathedral Cove.

Photo by Tim Hauf

A group of lucky onlookers gets up close as a whale spouts just off the bow.

Before you go When planning a day of whale watching, be sure to bring these essentials for comfort and safety: Sunscreen and a hat Layers of clothing for changing weather Plenty of water Snacks Binoculars Whale or Nature Watching Guide Photo by Doug Mangumf

It’s spring on the islands too! Remote Santa Rosa turns vibrant shades or green, yellow, purple and orange.

96

Spring 2020

Patience (on any day, the whales may be hard to spot) Michele Roest is a biologist and naturalist with a lifelong love for California’s Central Coast. california101guide.com

CAMBRIA GARDEN SHED 805 • 927 •7654 CAMBRIAGARDENSHED.COM

CAYUCOS CELLARS 805 •995 •3036 CAYUCOSCELLARS.COM

815 Main Street, Cambria CA 93428 ph. 805.203.5950 www.patrickgallery.com www.facebook.com/workingartiststudio

GROW NURSERY 805 •924 •1340 GROWNURSERY.COM

MENTION THIS AD AND RECEIVE 15% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER

LILY’S COFFEE HOUSE 805 •927 •7259

OCEAN HEIR 805 •909 •9022 OCEANHEIRESTATECOMPANY.COM

SIMPLISTIC HOME

OPEN 10–6 FRI & SAT 10–5 DAILY

559 •970 •5654 SIMPLISTICHOME.COM

OLIVE OIL TASTING

2024 MAIN STREET • CAMBRIA california101guide.com

AND

FARM TOURS

2985 TEMPLETON RD, TEMPLETON, CA (805) 610-2258 Spring 2020

97

Paso Robles is more than just a place – it’s an experience you’ll never forget.

Pre-Olive Festival Social Mixer & Olive Oil Tasting - May 1, 2020

Time: 5:30 – 7:00 PM Location: Studios on Park, Downtown Paso Robles Socialize with downtown merchants, olive oil producers, industry experts and more during the Olive Oil Awards. Learn more about Paso’s burgeoning olive oil industry during this pre-festival event.

Where Everybody Comes Together

17th Annual Olive Festival May 2, 2020

Time: 10am – 5pm Location: Paso Robles Downtown City Park Free Admission Paso olives you! It’s all about olives during the annual Paso Robles Olive Festival. Bring the entire family to Downtown City Park for a day dedicated to Paso Robles area olives including sampling, vendors, demonstrations and an olive dishcooking contest. Check out the mobile olive oil press, or take a stroll through Culinary Row to entice your epicurean fancy with local artisanal, farm-fresh food, and be sure to try the olive oil ice cream!

PasoRoblesDowntown.org

40th Infantry Division Band Concert June 28th Sunday @ 5:00pm to 7:00pm

Central Coast Lavender Festival - City Park July 11, 2020

10am - 5pm This free event celebrates the lavender industry–an emerging local product–and features lavender producers from throughout the county, who will serve tastes of lavender cuisine, sampling of lavender oils, dipping sauces, lavender ice cream, and education on lavender, lavender growing, and sustainable farming practices. There will be free seminars on distilling lavender, benefits of lavender, and demonstrations throughout the day in the City Park Gazebo.

Features: Music, a special children’s activities area, local lavender growers and vendors, arts, a Lavender Tasting Garden with tastes to purchase, and free samples and demonstrations.

Free Pancake Breakfast- July 25, 2019

Time: 7:30am – 10:30am Location: Paso Robles Downtown City Park Free Admission Eat free pancakes with all of the fixins’ in Downtown City Park for this free community tradition.

Family-friendly and relaxed, stop by the park for a stack of pancakes, catch up on old times and enjoy this free breakfast! Tickets can be found in any of the downtown merchants.

98

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Downtown Paso Robles has something for every visitor, from

restaurants, boutiques, antiques, gift stores and art galleries to olive oil and craft beer purveyors and more. Experience Paso Robles’ quaint downtown setting, historic charm, wine country chic and classic country feel while visiting downtown.There is ample free parking in and around downtown, an informational kiosk located at the Acorn building, restrooms in city park, plus many new amenities that make downtown authentic. Come find out why Paso Robles is being hailed as one of the best places to shop in San Luis Obispo County. Conveniently located along Spring Street and anchored by city park, downtown is just a short drive away from motorists exiting from Highway 101 north or south from San Francisco and Los Angeles and just a short drive away from wine country.

Surprises around every corner Shopping in downtown Paso Robles is a truly unforgettable experience. Start your walk in Downtown City Park, wander through the diverse and vibrant merchants and take in the sights and sounds of historic Paso Robles. Shoppers can expect the same kind of personalized, face-to-face service they’ve grown to expect from our homegrown businesses and world-class downtown merchants. In Paso Robles, visitors can spend the entire afternoon checking out the bevy of merchants and shops with a huge selection and variety. In downtown Paso Robles, there are surprises around every corner!

S

Where Tradition Meets Innovation Historic Downtown Paso Robles Taste and Relax • Home of the Infamous Jug Wine

Let us surprise and delight you with the best this region has to offer!

Open 7 days a week for lunch and dinner, brunch on Sundays 1313 Park Street Paso Robles 805.226.5888 thomashillorganics.com california101guide.com

90+ point wines • Vineyard Specific Wines

829 13th Street, Paso Robles, CA Sun-Thu 12-6, Fri & Sat 11-7

805-226-4005

www.pianettawinery.com Spring 2020

99

Delivery 9am - 3pm

Open 7 days a week • • • • • • • • • • •

Box Lunches Meetings Party Platters Wedding Packages Wine Tours Breakfast, Lunch & More Patio Seating Dog Friendly Kids Menu Gluten-Free Vegan Options

1102 Pine St., Paso Robles

(Next to Park Cinemas Theatre)

(805) 237-1780 Order Online redscooterdeli.com

ABOUT THE VILLAGE OF CAMBRIA

784 Main St., Suite A Cambria CA 93428 (800)545-5079 or (805)927-8200 Monday-Saturday 10am-4pm – Closed Sunday stay@cvrrentals.com • cambriavacationrentals.com/ 100

Spring 2020

A quaint seaside village, is located on the Central Coast, half way between San Francisco and Los Angeles, just six miles south of Hearst Castle. We are nestled in a forest of Monterey pines at the foot of the scenic Highway One/Big Sur Coast.

