California 101 Guide Fall 2022

Wonderful experience with these two Amazing Agents! They were able to maximize a seller’s market. They were helpful and honest as well as hard working. I would recommend them to anyone who wishes to buy or sell real estate. Good job!

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Travelers Guide

CALIFORNIA 101

Travelers Guide

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Published by Blue Highways Productions

COVER PHOTO BY Katherine McMahon Padaro Beach Grill outside seating area.

CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Dennis DeLano

MANAGING EDITOR

Misty Hall

CONTRIBUTORS

Nicole Leonetti

Adam Nuñez

Misty Hall

Randy Graham Katherine McMahon Marlowe Hast

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Mike Dawkins

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Jessica Frakes

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Whether you’re headed north or south on Highway 101 into L.A., you’ve passed one of the best-kept secrets in Ventura County: Old Town Camarillo (PAGE 8). Nicole Leonetti takes us on a journey through this hip little community-withina-community that has a surprising diversity of food, drink, and fun.

Editor

California 101 Travelers Guide mhall@ca101guide.com

Editor’s Note

Here on the Central Coast, we love the fall season as much as the rest of the country — even if it means we have to sweat out the warm afternoons just to get those cozy sweater vibes on the occasional chilly morning. So grab your pumpkin spice everything and dive into this awesome autumn edition.

Feeling the need for a good burger? Check out Katherine McMahon’s bestin-the-west recommendations on Page 76. Whether on the beach at Jalama or in the Paso Robles hills post-wine tasting, we’ll help you find your cheeseburger in paradise.

If you’d rather stay in and cook, Chef Randy Graham has some great recommendations (PAGE 69). He shares some of his favorite fall comfort foods, from queso fundido to espressochocolate-rum balls.

After all that food, you might want to get out and move. If you’re an equestrian — or just someone who appreciates the fine art of working with your hands — head north to Santa Margarita (PAGE 89).

There you’ll find master saddle maker Samantha Huston, whose gamechanging custom saddles help you ride the horse, “not the saddle.” Bonus: Samantha’s saddle shop is housed in a turquoise Quonset hut and filled with local Western-themed art and gifts.

Maybe you prefer wheels to hooves — we’ve got you covered there too!

CA 101

And while we’re on the subject, why is it called Camarillo, anyway? Find out at the Camarillo Ranch House (PAGE 18). This historic property was once home to Adolfo Camarillo and his family, pillars of the community in the late 1800s. Its beautiful Queen Anne Victorian architecture sets the scene for numerous fall events.

If you’d rather soak up nature’s architecture, head on over to the Harmon Canyon Preserve (PAGE 28). This Ventura Land Trust property will take you through oak forests and hills, culminating in some truly incredible views extending to the Channel Islands and beyond.

After your hike, head up to the Porch Galley in Ojai (PAGE 44). This contemporary art gallery has long celebrated the life of Beatrice Wood, frequently showcasing her art as well as their fair-trade, hand-crafted Beato’s Chocolates. This fall, Porch is stepping it up a notch with The Year of The Dinner Party, featuring ceramic recreations of Beato’s dinnerware that use the same clay and luster glaze recipes that “The Mama of Dada” was known for.

Now that you’ve got yourself some Beatoware, head north and fill your cup at Tin City (PAGE 106). This fun wine district in Paso Robles has expanded in recent years to include breweries, a cidery, a distillery, and several restaurants, in addition to the excellent wineries that put this spot on the map.

california101guide.com

Misty Hall

44

california

CONTENTS

8 Discovering Old Town Camarillo Culture, community, and culinary creativity

By Nicole Leonetti

18 Camarillo Ranch House Restoring history

By Adam Nuñez

28 Central Coast Hikes Finding harmony in Harmon Canyon Preserve

By Adam Nuñez

44 Beato embodied Handcrafted chocolates and inspired tableware

101

By Misty Hall

69 Randy’s Recipes Fall comfort food

By Randy Graham

76 Our Favorite Burgers on the Central Coast

By Katherine McMahon

89 Crafting connection Saddle making in Santa Margarita

By Marlowe Hast

106 Tin City, Paso Robles

Laid-back Central Coast tasting at its finest

By Katherine McMahon

11, 2022 –

8, 2023

A Brand New 5,000 Square Foot Exhibit!

Come and explore some of the fascinating holiday traditions and the unique expressions of the holidays from all 50 States and all of the American Territories. Tickets include admission to the Reagan Library, where you can touch an actual part of the Berlin Wall and climb aboard Air Force One!

SIMI HILLS GOLF COURSE

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.

5031 Alamo St., Simi Valley, CA 93063

(805) 522-0803  simihillsgolf.com

SOULE PARK GOLF COURSE

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.

1033 E. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023

(805) 646-5633 soulepark.com

OLDTOW

llo

A SSOCIAT

OUR MISSION

Camarillo Old Town Association (COTA) was incorporated in 2009 and formed a volunteer and non-profit organization of business members and property owners in the Camarillo Old Town District. COTA’s mission is to improve economic vitality by encouraging a strong local economy, provide networking and promotional opportunities, promote our community, and represent the interest of our members with the City of Camarillo. COTA continually strives to enhance the Old Town District with events that highlight our vibrant, friendly, fun, cultural, and clean neighborhood. It also preserves the heart and soul of downtown while promoting local businesses, tourism, education, and community involvement. Visit our website for more information!

805.465.9336

Discovering Old Town Camarillo

Culture, community, and culinary creativity with a Central Coast flare

By Nicole Leonetti

Photo by David Olivera

The beautiful and historic St. Mary Magdalen Church serves as a bookend on the eastern edge of Old Town Camarillo.

I have a confession to make: I have lived in Los Angeles for almost 12 years, and I only just went to Old Town Camarillo for the first time a few weeks ago. I would zoom past it on my way to Santa Barbara several times a year, and that was that. But now that I’ve gotten off Hwy 101 and explored the area, I can’t believe I didn’t visit sooner. The multitude of restaurants, shops, and activities match up perfectly with my idea of a good time. Also, Old Town’s proximity to the Camarillo Outlets and the Metrolink are a huge plus. But perhaps I found Old Town at exactly the right time. There is currently a sense of community in Old Town that I have yet to experience elsewhere. The term “hidden gem” is overused, but that’s what I discovered upon my first visit. Take your time and enjoy all that Old Town Camarillo has to offer. It’s worth it!

Stay and play

The exclusive hotel of Old Town Camarillo, the Bella Capri Inn is the place to stay. This centrally located hotel books up quickly, and for good reason. It features cute boutique lodging with modern amenities and (bonus) it is pet-friendly. With beautiful Spanish architecture, reasonable room rates, and free parking — we’re not in L.A. anymore, Toto — it’s an easy choice.

Next door is the Old Town Café, which is an adorable familyowned café. It’s open for breakfast and lunch with favorites such as their classic French toast served with fresh berry compote and whipped cream, chicken & waffles, and — if you can take the heat — the Bacon Sriracha Burrito.

Hit The Mark

Throughout your visit to Old Town, you will be frequenting The Mark regularly. All in one building, you have Topa Topa Brewing Co, Freda’s Pizza & Woodfire Kitchen, Café Ficelle, and Rori’s Artisanal Creamery. Beer, pizza, baked goods, and ice cream — it’s pretty much heaven! I believe the pro move here is to go to Café Ficelle in the morning for a pain au chocolat or almond croissant with a coffee or tea, then head out to explore Old Town Camarillo, and return later to enjoy the rest of what The Mark has to offer. Grab a glass of Dos Topas Lager or Chief Peak IPA from Topa Topa, then stroll over to Freda’s for one of their delicious pizzas. I recommend the El Diablo with Calabrese salami, pickled chilies, fresh basil, crushed San Marzano tomatoes, Parmesan, mozzarella, and fior di latte. After enjoying the perfect pizza and beer pairing, order a scoop (or two) at Rori’s. I love their Nutella ice cream, but you can’t go wrong with any of their flavors, including their dairy free options.

Rori’s Artisanal Creamery features tons of flavors handcrafted by owner Rori Trovato, from Nutella to Black Pepper Pistachio and Passionfruit.

Below:

Topa Topa Brewing Co. has quickly become one of the Central Coast’s most-loved craft breweries. Their great beers are complemented by a laidback atmosphere and a community-centric philosophy.

Above: Photos by Nicole Leonetti The architecture at the Bella Capri Inn is a nod to Camarillo’s Spanish past.

Shop around

After breakfast in Old Town, it’s time for some shopping! If you visit on a Saturday, you need to head to the Camarillo Certified Farmers Market. Every Saturday from 8 am to noon, year-round, you can visit the local farmers and artisans that make this market so special. They have live music each week with vendors selling everything from cold pressed olive oil to gourmet dog treats. Also, fun fact: the Camarillo Farmers Market is run entirely by volunteers!

My next stop: American Pie Records, which is one of the most amazing record shops I’ve ever wandered into. Opened in March 2022, they have rare, out-ofprint collector records, as well as all of the classics.

Owner Michael Curtis is a Camarillo native whose goal is to turn Old Town into a destination (mission accomplished). This place has an amazing record selection, with ’70s music being their best sellers — especially the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and Queen. Their special Frank Sinatra and Beatles sections, along with their fun selection of movie and musical soundtrack albums, were my favorites.

I found a limited-edition Desi Arnaz record, Babalu, priced at $100. Although that wasn’t in my budget that day, I am adding it to my wish list. They also have early Miles Davis records which would be the perfect gift for the jazz lovers in your life.

After grabbing a few new records, head down to Malone’s Metaphysical & More, the one-stop-shop for all of your metaphysical needs. Reiki, energy healing, and psychic medium services are offered at Malone’s. You’ll also find crystals, jewelry, books, and tarot cards alike, as well as plenty of other specialties for yourself or friends who swear by these spiritual must-haves.

If you’re hankering for retail shopping, you’ve got plenty of choices in Old Town, from surf shops (Revolution Board Co.) to jewelry stores (Green Goddess Boutique) to thrift stores (All Sorts Thrift Shop).

Snack time

At this point in your day, it may be time for a mid-afternoon snack, so I suggest making a beeline for The Wine Closet. Proprietor Linda Wulzen specializes in small production, handcrafted California wines, as well as a terrific selection of cheeses, made-from-scratch sandwiches, avocado toast, and some of the best cheese & charcuterie boards I have ever had. Come on a Thursday night for a spotlight on Southern California wineries, or anytime for excellent all-around wine flights. Love what you taste? Join their wine club to enjoy specialty pricing and curated selections.

The Wine Closet is dogfriendly with both front and back patios, but even if you don’t have a fur-baby, you’ll enjoy the views and people-watching opportunities. Also, the fact that they have a record player seems like fate, and yet another reason to stop at American Pie Records before heading to The Wine Closet.

