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Southern California: Ojai Valley, Family Vacation Ideas - Kayaking, Surfing, and Hiking. Arid, sunny and dramatically beautiful, the Central California Coast offers families plenty of ways to get out and have fun. The area includes Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura. From hiking and stargazing to surfing and kayaking no two days will be the same. Stroll along the beach counting sand crabs; take a day trip to the Channel Islands; browse open-air seasonal markets; experience great theatre and feel the artistic energy of the area. This is the good stuff.

Catch a wave and you’ll be sitting on top of the world. Greg Lewis, both the owner of and instructor at the Santa Barbara Surf School has more than 30 years experience. Lewis has personally taught thousands how to surf. Santa Barbara boasts a dynamic team of CPR trained instructor-surfers and the school offers a great experience for every level of expertise. Surf lessons can be private, semi-private or group and all ages are welcome. Not to be missed: Check out surf yoga–traditional yoga designed to create the strength, balance, flexibility and presence of mind to allow surfers to enhance their surfing ability. Bonus point: If you book a lesson within a week of your birthday with four or more others you surf for free. (Santa Barbara Surf School. (805)745-8877 or www.santabarbarasurfschool.com)

Paddle in Pismo. With a variety of tours catering to kayaking ability and experience, Central Coast Kayaks in Pismo Beach is the go-to kayak company in the region. The “Tomol Tour” is recommended for a novice family excursion – winding through the protected waters of Avila Beach and Port San Luis kayakers paddle alongside sea lions, otters, marine birds, and dolphins while exploring the areas unique geology and history. Not to be missed: The Cave Expedition tour is a more intensive, exploring a series of arches, caves and rock gardens that are only accessible from the water. Bonus points: Central Coast Kayaks also offers a Pirates Excursion and a Kids Kayaking instruction/tour. (Central Coast Kayaking. 1879 Shell Beach Rd, Pismo Beach. (805) 773-3500 or www.centralcoastkayaks.com)

Be one (family) with nature. The Central Coast of California abounds in opportunities for family adventures. Several trips and tours featured by Central Coast Outdoors are wonderful options for families including a half day Morro Bay kayaking trip, hiking Estero Bluffs, Montana de Oro (short) or Big Sur (easy), and the Morro Bay Kayak & Hike combo trip. Bonus points: Discounted rates are available for families with children up to the age of 16 and vary depending on the age of the children – check their website for more details. (Central Coast Outdoors. Los Oros. 1-888-873-5610 or www.centralcoastoutdoors.com)

Bridge the past and the present. With an extensive collection of Native American baskets, pioneer tools and photographs of the early days of Ojai, the Ojai Valley Museum is a great way to see the history of Ojai come to life. Currently on display are two special exhibits concerning famous Ojai residents: spiritualist Krishnamurti and renowned sculptor, historian and monologist George S. Stuart. Not to be missed: Adjacent to the museum is the Chumash Garden, a living botanical garden that explains the use of native plants used by the Chumash for food, medicine, and to make baskets and other crafts. Bonus point: The museum also features the Sepse Exhibit which focuses on animals and plants indigenous to the nearby mountains. (Ojai Valley Museum, 130 W Ojai Ave, Ojai. (805) 640-1390 or www.ojaivalleymuseum.org)

  The theatre’s the thing. Each season the Ojai Center for the Arts offers a wide selection of plays for audiences of all ages. This summer enjoy the marvelously entertaining Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (perfect for the whole family) , Cabaret, and Other People's Money. In the winter enjoy holiday-themed One Act Festival just in time for the winter holidays. (Ojai Center for the Arts. 113 S. Montgomery Street, Ojai. (805) 640-8797 or www.ojaiact.org)

Go to the green channel. Right off the coast of the California mainland, Channel Islands National Park spans five islands (Anacapa, Santa Cruz, Santa Rosa, San Miguel, and Santa Barbara) with more than 175 miles of pristine undeveloped coastline. Thousands of years of ecological isolation has resulted in the development of unique island biospheres, with unique animals, plants and archeological resources found nowhere else on earth. Channel Islands are often called the "North American Galapagos" because they are home to over 150 endemic or unique species. Visitors to Channel Islands can experience coastal southern California as it once was. Bike the island, take the Junior Ranger challenge with your kids, kayak the coves, go whale watching or just find some sand and chill. Bonus points: There is a webcam set up to view the activities is the nest of a pair of American bald eagles. The solar-powered camera runs daily between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. and may be view from the website by clicking the link Channel Islands Live. (Channel Islands National Park. 1901 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura. (805) 658-5730 or www.nps.gov/chis)

 

Text researched and created by Travel Communications staff. Images courtesy of Ojai Valley Chamber of Commerce. Copyright 2011.

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