The climate is a cool Mediterranean with clear blue skies, light seasonal fog and temperatures averaging 50 to 70 degrees F.

california101guide.com

PAPPY McGREGOR’S GASTRO PUB

ELEVEN TWENTY TWO SPEAKEASY

awarding winning gastro pub & craft cocktail bar

1930’s Prohibition Style Speakeasy & Lounge

Downtown Paso Robles @ 1122 Pine St. located on back patio of Pappy McGregor’s Gastro Pub

Eleven-TwentyTwo.com

WINE TASTING ROOM | OPEN DAILY 10AM - 5PM

Lloyd’s Lookout at Calcareous 3430 Peachy Canyon Road Paso Robles, CA 93446 calcareous.com

Downtown Paso Robles @ 1122 Pine St. PappyMcGregors.com

American Barn & H ’ Wood G IN

“Let The Soil Speak!” Calcareous Estate wines are produced from grapes grown at one of our 3 vineyards. Due to farming practices and the nature of the land, these vineyards produce tiny yields, resulting in fruit of profound depth and sense of place. Utmost care is taken during harvest and cellaring to capture the true essence of the land. These techniques include small lot fermentations, extended maceration, no use of chemical fining, premium cooperages, and minimum racking as the wine ages. These are truly hand-made wines of distinctive character. california101guide.com

AIM L C

S A C RI ME

GE A T I ER

A

RE

Old Reclaimed Barn Wood • Barn Doors • Beams and More We supply homeowners and professionals with a large variety of old, authentic wood

3460 La Cruz Way, Paso Robles 805-610-7838 or 805-610-7839

americanbarnandwood.com • info@ americanbarnandwood.com Spring 2020

101

CALIFORNIA 101 Quilting Guide – Paso Robles to Ventura The Quiltery

1413 Riverside Ave. #B Paso Robles, Ca. 93446 thequiltery.net

for all levels of quilters. Drop in and check out our extensive variety of new fabrics including Kim Diehl, French General, Kaffe-Fasset, CivilWar reproductions, patriotic, flannels and batiks. We also have a great selection of wool products.

CA 101

The Cotton Ball

2830 Main St., Morro Bay, Ca 93442 (805) 772-2646 thecottonball.com

Greeted by our friendly knowledgeable staff, we take pride in assisting you with your next project.

Sew Fun

8775 El Camino Real, Atascadero Ca 93422 (805) 462-9739 mysewfun.com Open Tues. - Fri. 10am - 4p - Sat. 11am - 4pm Featuring a good selection of fabric, quilt backing, notions and Aurifil thread.

We offer computerized long arm quilting.

Looking forward to seeing you.

Open Wed. - Sat. 10am - 5pm, Sun. 11am-4pm Mon. 10am - 5pm Closed Tues.

The Cotton Ball is an icon to Morro Bay. We’ve been in business almost 50 years!

We carry everything for your quilting needs including fabric, books, notions, patterns, batting and we also offer quilting services.

Stop in and see our popular “Morro Rock” fabric that we had designed for our shop.

Come and be inspired to CREATE!

Picking Daisies

570 Higuera St. #120 San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 783-2434 pickingdaisiesinslo.com

Quilter’s Cupboard

5275 El Camino Real Atascadero, CA 93422 (805) 466-6996 quilterscupboard.com

Open Mon. – Sat. 10am - 5pm, Sun. 12pm – 5pm Sew Fun carries everything needed for sewing, quilting and machine embroidery. Fun, full service shop.

Classes for beginners to advanced embroiderers, sewers and quilters.

Authorized Janome Dealer for sales Mon.-Sat. 10am - 5pm - Sun. closed Quilter’s Cupboard is one of the “goto” quilt shops in Atascadero. We offer an extensive variety of fabrics, patterns, kits, classes and notions

102

Spring 2020

and service. Check out our extensive batik collection. We carry a large selection of books, fabric, notions and patterns.

Open Tues. - Sat. 11am - 5pm, Closed Sun. & Mon Chosen as one of the nation’s top 10 quilt shops by Better Homes and Gardens Quilt Sampler Magazine, Picking Daisies is a boutique fabric shop with an upscale modern aesthetic. Located in The Creamery Marketplace of charming downtown San Luis Obispo, the shop’s most striking feature is it’s napkin wall… a geometric grid of cotton napkins. Customers can purchase readymade napkins, as well as napkin making kits. california101guide.com

CALIFORNIA 101 Quilting Guide – Paso Robles to Ventura Old Town Quilt Shop

165A W. Clark Ave. Orcutt, CA 93455 (805) 938-5870 oldtownquiltShoporcutt.com

Grant House Sewing Machines

336-B E. Cota St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101 granthousesewingmachines.com

CA 101

Roxanne’s A Wish & A Dream 919 Maple Ave., Carpinteria, Ca 93013 (805) 566-1250 roxannequilts.com quilting • Knitting needleworK • arts and gifts

Hours: M-s • 10 to 5 sun. • 11 to 4

Mon. - Fri. 10am - 5:30pm Sat. 10am - 4pm Closed Sun. Enter our deceptively small shop and enjoy the bright colors, textures and eye candy! We offer a large selection of fabrics and notions for the quilter and sewing enthusiast, with numerous displays of quilts, small projects and clothing samples to get your creative juices flowing. Tour our large classroom where classes and retreats are held and get inspired to create with our small town community of quilters.

The Creation Station Fabric & Quilt Shop

Open Mon. - Sat. 10 to 5, Sun. 11am - 4pm Quilting • Knitting • Needlework • Arts and Gifts “Experience the Artful Life!”

A whimsical store with everything you’ll need for quilting, knitting, needlework, inspired gifts and more.

superbuzzy Mon. 10am - 5:30 Sat. 10am - 3pm Closed Sun.