Art and activities with a twist

Just down the street is Studio Channel Islands Art Center. Located within an old elementary school, it houses art galleries, artists’ studios, and outdoor exhibition and event spaces. There are rotating exhibits in the galleries, and on the first Saturday of every month they have open studio experiences where you can visit the studios of up to 40 area artists. If you are inspired to take your own art skills to the next level, they also offer both children’s and adult classes. Plan your visit to align with their upcoming events, like the trippy and immersive Colorspace Exhibition (Oct. 1 – Nov. 19) featuring artists Carlos Grasso, Ariane Leiter, Margaret Korishelli, and Barry Frantz. The Holiday Art Market (Dec. 3 – 4) showcases a huge variety of unique pieces from local artists, which makes this the perfect place to get all your holiday shopping done at once. If you’re looking for an altogether different experience, head over to Zander’s Game House. This place is special — people having fun playing games, interacting with each other without

Photo by Nicole Leonetti

American Pie Records offers a vast selection of music for every taste.

screens, without alcohol, and without exorbitant prices. For just $7, you can stay and play games all day long! They have a 1,000-game library that includes WWII strategy games, Star Wars games, and, of course, role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons. Their selection is incredible, with just about every game you could dream of, and a few I could never have imagined (can we talk about Flushin’ Frenzy?). My favorite find was a game called Masterpiece, which is an auctioneer game where you bid on famous works of art by renowned artists. Locals can enjoy monthly passes and a rental program where you can bring games home. Owner Jeanne Kuchera-Sikoff, who wanted to spend more time with her son Zander, opened the shop in August 2016. She was also intrigued by the idea of using games as therapy. Games, she says, have been proven to help social issues, and to enhance sportsmanship and cooperative skills in people of all ages. As Jeanne shared, the magic to Zanders is “No screens, just memories made.”

Looking for a fun evening out? Try Painting with a Twist. Book a private party or go in for one of their studio events. No painting experience is necessary; let the expert artists guide you, step-by-step, toward creating your very own awesome work of art. Check their website for a calendar of the paintings for each event over the next few months. You’ll find a surprising variety of choices: gorgeous nature scenes, animals, holiday décor, and fun theme nights like Blacklight Party, Couples Painting, Trivia Night, and even Paint Your Pet. Add a glass of wine and a few friends for an extra splash of fun. Frequent painters can earn reward points for discounts and other exclusive deals. Want to bring the fun home? Check out their Artwork Kits!

Dinner time

There is no shortage of dining options in Old Town Camarillo! One of my favorites is Twisted Oak Tavern, a fun (and dogfriendly) bar and restaurant located in a 106-year-old building in the heart of Old Town. They opened in June 2020 and, despite the pandemic, have quickly become a locals’ favorite. Their vast beer menu regularly includes 15 to 20 beers on tap. I recommend their specialty Camino Real Mexican Lager, which is a nod to California’s historic trail that eventually became Highway 101. You

should definitely plan to dine at Twisted Oak, too. Their menu features delectable burgers made with custom ground beef, crafted especially for them. Try The Twisted Oak Burger, topped with applewood smoked bacon, arugula, beer onions, bleu cheese, and garlic aioli on a brioche bun; or The Big Macaroni Burger, topped with red onion, tomato, pickles, creamy pimento cheese, and sriracha ketchup on a bun made of fried mac-ncheese (yes, you read that right, a fried mac-n-cheese bun!).

When asked what makes Old Town Camarillo so special, Twisted Oak owner Jeff Walker explained that it’s the “Small town roots. People really support their local businesses here.” You can fully appreciate this sentiment if you spend any amount of time in Old Town, and it’s a beautiful thing.

Another great dining option is Twenty88 Wine Bistro.

This is a fantastic place for brunch, lunch, or dinner. Serving scrumptious steaks and other delightful options, they are centrally located in Old Town with a lovely dog-friendly patio. They have a beautiful bar with a sizeable wine list and fun cocktail offerings.

If you are craving Italian food, then make your way over to Ottavio’s Italian Restaurant.

Ottavio’s provides classic Italian food in a cozy setting where you will find favorites such as linguine and clams, and sausage and peppers. They have been serving Old Town Camarillo for more than 50 years, so they really have seen the entire area come alive.

If you are a burger fan, you will love BLVD BRGR CO (pronounced “boulevard burger co.”). They have hand-crafted burgers, delicious shakes, and 22 beers on tap! The Purist is their standard cheeseburger, but if you want something a bit more adventurous, try the Savage BRGR, which includes the “works”: smoked bacon, over-easy egg, American cheese, guacamole, jalapeño onion hash, lettuce, and garlic aioli. They also have vegan and vegetarian burger options if you are so inclined. Make sure to grab one of their gourmet sides as well. I had a hard time saying no to their Smoked Bacon Mac & Cheese! If you’ve got a hankering for something sweet, go for their classic vanilla and chocolate milk shakes, or go all out and try their Oreo or Fruity Pebble shakes.

Photos courtesy Twisted Oak Tavern The Big Macaroni Burger at Twisted Oak Tavern kicks it up a notch with a “bun” of fried macaroni and cheese.

Twisted Oak Tavern’s Ol’ Smoky Joe burger features smoked brisket, house-made barbecue sauce, sharp cheddar, Fresno chiles, and queso fresco — along with a heap of fried onion strings.

Old Town Camarillo is a wonderful place to visit any time — Camarillo is renowned for its excellent weather year-round — but as fall sets in, their special events calendar makes it even more magical. The 8th Annual Camarillo Old Town Wine Walk (Oct. 22, from 1 to 4 pm) features tastings of the best local wineries and craft breweries. Tickets ($45 presale, $60 dayof, or $75 VIP) include a commemorative wine glass, map of the event, wine, beer, and plenty of live entertainment. Also not to be missed is (Oct. 29, noon to 4 pm). This free Halloween celebration features a carnival, costume contests — for kids and pets! — and door-to-door trick-or-treating at businesses along the boulevard. If you want to feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie, come for the 3rd (Dec. 3, from 4 to 7 pm). Tickets are $30 and include a holiday cocktail, wine, or beer tasting at each of the local restaurants in Old Town Camarillo with chances to win themed giveaway baskets from various locations. Old Town spreads the holiday cheer with storefront lighting and a window

I can go on and on about Old Town Camarillo, but go discover this place for yourself. Don’t be a fool like me and simply drive by it for years — camarillooldtown.org

Photo by Nicole Leonetti

Twenty88 Bistro’s Boston Steak Salad features marinated filet mignon, Gorgonzola cheese, shaved red onions, baby heirloom tomatoes, Boston Bibb butter lettuce, crispy leeks, and balsamic.

Photo by David Olivera

Artful touches, like the iconic clock tower, add a special character to Old Town Camarillo.

In Camarillo, it’s not just the weather that’s sunny. From premium shopping and family fun to that iconic and easy California charm, we’re the destination for sun-kissed memories. Visit us this fall.

Since we’ve been in business our goal has been to connect and serve the communities of Ventura County -- just as our namesake, Adolfo Camarillo did. As Don Adolfo rode ranch to ranch to connect people, a turn of the century custom that continues annually to this day with the Rancheros Visitadores and Rancheros Adolfo horseback rides, we have additionally sought to carry on this tradition of connecting these communities. Be it with our fresh locally grown berries and vegetables, our handcrafted local cuisines, our featured whiskeys, unique Scotches, top shelf tequilas, or frosty martinis we take pride in carrying out the Don’s tradition. While here, we welcome and encourage you to take a stroll around and see the men and women that have helped build and connect the Ventura County community, and shape it into the most beautiful place in the world to live.

AdolfoGrill.com

Camarillo Ranch House: Restoring History

By Adam Nuñez

Do you have a real memory or story about the Ranch from long ago?

Consider participating in the Camarillo Legacy Project! It’s a project started by the Camarillo Ranch Foundation with the goal of connecting people with a “shared local history, preserving the legacy of innovation, leadership, philanthropy, and education that Adolfo left behind.” For details on how to share, check out camarilloranchfoundation.com

Photos courtesy Camarillo Ranch House.

Walking up to the Camarillo Ranch House for the first time, your attention will be drawn to the dazzling white wood exterior and red slanted roof. Your gaze will naturally move upward, as everything seems to veer skyward here. It’s grand, elegant, and homey all at the same time. It’s also an important historical monument in Ventura County. In 2003 it was successfully registered on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Ranch House from the southwest corner.

A plaque commemorating the house’s historical significance located on the front porch.

In 1892, Adolfo Camarillo hired architects Herman Anlauf and Franklin Ward to design this Queen Anne Victorian mansion. The sprawling house includes 15 rooms with two dining rooms, a study, and a large outdoor patio. The interior woodwork showcases beautiful craftsmanship, and the 12-foot-high ceiling is simply splendid to behold.

Throughout the house are numerous items of historical interest such photographs, models, and furnishings from the era.

In the late 1800s when Adolfo’s father Juan Camarillo passed away, the property was bequeathed to 16-year-old

Adolfo and his younger brother, Juan Camarillo Jr. Originally known as Rancho Calleguas, their 10,000 acres stretched from the top of the Conejo Grade westward to Lewis Road and parts of the Santa Rosa Valley. The property was used mostly for growing crops and raising Adolfo’s iconic white horses, which you can still see on the city’s official seal. In 1997, the City of Camarillo obtained the remaining property of 4.5 acres.

For many visitors, what makes the Camarillo Ranch House so appealing are the fun events held year-round here. It can also be rented for private celebrations. Filmmakers utilize the space as well; an episode of the popular TV show The

The Ranch House and fountain from the west-facing side.

A volunteer docent dressed in attire representative of the late 1800s.

Beautiful stained glass from inside the house.

Bachelor was filmed here. Being such a symbolic part of Ventura County history, it is impressive how accessible this property really is.

No wedding, special event, concert, or food truck event would be possible without the Camarillo Ranch Foundation. The nonprofit public corporation maintains the property upkeep and provides training for dedicated volunteers. For three years starting in 1999, the Foundation’s board of directors completely restored the buildings and grounds through several projects funded by grants, fundraisers, and annual memberships. Their mission statement focuses on fostering its place in the history of California, transforming it into a focal point of community life, and exhibiting the diverse history and culture surrounding the Ranch.

There are many ways to experience the Ranch House. One is through a docent-led tour. Tours are held every Saturday and Sunday from 11 am to 2 pm. Tickets are $5 (cash only; children under 12 are free), and tours last from 45 to 60 minutes. Bring your questions — the knowledgeable docents are ready — and get up-close views of the interior and exterior of the house. You can also explore the beautiful gardens surrounding the property. Pay attention to the three enormous trees on the front lawn, one of which is a famous (and massive) Moreton Bay Fig. Another one of these trees is located at Plaza Park in downtown Ventura.

You can also celebrate the birthday of Adolfo Camarillo at an event on Oct. 30 from noon to 4 pm. This event includes mariachi music, cultural dance performances, games for kids, and food trucks. Sometimes a rare Adolfo White Horse will also be showcased.

The Ranch House comes alive during Christmas, too, with festivities for the whole family. During this annual event you can listen to Victorian Carolers, sip festive beverages, tour the house decorated for the holidays, and visit Santa in his workshop. His workshop is located in the Red Barn (aka Mule Barn) which is adjacent to the main house. In 1999, the

The Red Barn (aka Mule Barn) located adjacent to the main house.

The house’s main dining room.

Volunteers working a booth at one of the summertime Throwback Thursday Food Truck events.

entire barn was painstakingly moved from its original location near Calleguas Creek. Today it’s used to showcase historical photos, plus is host to weddings and a range of other events.

