New-York tribune., 1883-06-17
ber-but after the first Of January the winds cot In
and The air WAS much haraher.

ber-but after the first Of January the winds cot IN
and the air was much harsher.
In February l went to the Ojai Valley. This
is sheltered spot in the heart OF
the hills. where the air Is generally
calm there is abundant shade and beautiful
scenery; and one could live comfortably In the
open air from breakfast till supper. The morning
temperature was about the same as that OF SANTA
Barbara; the maximum was eight or ten degrees
higher; the nights were much cooler-oftcn cold;
the ogs sometimes drfted III from the sea, but gem
orally in the form of high clouds which disappeared
early in the day; the humidity judging only by my
sensations was less. The Ojai Valley. moreoveris
superior to all the other places have seen In the In
ducements for exercise which 1t sets before tho
visitor. The walks cool and easy; the roads are
good; the woods are close at Hard. People are lazy
and unreasonable when they are i'll, and they must
be tempted out of doors Probably they can walk,
even in Los Angeles aud San Diego but they will not
unless they are driven from the house. On tho
Sierra Madre the favorite resort near San Gabriel.
exercise is practically impossible; and at Riverside,
Pasadena and other irrigation towns, the monotony
of the prospect makes walking rather rksome
duty. In Santa Barbara the flower bordered streets
are attractive enough when the wind is still. and
although the surrounding country is rather barn
there are many charming rides. But in tho
Oja Valley with its splendid oaks and its gorgeous
flowers, the desire to be always abroad Is almost
irresistible Both here and at Santa Barbara there
are carriages and saddle-horses to be had.
The question of accommodations deserves moro
consideration than 1t generally gets. All physicians
agree that ample nourishment is one of the first
requisites for the consunptve. "Plain country
fare" which is 80 often recommended, generally
means coarse food with coarse and nnwhoesome
cookery. A man may digest it as soon as he is able
to lead an active outdoor life, but the invalid
when be first comes here needs something very diff.
ferent--as plain as you will, but appetizing and
we'll prepared. In the comforts OF living Santa
Barbara far surpasses all other places in Southern
California. 1t has an admirable hotel and many
boarding houses of reputation; furnished houses
can be hired for the winter at moderate rents;
and there is no difficulty in getting Chinese SER
wants. At Nordhoff, in the Ojai Valley, there are
two small but good hotels, whose landlords make
the most liberal use Of their somewhat limited re-
sources. There are no houses to rent Riverside
and the Sierra Madre have pleasant hotels. San
Bernardino caters only for business men. San
Diego has attractions whatever except its climate,
andI cannot learn that In climate it has any supe-
rtority over Santa Barbara. In the art OF eating
California is far behind the East and the markets
IN this part of the State are but indiffeenly sup
Piled
The choice of q situation must depend upon tho
peculiaritcs of each individual case probably the
invalid himself can decide, from short trial.
whether the seaside the close valley the inland
plain will best suit him. If i had to give
word of general advice, 1 would say, 60 to Santa
Barbara at the beginning of winter and as soon as
the winds send you indoors drive to the Ojai VAL
ley. Between the two places you can Certainly pass
a delightful season. As residence for the year
round Santa Barbara is decidedly preferable to any
other town have The Ojai Is intensely hot
in summer; already this month tho
Thermometer has been at 1850 and 11Oo
IN the shade on successive days, while Santa Bar
bara borrows a refreshing GOODNESS from the ocean.
The worst season in this latter place s the spring.
April and May being the time of the heaviest
f0Cs j. r. G. II.