252 E. Hwy 246, unit A Buellton, CA 93427 (805) 693-0174 thecreationstation.com

Santa Barbara is known for its beautiful environment, incredible food, wonderful shopping, and a world renowned creative arts scene. For beginning to experienced sewing artisans, “Grant House Sewing Machines” is their anchor, offering professional support, and a unique mix of classes, fabrics, notions, thread, furniture, and more! A true sewing community.

Come in to explore!

Open Tues. - Sat 10am -5pm • Sunday 10am - 4pm Closed Mondays Our shop has an eclectic retro vibe. Using found and recycled objects our displays not only inspire the most creative visitors but entertain and invite our non sewing guests to a nostalgic walk down memory lane. We are known for our originally designed patterns and kits exclusive to our shop. We have unique grab-and-go small projects as well as one-of-a-kind handmade gifts by us and our family.

Due to prevailing circumstances, our 2020 Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour is subject to change or postponement.

Be sure to check our group website Quiltshopsofthecentralcoast.com Additionally check individual shop websites which will provide you with current information.

california101guide.com

1794 E. Main St., Ventura 93001 superbuzzy.com

Tues.-Sat. 10am-5pm, Sun. 11am-4pm Closed Mondays Enter a creative wonderland brimming with color and texture: superbuzzy showcases a carefully curated selection of beautiful fabrics, yarns, embroidery supplies, and other fiber-related notions.

With an emphasis on Japanese and modern supplies, you’re sure to find the perfect element for your project as well as unsurpassed support to help you along the way. What will you make?

Spring 2020

103

Quilty Pleasures

By Misty Hall

Textile arts celebrated in the Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour

Quilting: it ain’t just granny’s game anymore.

I mean, sure, there are plenty of quilters who happen to be grandmothers. But they are also soccer coaches, motorcycle riders, pre-teens, and scientists. And they are no longer “just” quilters, weavers, or knitters, either — collectively, they are becoming known as fiber and textile artists. And increasingly, these are entering the mainstream art world, stretching perceptions, pushing boundaries, and expanding definitions with every stitch.

Granny’s game is going global.

Quilts aren’t just for beds anymore! Art quilts are rising above the level of “blanket,” challenging viewers’ perceptions of what is and can be. These quilts were locally made by textile artists on the Central Coast.

104

Spring 2020

The beauty of this art form is that it encompasses so much.

Textile artists sell wall hangings for tens of thousands of dollars in Europe, but they also make cute little tote bags for the Ojai Farmer’s Market. They craft elaborate abstract pieces four stories high — and funky quilts made of old concert T-shirts, too. They are professional artists and weekend warriors alike, united by their love of fibers, texture, and the need to create.

For textile artists — of all kinds, and both novice and pro — there’s a string of shops along the Central Coast that california101guide.com

are a must-see. Together, they are the Central Coast Quilt Shop Owner’s Association, a group of 10 shops in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties. Each has its own specialty — and each is cooking up something fun for the Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour, set for May 29 – 31, 2020.

From fabric to infinity Roxanne Barbieri is a biologist by training, but a quilter at heart.

The owner of Roxanne’s A Wish and A Dream in Carpinteria, Roxanne loves challenging the traditional definition of quilter.

“They are people who love art and creating,” she said, “people who love texture and design.”

The drive to create — and the variety of products and tools available — gives quilters and other textile artists lots of options.

Aside from dress patterns and fabric rolls, there are ready-made kits with all the gear and directions you need to make blankets, macramé wall hangings, and even sassy purses made from seatbelts.

And each of the Central Coast shops offers something different, Roxanne pointed out. “You’re not going to find all the same things in most of the stores,” she said. “We each have a different focus and specialize in different things. It’s amazing — there’s so many different kinds of fabrics, and different kinds of art you can do with fabric!”

Roxanne’s 4,000-sq.ft. retail space includes 1,200 bolts of Kaffe Fassett’s designs. “He has a huge following,” Roxanne said.

“People come from all over to see our collection of his fabrics.”

Superbuzzy, in Ventura, has a collection of Japanese fabrics, with prints featuring whimsical cartoon critters, cherry blossoms, geishas, and even old newspaper advertisements. At The Cotton Ball in Morro Bay, you’ll find locally designed batik fabric featuring the iconic Morro Rock, and at Quilter’s Cupboard in Atascadero you can find Civil War and 1930s reproduction fabrics. San Luis Obispo’s Picking Daisies was named one of the country’s top 10 quilt shops by Better Homes and Gardens Quilt Sampler Magazine.

Tour time The camaraderie between textile artists extends to each of the Central Coast shops. “We recommend each other’s shops all the time,” Roxanne said. “If someone is looking for a particular type of thing, we know where to send them.”

The Central Coast Quilt Shop Owner’s Association are a tightknit group (get it?).

These quilts were locally made by textile artists on the Central Coast. california101guide.com

Their enthusiasm for the textile arts and for the products they all sell is part of the reason they’ve organized the Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour. The last weekend in May, the shops will pull out all the stops. Along with special sales and giveaways, they’re transforming their stores into art galleries as well, offering plenty of scope for the imagination.

Spring 2020

105

To encourage folks to go to every shop, they have a “passport” to be stamped. Get all 10 spots stamped to be entered to win some incredible gifts — like a Fuchsia Featherweight 221 Sewing Machine, a Janome Skyline 7 Sewing Machine, a Pfaff Quilt Ambition 630 Sewing Machine, or a $1,250 gift certificate for use in any of the 10 shops on the tour. $10 gets you a premium passport, which comes with a cute tote bag and a custom enamel pin from each shop.

But don’t rush through, Roxanne said, “We’re trying to encourage people to take three days and enjoy the Central Coast.” There are quilt runs all over the country, as she pointed out, but the Central Coast shops didn’t like the idea of a “run.”

“We wanted people to enjoy the journey,” she said. They want folks to visit their shops, but also go wine tasting or to a day spa, play a round of golf, take a glass blowing class, grab a bite to eat, go horseback riding, or even do a little gambling.

“There are so many great things to do in this area!” she enthused.