Adolfo served on the Pleasant Valley School District Board of Trustees for 37 years. So in honor of this, the Ranch House hosts school tours for students from across the county. Each year, school tour docents lead more than 30 schools and 1,500

students through the property. Tours are complementary for 3rd grade students and teachers. In years past, students have learned to make butter, rope cattle, and plant lima beans (one of the staple crops grown on the original ranch).

The house is located at 201 Camarillo Ranch Rd, Camarillo, CA 93012. Whether you are a Ventura County local or just passing through, the Camarillo Ranch House is a culturally rich and exciting place to visit. For more, visit camarilloranchfoundation.com

A convenient place to park your bike directly behind the house.

A sunset view from the northeast corner.

Board Member David Schlangen presents information at a summertime event.

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 comfort foods her and her family shared together.

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

We serve 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 serve Prospect Coffee Roasters coffee in a specialty setting, plus some New Orleans inspired chicory drinks.

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

RabalaisBistro

525-2109

E. Main Street, SP CA 93060

315 ARTEMISIA AVENUE, VENTURA - Welcome to Ventura’s Riviera. Rare 1927 Mediterranean Ocean View Home. Spectacular sights of ocean, mountains & cityscape. Over 2400 sq. ft, 3 BR, 2 BA’s, plus 3 fireplaces, this home has been tastefully upgraded while maintaining the classic character of the original home. The beautifully landscaped private backyard, is reminiscent of an Italian Villa you have always dreamed of. This lot is approx. 8249 sq. ft. Listed for $2,395,000 www.315ArtemisiaAve.com

455 DEODAR AVENUE - Located in the popular and sought-after Oxnard tract of Carty. This 91-yearold classic home is drop dead gorgeous refinishing and upgrades! Featuring 3 bedrooms and 3 baths, approximately 1875 square feet (per seller) and a 6000 square foot lot. Listed for $799,000 www.FredEvans. com. Call Maggie Bird for information 805-377-3777.

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3878 MOUND AVENUE, VENTURA - Just listed Midtown Ventura Midtown Ventura Mid-century Modern Home. First time on the market in 66 years. Built in 1948. Classic 2 level home is approx..3500 sq. ft. w/ 4 BR & 3 BA’s over ¼ of an acre lot. Huge 500 sq ft living room w/ hardwood floors & massive stone-faced fireplace. Formal dining room, beautiful original kitchen & breakfast room w/ windows overlooking the gardens below. Game room, laundry room, workshop, roof top deck, & covered patio w/ built-in fireplace. NOW PRICED AT $1,299,000 www.3878MoundAve.com

203 CARILLO ROAD, OJAI - Ojai Creekside Village Condominium. Featuring 2-BR plus a loft, & 2 BAs, this end-unit offers a quiet & secluded oasis. It has approx. 1389 sq. ft, an attached 2-car garage, & enclosed patio. Tile simulating dark wood throughout the bottom floor. Updated kitchen w/ granite, subway tile backsplash, & farmhouse sink. Upstairs loft opens to the living area below, & can convert to a third BR. Located close to the many amenities Ojai is sought out for. Listed for $729,000 www.203CarilloRoad.com Call Editha for more info 805-320-7762

KOENIGSTEIN, SANTA PAULA - Upper Ojai, 20 Acres Hilltop Home Site. Spectacular views of the Topa Topas and the valley below. Open spaces and peaceful surroundings. Access easement adjacent to 12096 Koenigstein Road. Temporary graded road to top of the hill. PRICE REDUCED TO $695,000 www.FredEvans.com

91 POLLOCK LANE, VENTURA -Desirable Lemonwood Park, east Ventura. Senior Living, spacious mobile home on large lot (approx. 5445 sq. ft.). Expanded 2-BR, 2 BA coach is approx. 1616 sq. ft. Updated kitchen w/ granite counter tops & wood like flooring. Dual-paned window, newer water heater, & copper plumbing. Addition work / shop / storage / building w/ electrical power & water. Spacious sunroom addition. Several fruit trees (avocado, fig & citrus). Plenty of room for gardening. Washer, dryer, refrigerator & water softener included. PRICE REDUCED TO $329,900 www.91PollockLn.com

FRED EVANS-CO-FOUNDER OF RE/MAX GOLD COAST REALTORS NOW IN HIS 37TH YEAR OF SELLING REAL ESTATE

fredevans.com

Translated in over 42 languages

Fred Evans - Bringing a world of Real Estate

knowledge & experience to Ventura County.

Buying or Selling?

Call The Fred Evans Team: 805-339-3502 (office) or 805-267-6701 (cell)

27Fall 2022 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 566 GLADE DRIVE, SANTA PAULA - Santa Paula Highland Estates View Lot. Panoramic views of ocean, Channel Islands & city. Buildable lot in prestigious Highland Estates. Hilltop lot approx. 16,000 SF. Includes building plans a luxury Mediterranean 2500sq ft home w/ 1000ft of viewing decks. More than $40,000 has been spent on plans, soils and engineering reports which are also available. Seller will consider working with investors/spec builders. Listed at $295,000 www.FredEvans.com

Central Coast Hikes:

Follow the trails of the Harmon Canyon Preserve, and you’ll traverse over grassy hills and under knotted oak trees. You’ll pass fragrant sage plants and hear the skitter of wildlife through the thick brush. Bobcats, deer, coyotes, raccoons, skunks,

and badgers have been spotted here — along with human hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers, too.

Encompassing 2,100 acres, Harmon Canyon is Ventura’s first large-scale

nature preserve. Its existence is due to the dedication and perseverance of the Ventura Land Trust, which opened the space in June 2020 after years of fundraising, mapping, and manual labor. More than 10 miles of trails have

A view northward from Farr Family Trail.

Story and photos by Adam Nuñez Finding harmony in Harmon Canyon Preserve

now been created throughout the preserve, thanks to the hard work of many volunteers. One of these volunteers is Michael McConnolly, a docent trail guide. He’s there almost every day enjoying the scenery and assisting visitors. If you see him on the trail, feel free to ask questions or get directions!

Upon starting at the main trailhead, you’ll see a large map presenting the lay of the land. Follow the wide dirt path northward for the most direct route through the preserve. This is large enough for a car, although no public vehicles are allowed. While hilly, the trail is not overly steep. Once you’ve hiked, biked, or jogged about 2.5 miles you’ll reach a three-way split: West Road (left), Harmon Canyon Road (straight), and Long Canyon Road (right). The first two will lead to some very steep climbs, but with exceptional views of the preserve. Long Canyon will lead you to the crème de la crème of views. It’s just over 1 mile of steepness, but well worth the effort. At the top, you’re rewarded with an iconic plaque reading, “Life is a journey, not a destination,” a

California poppies at the start of the main trail.

Keep others safe on the trail borrow a bell!

lunch table, and a couple of benches to rest and soak up the views. Gaze upon the hills of Fillmore, the mountains of Los Padres National Forest, or a tranquil vista of the Pacific Ocean.

After reaching the top of Long Canyon, you can descend the same way you came up or travel down the single-track Ropersmith Family Trail. Although this trail allows for both hikers and mountain bikers, it’s easy to see that it was crafted with two wheels in mind. First, it is a oneway trail. You cannot hike or bike up — only down! Second, the sharp corners are banked with curved side walls, perfect for gliding down on a bike. It’s approximately 1 mile of blissfully fun downhill mountain biking. In fact, the Ventura Land Trust worked with the IMBA Trail Solutions, an international organization specializing in trail design and

development, to create this exhilarating tail.

Back at the very start again, you can also choose to explore a few crisscrossing singletrack trails closer to the main parking lot. While some trails are simply numbered (e.g. 102 and 105) others have names, like the Price Family Trail. These trails twist, turn, and undulate their way beneath the cool shade of oak trees and summit hills with striking views. You’ll see people of all ages exploring around here, since the trails are fairly accessible. They are the perfect spot for anyone with only one or two hours of spare time. There are some short, steep sections both up and down, but nothing too long to dishearten would-be explorers.

There are a few other things you’ll want to keep in mind when traversing the preserve. First, be

The views are spectacular at the top of Long Canyon Trail.

A view from the top of Long Canyon Trail.

A shaded reprieve on the Price Family Trail

A Ventura resident, Reggie, bikes down Ropersmith Family Trail

weather prepared. Locals know that many Ventura mornings start with a cool fog. However, don’t count on this. It could burn off within minutes and the sun will shine in full force, raising the temperature significantly. The trails are yours to explore year-around, but winter and spring usually offer the mildest weather, and you’ll experience the hills brimming with greenery. Second, always bring plenty of water, snacks, and appropriate clothing such as a hat and comfortable shoes. Third, your leashed four-legged friend is more than welcome to jaunt along with you – up until a certain point. From the parking lot, if you choose to hike the wide path, you’ll need to turn around somewhere near the 1.5-mile mark.

The Harmon Canyon Preserve is centrally located. It’s near the corner of Foothill Road and North Kimball Road, at 7511 Foothill Road. Free parking is available at the trailhead off McVittie Place. If you’re following Google Maps, the directions will take you a little east of the actual preserve. The parking lot is unmistakable with a large metal Harmon Canyon Preserve sign, just be sure to follow the traffic signs to guide you there. The preserve is a reminder of what pre-industrialized Central California was like — rolling hills, spring wildflowers, oak trees, and grand vistas. It’s a space to bring your family or friends for a peaceful picnic, or get your heartrate up

with a run or bike ride.

Along with Harmon Canyon, the Ventura Land Trust is responsible for protecting and maintaining several other open spaces as well, including Big Rock Preserve and the soon-to-be Mariano Rancho Preserve adjacent to Grant Park (which is not yet open to the public). In all instances, their stewardship practices pay respect to the Chumash people, their traditions and culture, past and present. Check their website for upcoming events, regional maps, trail updates, and educational and volunteer opportunities. Visit venturalandtrust.org for more.

Docent Trail Guide, Michael McConnolly, at the main trailhead.

A hiker strolls through a well shaded section of trail.

Main trailhead leading north, just past the parking lot

Fall Road Trip along the Coast to Seaside Ventura Harbor

On your travels along Highway 101 & scenic 1, plan a visit to Ventura Harbor and Ventura Harbor Village for an absolute must SEA experience.  Come enjoy coastal activities and amenities available year-round: dine seaside, shop coastal boutiques, be inspired by local artisans, play on the waterfront, and explore the spectacular Channel Islands National Park.  See below for some of the best Ventura Harbor has to offer.

What to Eat

Ventura Harbor has over a dozen waterfront restaurants with cuisines from around the world (Greek, Mexican, Cuban, American, and French) and the newest fast casual on tap  is On the Alley.  Whether it’s your first time or you visit regularly at Ventura Harbor Village, don’t leave without indulging in famous fish n’ chips from Andria’s Seafood Restaurant & Market, try one of the many handcrafted clam chowder recipes offered by various eateries, and finish it off with ice cream from Coastal Cone or cupcakes from Sugar Lab Bake Shop. Spend the afternoon in the sunshine or watching colorful sunsets at the newly opened Deep Sea Wine Tasting Room.

