Flying down the mountain!

Ziplines at Pacific Crest in the San Gabriel Mountains, north of Los Angeles California, is an adventure course through the treetops. Not for the faint of heart, these are some high speed rides over heights that equal a thirty story building and lines that go more than a quarter of a mile in length. This is a great way to spend the day out in nature and enjoying a view you can get no other way. If you feel the need for speed and enjoy a thrill this is the place to be.

They offer a couple of  options to enjoy the excitement at Ziplines at Pacific Crest with their Canopy or Mountain View Tours. These half day adventures will take you above the San Andres fault and into the heights of the California mountains. If you can’t make up your mind between the two consider the Ultimate Day Package which includes both options and a provided box lunch and drink.

Mountain View Zipline Tour – this package is made up of 6 ziplines, 2 free-fall rappels, and 3 hikes that take visitors through the countryside in a 2.5 hr. trip.

Canopy Tour – this 3.5 hr. course includes 9 ziplines that reach 306 ft in height and run as long as 1500 ft. Crossing 3 bridges, lowering yourself down 2 rappels, a sky stair, and 3 hikes round out this route.

Either choice or both will give visitors an adrenaline rush. Even the van up to the start point will get you going with a rumbling ride. From there it is a continued climb on foot to the first launch. After the guides run through the basics of braking and safety details you are ready to fly. I felt some butterflies with the anticipation of my first run and before some of the other elements that make up the course, like rappelling.

In between the zipping visitors get a hawk’s eye view from decks in the tree tops. Our Canopy Tour even saw a pair of red tailed hawks checking out the featherless high fliers. Our guides, Ray and Will, pointed out the different trees, wild life, and were very informative about more than just the ziplining.

Reaching speeds of up to 55 MPH while dangling from a line mid air is an experience to remember. Perfecting braking and landing took a bit of work and I happily never failed to make it to the platform. Tours go all year round so be prepared that no matter the weather you can hit the trail. Participants from ages 10 to 80 are said to have completed the course, so as long as you fall between 90-250 lbs. you can join in.

The instructions warn that participants need to be able to walk 1 mile as part of the course, but keep in mind that is a mile at 7,000 ft. So those with altitude issues be prepared for the added challenge. Comfort with heights helps as well since the treetop stops between lines are sunny spires above the arid mountain side. Even the bridges are a heart pounding part of the adventure.

Check the Ziplines at Pacific Coast site for specials like the June “Buy one tour, get the second tour 1/2 off“ with the code BOGOZIP or their newest adventure, a night time Moonlight Tour! For the full moon July 7th & 8th you can fly under the stars after watching the sun set in the mountains. This is an outdoor event that will not disappoint.

Contact Ziplines at Pacific Coast to book a tour on their site, ziplinespc.com or find out more about them on Facebook and Instagram.

Ready to take time for yourselves ladies?

Then the Oaks at Ojai is your destination.

When you think about Southern California beaches come to mind, but there is so much more to see just a short drive from other destinations like Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Diego. A highlight is Ojai and the destination, the all-inclusive resort the Oaks at Ojai.

Surrounded by picturesque mountains is an oasis of green housed in mission style architecture and the luxury of modern amenities. A retreat from the high speed and high pressure daily grind is hard to find. Even traveling carries the burden of planning and transporting yourself place to place for meals and activities.

The Oaks all inclusive resort is the answer to that. This is a place for women, though men are welcome. Leave the rest of the family at home and come with a friend or go alone. Either way you will have a great time relaxing poolside, enjoying exercise classes, and eating healthy, tasty, energizing meals and snacks. This isn’t a boot camp, though there are ample opportunities to get you up, out, and moving. Hikes, swimming, yoga, dance, and exercise classes engage all guests at the level of their choosing.