The tour runs Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, so you’ll have plenty of daylight leftover to explore the many cute towns along the way. Find more information at quiltshopsofthecentralcoast.com.

Get started — and get better Can’t make the tour? Check out each shop’s website for their list of classes!

Whether you’re just beginning your foray into the world of textile arts or have been at it for decades, the Central Coast quilt shop group has you covered. Here’s a few to get you started: • Quilt classes at Quilter’s Cupboard: April 11, quilters will learn to make Bonnie Hunter’s Pineapple Blossoms Quilt together. The following week, April 18, learn to make an Ombre Weave Quilt.

Both classes run from 10 am to 4 pm. Visit quilterscupboard. com/classes for more information and to sign up.

• Brown Bag Retreats at The Creation Station: Nancy Hamilton hosts these three-day retreats throughout the year. Bring your projects and sewing machines, socialize, create, and enjoy group events like potlucks. These often sell out months in advance, so plan ahead and check out thecreationstation. com/classes.

• Macramé and Driftwood Plant Hanger Workshop at Picking Daisies: Head to this SLO shop May 9 and learn this beautiful and hip craft. All supplies included. See pickingdaisiesinslo. com/classes-workshops to register.

make new friends at the Open Sew Workshops for $5 per class! Ranell will be there to help with any questions you might have.

Workshops are Mondays from 6 to 8:30 pm, and Thursdays from 1 to 4 pm.

• Craft Night at Superbuzzy: Have a project and want some advice or company? Check out Craft Night at Superbuzzy, held on the third Thursday of each month, through the end of the year. Free. For more information and to register, see superbuzzy.com/ classes.

• Old Town Quilt Shop retreats: Bring your projects and sew your heart out at these popular three-day retreats. Also at Old Town Quilt Shop learn to make a dish cover with matching runner and placemats in OTQS’s Breakfast Club, a beginning sewing class, May 16 from 9 am to 4 pm. Breakfast Club happens every month, with a new project each time. Classes and retreats fill quickly; visit oldtownquiltshoporcutt.com/classes for more and to register.

Members of the Central Coast Quilt Shop Owner’s Association participating in this year’s Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour are found on page 100

• Knitting, crochet, and sewing classes at Roxanne’s A Wish and A Dream: Learn to knit and crochet at free classes, Saturdays from 10 am to noon. Or come work on your own projects and 106

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Experience the fusion of earth, art, and wine.

OPEN DAILY 10AM - 5PM 805.226.8881 | 5015 Linne Rd. Paso Robles CA | www.sculpterra.com

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

107

Paddling Pals

Outrigger canoeing off the Central Coast

By Alison Withers

Photos by Dan Brockett

Above and right: Outrigger teams from across Southern and Central California line up on the beach in Ventura.

The first time I saw an outrigger canoe was while vacationing on Oahu in 2010. It was the 4th of July, and it also happened to be the day of the annual Walter J. Macfarlane Memorial Canoe Regatta — the oldest annual outrigger canoe race in the world, getting its start in 1943. Hundreds of canoes lined the beach. The race had finished earlier that morning, and the paddlers were now enjoying cold beers and celebrating their finishes.

I was fascinated by the boats, the camaraderie, the overall vibe of the group. I’ve always loved the Hawaiian culture, and this just solidified it. I woke up early every morning for the rest of that trip so I could watch the boats glide across the water with what looked like such ease.

I learned years later, off the coast of Ventura County, just what it takes to move those 400-pound boats so gracefully.

Finding ohana

Outrigger boats date back to 200 AD and were originally developed for sea travel. Most outrigger canoe racing can be traced back to the Polynesian cultures of Tahiti and Hawaii. The sport, called heihei wa’a, was practiced among Hawaiian chiefs, and bets were placed on the outcome. Traditionally, outrigger canoe racing took place in a canoe with six paddlers (OC-6 or six-man canoes). It was in the early 1990s that kayak builder John Martin of Hawaiian Designs built a rough water one-man outrigger canoe (OC-1). My former coach, Roy Ervin, happened to be getting ready for an OC-1 race in Kailua, Kona when I reached out to him for a quote. “The energy here is overwhelming with true Aloha Ohana. People come right up to you and greet you like they haven’t seen you for a while.”

This ohana, a Hawaiian term meaning “family,” is exactly what sets outrigger paddling apart from other sports. “Looking to my 11th year of racing, it has brought me to a point where I look beyond the season and more to what touches my spirit. To be on the water, gliding effortlessly along on my one-man canoe (OC-1). To be on the water and looking back on the land is a reminder that perhaps some of us belong more on the water. To be in the pure moment of 108

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

connecting without forward thought, but to feel that exact peace with every paddle stroke.”

I signed up on Facebook for a Hokuloa Outrigger Open House in April 2016. I didn’t think much of it (my main concern was that it was so early on a Saturday - why?!). But man, were my assumptions wrong. I showed up to the Open House at Ventura Harbor and was immediately greeted by several people on the beach. There were two outrigger canoes on shore. I had no idea how big they actually were until I was standing next to one. An outrigger canoe is 45

feet long, generally made of fiberglass, and weighs more than 400 pounds. I chatted with the Novice Coach for a few minutes, letting him know that I have a background in water polo and swimming, and have a love for the water in general. He tried to get me in a boat that morning to try it out. I declined, saying I’d come back the next morning for the 9 am paddle. I had to mentally prepare for this!

In the power seat

The next morning was clear and sunny. I arrived at the beach a bit before 9. They gathered us newbies, explained a bit about what to expect, handed us paddles, and put us in the seats they thought we’d be best in. There is so much more to paddling than you’d think — seat placement being super important. I sat in Seat 4, which made me a little nervous. Seats 3 and 4 are often referred to as the “engine room” or “power seats.” The heavier, stronger paddlers take these seats and are responsible for providing the power required to get and keep the canoe moving.

I won’t bore you with the details of that first grueling 4-mile paddle — which I laugh at now, considering that by the end of the season our team was participating in 20-mile races. I will tell you that after that day, I was one thousand percent hooked on outrigger paddling (even if I did start by holding my paddle backwards).