Where to Explore

Feeling adventurous? The Channel Islands National Park & Marine Sanctuary, commonly referred to as the American Galapagos, lie just off the Ventura coast and Island Packers offers daily departures from Ventura Harbor. From whale watching, hiking and sea cave exploring, there are five magnificent islands that are a quick boat ride away!

Plus, stop in for a visit at the Channel Islands National Park Visitor Center, open daily.

What to Try

When you visit a destination surrounded by the sea, make time

to get on the water with Ventura Boat Rentals.  Take an electric boat out for a spin, or pick your favorite- a dragon, duck or swan pedal boat- to view wildlife and harbor views. Take a dive lesson for a future Channel Islands excursion at Ventura Dive & Sport! Try a thrilling escape room experience The Ultimate Escape Rooms and customize a chocolate bar with your name at Top This Chocolate. Seaside pampering available at Frenchies Modern Nail Salon.

What to Buy

Locally-owned boutiques & artisans offer one-of-a kind, ontrend merchandise featuring Ventura and California love wear, ocean-inspired art, nautical treasures, mermaid finds, beach/ coastal wear, jewelry, a fabulous selection of hats, socks, dive gear, gifts, and bath bombs to name a few, all in an outdoor Village setting overlooking the boats.

Where to Stay

Choose from two waterfront Ventura Harbor hotels with a walking promenade to the attractions, dining and shops at Four Points by Sheraton Ventura Harbor or their sister property, Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Ventura Harbor.  Ventura Harbor is truly a breath of fresh (salty sea) air!

View live music & events at VenturaHarborVillage.com & VenturaHarbor.com  @VenturaHarbor

of creating

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 awardwinning 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!

group sessions

Equine

to

horses, without riding, to explore your intuitive nature, non-verbal communication and be your authentic self.

inner knowing

Gaines

Ojai Valley’s Original Mexican Restauant

Ca’ Marco has an inviting atmosphere and delicious authentic Italian dishes. Guests can enjoy the patio with views to the back nine of the Soule Park Golf Course, or 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.

Photo By Misty Hall

The Porch Gallery, on Matilija Street in Ojai.

BEATO EMBODIED

By Misty Hall

Part of the allure of Ojai’s Porch Gallery is its juxtaposition of contemporary art housed in a historic Victorian building. An expansive porch wraps around the exterior, creating a welcoming space dotted with pink lounge chairs. This is not a cold and formal “look reverently and leave” type of gallery. It is inviting — intentionally so. Come on in, it seems to say. Stay awhile.

Art disguised as road signs in the parking lot and out front provide unexpected levity (and, somehow, gravity) as you approach. “All we have is now,” reads one. “Attention,” reads another in bold red and white. “Take note of what it feels like to be alive right now.” Important reminders that set the tone for the art you’re about to experience.

Upon entering the gallery, it becomes clear that owners Heather Stobo and

With handcrafted chocolates and inspired tableware, the Mama of Dada is back in the spotlight at the Porch Gallery

Photo by Mariana Schulze

The Moon Face chocolate sculpture, inspired by molds Beato used in her work.

Saturday Night at the Voltaire includes dark chocolate, candied lemon, and ginger, paying tribute to the origins of the Dada movement.

A delightful variety of chocolate, artwork, and irreverence lines the shelves.

Lisa Casoni want to honor the building’s architecture and character, while simultaneously creating open space for the art to shine. Although the gallery hosts rotating exhibits of contemporary art throughout the year, this fall the front room features the work of one prolific artist. To the right, a

Photo By Misty Hall

The Porch Gallery’s front room is dedicated to Beato’s Chocolates and her stunning luster-glazed tableware.

Photo By Misty Hall

large display of pink, brown, and white boxes sits on a table; in the corner, shelves are lined with chocolate bars. The mantle over the old fireplace prominently displays a photo of a woman, Beatrice Wood, whose easy smile suggests an otherworldly understanding of the world, and of herself. Just above her portrait, her nickname is emblazoned on the wall: Beato. The left side of the gallery features several of her drawings, which surround a dinner table set with handmade dishes. The settings are undeniably intriguing. Chunky goblets, plates on low pedestals, curved-rim bowls, all feature Beato’s legendary luster glazes.

The Porch Gallery’s front room has become a shrine to this woman, who defied every convention of her time (and, in some ways, our own time). Beatrice Wood was a rebel with a wicked sense of humor who explored drawing, painting, ceramics, writing, culture, spirituality, sensuality, and more. Her life was her art. “Beatrice Wood was well aware there should be no separation between life and art, from the creation of functional ceramics to sculptural works that shared the humor she found in human folly,” said Kevin Wallace, Director of the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts. Beato lived to be 105 years old, creating art right up to the end in her Upper Ojai studio. Asked once about her longevity, she gave an answer only “The Mama of Dada” could: “I owe it all to artbooks, chocolate, and young men.”

Of chocolate (and young men)

Thanks to a partnership with the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, Beato Chocolates were “anti-established” at the Porch Gallery in 2018. These fair trade certified, locally handmade treats, source ingredients locally whenever possible. “They are all little works of art,” Heather said. And even though Beato herself was constantly eating chocolate — “She didn’t care if it was good chocolate or bad chocolate, she just loved eating it!” Heather said — the folks at Porch Gallery and the Beatrice Wood Center knew their chocolates had to be topshelf. “There was no way we were going to put out something that was half-assed,” Lisa said.

The pink boxes include either the Moon Face or Horse chocolate sculptures, made in molds inspired by those Beato once used in her artwork. The bars of chocolate, meanwhile, are wrapped in Beato’s etchings, which in turn inspire the flavor profiles of each variety.

Like the artist — whose autobiography is titled I Shock Myself — some of the chocolate bar’s names are, well … unorthodox. But delightfully so. Pinching Spaniards has 72 percent

Photo By Misty Hall

Artist Renee Fox’s brilliant mural going up the walls of the staircase.

dark chocolate with roasted Marcona almonds and smoked paprika. Bored at a Cocktail Party has, appropriately, pretzels in it. And The Pussy Between Us (the label for which features a man, a woman, and a yellow cat) is, uh, milk chocolate.

In creating each new flavor with chocolatier Fran Gealer, Heather explained, “We would say, ‘What would Beato think of this?’

The Pussy Between Us — I mean, it’s one of the titles of her artwork! Fran said, ‘This should be the milk chocolate bar,’ … and we started laughing, because it’s funny! Then it was like, wait a minute, we need to do that! … I can’t tell you how many bars started with, ‘Oh, we CAN’T do that!’”

Other flavors pay homage to places Beato held close to her heart. Peppermint Retreat honors the Pepper Tree Retreat, the East End property where famed philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti resided when in Ojai. The Happy Valley bar — featuring locallysourced orange oil and Ojai Pixie tangerine dust — tips its hat to the Upper Ojai location of Beato’s studio, now the Beatrice Wood Center.

A new bar coming out soon will highlight rose and sea salt, in a nod to a little-known piece of late ‘90s trivia. Beato, as it turns out, was the inspiration behind the character Rose in the movie Titanic. “Bill Paxton gave James Cameron Beato’s autobiography,” said Heather. A lightbulb went off: it was just the type of woman he wanted for his main character. “So, he would come up and interview her. She was his inspiration for Rose.”

“There’s a photo of those two together!” Lisa recalled. “She made him a piece, a sculpture. She was such a flirt, too.”

Chocolate and young men, indeed.

Year of the Dinner Party

While the chocolate is now well (anti) established at Porch Gallery, the tableware in the front gallery is new. It’s part of “The Year of the Dinner Party,” the gallery’s latest exhibit. “One of the things we’ve always loved about Beato was her energy,” said Heather. “She loved having dinner parties, and introducing people to her work through dinner parties. We’ve taken her energy, her love for life and put it into our chocolates. And now we’re taking her love of entertaining and doing these dinner sets.”

While the pieces are not Beato originals, they have been painstakingly recreated from Beato’s works, and they use her

Photo By Misty Hall

A multimedia Beato piece, “Mobile for the Hookers.”

original clay and glaze recipes provided by the Beatrice Wood Center. “These are exact specifications, as close to her original pieces as possible,” Heather said. But finding the right artists to recreate these works — who could not only produce at scale but who could also be trusted to treat these precious recipes with the proper reverence — took some doing.

Enter Rich Mudge and Joanne Horton, of Creative Fire Studios. As the four discussed the idea, they discovered a surprising

connection. “When Joanne graduated, her parents took her up to meet Beato,” Heather said. “There were all these things that made it just right.”

Soon, the dinner sets will be used at several intimate dinner parties at the gallery. “We’re not trying to do an ‘Outstanding in the Field’ thing,” Lisa said of the popular pop-up dining experience. “This will be 20 or less people. So everyone’s eating off this dinnerware, and understanding what that’s all about, and why it’s special.”

Kevin Wallace, Director of the Beatrice Wood Center for the Arts, put it this way: “Experiencing life as art is the ultimate luxury and BeatoWare is designed for those who believe in elevating the experience of entertaining or an intimate meal at home to that of interactive art or theatre. Those who were fortunate to be invited to dine with Beatrice Wood at her home recall drinking from her goblets, eating from her tableware, and the conversations that would take place — from the seriousness of world affairs to naughty stories that would leave her giggling like a schoolgirl.”

The Porch Gallery is located at 310 E. Matilija St., Ojai. For more, visit porchgalleryojai.com

Photo By Misty Hall

A detail shot of the luster glazes that continue to make Beato’s work so coveted.

Photo By Misty Hall

Shana Mabari’s acrylic sculptures serve as centerpieces for the “BeatoWare” tableware.

In today’s changing climate, land protection and restoration are critical to protecting Ojai’s natural capital.

The transformation of the Ojai Meadows Preserve from a wasteland to a vital wetland is a wonderful example of what we can accomplish as a community.

Together we can make Ojai more resilient to climate change. Scan the QR code to learn more and to donate today. ovlc.org/giving

Photo by Nathan Wickstrum

LARRY

ERIK

FINE HOMES | RANCHES | LAND

1388 Orange Road, Ojai CA 93023

One of the most pristine and premier lots in the Ojai Valley, straddled between Downtown and the East End with all the privacy and seclusion one could desire.

