Serenity Suites in Ojai, CA a Well-Kept Secret
From the moment we first talked to her on the phone, Brianna, the granddaughter of the Ojai Serenity Suites (ojaisuites.com), owner, Ana, could not have been more charming and attentive to our every need.
Ojai Serenity Suites comes up right off the main road when you enter Ojai from the eastern canyon highways. The petite town at the foot of the Topatopa mountains comes into view in the form of a little gem of Spanish-influenced architecture, arriving this way or from the 101 ocean road to the west, adding drama to the 80 indirect mile drive to the north of LA.
Ojai Serenity Suites overlooks the seven-acre Woolsey estate “backyard,” and proved to be ideal a place to stay for the Ojai Artist Tour 2015 since it is a work of art itself. It is at one end of the three or so mile street that comprises the entire town, within walking or biking distance of many of the studios and most of the shops and activities (http://www.ojaistudioartists.org/).
Towering ancient oak trees shaded Even with the heat, ancient oak trees and guarded by a stone wall built by the Chinese over a century ago to keep the land from flooding.
Theodore Salisbury Woolsey, a Professor of International Law and the Dean of Yale University built the 5000 sq. foot stone and 
clapboard historical estate in 1887 after moving his family to Ojai in hopes of improving his wife’s failing health.
More recently, a family with four children, looking to escape the urban life, carefully restored the two-story New England-style farmhouse, and another stone apartment on the grounds. In order to do it absolutely properly, Ana, the owner, enlisted the help of an established historian and antique dealer.
The big house features a veranda, complete with porch swing and huge windows. Inside a staircase winds up to the second floor with a spectacular life-size family portrait in oils on the wall that once led to the bed and breakfast rooms now occupied by the family.
On the first floor, there are spacious rooms to explore, each with its own brick fireplace, 1950s Wurlitzer and an antique piano, and a “fainting a couch.”
When we drove up, a groups of very social young ladies in summer dresses, all with a garland of flowers in their hair, waved hello to
us as they were ambling out the door, leaving a bridal shower party. The site is a popular one for catered, special occasion parties in the back sundeck overlooking the pool and mountains.
The Artist Studio, along with the Artist Loft about it, are still available as rentals; the extended family occupies the six-bedrooms once reserved for bed-and-bath guests is not longer available. Each has its own private entrance, and are filled with turn-of-the-20th-century antiques and modern appointments that have been chosen to blend into the time period. The feeling here is more smart and sophisticated and lush, rather than the usual more historic country frilly and floral.
The Artist Studio bathroom features a painted sink and bathtub 
with claw feet, making it country cozy and enfolded in history, just as the stone walkways are original.
Even the screen door with the old-fashioned latch provokes nostalgia. 
The two-story stone cottage with loft bedroom, TVs with a DVD player, mini-kitchen and Jacuzzi tub is perfect for honeymooners or families with small children or just about anyone looking for a beautiful, restful stay and yet the stimulation of being in a historic place. 
The seven-acre grounds offer a pool, inviting oak-shaded patios, sun porches
and a number of walking gardens. There is also a professional outdoor grill at the pool for barbecue parties.
Since Serenity Suites is no longer a bed-and-breakfast, we headed over to The Ojai Valley Inn and Resort (www.ojairesort.com) 
for a look at the spectacular architecture of Wallace Neff.
Even though we were right in between lunch and breakfast service we were seated at the Oak for a crisp, perfectly prepared brunch of House Smoked Salmon with a toasted bagel, cream cheese, red onion, capers, tomato and hard-boiled egg. The espresso with a freshly baked biscotti was the perfect dessert before heading back to Los Angeles.
The Ojai Studio Artists Studio Tour, in its 29th years, began with three nationally recognized Ojai artists, Bert Collins, Marta Nelson, and Gayel Childress. The first year, 24 artists opened their studios and 20 more held a joint exhibition at the Ojai Art Center. From this core group, the Ojai Studio Artists group formed. OSA today has doubled in size from its beginnings – each new member juried in only after demonstrating the highest standards of professional excellence and achievement.
The prestige of OSA’s annual tour, always the second week-end of October, has grown with the numbers as visitor numbers for the self-guided tour with maps swelled to thousands. It continues to be a relaxed unique opportunity to meet artists, develop relationships and expand collections.
In 1993, OSA initiated its youth scholarships program with proceeds from Tour ticket and raffle/ auction sales, sponsorships, and private donations. To date, OSA has given more than $125,000 in art scholarships. It also purchases art books for local libraries, partners with schools in teaching classes and mentoring students, supports public art projects and other community programs.
Film stars have always sought out the Ojai area, referred to as “California’s very own Shangri-La,” although it never made it into the movies. The one time Frank Capra shot the landscape as a backdrop for his famous 1937 movie Lost Horizon, the scenes were cut out.
Ojai is still well known for its scientifically proven electromagnetic forces, hot springs beneath the earth, and breathtaking sunsets, affectionately labeled by residents as, “pink moments.” I remember an Ojai Valley Inn and Resort manager grabbing hold of my arm one evening as we were walking the grounds, to point out the pink-striped sky. You could almost feel the Chumash Indians there as well (who has an incredibly sophisticated commerce waterway system there 10,000 years ago.
These days, prominent celebrities claim residency in Ojai, especially attracted to the historic architecture. During one of our artist studio visits, Reese Witherspoon strolled into the restaurant where we were seated to pick up take out. She looked our way and gave a friendly southern smile and nod before heading out the door.