Paddling quickly became a way of life. Practices were three times a week — two weekday evenings and 8 am Saturday practices. I was working a fulltime job that was somewhat intense, and paddling was my outlet.

Photo by Dan Brockett

Paddlers take off from the beach at the mouth of the Ventura Harbor. california101guide.com

Once you’re in the boat, that’s all you focus on. The movement of your paddle. The placement of your feet. Synchronization with the other paddlers in your boat. If one person is off, the whole boat is off. Finding that rhythm is sometimes elusive, but when it hits? That Spring 2020

109

Photo by Dan Seibert

Six people, one boat. Outrigger canoe teams require more than just teamwork — they must be “ohana.”

boat gliding across the water when everyone is in sync is almost magical. You get in this groove, and you’re going, and sometimes it is rough. You’re exhausted. The sun is beating down on you.

Saltwater is spraying your face. You’re on mile 10. But you bear down, find that strength, and keep going. And when you get back to shore, and realize you just helped move a 400-pound boat 10, 15, TWENTY miles? MAN. That feeling carries over into your daily life.

Paddling forces you out of your comfort zone, and helps you realize that you actually can do those things you didn’t think you could do.

forever connected and reunited the moment you touch the water.”

A way of life

Join the club (or the spectators)

Diana Ovadia, another Hokuloa teammate, has a similar story.

Paddling off the Ventura coast with Hokuloa, she said, “became church to me — I wasn’t right if I didn’t get on the water with my ohana … The sport pushed me, fed my competitive appetite, and gave me a renewed sense of self. The people made me laugh and became my closest friends. It’s still the highlight of my life and I look forward to my kids growing up on the water with me.”

Joining an outrigger club is a great way to start your paddling I quickly realized paddling is not just a sport. It’s a way of life. It journey, and many clubs offer adult and keiki (children’s) teams. becomes ingrained in you. Danielle Diaz-Peters, a teammate of There are several clubs along the Central Coast (see below). Race mine, says it perfectly: “I started paddling for the forced workout — season is May through September, and official practices usually once you’re in the boat there is no stopping until the boat returns.

After the first day, I fell in love … I found being on the water brought start around February or March. my mind, body and spirit Six people, one boat. Outrigger canoe teams require more than just teamwork — they Hokuloa Outrigger Canoe peace. I was fortunate to must be “ohana.”

Photo by Dan Seibert Club in Ventura holds Intro be blessed with a novice to Paddling classes on coach who not only taught select Sunday mornings us how to paddle, but throughout the season and the spirit of the sport, the usually in February before history, the definition of the season starts.

Santa ohana. He taught us there Barbara, Ka Nai’a, and Pale aren’t six people in the Kai have similar sporadic canoe, there are seven. open house events; contact When together on the the individual clubs for water the canoe and its dates. crew become one. The people you paddle with Not so sure you’re ready to not only become friends, hop in a boat? Races are but lifelong ohana that are actually really exciting to 110

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Photo by Dan Seibert

A late afternoon paddle in Santa Barbara provides front row seats to an epic sunset.

watch! They’re open to the public and are fun for all ages. Make a beach day of it, and enjoy the food, retail vendors, silent auctions, beer gardens, music, and more. It all helps offset the costs to the clubs (after all, outrigger canoes can cost upwards of $20,000 each). You’ll also get a chance to check out the boats and chat with the paddlers.

But the best part? Standing on the shoreline, cheering on the boats as they sprint toward the finish line.

Most race days begin around 8 am, but be sure to check club websites for details.

Upcoming Races on the Central Coast

• May 16: Ka Nai’a Outrigger Canoe Club’s Rig Run in Santa Barbara.

close and personal with moon jellies!

• June 6: Hokuloa Outrigger Canoe Club’s Ventura Outrigger Challenge in Ventura.

The race takes place at Harbor Cove on Spinnaker Drive, at the mouth of the Ventura Harbor. Teams from across the state convene on this normally-quiet little beach, making a 10-mile loop out toward the gorgeous Channel Islands National Park. When you’re done racing (or spectating) spend the evening across the street at the Ventura Harbor, with its many shops and restaurants.

Several other races are scheduled throughout Southern California this summer, including a race from Newport Beach to Catalina Island; visit scora.org/race-schedule for dates and more.

A Santa Barbara team paddles past the iconic Anacapa Arch, part of the Channel Islands The race takes place National Park.

Photo by Dan Seibert on the beach just off Cabrillo Boulevard, across from Santa Barbara City College. Two races — one four miles, the other 10 to 12 miles — take paddlers out toward the oil rigs that dot the coastline. Afterward, head to nearby Stearns Wharf for fantastic eats and stunning views, as well as the awesome Sea Center, where you can touch sharks and get up california101guide.com

Central Coast clubs:

• Ventura: Hokuloa Outrigger Canoe Club hokuloaoutrigger.com • Avila: Pale Kai Outrigger Canoe Club palekai.org • Santa Barbara: Santa Barbara Outrigger Canoe Club sbocc.org Ka Nai’a Outrigger Canoe Club kanaia.com Spring 2020

111

CENTRAL COAST EVENTS, SPRING 2020

By Tiobe Barron

S pring E vents 2020

Editor’s Note Before you go: Be sure to check websites, and call or email to confirm dates and times. Events are subject to change; some may have rescheduled, or canceled.

S pring E vents 2020

Spring heralds a flurry of activity in the natural world, and with how breathtakingly beautiful this part of the world is this time of year, whether you’re passing through California, or have lived here your whole life, you’ll want to get out and enjoy it too. Here is just a smattering of events happening around Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties this spring.

• The Hunt March 28, 11 am - 5 pm

112

APRIL • Spring Wild Flour Celebration April 3 - 5

MARCH • Bonnie Raitt March 20, 8 pm Blues legend Bonnie Raitt, popular for her hits such as “Something to Talk About” and “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” brings her Dig in Deep Tour to the Chumash Casino for one night only.

Cost: $69 to $99 Where: Chumash Casino, 3400 E Hwy 256, Santa Ynez Tickets and more: chumashcasino.com/entertainment • 23rd Annual Celebration of the Whales March 22, 11 am - 3 pm Commemorate the seasonal migration of California’s gray whales with this family-friendly festival featuring live music, raffles, chalk art, and more.