Offering a private 51 plus acres of Oak and Olive trees, all scattered across this serene acreage, includes a classic rock, two-story barn, which includes newer trusts and roof, sets a magical setting, perfect for a new estate. A short bike ride to town yet the feel and lifestyle benefits of Ojai’s prestigious East End. $6,350,000

11065 Creek Road, Ojai CA 93023

Perched atop a hill, with some of the most breathtaking panoramic mountain vistas one could want in Ojai, this 11+ acre site is a rare opportunity to make your Ojai dreams come true. A quaint two bedroom home, plus attached office, includes a large deck is the perfect staging ground while you build your custom home. Plenty of room for horses, or your own family orchard, all with the privacy and serenity the Ojai lifestyle affords.. $1,650,000

1214 Ayers Avenue, Ojai CA 93023

Unrivaled views in the heart of Downtown Ojai! With designer quality finishes, this renovated home includes a smooth stucco exterior, an open floor plan with vaulted and beamed ceilings in the living room and kitchen, and bathrooms with custom tile floors and showers. The unobstructed Ojai mountain views allow for complete relaxation and make for great entertaining in the backyard. Garage has its own A/C system, perfect for a home gym or large office workspace. Located at the end of a quiet street backed to the Ojai mountains, the essence of in town living yet very quiet and serene.. $1,500,000

THE FINEST OF OJAI & VENTURA COUNTY REAL ESTATE

Larry Wilde

805.640.5734

Cal DRE 00521627

lwilde@livsothebysrealty.com

ErikWilde

805.830.3254

Cal DRE 01461074

ewilde@livsothebysrealty.com

LWILDE@WEST.NET

ERIKW@WEST.NET

PERSIMMON HILL LUXURY

This lovely 5br/4.5ba home in the prestigious Persimmon Hill community is situated on 3.5 acres and surrounded by spectacular mountain views. An over 4,000 square foot main home boasts sprawling great rooms, soaring ceilings, a formal dining room, a temperature controlled wine closet and a massive stone fireplace. The grounds include a spacious guest house and a gorgeous rock pool/spa surrounded by lush gardens and views the mountains. Viking appliances adorn a large, open kitchen, and there are owned solar panels and a water filtration system. This very private property affords the perfect mix of country living and the benefits of town, being mere minutes from all the amenities of Ojai.

420SaddleLnOjai.com

Offered at $4,050,000

PATTY WALTCHER

25 years matching people and property in the Ojai Valley

natural beauty of Ojai. The park-like setting cradles the living space and large windows allow interior and exterior to blend, drawing the gaze outdoors and bringing in the light. The 4br/4ba home includes a formal dining room, a cottage style sunroom and a gym/office. Two primary bedroom suites feature fireplaces and luxurious bathrooms. The large kitchen has granite countertops and stainless steel appliances. Crown molding and floors of wood and tile create warmth and charm. An expansive front porch along with an outdoor BBQ and a stone seating area in back offer many opportunities to entertain while enjoying the beauty and serenity of the lushly landscaped nearly 1 acre lot.

Offered at $2,475,0001464FoothillRdOjai.com

Who

Dining Guide

Sakura Ojai Japanese Restaurant

219 E. Matilija St., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 646-8777

www.sakuraojai.com

Mon - Thur - 11:30 - 2:30/5:00 - 9:30 • Fri - 11:30 - 2:30/5:00 - 10:00 • Sat11:30 - 10:00 • Sun - 11:30 - 9:30

• Sushi, Roll• Vegetarian Dishes • Teppan Yaki (Salmon, Shrimp, Chicken, Beef, Rib Eye Steak)

• Soup and Noodles • Salad and More!

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

Jim & Rob’s Fresh Grill

214 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai, CA 93023 (805) 640-1301

www.jimandrobsojai.com

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 3-6 pm Mon-Fri, Sports on 5 HDTVs!

Restaurant open @8am Daily Enjoy a drink on the patio! Cantina open @12pm M-F, 11am S-S

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.

Upper Ojai

tournament-grade tennis court, equestrian facilities, family orchard, art studio,

patio fireplace, gym, and media room. Flagstone patios flank the main house for indoor outdoor entertaining, while the guest house/pool house offers a gym, kitchenette, steam shower, enclosed outdoor shower and changing room, and pool and patio storage. The main house features three fireplaces, large island with breakfast bar, Viking range with griddle, two refrigerators and freezers, wet bar, family room or library, media room, office, two guest wings, six-inch plank floors, custom light fixtures, and upscale finishes. Additional features include a three-car garage, two-car garage, solar array with Tesla battery packs, and separate laundry room with commercial machines. www.RocaVistaRanchOjai.com $5,595,000

Royal

Ojai lifestyle that draws so many to the valley. With just a five-

boutique shopping, fine dining, weekly farmers markets, spas, galleries,

even have

leave the property to enjoy luxury amenities and resort-style living every

indoor and outdoor putting greens, driving range, golf swing room, pool, spa, Bocce

badminton court, family orchard, media room, library, four fireplaces, indooroutdoor entertaining spaces,

and voice- and phone-controlled lighting and music. All of this is on five private, gated acres also

primary

a private well with stone pumphouse, 10,000-gallon water tank, RV parking with hookups, six-car garages, workshop space, 150-year copper roof,

and mountain views. RoyalOaksRanchOjai.com

Upon Request

as

and stylish” by Sunset Magazine, the

artistic treasure.

CALIFORNIA 101 Travelers Guide - Randy’s Recipes

Fa Comfort Food

By Randy Graham

Fall brings a yearning for cozy blankets, hot apple cider, and comfort foods here on California’s Central Coast. One of my go-to comfort foods is poutine with plenty of tangy gravy. My riff features French fries, cheese curds, and gravy made with vegetable stock and rice vinegar.

If you’re looking for comfort food for Halloween or Día de Los Muertos, give my queso fundido a try. It is good with a bowl of fresh tortilla chips or small handmade flour tortillas for dipping.

If you need to provide comfort food to vegetarians visiting at Thanksgiving, we have you covered there too. Try my veggie meatballs made with walnuts, onions, fresh sage, and mild longhorn cheese. Veg heads and meat lovers of all ages love this recipe. Another Thanksgiving favorite of mine is my mom’s riced potatoes recipe, made with russet potatoes, butter, half-and-half, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese.

For a decadent and comforting dessert (any time of year), try my espresso-chocolate-rum balls of goodness.

Poutine Perfection

Poutine is a dish of French fries and cheese curds topped with gravy. It has its roots in Quebec in the late 1950s and is junk food that soothes the soul with a measured overdose of carbs. Perfect for a late fall lunch on a blustery, rainy day — especially if you need to bulk up.

As a teenager, I remember sitting at Capwell’s lunch counter in the Bay Area and ordering fries and gravy. It wasn’t poutine, but it was wonderful. I can still taste the warm, salty gravy ladled over the top of hot, deep-fried potatoes. This is my basic poutine recipe, kicked up a notch.

Makes 3 to 4 servings.

Ingredients:

12 to 14 ounces frozen French fries

4 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

3 cups vegetable stock 1 1/2 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar

Salt to taste

12 ounces fresh white cheddar cheese curds (at room temperature and broken into bite-size pieces)

Directions:

Cook fries according to package directions. Remove from the oven, salt lightly, and cover with a clean kitchen towel to keep warm.

While the fries are cooking, melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat until it begins to foam. Whisk in flour and cook, constantly stirring, for about 2 minutes. Gradually whisk in stock. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook for another 10 to 12 minutes. Add vinegar and season with salt to taste. Set gravy aside.

Place fries in a shallow bowl or dish, top generously with curds, and spoon on gravy. Serve while the gravy is still hot.

Tip: I don’t have a local source for fresh curds, so I buy them online. If you can’t find fresh curds or don’t want to buy them online, substitute shredded mozzarella cheese. Also, I like Target’s House Cut Fries, but most other frozen fries will work.

CALIFORNIA 101 Travelers Guide - Randy’s Recipes

Queso Fundido with Chorizo

Queso fundido (melted cheese) is a tasty Mexican comfort food dish typically served as an appetizer on a cold autumn night. It consists of pieces of chorizo, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and gooey, melted cheese. Use Soyrizo if you are vegetarian.

My friend Myra gave me this queso fundido recipe her family makes for Día de Los Muertos. Myra says her name means “extraordinary one” in Spanish. I think you’ll find her recipe extraordinary as you dip your chips and smack your lips. Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients:

1 small tomato (chopped fine)

1 or 2 serrano chile peppers (seeded and chopped fine)

2 teaspoons dried Mexican oregano

8 ounces Oaxaca cheese (shredded)

8 ounces Manchego cheese (Myra recommends Mexican-style Manchego, shredded)

1 tablespoon flour

8 ounces chorizo sausage (casing removed)

1/2 cup white onion (chopped fine)

3/4 cup Dos Equis beer

Tortilla chips

Directions:

Mix tomato, chile, and oregano in a small bowl. Season with salt and set aside.

Vegetarian Meatballs

You might very well ask whether vegetarian meatballs are an oxymoron. I would answer yes to that. I would also add that most of my meat-eating friends prefer the hearty texture and rich taste over authentic meatballs. Fall comfort food, for sure. This recipe takes some planning, as the balls need to be frozen before they bake. Your efforts, however, will be well worth it.

Serve these as a main course with rice or noodles. I also like them served over thin spaghetti. Serve as a vegetarian option at Thanksgiving, to the delight of everyone.

Makes 6 servings.

Meatball Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups cracker crumbs

2 1/2 cups walnuts (chopped)

1 teaspoon season salt

3 teaspoons dried sage

1 large onion (chopped fine)

1 1/2 cups longhorn cheese (grated)

6 tablespoons fresh parsley (minced)

8 large eggs (slightly beaten)

Pinch of garlic powder

Sauce Ingredients:

1 tablespoon butter

6 green onions (chopped)

1 clove of garlic (crushed)

2 cans mushroom soup

Toss cheeses with flour in a medium bowl. Set aside. Cook chorizo in a large skillet over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Add onion and continue cooking until the chorizo is cooked and the onion is soft and translucent — about 5 minutes. Transfer this mixture to a small bowl and set aside.

Return the skillet to the stove. Add Dos Equis and simmer, stirring occasionally and scraping up any browned bits of chorizo. Reduce heat to medium-low. Add Oaxaca and Manchego cheeses a little at a time, and stir until you get a smooth consistency. Stir in chorizo. Add tomato mixture and stir to combine. Transfer to a shallow bowl and serve with warm tortilla chips.

16 ounces sour cream

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Mix cracker crumbs, walnuts, seasonings, onion, cheese, parsley, eggs, and garlic powder. Form into balls

approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place balls on the baking sheet, cover, and freeze overnight. Or, make them in the morning, freeze, and take out at dinnertime.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan and sauté the green onions and garlic for about 1 minute. Add soup and sour cream. Set aside.

Place frozen balls in the baking dish and pour in the sauce. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Serve bubbling hot.

Randy’s Mom’s Can’t-Wait-For-Thanksgiving Potatoes

It was a cold and stormy night (I know, corny — but it was). I was looking for comfort food and thought back to my childhood when my mom made her special potatoes for Thanksgiving.

Mom’s recipe is a rich combination of riced potatoes with milk, sour cream, and Parmesan cheese. It is a fine complement to a perfectly cooked Thanksgiving turkey. As for me? I make it at the first hint of cold weather because I can’t wait for Thanksgiving.

Makes 2 to 3 servings. Double the recipe if you need more.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons salt

3 large russet potatoes (peeled and quartered)

6 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 cup whole milk (or half-and-half)

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup Parmesan cheese (divided)

Fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

Add salt to a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Add the potatoes and boil for 15 to 20 minutes or until soft (a knife

Espresso-Chocolate-Rum Goodness

How about making a treat for adults this Halloween? Instead of dunking Oreo cookies in milk, think about dipping them in espresso before taking a bite. Then, think about following that with a sip of rum. With this recipe, you get it all — coffee, chocolate, and rum, rolled up into bite-sized balls of goodness.

