Ventura
On Easter we decided to drive up to Ojai to hit the hot springs that the internet informed me were fantastic and a must-visit. But because we have some kind of terrible driving far to cool stuff luck lately, the road to the hot springs was fenced off and closed. So we turned around and drove to Ventura and stopped at the beach and watched dolphins frolic around in the ocean instead. I wish I’d had one of the telephoto lenses I’d never had a need for prior to this with me at the time as the dolphins are just tiny black specks in these photos. The ocean was such an amazing green color that almost made up for the hot springs let down. California is full of magical wonders and my urge to explore is quite strong lately.
That being said, does anyone have any other hot springs recommendations? Seems like there are a lot in the desert but hiking for an hour to one does not sound particularly …in my wheelhouse.
all photos taken with a Canon A-1 with Kodak Portra 160 film
April 16th, 2012 at 12:51 pm
There are some in San Luis Obispo if you’re willing to drive the extra two or so hours from Ventura…SLO is totally worth it tho, and A LOT like Ventura (which, I love and miss coming there for work IMMENSELY). Here’s the website: http://www.sycamoresprings.com/
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April 16th, 2012 at 12:55 pm
That picture of you demonstrates so nicely why I’ve switched to Portra 160 lately… just gorgeous.
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April 16th, 2012 at 1:30 pm
Kate, these are beautiful, and you look so lovely !
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April 16th, 2012 at 2:00 pm
awesome pictures!
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April 16th, 2012 at 3:24 pm
ooo…those are snazzy sunglasses! who makes them? also, that tree on the right, in the 3rd shot, is possibly the strangest/coolest tree i’ve ever seen. is it even real!?
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Kate Reply:
April 16th, 2012 at 4:05 pm
isn’t is awesome? I love it as well. The sunglasses are the Tenley by Warby Parker.
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vanessa r. Reply:
April 16th, 2012 at 4:11 pm
it looks like a yucca, maybe..?
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April 16th, 2012 at 4:01 pm
I got married at a property just past those Ojai hotsprings, at the end of the canyon, and the day after we all hung out in the springs. When it rains the roads get messy, so when it’s been dry for a while you should head back! There are also some in Santa Barbara but the Ojai ones are better. Then go into Miners Oaks and eat at Farmer and the Cook–you’ll love it.
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April 16th, 2012 at 4:15 pm
love the pinky hues that portra has. too bad about the hot springs, they sounded like a great place to visit over a weekend.
I don’t know of any other hot springs in socal but maybe one of these books by jerry schad to feed your hiking/exploring hunger http://www.amazon.com/Jerry-Schad/e/B001ITWV9A/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1 we have the SD one and it’s pretty cool because it has a variety of hikes/walks depending of what you want, the difficulty and the time it takes. hope it helps.
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April 16th, 2012 at 4:32 pm
Ahhhh this makes me miss home so much! I’m from the Ventura County area but currently living in the Midwest…
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Zoe Reply:
April 19th, 2012 at 1:03 pm
I am also from Ventura and living in the midwest! Where do you live?
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April 16th, 2012 at 5:07 pm
I suggest sycamore springs in slo. the area is just so relaxing and pretty much swallowed by trees so the air there is so refreshing. we use to drive down from the bay area to los angeles and always stop by slo for the hot springs and drive back. so relaxing.
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April 16th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
I love your blog, and watched you move from NYC to Venice. (My favorite city I’ve never lived in). I grew up in Ventura, and moved to Utah 9 years ago. I opened my computer to your site and recognized “Home”, so glad you stopped to share your pictures. Were you trying to go to Punch Bowls? Punch Bowls is more like natural watering pools/holes. Waterfalls and slides. You should look that up and see if they post the trails. Also, on your way back home on the PCH you can stop by Leo Carrillo Beach, it’s where they filmed those beach shots in the craft. Cool caves and tide pools. Always a favorite!
Thanks for sharing!
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April 17th, 2012 at 1:56 am
My husband’s family are from (near) Ventura so it’s spot I’ve visited the most in california/america. It makes me happy to see the area again. Thanks
Sorry I can’t help with hot springs. Though the lazy river at Lake Casitas is bizarrely fun.
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April 17th, 2012 at 2:48 am
the first one goes perfectly as a cover for the Coachella playlist!
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April 17th, 2012 at 2:56 am
looks like you had an absolutely fabulous time! I can’t wait to visit California again
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April 17th, 2012 at 11:13 am
what a shame about the springs – they really are special… and the people you see/meet there, whoa. but ventura looked lovely as a backup plan ;)
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April 17th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
Beautiful photos, I do love the drive in Ventura but bummed you couldn’t make it to the hot springs in Ojai. I’ll work on sending you over some recommendations.
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April 18th, 2012 at 6:21 am
Fab photos Kate… you look so pretty. It is sad about the dolphins but I’ve also heard that Telephoto FD lenses weren’t that good, not sure though.
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April 19th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
These aren’t hot springs but are definitely as awesome–check out the Seven Falls hike in Santa Barbara! One of my favorites. The end of the hike has seven waterfalls and mountain springs for swimming. http://www.santabarbarahikes.com/hikes/frontcountry/7falls.shtml
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April 19th, 2012 at 3:39 pm
Not as scenic of a drive, but Glen Ivy Hot Springs in the Inland Empire…Corona I think…are wonderful and the hot springs, mud baths and many other pools and spas are wonderful.
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April 22nd, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Love this set, especially the last portrait!
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April 22nd, 2012 at 2:31 pm
Great photos of your time spent on the Central Coast. Ventura is a very pretty beach town but it is no Santa Barbara! Of course I have been to many but nothing holds a candle to Santa Barbara and its pristine beaches and views. You are quite handy with a camera, wow, these are so wildly impressive!! This makes me want to go back to the beach so badly, time needs to hurry up so it can be August already so I can fly back! LA, Ventura, SB, SLO, all on my map of places to visit while I am in California. In SB? Planning on staying at the Sandman Inn (www.thesandmaninn.com). Cheap and so nice, really surprising too!
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April 23rd, 2012 at 7:03 am
The best hot springs I have ever been to are just north of Ukiah (so yes, this would be considered a very long drive to cool stuff , but if you’re near Mendo…) called Orr Springs. http://www.andersonic.net/orr/
Stunning, secluded, high-vibe and magical. You can stay overnight in their ridiculously romantic cabins and soak away your troubles under the starry sky. There is an over-the-top redwood forest just down the road too – Montgomery Woods. A MUST!
xo, Sarah B
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