Free Where: Channel Islands Maritime Museum, 3900 Bluefin Cir, Oxnard More: channelislandsharbor.org

Hop on over to Plaza Park for Ventura’s largest Easter egg hunt! Different age groups will have different time slots to search. Other fun activities include face painting, arts & crafts, and jumpers to keep your little bunnies chipper.

Free Where: Plaza Park, Chestnut and E Thompson Blvd, Ventura More: thehuntventura.com

Inspired by the annual spring wildflower bloom, Cuyama Buckhorn teams up with Tehachapi Grain Project, Sommelier Elena Leibee, Chef Alison Trent, and Bakers Outpost for a weekend packed with stargazing, yoga, hiking through the superbloom, breadmaking, olive oil tastings, dinner and wine pairing, discussions about heritage grains and milling, a film screening, and more.

Where: Cuyama Buckhorn, 4923 Primero St, New Cuyama Tickets and more: cuyamabuckhorn.com/happenings • Kandi White at Campbell Hall April 13, 7:30 pm Join Indigenous Environmental Network organizer Kandi White as she discusses intersectionality, sustainability, and actions we can all take to address the climate crisis.

Free Where: UCSB’s Campbell Hall, Santa Barbara More: artsandlectures.ucsb.edu • Nature Photography Class April 16, 4 pm - 5:30 pm Learn to channel your inner Ansel Adams in this free offering from Camarillo Grove Park. Participants will learn how to look for wildlife-rich areas, and tips for capturing creatures on film (or the digital equivalent).

Where: Camarillo Grove Park, 6968 E Camarillo Springs Rd, Camarillo More: conejovalleyguide.com/events-calendar • 12th Annual Wine 4 Paws April 18 - 19

• Dr. Jane Goodall, DBE March 31, 7:30 pm University California Santa Barbara Arts and Lectures program presents this lecture with world-renowned conservationist and primate expert Dr. Jane Goodall as she recounts her career spanning six decades studying wildlife.

Cost: $38.50 - $88.50 Where: 1317 State St, Santa Barbara Tickets and more: artsandlectures.ucsb.edu Spring 2020

california101guide.com

What’s better than enjoying a glass of wine from an area renowned for its delicious vino? Drinking wine while saving lives! Various participating San Luis Obispo wineries team up in this benefit for the Woods Humane Society.

Where: various vineyards in San Luis Obispo County Tickets and more: woodshumanesociety.org/news-and-events • 50th Annual Santa Barbara Earth Day Festival April 18 - 19, 11 am - 6 pm

• Santa Paula Founding Day April 22, 5 pm - 8 pm Founded on this day in 1902, help commemorate Santa Paula’s rich history by visiting the downtown district, museums, or touring the numerous stately Victorian homes.

Free Where: Downtown Santa Paula More: visitsantapaulaca.com/events/list • Solvang Datsun Roadster Classic April 24 - 25

• 16th Annual Taste of Pismo April 25, 12 - 4 pm Enjoy live music, a raffle, and the offerings of local restaurants, wineries, and breweries while taking in the scenery. A can’t-miss for foodies and gourmands!

Cost: $35 (DD) - $85 Where: Dinosaur Caves Park, 2701 Price St, Pismo Beach Tickets and more: pismochamber.com MAY • 17th Annual Paso Robles Olive Festival May 1 - 3

Sample olive oil ice cream, investigate an olive oil press, watch demonstrations, and participate in contests at this weekend’s ode to the tiny and delicious Mediterranean fruit.

Free Where: Downtown Paso Robles For more: pasoroblesolivefestival.com • Bark in the Park May 2, 11 am - 3 pm Dog costume contests, racetrack, cooling zone, agility course, celebrity dogs, a do-it-yourself dog accessory station, and over 85 vendors of dog-specific goods make this a day you and your favorite wigglebutt are sure to woof. Don’t yet have a canine companion? Bring home one of the adoptable dogs who would love nothing more than to join your family.

Where: Conejo Creek Park, 1379 E Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks For more: crpd.org/events/bark-in-the-park

S pring E vents 2020

• 120th Annual Ojai Tennis Tournament April 22 - 26 Tennis lovers have flocked to the Ojai Valley for more than 120 years now to see some of the biggest names rise through the ranks of amateur tennis — and often into international stardom — at this annual event. Think Billie Jean King, Pete Sampras, Arthur Ashe, Mike and Bob Bryan, and dozens of others who have gone on to win at least one major Grand Slam Tournament.

What started out as an Ojai-vs-Ventura tennis match in 1896 has grown to include the Pac-12 championships, Independent/Division III and Community College finals, and Open and Junior divisions. All told, more than 1,500 players compete each year on more than 100 courts across Ventura County, with the finals culminating on Ojai’s Libbey Park tennis courts on the last Saturday and Sunday of April each year.

Cost: varies Where: Ojai’s Libbey Park and other Ventura County locations For more: theojai.net

• Morro Bay Kite Festival April 24 - 26, 10 am - 3 pm In the words of Mary Poppins: Let’s go fly a kite! Let your spirit soar through the spring air with the whimsy of this family-friendly art.

Free Where: Morro Rock Beach, 200 Coleman Dr, Morro Bay More: morrobaykitefestival.org

S pring E vents 2020

This family-friendly festival is the longest-running Earth Day event in the U.S. Featuring more than 200 eco-savvy vendors and exhibits, a beer garden, and live music, Santa Barbara Earth Day is all about cultivating enthusiasm around climate action and sustainability. The full festival is Saturday and Sunday, but there is a kick-off concert on Friday night.

Free Where: Alameda Park, 1400 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara For More: sbearthday.org

This Datsun car show kicks off Friday night with a meet-and-greet at the Mendenhall Museum of Gasoline. Datsun aficionados from around the world gather and enthuse at this one-of-a-kind happening.