Makes approximately 24 balls.

Ingredients:

1 teaspoon instant espresso coffee crystals (Medaglia D’Oro brand is good)

1/4 cup dark rum

4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)

1 cup fine baker’s sugar

1 cup almonds (ground)

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate (melted)

12 Oreo cookies (remove the filling and crush the chocolate wafers)

Directions:

Dissolve coffee crystals in the rum in a medium mixing bowl. Beat in cream cheese, sugar, and almonds. Stir in melted chocolate. Place mixture in a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for one hour.

Remove mixture from the refrigerator and shape into 1-inch balls. Roll each ball in crushed Oreos. Place balls between layers of parchment paper and store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.

should be able to go through the middle of the potatoes with little, if any, resistance). Drain potatoes. Cover with a towel (to keep warm) and set aside.

Heat the butter and milk in a small saucepan until the butter melts completely. Set aside.

Rice (or mash) the potatoes into a large mixing bowl. Pour in the melted butter/milk mixture. Add the sour cream and Parmesan cheese, and stir to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Spoon mashed potatoes into a large serving bowl with a pat of butter, cover, and keep warm until ready to serve.

This

Cheers

Aperitif

Directions:

Pour Campari, vermouth, and gin into your favorite glass. Garnish with an orange twist. Sit down in your favorite chair, sip, smile, and relax.

Views, Views, Views! This lovely Spanish home sits atop a hill with stunning views of the Mountains and Valley. Tucked away up Tower Road on the East End of Ojai. This four bedroom, three bathroom home has gleaming hardwood floors and Saltillo tiles, two fireplaces, a cook’s dream kitchen with top of the line appliances, custom cabinetry and breakfast bar. There are french doors leading to a large patio off the living room where you will want to spend time enjoying sunsets and sunrises. This home offers the perfect mix of indoor/outdoor living, lots of light and plenty of balconies off several bedrooms. Completely private and serene setting on 2 acres of natural landscape where the deer love to visit. $2,500,000

Clementine’s Steak House

Top

is

4631 Carpinteria Ave., Carpinteria

(805) 684-5119

Susan Willis Ltd.

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

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 26 years, with it’s own parking lot, it is easy and convenient to access. Come browse through many choices of summer must haves, like Turkish Towels, sun glasses and sun readers, to body lotions and summer treats to tuck into your picnic basket. Treasures, too many to mention. Great gift ideas for your summer Pet and House sitters. Monday- Saturday 10-5

4193

(805) 684-7440 www.carpinteriawineco.com

Our Favorite Burgers on the Central Coast

Story and photos by Katherine McMahon

I am constantly driving Highway 101 up and down the Central Coast, and one thing I can never get enough of on my journeys is a good burger. I’ve traveled all over the U.S. and am convinced that California’s Central Coast has the best burgers in the country. It could be the history of cattle ranching, the fresh farm-to-table culture, or just an elevated culinary style. Sometimes it can also be about more than the burger — it’s the entire experience. There are so many I have tried, but here are the ones that have stayed in my memory.

C

101 T RAVELERS G UIDE

ENTURA C OUNTY

DECKER KITCHEN

Although Decker Kitchen was originally located in Westlake Village, in 2022 they made the move to an infinitely larger and upscale space in Thousand Oaks. This is my kind of place: stylish, farm-to-table menu, unique cocktails, and wine shop. They had me at Feta Mousse Toast. The burger is a winner, topped with the magical combo of aged Spanish Manchego cheese and jalapeño marmalade. Decker Kitchen is at 3731 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. For more: deckerkitchen.com

WINCHESTERS GRILL & SALOON

For more than two decades, Winchesters Grill & Saloon has been a huge draw on Ventura’s Main Street. When it opened in the mid‘90s, the downtown Ventura area was much quieter. Now, there is so much to do, see, eat, and drink along Main Street, yet Winchesters is still the place to be. It has a fun cowboy theme, expansive patio, and live music most nights. There’s all kinds of classic cowboy food: chili, tri-tip, pulled pork, and a huge local beer list — but the burgers are the stars. My favorite is the 50-50 Bacon Burger because of its incredible smoky bacon flavor. Winchesters Grill & Saloon is at 632 E. Main St., Ventura. For more: winchestersgrill.com

B URGERS

JIM

I’ve been to Ojai quite a bit, but until recently I had missed this local hotspot. Jim & Rob’s Fresh Grill has been serving mostly Mexican food for over 25 years. The burritos, enchiladas, and nachos are popular, but the burgers are a favorite. The style here is simple done to perfection — especially if you get the Watkins Ranch burger. They start with a third-pound patty, sourced from grass-fed angus beef courtesy of the Ojai-based Watkins Cattle Co., and add the traditional burger fixings. Everything is very fresh, and it just works. Jim & Rob’s is adjacent to Lisa’s Cantina; with several TVs, it’s a lively place to take in a game (or three) and enjoy a margarita or beer with your burger.

Jim & Rob’s Fresh Grill is at 214 W. Ojai Ave., Ojai. For more: jimandrobsojai.com

RAVELERS G UIDE S ANTA B ARBARA C OUNTY

PADARO BEACH GRILL

A Santa Barbara County favorite! A visit here is worth it for the lush, expansive outdoor seating area alone. There are picnic tables surrounded by tropical palms, a sandbox area for kids to play, and the beach just beyond a hedge. The menu is classic California coast: fish tacos, fried calamari, tri-tip fries, and oh-so-amazing burgers. Here, they believe in piling them high with a delight of flavors. The signature Padaro Burger comes with melted cheese, bacon, an onion ring with a scoop of chunky avocado mash in the middle, barbecue sauce, chipotle mayo, lettuce, and tomato. The crunch of the onion ring with the creaminess of the avocado is a joy to the tastebuds. It’s a whole experience sitting by the ocean, under the palms, enjoying a burger and their classic milkshakes. Padaro Beach Grill is at 3765 Santa Claus Ln., Carpinteria. For more: padarobeachgrill.com

S F AVORITE B URGERS

MILK & HONEY TAPAS

Years ago, I was looking for a light bite to eat in downtown Santa Barbara, and I found the tapas-style menu of Milk & Honey. There are so many treats at this dinner spot, like Manchego cheese skewers with pressed guava, or bacon wrapped dates. There are also clever cocktails like Midnight in the Garden — a lavender-lime twist on an Aperol gin spritz. But what keeps me coming back again and again are the Americana Sliders: ground sirloin topped with Roma tomato, a slice of cheddar, and chili garlic aioli. Sounds so simple, and yet after a bite you have to pause and say Wow.

Milk & Honey Tapas is at 30 W. Anapamu St., Santa Barbara. For more: milknhoneytapas.com

JALAMA BEACH STORE

During the height of Covid lockdowns, there were days I had to just get out of the house and drive. One time I was on CA-1 near Lompoc and turned down a road I had never been on before. After about 15 minutes the Pacific Ocean emerged into view, and I found myself at Jalama Beach County Park. How had I never known of this before? There are camp sites and cabins, day-use picnic areas, a beach that is wonderful (if windy) for walking and poking around the tide pools. There is also the Jalama Beach Store, which proudly declares it is the home of the world famous Jalama Burger™. I discovered that people drive from all over to line up for this burger. The secret seems to be in the stacking of shredded lettuce, red onion, crisp slice of tomato, and the magical Jalama sauce. After a long country drive, sitting on the sand watching the wind surfers as the sun sinks toward the horizon, this burger is perfection. Just watch out for the seagulls — they love the burger too!

Jalama Beach Store is at 9991 Jalama Rd., Lompoc. For more: jalamabeachstore.com

TASTE! CRAFT EATERY

On many of my drives up the coast, I get to San Luis Obispo right around lunch time. Between the airport and downtown is TASTE! Craft Eatery. They have two locations — one in SLO and one in Paso Robles, but I love the convenience of the SLO establishment. The burgers come small, slider-style, but the flavor combinations are brilliant. And there are a ton of them on the menu!

Along with more than a dozen beef sliders, you’ll also find choices for lamb, pork, fish, chicken, and vegetarian. My favorites are the Eve Burger, with fig jam and chèvre, and the Georgia Burger, with marinated peaches and bacon. TASTE! Craft Eatery is at 2550 Broad St., San Luis Obispo.

For more: tasteslo.com

FLAVOR FACTORY

One night I was staying in Morro Bay when the power went out along the Embarcadero and none of the restaurants could seat me for dinner. So I left downtown looking for something new, and stumbled across Flavor Factory. It is unassuming, tucked between a karate school and an auto parts store, but the Bacon Jam Burger topped with caramelized onions, espresso, and other exotic goodies is extraordinarily good. Their many other burgers — from the Towering Inferno (think spicy) to The Hangover (with two fried eggs) — will have you coming back time and again. The Flavor Factory is at 420 Quintana Rd., Morro Bay.

For more: facebook.com/flavorfactorymb

THE BISTRO AT VINA ROBLES

The Vina Robles Winery is known for crafting high quality wines. But they also have a bistro kitchen at their tasting room that is open for lunch and provides ample options to complement their wines. The chef has created a burger topped with a portobello mushroom, caramelized onions that have been soaked in cabernet, raclette cheese, and roasted garlic aioli, all on a grilled brioche bun. It is beautiful to behold, and the flavor palette is beyond anything you would expect from a burger. I have to tell you this about Paso Robles: come for the wine, stay for this burger.

Vina Robles is at 3700 Mill Rd., Paso Robles.

For more: vinarobles.com/visit/bistro

Enjoy that Santa Barbara sunshine!

Happy Hour 2:30-6pm everyday

Scratch made cakes & pastries

Exquisite wines & European beer

Breakfast, lunch & dinner

High Tea, served daily from 2pm

1106 State Street | 805-962-5085

Open Daily 9am-6pm, Closed Tuesdays AndersensSantaBarbara.com

SANTA BARBARA’S PREMIER WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE

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

Au Bon Climat

813 Anacapa St., Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (805) 963-7999

www.aubonclimat.com

Our tasting room in downtown Santa Barbara offers current releases and select library wines in a warm, casual setting. The wines of Au Bon Climat, Clendenen Family, Barham Mendelsohn, Vita Nova and Jim Clendenen’s other creative endeavors are featured, representing an array of varietals beyond his acclaimed Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs. With Over 100 different wines stocked, the selection is amazing. Seated tastings by appt. See reservation app on homepage.

Walk-in tasters welcome if space allows

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

Forever Posh is that sweet little boutique you discover off the beaten path while on vacation. Forever Posh carries fabulous & fun apparel lines such as Lisa Todd, Label & Thread, Anatomie luxury travel clothing as well as the popular “luxe & lounge-wear PJ Salvage. Also sparkling throughout the boutique is the pretty one-of-a-kind jewelry by Ian Renee Jewelry, a local designer here in Santa Ynez. So pop on over to this little treasure of a boutique located in the quaint town of Santa Ynez. Parking on Madera Street. 3583 Numancia St, Santa Ynez, CA 93460 (805) 688-1444

Hacienda Amador

Everything in the restaurant is inspired by Ellie and her love for all things feminine and fabulous. From the wine, to the flowers, to the teacups, to the delicious food, we hope that you feel Ellie’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 Ellie is too.