Take the morning walks as an example. They come in three “speeds”, Hikes, Walks, and Strolls. Hikes start at 6:30am and last 90+ minutes. I took the morning hike and adventured up into the hills of the San Pedro National Forest for a view of the valley well worth the early start time. If a later wake up call and slower pace is more your speed then definitely catch the Ojai walking tour that will point out the highlights of the town and fill you in on the historic points and current details that make this spot a great destination.
I took my first ever pool exercise class and loved the shade sail over the area. This allowed you to stay out of the sun or embrace it while working up an appetite and working out your muscles. I loved it for the variety of moves I learned that I now bring to my solo swims to get an extra burn and stretch. I also enjoyed sitting poolside and being close to nature under the flowering trees.

Outside the water there are activities that you can add on to your stay, or on week days some different adventures are offered like a kayaking trip. Private hikes are available or get together with some new friends and plan a small group outing. If you like to bike there is a great local trail that even takes you all the way down to the ocean. You can rent on your own or take the guided ride that comes with a lunch and car ride back up the road to save you from peddling miles uphill.

If you aren’t too tired from a full day and a possibly early morning walk, get out and see a bit of the town. The shops are great, no chains or franchises allowed in the Ojai city limits so everything is one of a kind. Two of my favorite stops to shop? Heavenly Honey Company and Fig Curated Living. Just steps from the Oaks resort a sweet treat awaits with a honey tasting that will take you from blackberry to buckwheat and a quirky shop that has planters, wind chimes, and household items for in or outdoors. On a Sunday you can visit the farmers market for local produce, baked goods, and sundries like soap and olive oil to take home as gifts.

Evenings are quiet, like a lot of small towns, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t anything to do. Sunset is the perfect opportunity to enjoy an odd local custom. Instead of looking west when the sun goes down, in Ojai you look up and east. Why? Since the valley runs east to west there is a direct line from the last rays of light against the white rock face of the mount
ains which reflect back a pink picture you have to see to fully believe. It is even known as the Ojai “Pink Moment”.

For some quietly watching the sunset might not ignite a fire to their night so another option is the Vine just down the road for live music from local and guest bands like Danny McGaw. The talent and sound drew me in from my evening stroll and others for a drink and live strumming. True the Ojai Mule for the flavor of the valley, pixie tangerines! A local citrus specialty that is celebrated in the valley in April every year with the Ojai Pixie Tangerine Festival.

In the cute and tiny town center of sits the historic hotel, originally the first in the valley and now home to the Oaks at Ojai. Another historic building across the street is the Ojai Post Office. This charm and history is carried into the resort. The large fireplace when you walk in and wood front desk set the tone. We stayed in one of the newer back casitas which were lovely and spacious. Visitors should keep in mind though that not all rooms have their own bathrooms attached in the main hotel building. Like other converted buildings and historic B&Bs that is a difference from the generic hotel experience. Some rooms show their age at the Oaks.

If the good living, excellent food, and engaging company is not enough to help you shrug off some years there is also a first rate spa at the Oaks. Massages, facials, and body treatments are all options you can embrace. A common sight at the Oaks Spa is the blissful look on a robe clad woman with mussed up hair after they return from the spa. That or the polished look of a guest just leaving the onsite salon. Those are gifts that keep on giving even after you leave.

Best of all perhaps is the results you walk away with internally. I have never had more energy and felt better than when I left. The next day when I walked down the isle of the grocery stores all I could think was, “Not healthy enough.” Sadly that only held true for so long, but almost everyone I saw checking out stretched those results a bit by taking home some of the frozen soups and goodies the Oaks sells. I took home their famous, healthy, chocolate bark… didn’t survive long as a gift to my dog sitter though. I can’t wait to try out a few of the recipes that I learned at their demonstration too!

The Oaks at Ojai is a great match for those looking for an escape with great company and a healthy focus. Enjoying the mountain air and the active lifestyle of the Oaks is a great kickstart to motivating yourself during and after your stay. To reap the greatest benefit I would recommend a stay of three nights, minimum two and a number of the ladies I met were staying for even longer. Get away from it all, put your cell phone on silent, and enjoy a trip to Ojai.

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