Cost: varies with event registration Where: various locations in Solvang For more: solvangroadstershow.wordpress.com

• Watercolor Painting at Santa Ynez Valley Botanical Garden May 2, 11 am - 1 pm Start with a guided tour through the Santa Ynez Botanical gardens learning about landscaping, seasonal blooms and native plants, then let inspiration bloom in a watercolor painting session while enjoying local wine.

Cost: $65 Where: SYV Botanical Garden, 151 Sycamore Dr, Buellton Tickets and more: (805) 990-2105 or gypsystudiosart.com california101guide.com

Spring 2020

113

S pring E vents 2020 S pring E vents 2020

• Sheep Shearing Mission Life Day May 2, 11 am - 2 pm Get a glimpse into the past as La Purisima Mission docents and staff reenact activities that sustained life during the early mission years: sheepshearing, blacksmithing, candle-making, carpentry, and more. Visitors get a special behind-the-scenes look at wool production, including family-friendly hands-on activities.

Where: La Purisima Mission, 2295 Purisima Road, Lompoc For more: lapurisimamission.org/events • Big Bad Voodoo Daddy at Libbey Bowl May 9, 7 - 9:30 pm

• Food Truck Festival May 23, 4 - 8 pm Can’t decide what to have for dinner? Have your pick of over 20 different options all in the same locale at this fun, family-friendly festival featuring live music, and lawn games like corn hole and giant Jenga.

Free Where: 1605 Burnley St, Camarillo For more: (805) 482-1996 or conejovalleyguide.com/events-calendar • I Madonnari Italian Street Painting Festival May 23 - 25, 10 am - 6 pm Take advantage of the warmer weather with a stroll through Mission Plaza while it plays host to stunning works of chalk art during this Santa Barbara nod to the Italian original. Whether you’re an art connoisseur or a complete novice, you’ll wish this festival happened more than once a year!

Free Where: Santa Barbara Mission, 2201 Laguna St, Santa Barbara For more: imadonnarifestival.com

Swing, daddy! This Central Coast born-and-bred band has been performing for more than 25 years and blends jazz, swing, and Dixieland for a distinctly danceable sound. Spend a swingin’ spring evening in Ojai’s historic outdoor Libbey Bowl, located in the heart of downtown.

Tickets: $20-$68 Where: Libbey Bowl, 210 S Signal St, Ojai Tickets and more: libbeybowl.org • Mother’s Day Lunch Train with Fillmore & Western Railway Co. May 10, 11 am and 3:15 pm Treat mom to a 2-1/2-hour scenic train ride through Heritage Valley aboard an atmospheric, moving piece of history. Relax amid elegant, Orient Express-type ambiance while dining on a lunch of chicken cordon bleu with rice pilaf and vegetables. Vegetarian and children’s lunch options are also available upon request.

Cost: $25 - $50 Where: Fillmore & Western Railway, 364 Main St, Fillmore Tickets and more: fwry.com or (805) 524-2546 • Antique & Vintage Show and Sale May 15 - 17, 11 am - 6 pm Fans of Antiques Roadshow rejoice! One need not travel across the country to get a peek at potential antique treasures; Earl Warren Showgrounds is hosting a more local option. Hunt down that perfect conversation piece for your home, peruse potential additions to that special collection, or find a one-of-a-kind gift. Proceeds benefit CALM (Child Abuse Listening & Mediation).

Where: Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara Tickets and more: calmantiqueshows.com • Ka Nai’a Outrigger Canoe Club’s Rig Run May 16, 8 am Watch 400-pound boats glide gracefully over the water as teams from across Central and Southern California battle it out for glory and bragging rights. Two races — one four miles, the other 10 to 12 miles — take paddlers out toward the oil rigs that dot the coastline. Enjoy music, food, and vendor booths, and the Santa Barbara sunshine. Make a day of it and head over to

114

nearby Stearns Wharf afterward.

Free Where: On the beach off Cabrillo Boulevard across from Santa Barbara City College, in Santa Barbara For more: kanaia.com

Spring 2020

• Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour May 29 - 31 Don’t feel guilty being quilty! The annual Central Coast Quilt Shop Tour returns to 10 shops in Ventura, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo counties.

Make your way up or down the coast, stopping along the way at these unique and fun fabric and textile art shops. Check out thousands of fabrics, great gear and tools, cute gifts, and sewing machines from antique to state-of-the-art. Each stop along the way gets you a free gift, and if you stop into all 10 shops, you’ll be entered to win some incredible gifts — like sewing machines or a $1,250 gift certificate for use in any of the 10 shops on the tour! The tour runs Friday and Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm, so you’ll have plenty of daylight leftover to explore the many cute towns along the way.

Free Where: Various quilt shops on the Central Coast For more: quiltshopsofthecentralcoast.com • Oak Heart Country Music Festival May 30, 1 - 10 pm This all-ages concert benefits the Rotary Club of Westlake and is Ventura County’s largest country music festival. Previous acts include Big & Rich, A Thousand Horses, Danielle Bradbery, and Gethen Jenkins.

Tickets: $49.99 - $109.99 (12 years and younger get in free) Where: Conejo Creek Park South,1300 E Janss Rd, Thousand Oaks Tickets and more: oakheartcmf.com • Firestone International Beer Fest May 30, noon - 5 pm Beer lovers, raise a pint to one of the West Coast’s premier suds celebrations! Hosted by the Central Coast’s renowned Firestone Walker Brewing Company, this event brings together 50 of the world’s top brewers to recognize the best in craft beer making.

Tickets: $90 - $200 Where: Paso Robles Events Center, 2198 Riverside Ave, Paso Robles Tickets and more: firestonebeer.com/brewery/invitational-beer-fest.php california101guide.com

JUNE • Community Bike Ride Through Downtown San Luis Obispo June 4, 9:30 pm - 11:30 pm

• Zoo Brew June 6, 5 - 8 pm Get your drink on to support your favorite wild things at the Santa Barbara Zoo! More than 30 breweries provide tastings; food and swag will also be available for purchase. 21+only admitted to this event.