Join us at our magical home away from home on our 5 acre beautifully landscaped private gated hacienda. The generous 1600 sq ft guesthouse includes 2 spacious bedrooms, 2 full baths, living room, dining room and all amenities to make your visit as comfortable as possible. The guesthouse is beautifully decorated in a Spanish hacienda decor.

Live your best life at Hacienda Amador!

The accommodations include wrought iron canopy beds and luxury linens to relax after a lovely day in Santa Ynez valley. There are trundle and toddler beds for your little ones . You will be surrounded by vineyards, fire pits, lush green patios and an oak tree grove. The property has many picturesque gardens with amazing views both day and night. Just minutes from wineries, restaurants, a lavender farm, horse trails, biking trails and hiking trails. Best places to visit are Lake Cachuma , Solvang Los Olivos and the Chumash casino which are just minutes away.

For inquires call 805-636-8848 or visit us at Haciendaamador.com

Special rates are available

Buellton Upcoming Events

Holiday Bazaar Arts & Craft Fair

November 5

The Buellton Rec hosts this annual event at River View Park in Buellton. You’ll find vendors selling their wonderful handmade products and goods. It’s a great way to shop for the holidays.

Buellton Fall Fest

November 11-13

A family friendly event with carnival rides, games, live music, food, drinks, vendors and more. This takes place over a 3-day weekend on the Avenue of Flags in Buellton.

Buellton Winter Fest

December 4 activities throughout the day

Breakfast with Santa in the morning, (Reservations required for this event).

Enjoy a breakfast and a photo with Santa at the Buellton Rec Center along with some take away craft activities. That afternoon, the Holiday Village takes place at Village Park where you’ll enjoy 20tons of snow, food trucks, vendors, drinks, holiday music and the tree lighting.

Enchanted Garden Holiday Lights Festival

December 2nd - 3rd / December 9th - 10th / December 17th - 18th

This event is new this year and takes place in the Santa Ynez Valley Botanic Garden. The display will be open over the course of 3 weekends (December 2nd - 3rd / December 9th - 10th / December 17th - 18th) from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. Enjoy this new display of lights and get in the holiday spirit with special additions each weekend.

Craf�ing connection: Saddle making in Santa Margarita

By Marlowe Hast

Whether you’re a rider or not, it’s easy to imagine that a horse’s entire body moves anytime a part of it moves. Picture the shoulder moving forward and back, muscles along the spine shifting as the horse walks, trots, or lopes. The body curves and bends as the horse covers ground, especially on the trail with elevation changes, hills to climb, and canyons to descend.

Now imagine a saddle on the horse’s back. Most saddles are made with a rigid frame called a tree, which were (not surprisingly) traditionally made out of wood. In more recent decades, the wood was wrapped in fiberglass. Some trees today are made of other materials, including synthetics like polyethylene.

One thing they all had in common was that they were rigid. Unmoving. Odd, for an animal always on the move. Central Coast saddle maker William “Bill” Huston found a better way. His answer to the unmoving tree — and horses with sore backs — was a treeless form that was sculpted out of a new material which moved with horse and rider. Since 1962, his treeless form has been copied by other saddle makers, but the unique structure of his method cannot be replicated.

Taught by her dad, Samantha Huston is making her mark on the Central Coast equestrian community

Samantha Huston shows the details on a custom saddle in process at her shop, which is housed in a turquoise Quonset hut.

With this design, “You’re riding the horse, not the saddle,” said Samantha Huston, Bill’s daughter. She has taken up saddle making in the style and design created by her father.

The rider’s goal is to focus on the horse itself. So, the saddle should function in a way that builds connection, bringing horse and rider closer.

“It’s you, the horse, and the saddle moving and working together,” she said. Huston’s treeless design allows the movement between horse and rider to be “fluid” as the single-cell foam structure moves and gives, to both horse and rider. Bill’s design lives on through Samantha, who has put her own mark on it, in her shop in Santa Margarita.

Growing Up In A Saddle Shop

Samantha has horses in her blood and bones. She grew up riding 10 miles to school in Parkfield. But it wasn’t until she turned 40 and went to visit her dad that she started thinking of saddle making as a profession. While there, she made a few saddles with him, soaking up everything he had to teach her.

“I videoed, I took notes,” Samantha said. Her dad told her she would have to make five saddles before she’d be able to make one without having to refer to the notes. But it took a little longer than that. “Finally, after 30 saddles I stopped referring [to the notes],” she said. “Can you imagine? This is not something you learn just anywhere, except from your dad. It’s his brainchild. Saddles were never made like this, never. We’re not taking a wooden tree and nailing leather to it. We are sculpting every single part. You use every skill. All the sewing that you know. All the drafting that you know, all the construction. It’s super, super challenging.”

Now that Samantha was making saddles, she had to find a way to put her own mark on them. Her father is a leatherworker and silversmith and would add beautiful embellishments to his saddles. He would tool intricate rows of acorns or wild roses into the leather. Samantha doesn’t do that, but the artistry and craft of the saddles is apparent.

Top: Samantha at her shop. Above: Samantha holds a photo of her dad, Bill, who taught her the art of saddle making.

“My heart and soul is in the saddle fit,” she said. “All these angles. Dad taught me about saddle fit and rider fit.” Her father is still living, and they talk frequently about her work.

She points to one part of a completed saddle she had made for a beloved local rider, Lora Wereb. Lora, who completed the challenging 100-mile, 24-hour Tevis Cup ride in the midst of a battle with cancer, passed away last year. The saddle stands in tribute to Wereb in Samantha’s shop.

“This spot is the hardest,” to construct, said Samantha, “where

Each part of the saddle is sculpted, including the pommel and horn.

everything comes together.” It’s a spot at the rear of the seat, where several seams and pieces of leather have to connect and form a point. The lines of the foundation underneath and the leather on the surface all curve and join together artfully at that joint in the saddle.

Initially, Samantha’s saddles were essentially copies of the first saddle she’d made for her horse, Ocho, whose back became the model for the sculpted stand she and her father made together. The stand is covered in a deep, mustard-colored suede with metal rivets, and has been formed into the shape of a horse’s back. “I made this with my dad,” she said of the treasured stand.

Ocho’s saddle also fit her other two horses at the time. It actually worked for a wide range of horses. “But then, as you get into the wider horses, (called) Gypsy Vanners,” the saddle has to adapt, Samantha explained. “It’s all about the saddle fit.” She began to custom-sculpt the saddles to fit each individual horse and rider, and how they fit together.

Custom Sculpted

The shape of the saddle from front to back consists of different angles and slopes. Alterations to those angles are made depending on the horse and are based on a knowledge of how a horse moves. Samantha likes to work with local clients, from Monterey County to Los Angeles County. That way, she can see the horse in the flesh, allow the rider to test the saddle during the construction process, and make any adjustments as needed.

“Santa Margarita is a very horse-friendly place,” Samantha said. “We’re across from the feed store. There’s a large dirt lot next door where we’ve done fittings.” But when that’s not possible, the rider can make a cast of the horse’s back that Samantha then uses to sculpt the saddle. She will sculpt the foam bars — the parts that fit on either side of the horse’s spine — to allow space for the shoulder and muscles to move, even when a rider is on the horse’s back. The unique single-cell foam gives to the horse’s body without compressing, creating a constant response to the movement of the horse. This also allows a unique and desirable experience for the rider, which is to be able to truly connect and feel the movement of the horse.

American Leather

Samantha, as her father before her, only sources leather from the American company Herman Oak Leather Co., based in St. Louis, Missouri since 1881. The company still sources all its leather from U.S.-raised steers and uses vegetable-based tanning compounds. Samantha showed me a palette of available colors: standard browns, blacks, and elegant palomino colors are included with greens, blues, and even pinks.

It’s not just the leather that is sourced from a company woven into the

Samantha carefully constructs her saddles by hand, from the stirrups to the rosettes and saddle strings.

core of American saddle makers. She acquired her tools from Bob Madsen, in Carmel Valley. “His shop was in The Farm Center,” she said. “I just happened to come along.” At the time, she was working at a leather company in the area. “Then I met Bob Madsen. It was meant to be.”

Samantha pointed to a workbench, with a board for hanging tools on. “This bench (Madsen) inherited from Bob Hall in King City, an old-time leather worker and silversmith. People in the local Western community know Bob Hall for his amazing silversmith work with bits, spurs.

“I got all the hardware, snaps, rivets and buckles, and glue, thread and dye,” Samantha went on. “A man’s life collection of tools. A whole life. The tools go back several generations. I don’t have anything new. I was so blessed, given a whole saddle shop.”

She did have to pay for the tools, benches, and supplies, but she says it was an inexpensive price, and meant to be.

Dancing Saddles

For those aging riders who will never stop riding, many clients are coming to Samantha for a saddle that is both comfortable and lightweight. At just 12 pounds, the saddles are a far cry from the typical 40 pounds or more of regular western saddles. “Saddles gotta get lighter and things get easier. Really, it’s like a luxury saddle. Easy to deal with, not a big clunky thing,” she said. “I get a lot of orders due to injuries, or just aging, or they are total fanatics about saddle fit.”

Samantha said her saddles are for pleasure riding. “You wouldn’t dally from them,” she said, referring to a rider working cattle and looping the lasso around the horn of the saddle to cause tension in the rope when a steer has been caught. Her saddles are ideal for western equitation, cowboy dressage, trail riding, and endurance.

One of the six saddles in the queue that Samantha is working on right now will have a pink seat for a “heart conscious” nurse and will bear the name Braveheart. Yes, every one of her saddles gets a name. Her own saddle is named Dancer.

“I love to dance, dance in the saddle,” Samantha mused. “Riding feels like dancing, running down the trail with your horse, those good vibes.”

Samantha puts the finishing touches on a saddle in her shop.

Beautifully constructed details on a new saddle.

Samantha carefully constructs her saddles by hand, from the stirrups to the rosettes and saddle strings.

More than a saddle shop, the Rainbow Hut also offers a variety of Western-inspired clothing, accessories, art and housewares.

One saddle will be forest green for a client from Griffith Park and will be named Hello There, in a reference to a line from Star Wars. Another, for a client in Nebraska, will be named Perseverance, and will have a palomino-colored seat. “She has some of my dad’s saddles, now she wants one of mine,” Samantha said.

The Rainbow Hut

A turquoise Quonset hut might seem like an odd structure for a saddle shop and western boutique. And it is.

“I feel really honored to be in this building. It’s a town attraction,” Samantha said. Prior to the pandemic, she had just a small slice of the building down the western side. But the other two businesses closed, and she made a deal with the owner. Now she has the entire space and is working with local designers and artists to fill it with Western art, gifts, and other items. From buffalo hides, skulls, and boots, to fine art, leather chairs, and jewelry, the Rainbow Hut shop has a special Western style.

“Growing up in a saddle shop was the best part of my childhood,” Samantha said. “The shop is super horsey, artsy. I really did want a cool saddle shop.”

Samantha Huston Saddles can be found in the historic Rainbow Hut at 22380 El Camino Real, Santa Margarita.

For more, see samanthahuston.com or 805-704-9678.

