Welcome to Wild Rice, a simple jewel tucked in under the oaks on the western edge of the Ojai Valley.

Just across the road from the Ventura River Preserve where hiking, biking, horseback riding and diving into the swimming hole are easily accessible, Wild Rice offers a rural experience just 2 minutes from the small hamlet of Meiner’s Oaks, and 8 minutes from downtown Ojai.

Situated on two acres of centuries-old coastal live oaks and an open pasture, the three bedroom cabin built in 1947 has been completely updated to provide simple, comfortable accommodations with plenty of indoor-outdoor living, lovely antique furnishings and fresh linens.

Choose the wooden deck off the dining room or the front verandah for sunset views – perfect for cocktails or dinner. Have morning breakfast inside at the table, or out back on the screened porch overlooking the bubbling fountain where birds gather. A fully-equipped kitchen and outdoor gas grill make cooking easy on those days you don’t want to venture out to Ojai’s fine food establishments.

The master bedroom offers a queen bed, the second bedroom has two twins and the third has a daybed with a twin trundle that can be pulled out for that sixth person. The bathroom is updated with vintage basket-weave tile work and a new shower (no bath.) Laundry facilities are on the back airing porch and the garage is available for parking your bikes or kayak should you be heading to Lake Casitas, just 4 miles up the road.

A wooden Jacuzzi nestles in the “barranca” – or dry riverbed – just outside the back door, planted with native vegetation. An owl box sits in the giant oak tree overhead and we’ve been fortunate to have a resident Barn Owl who shows his face at dusk, then hunts the back field for gophers, dropping the gopher skeletons beneath the owl box so we can see he has done his work for the night.

We call it “Wild Rice” as life on spot on Rice Road gives visitors a chance to experience the ‘wilds’ of Ojai – hearing the coyotes howling in the distance, tracking the hawks overhead, or seeing the small lizards run for cover in the rock walls around the property. It is a family-friendly environment, but also a romantic, private retreat for those who want some time to reconnect with loved ones or with nature. Let their mind and eyes wander over this peaceful place that we know as Ojai.

• One mile from the restaurants of Meinerʼs Oaks, and 7 minute drive from down town Ojai and its art galleries, shops and day spas
• ¼ mile walk from the Riverhead trailhead to Ventura River Preserve for hiking, mountain biking, and horse-back riding
• Located on a road frequented by road cyclists and known for its beauty and biking ease
• Across the street from a natural mineral water source, driven by a windmill, where locals fill their water bottles

• 30 night minimum and 30 night Maximum
• Cleaning fee: $350
• Monthly Rate: $4500
• Pet Fee: $100