As if the charming, picturesque, welcoming village of Ojai wasn’t enough in itself to make it the perfect mini vacation destination…

There is also the Suite 1 Inn.

This enchanting little hideaway, tucked into the trees, off of the beaten path that is East Ojai Avenue, is paradise unto itself, with its many artistic intricacies, harmoniously eclectic furnishings, and its completely mood altering aura.

Located approximately 60 miles north of Los Angeles, and about an hour and a half away from LAX with no traffic, you couldn’t ask for a better get away!

Lovingly created by two kind-hearted, and exceptionally imaginative artists and massage therapists - Iris and Kirk, this sanctuary for one or two, is the quintessential escape when you need a swift repose - and between the magnificent shower that you won’t ever want to get out of, and the lovely garden with private hot tub, you won’t feel like leaving the premises anytime soon. They offer in suite massage, indoors or out; chilled champagne and roses on request; and exceptional gourmet dining on your private patio or in your room. Tell me, what more could one want?

However, when you are ready to venture out, you can enjoy wandering around the center of town with all of its wonderful galleries, intriguing shops and fine restaurants. Don’t miss taking a stroll through Libby Park, either in the day for a bit of tennis or to listen to some live music, or after dark - a great way to end the evening after a really great meal.

There is a terrific bike/horse path that stretches through town, and
Lake Casitas isn’t far away to enjoy a day of fun in the sun while swimming, boating or fishing. The ever popular Ojai Wine Festival is hosted there every June, and a variety of other art and music festivals can be found throughout the city, throughout the year. There is also great golf and spa opportunities if that is more to your liking.

Truly a place to fall in love with…

For fabulous pictures of the suite and additional booking information, go to their site at www.suite1innojai.com

602 East Ojai Avenue, Ojai, CA 93023
(805) 646-7869

And for more information about the magical city of Ojai, visit www.ci.ojai.ca.us

Photograph compliments of Arlene Yakush

Newly opened within the compound of the
Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
is Liu Fang Yuan - California’s first classical Chinese Garden.

Carefully designed with respect to the given environment and all the necessary elements representative of a traditional Chinese Garden, this extraordinary treasure brings beauty and balance to the area, and enriches the minds and souls of all that walk along its paths.

Combining exquisite architecture, wonderful water elements and rock placement, a variety of gloriously fragrant flowers and trees, and “layers of meaning and symbolism”, one will soon realize “that there is much more to this beautiful landscape then meets the eye. ”

You could spend days exploring at the Huntington, it has so much to offer over so many gorgeous acres where the scene changes significantly around every corner, and through lovely buildings that contain galleries, exhibits and a fabulous gift shop. Make reservations for high tea, or take out simpler fare at their tasty cafe, and picnic under the trees.

Certainly an amazing way to spend a day, no matter the path you decide to venture out on.

For more information go to:

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108
(626) 405-2100
www.huntington.org

and to view more beautiful photographs of the garden and other wonderful things by Arlene Yakush, please click here.

Happy Sauntering!

A Message From Claudia:

Hi Lovely Friends,

Spring is in the air and all the flowers and trees are blooming and smelling wonderful. Come and join us for your Yoga Hike in Palos Verdes this Sunday March 30, 2008 from 10 am to 12 pm. Balance your body, mind and spirit with practicing Yoga at the top of the cliffs. It will be fun!

For more details click here.

Namaste,
Claudia

Growing up in Connecticut there was always someplace close by where we could go on the weekends to enjoy long hikes in the woods. Living in Redondo Beach, it is a bit further of a drive to get to the wooded areas to hike. The beach is of course a great place for a stroll, a run, a bike ride (not to mention swimming, sunning, surfing, etc.), and we certainly are fortunate to have miles of that here in the South Bay. But when you want a quick getaway to be with other forms of nature, like trees, flowers and wildlife, the place to go is South Coast Botanic Garden on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.

Located 10 miles south of Los Angeles Airport, this 87 acre compound offers a variety of different scenes along their trails, such as the exquisite Rose Garden (call and see when roses are out in full bloom), a Cactus Garden, the Garden of the Senses (my personal favorite), an Herb Garden, a ‘Water-Wise’ Garden, a wonderful Children’s Garden that portrays many favorite childhood fairy tales, Fucshia and Dahlia Gardens, a Japanese Garden, a Mediterranean Garden, and a long stretch of palm trees, which happens to be the romantic place where my husband proposed!

You can take pleasure in a meditative walk, go bird watching (there are over 200 species sighted yearly), watch the ducks in the lake, set out a blanket and have a picnic (in designated areas), you can even hold an event there. This is an exceptional place for weddings, as they have plenty of room for guests, two Gazebos, and of course it offers the perfect settings for photographs.

They are opened 364 days a year, 9 to 5 daily, and offer plenty of free parking. Their admission fees are quite reasonable, and they offer discounts to seniors and children.

Visit their website for directions and further information at www.southcoastbotanicgarden.org

Happy Trails!

If you live in the Los Angeles area, you’re not too far from this breathtaking sanctuary located in Pacific Palisades.

As soon as you begin your journey along the path, you’ll not only appreciate its obvious beauty, but a certain lightness and joy will most likely overcome you. One feels deeply reverent when entering this retreat. Its almost as if the many souls who have shared this same path over the years are still present in the breeze amongst the leaves on the trees.

This magnificent 10 acre garden, complete with its own spring-fed lake and all the flora and fauna that go with it, is one of the many Self-Realization Fellowships that offer the teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda.The environs also include a small museum with displays of this beautiful Yogi’s work; the Mahatma Gandhi World Peace Memorial; a Court of Religions which honors the 5 major world religions, a gift shop, and a huge, glorious temple on the top of the hill.

For more information about the life and teachings of Paramahansa Yogananda, or for directions to this retreat or a Self-Realization Center nearer to you, visit their website at www.yogananda-srf.org