The Rainbow Hut adds a unique flair to downtown Santa Margarita.

10/15/22

LOS OLIVOS FALL FAMILY FUN THIS OCTOBER 2022

Experience a Day in the Country in Los Olivos on October 15, 2022 from 10am - 5pm. Join us in this fun Los Olivos tradition of celebrating our quaint country town. We’ll celebrate with an early morning 5k & Fun Run, small town parade (with square dancers!), 100 vendor booths, beer garden, live music, food trucks and Wine Roundup throughout town at our award-winning wineries. Plus, join our Wine Roundup October 15 & 16! During Day in the Country, get a wine tasting pass to

our award-winning wineries, and hit the town. Simply pre-order, then pick up your pass from our table at the main park in the center of town (by the flagpole). The pass costs $50 and gets you 2 tastes at 9 places on the pass (for a total of 18 tastes over 2 days). Wineries will offer add-on specials when you visit, and you can use the pass Saturday and Sunday.

And best of all, attendance is free!

Day in the Country Schedule:

10am - Small town parade

10am - Vintage Tractors & Cars

10am - 100 Vendor Booths

11am - Beer Garden at the park

11am - Wine Roundup throughout town

11am - Live Music & Food Trucks!

11am - NatureTrack Film Festival at St. Mark’s-in-the-Valley

And don’t miss our Scarecrow Festival October 1-31!

Walk around town to see all the scarecrows, and vote for your favorite. You’ll see scary ones, humorous ones, all-natural plus scarecrows that depict our businesses.

For more information visit LosOlivosCA.com, or e-mail us at info@LosOlivosCA.com.

Photos by Liz Dodder, CaliCoastWineCountry.com.

BLACKSMITH

ABOUT THE VILLAGE OF CAMBRIA

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.

Welcome to Maisons de Cambria Vacation Rentals

We offer a variety of lovely vacation rental homes located in a beautiful environment.

Cambria itself is a charming village that offers galleries, shops, a playhouse, local music & a variety of dining options. It’s also a gateway to the Paso Robles Wine Region & to the Big Sur Wilderness area. We hope you will visit soon… come discover the magic of the Central Coast.

14th Annual Cambria Scarecrow Festival

Starting on October 1, 2022, Cambria and San Simeon will be awash in unique and creative scarecrows. Locals and visitors alike can enjoy scarecrow displays at their leisure throughout the month. This year's Festival will bring back swashbuckling pirates, sea monsters, Day of the Dead displays, characters from the Coco movie, and other family favorites. In addition, plan on an expanded educational walk through the history of art with returning and new scarecrow creations. Be amazed at how junk can be turned into scarecrow art with the Great Cambria Recycled Scarecrow

Challenge. Many of your favorite musicians will come to life. You will be amazed at the talent within these small communities.

Visit cambriascarecrows.com for special events and scarecrow locations.

Historic

Tin City, Paso Robles

Laid-back Central Coast tasting at its finest

Just a few miles south of downtown Paso Robles, Tin City is a community of creative wine, spirits, and food producers that represents everything the Central Coast is about. Tin City began 10 years ago when BarrelHouse Brewing Co. was looking for a new home, and local businessman Mike English saw an opportunity to utilize land he owned near his pool and landscaping business.

Story and photos by Katherine McMahon

Since then, it has grown to include more than two dozen wineries, a cidery, a distillery, and several types of food options. By 2019, Tin City had made a big name for itself; it was featured in a documentary (available on YouTube) and in magazines like Forbes and National Geographic.

When Travel + Leisure wrote that the Central Coast was one of the “50 best places to visit in 2020,” the magazine mentioned Tin City as a reason why. Although traveling took a hit from the pandemic, Tin City is still full of life.

For passers-by it can be difficult to even notice it, and several times I have missed the turn while driving there. But once you find it, tucked less than a half-mile from the highway, Tin City has an unmistakable look: A compact district of metal buildings, with lush landscaping, and a gorgeous waterfall at the entrance. The warehouse-like buildings give wineries a place to produce their wares; the sorting and crushing of grapes, and fermenting, aging, and blending of wines happens right here. These are working spaces which give visitors a glimpse behind the scenes, and maybe even the chance to hang out with the winemaker while tasting.

Tin City offers a multitude of inviting spaces.

A great example is Monochrome

Wines, owned by winemaker Dave McGee. The name refers to the fact that he produces exclusively white wines. Dave stands strongly against the statement that white wines are simple. His goal is to coax a full range of flavors out of white wine grapes, crafting whites that even red wine lovers will rejoice over. Dave also makes tasting at Monochrome an intimate experience. I sat at a dining table with him, some of his framed photographs on the walls, and Sinatra playing on the record player.

Next door is Turtle Rock Vineyards, owned by Claudia and Don Burns. Don is a native of Paso Robles who grew up working with his uncle Tom Westberg, a pioneering Paso winemaker during the 1980s. Don then spent time sailing and working in the restaurant business in Florida where he met and married Claudia. Together they decided to return to Paso Robles and start their own winery. For the past decade, they have received critical acclaim for their wines and now have the fascinating problem of being almost sold out each year. After tasting their wines I can see why, as these are some of the best wines I have experienced in Paso. Not only is the wine delicious, but the labels are beautiful artistic representations of their inspirations: the bottles of their 2021 rosé, Willow’s Tickled Pink, features a painting of their daughter wandering through cherry blossoms.

Across the road I stopped in at the stylish tasting room of ONX, which has built a reputation for blends that are exciting and innovative. The artistry of labels was again on display here. Each bottle featured a colorful collage revealing a detailed, cohesive vision connected to the wine inside. A favorite was Field Day, a blend of sauvignon blanc and viognier that is unlike any sauvignon blanc I have had before. The name and the label are a perfect match to the wine, which tastes like a cool early summer day in the country, starting with the sweetness of pineapple and ending with a soft tart note of grapefruit.

Monochrome’s tasting room.

Choices at Turtle Rock.

Onx’s Indie Rosé.

Down the block, I found Sans Liege Wines – French for “without allegiance,” a statement about the philosophy of the owner and winemaker, Curt Schalchlin. Curt set out to pursue winemaking that would be unhindered by convention. He has produced standout Rhone blends like Cotes du

Coast, which blends premier white varietals sourced from up and down the Central Coast; and The Offering, which is a true Paso GSM (grenache, syrah, and mourvèdre blend) bursting with flavor. A short walk across the wooden deck is Tin City Cider

Co., a collaboration between winemakers

Curt Schalchlin of Sans Liege, Mikey Giugni (Star of the Sea), and Andrew Jones (Field Recordings.). The star of the show for me was the Poly Royal, a 50-50 blend of cider and rosé. The rosé lover in me did a happy dance! I could spend an entire day next to the pool drinking this. Its flavor is bursting with raspberry, strawberry sherbet, and a touch of citrus. So delicious!

Tasting at Sans Liege.

Tasting flight at Tin City Cider Co.

While walking between the wineries, I stopped in at Olivas De Oro, owned by Frank and Marti Menacho. They founded the company in 1999 when they purchased a 160-acre orchard in the northern Sierra Nevada foothills. In 2007 they moved the century-old olive trees to Creston, outside of Paso Robles, and in 2018, they moved into Tin City. They produce award-winning, estate grown olive oils that are unique because the herbs, peppers, and fruits are incorporated in the cold-press process — no artificial flavors are ever added. The same is true of their award-winning vinegars, flavored by fermenting herbs, fruits, or peppers together in the balsamic mother. In recent years, Marti has added homemade artisan ranch products to the store. They change seasonally, but fan-favorites are always on display. Come for the olive oils and vinegars, but leave with the Bacon Chipotle Jam and the orange brownies (Marti’s specialty).

In the center of Tin City sits Tin City Distillery. It has a speakeasy vibe and a warehouse with copper stills and stacked oak barrels. On the weekend it gets packed with both visitors and winemakers looking to unwind. Patrick Brooks, the master distiller, embodies the creative spirit of Tin City. His brandies include orange, mango, fig, walnut, and ghost pepper flavors that have been perfectly integrated into the distilling process.

BarrelHouse Brewing Co. remains the anchor of Tin City, as it has been from the beginning. Here you’ll find a multi-acre outdoor beer garden with

Olivas De Oro tasting room.

Exploring (and tasting) at Tin City Distillery.

Get your cheese fix at Etto Pastificio.

picnic tables, a stunning waterfall, and live music happening on one of two stages. In addition to a selection of craft beers, the DeBilz & Family food truck — serving street tacos and pulled pork barbecue — is always parked out front.

Across the street is Etto Pastificio, an Italian specialty shop that makes fresh pastas and sauces as well as offering an amazing selection of local cheese, cured meats, and imported Italian items. Etto has the perfect complement to any bottle of wine!

After a hot afternoon of wine tasting, pop into Negranti Creamery. What makes their ice cream different is that it is made from sheep’s milk. Compared to cow’s milk, sheep’s milk is richer in vitamins

A, B, and E as well as calcium, potassium, and protein. Negranti takes pride in using real, fresh ingredients to make unique, delicious ice cream like Cinnamon Honey and Strawberry Basil. The Black Coffee Chip is a must-try!

It’s impossible to pack the entirety

of Tin City into one article, so hop off the 101 and explore it yourself! Set aside a day (or two!) to soak in this special Central Coast spot.

To view all of the Tin City providers, information, hours, and events, visit tincitypasorobles.com

Locally grown and produced

Olive oil and artisan food tasting Gi s and unique olive wood serving pieces

805-227-4223

Welcome to this lovely Spanish Style Hacienda home located right downtown Ojai and sitting on just shy of half an acre. This home, enlarged in 1997 and fully remodeled in 2007, (including electric and plumbing) has a flexible floor plan allowing for extended family or separate guest quarters - plenty of room for everyone. You enter into the living room which is open to the dining room on one side and large den on the other. The cook’s dream kitchen, with stainless appliances, granite countertops, wine refrigerator and breakfast bar, is big enough for family gatherings or just a cozy time with your morning coffee. The guest quarters, (1 bedroom, 1 1/2 bathroom)  is attached to the main house, (2 bedroom, 2 bathroom) so it can be made part of the house, in-law apartment, or separate space for income producing. You won’t be disappointed with the finishing touches this home has to offer including rustic beamed ceilings, Saltillo tiles, 3 fireplaces, and many more. Relax out by the pool, take a stroll downtown Ojai to one of the many new restaurants in town, or sit on the porch and watch the kids playing. With the large mature trees and seasonal creek you will love the feel of nature all around. Fully gated and private, this home has it all. Contact Donna Sallen for price.

PERSIMMON HILL LUXURY

This 5br/4.5ba home in the prestigious Persimmon Hill community is situated on 3.5 acres and surrounded by spectacular mountain views. An over 4,000 square foot main home boasts sprawling great rooms, soaring ceilings, a formal dining room, a wine closet and a massive stone fireplace. The grounds include a spacious guest house and a gorgeous rock pool/spa. Viking appliances adorn a large, open kitchen, and there are owned solar panels and a water filtration system. This very private property affords the perfect mix of country living while also being mere minutes from all the amenities of downtown Ojai.

420SaddleLnOjai.com

Offered at $4,050,000