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Outdoors

Kennedy Ridge or Bust

Kennedy Ridge, a hidden gem just 45 minutes away provides one of the best hikes anywhere.

Kennedy Ridge or Bust
THE BULLSEYE

As you ascend the switchbacks leading to the top of Kennedy Ridge the whole Ojai Valley comes into view. The Topatopa Mountain escarpment provides a similar backdrop to what we in Santa Barbara consider so special and the views out to the Pacific Ocean add a distant charm to a very enjoyable mountain hike.

On the Trail

We’ve been hiking a bit over a half hour when we reached the Kiosk marking the start of the Kennedy Ridge Trail. My hiking partner for the day is Rick Bisaccia, the Stewardship Director for the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy (OVLC). “Now for the tough part,” Rick tells me. “The route up to the top of the ridge isn’t as good a trail as we wanted to make but the views will blow your socks off.”