Where: 500 Ninos Dr, Santa Barbara Tickets and more: sbzoo.org/event/zoo-brew-3 • Ventura Outrigger Challenge June 6, 6 am - 4 pm

• Ojai Music Festival June 11 - 14 The 74th annual classic music festival will return to Ojai’s Libbey Bowl this June with Matthias Pintscher at the helm as Music Director. Blending the progressive with the timeless, this year’s event features diverse pieces from the likes of Mozart, Bach, Pierre Boulez, Olga Neuwirth, and the Ensemble intercontemporain — a group of 31 soloists focusing on music of the 20th and 21st centuries. The long weekend also includes panel discussions, as well as morning, afternoon, and evening concerts in several venues around the Ojai Valley.

Cost: varies Where Ojai’s Libbey Bowl, and other Ojai locations Tickets and more: ojaifestival.org california101guide.com

• Championship Arabian Horse Show June 18 - 21 Earl Warren Showgrounds hosts the Arabian Horse Association Region 2 (the Central California chapter) championship show.

Where: Earl Warren Showgrounds, 3400 Calle Real, Santa Barbara For more: ahareg2.org • Training Clinic at Return to Freedom’s American Wild Horse Conservation June 18 - 20, 9 am - 4:30 pm Meet free-range wild horses and learn humane horsemanship and conservation techniques, as well as how to develop a deeper bond with your horse(s), with Neda DeMayo, Carolyn Resnick, and Nancy Zintmaster at this one-of-a-kind workshop at Return to Freedom, a non-profit sanctuary for 43 burros and 500 wild horses.

Where: San Luis Obispo Tickets and more: email programs@returntofreedom.org and see returntofreedom.org/visit/ • Group Surf Lesson June 20 or June 22, 3 - 4:30 pm Ditch the ties and celebrate Father’s Day by taking dad to hang ten!

Lovewater Surf Co. provides wetsuits and boards, along with practical and etiquette instruction, to have you enjoying the Pacific as never before.

Cost: $82.50 Where: Choice of beaches in Ventura or Santa Barbara County; see website for choices Tickets and more: (805) 636-1552 or lovewatersurf.com • Ojai Valley Lavender Festival June 27, 10 am - 5 pm

S pring E vents 2020

The Hokuloa Outrigger Canoe Club invites you to come participate in or watch their annual open-oceanwater outrigger race starting at Harbor Cove Beach. The day brings races, games, a beer garden, and more for the whole family.

Where: Harbor Cove Beach, Ventura For more: (805) 205-2909 or hokuloaoutrigger.com

Are you a mermaid or International Talk Like a Pirate Day enthusiast? This is definitely your day! Costume contests, crafts, and shows abound as swashbucklers and privateers transform the harbor for this unique holiday.

Free (but bring your dubloons if ye want grog!)

Where: Ventura Harbor, Spinnaker Dr, Ventura For more: venturaharborvillage.com/event

S pring E vents 2020

What started as a tradition amongst a handful of friends has grown into a crowd of hundreds gathering to enjoy the downtown scenery with a night bike ride. Everyone is encouraged to come out, bring your bike, obey traffic laws, and of course have fun!

Free Where: Mission Plaza, 989 Chorro St, San Luis Obispo For more: enjoyslo.com/events/2020-06

• Ventura Harbor’s Pirates Day June 13

France might be the unofficial lavender capital of the world, but Ojai’s love of the aromatic purple plant runs deep. Join the celebrations in this annual free shindig in Libbey Park featuring live music, games, and over 100 vendors.

Where: Libbey Park, downtown Ojai For more: ojaivalleylavenderfestival.org Spring 2020

115

“In a world full of blended honey, both foreign and domestic, Heavenly Honey Company of Ojai stands apart.

Our promise of Single Source Honey will not be broken. One beekeeper, one area of production, one jar - without fail.

COMPANY

of Ojai LLC

Taste the difference of pure American Single Source Honey at Heavenly Honey Company of Ojai.�

- Barbara Haskins Manager, Honey Tasting Room

Pure Raw Handpoured Honey & Custom Blended Organic Teas

116

Honey Tasting Room 206 East Ojai Avenue, Downtown Ojai www.heavenlyhoneycompany.com 805-633-9103 Spring 2020

california101guide.com

“There’s no place like home – Let me find yours.”

RE / MAX Gold Coast Realtors® DONNA SALLEN lic.#01488460

(805) 798-0516 donnasallen.com · donna4remax@aol.com ·

El Viaje 403 N. Montgomery St. Ojai, Ca 93023 El Viaje was inspired by architectural design of an Italian Luxury Villa where Old World Charm and the modern conveniences of every day life come together perfectly. As you enter through the gates to a private, secluded yard, you will love the mix of mature trees, the rose gardens, and the cozy seating areas. Once inside, you

california101guide.com

Spring 2020

117

“There’s no place like home – Let me find yours.”

RE / MAX Gold Coast Realtors® (805) 798-0516

DONNA SALLEN lic.#01488460

donnasallen.com · donna4remax@aol.com ·

will appreciate the elegant but simple lifestyle.

With the polished concrete floors downstairs and Brazilian Cherry wood floors upstairs, you will feel the warmth of this home. The cozy living room opens to the kitchen and dining room, and is perfect for entertaining. There are Venetian plaster walls throughout, granite counter tops, top of the line kitchen appliances, and an elevator. The brilliant finishing touches and attention to detail cannot be ignored, so don’t miss seeing this lovely Villa.

118

Spring 2020

california101guide.com

Patty Waltcher 25 ye a r s o f e x p e r i e n ce m a tc h i n g

p e o p l e a n d p ro p e r t y i n t h e O j a i Va l l e y

E AST E ND C ONTEMPORARY This completely renovated contemporary masterpiece with mountain views in two directions exemplifies good taste and quality construction. From the tiles of the outdoor shower to the colorful drought tolerant landscaping, the play of light and color inspire joy and a sense of integration. Includes a 1200 ft2 finished studio with bath, a huge back yard with pool and a remodeled 34-foot Excella Airstream.

1701McNellRdOjai.com

Offered at $2,885,000

I will help you discover the home that brings peace to your mind and heart ( 8 0 5 ) 3 4 0 -3 7 74 ~ pa ttyw a ltc h er.c om Lic. 01176473 california101guide.com

Spring 2020

119