I’ve known about The Oaks at Ojai for about as long as I’ve known about spas. It was always on my list of spas to visit and, happily, I finally have. We all have fitness expert and the founder/owner of The Oaks, Sheila Cluff, to thank for the “aerobics” portion of our workouts. When she introduced it to the world in the 1950s, she called it “cardiovascular dance.” Sheila opened The Oaks in 1977 and today, 35 years later, she is still teaching fitness classes. I had the great pleasure of taking her Mind/Body Awareness class during my stay.

The Lobby of The Oaks at Ojai (renovated in 2011)*

The Oaks is an all-inclusive destination spa occupying a full block in the center of the charming town of Ojai, California. It’s reasonably priced – rates ranged from $199 to $350 per person per night (double occupancy) at the time of my visit - and is even more economical with special offers such as Mother-Daughter and Half-Price-Roommates. The daily rate includes ~15 optional fitness classes geared for all fitness levels, guided hikes and walks, three flavorful calorie-conscious meals, snacks, beverages, an on-site health advisor, evening activities, wellness lectures and complete use of all facilities.

The facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool; an outdoor whirlpool; a handicap accessible indoor spa sanctuary (women only from 7:30am - 6:00pm and coed from 6:00pm-10:30pm) that has a lockers for day guests, an indoor whirlpool, washrooms, showers, eucalyptus steam room and redwood sauna; spa treatment rooms and a fitness center equipped with lifecycles, stair masters, treadmills, and Paramount equipment.

Indoor whirlpool in the Spa Sanctuary*

The Oaks has 46 guest rooms and can comfortably accommodate 78. There were between 40 and 50 guests staying at The Oaks during my visit, but the spa can and usually does accommodate up to 90 when special offers are in effect. Based on the guests there during my visit, I would say that The Oaks attracts women that are middle-aged and older. In other words, I fit right in. Apparently, there were a couple of men staying there, as well, but I rarely saw them.

When you make reservations, you have the choice of reserving a single room, a double room to share with a person with whom you are travelling or a double room to share with a roommate that The Oaks arranges for you. I went to The Oaks alone and found it to be a very welcoming and comfortable environment for the single traveler. At meals, other guests such as Connie and Terri always invited me to join them at their table, and I invited others in turn. Many of the women I met have come to The Oaks for years – 22 for Judy, 11 for Laura. Some were staying for the day (like the two sisters from LA), some for a few days (like me) and some for weeks (like Connie). Most were from nearby California cities, but two women I met had come from Florida. Some women were there for pampering, some for weight loss and fitness and some for a little escape and peace of mind.

Plants at The Oaks at Ojai

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