Meditation Mount

For the price I paid, I expected a little more. Good for watching sunset, and that's probably it. I would just visit once and won't return.

Gorgeous gardens and very nice loop walk. The guided meditation we could have done without.

One of the most beautiful and peaceful place in near ventura . Must visit in morning time.

Beautiful and peaceful site. We came but was close. I want to returned soon.

Pretty viewpoint, no reason for it to cost $12 per person though

The energy was perfect, amazing quiet vistas. Great to recenter. Love it.

Re-open this place to the public. I feel like Ojai shut down for the pandemic to discourage tourism and never re-opened. I tell people Ojais a great place for a 1 day vacation and they come back and tell me theres nothing to do there. Its a shame. The town used to be so welcoming. Now it's like Newport Beach.

Love the meditation centre and beautiful sunset

Beautiful, peaceful place to walk, meditate & watch the sunset. Make sure you book the 4-6p time slot. I recommend wearing pants & long sleeves, it gets chilly at sunset and there are lots of bugs.

Visitation Rights: 1 Meditation Mount History: Florence Garrigue, approaching her 80th birthday, was guided to the Ojai Valley and arrived in 1968 to establish a center for Meditation Groups, Inc., with the physical location now known as "Meditation Mount". After finding the initial benefactor and arranging financing for the project with generous gifts from the people who believed in the work of the organization, Florence selected the site at the East end of the valley. She worked closely with Ojai architect Zelma Wilson in planning the beautiful Tibetan - style buildings, and Grant Castelberg of Santa Barbara who served as the landscape architect for the center. The Meditation Mount facilities were completed in April of 1971. Since that time, Meditation Mount has functioned as an educational center offering spiritual programs that enhance the awakening of the human soul in all aspects of social endeavor. Group Creative Meditation and Monthly Full Moon Meditations continue to be an important part of the rhythm in the Mount's life, focusing on the embodiment of the universal spiritual principles and pathways as a cornerstone to build a more enlightened and compassionate humanity. Mission Statement: The mission of Meditation Mount, a nonprofit organization, is to promote the building of an enlightened and compassionate world through the power of Creative Meditation, inspirational educational programs, and community-based events focused on the practical application of the following universal spiritual principles: Right Human Relations, Goodwill, Group Endeavor, Unanimity, Spiritual Approach, and Essential Divinity. Reserve a time slot on their website: https://www.meditationmount.org/ Visitation/Time slot is about 2 hours. Morning or/and Sunset. Price Of Admission: $12 for the 2-hour visitation experience. For special events, it'll cost more. You'll just have to check out their calendar on their website. Parasols To Use: If you need some shade, Meditation mount provides parasols to help with that. Entertainment: 1) Please enjoy playing with the gong and the wind chimes. Make sure you make a lot of noise! I'm kidding... It's a place to meditation... Gosh... me.... Gosh! I kinda got reprimanded by a docent for making a ruckus... the other lady that work there... told me I can make as much noise as I want. So much confusion! lol 2) Slapping your face, arm, and ear... the bugs and flies don't care who you are. I ended my visit with 5 or 6 bug bites. Better to wear long pants and long sleeve shirts.Insect repellent and earplugs would be great also. 3) Enjoy the hiking trail along the perimeter that'll take about 15 minutes to go through it. 4) Enjoy the views. Would recommend scheduling your visit during the sunset. Meditation Mount For Thought: Wouldn't mind coming back. Would like to prepared on my next visit by wear long sleeves, insect repellent, and earplugs.

We headed up to Meditation Mount on a Wednesday evening for a sunset walk. What a beautiful spot in Ojai. The gates open at the appointment time, and we wound our way up the drive to find parking. There was a staff member to greet us at the parking lot and guide us to the two staff members who would explain about the trails, tell us about the guided meditation. We took off and walked the trails, out to the point and then took part in the guided meditation and back out to the point to sit near the pond and watch the stunning sunset. Meditation Mount is so peaceful, everyone visiting this evening was respectful of others and were quiet. There are a couple of short trails around the property. Walking one of them we had a deer jump across the trail in front of us. The gardens are gorgeous and there is lots of benches tucked in to trees and gardens to find a peaceful spot to sit. The staff and entire experience was wonderful.

It's a wonderful place to be. It's worth a trip to see. And if you are into meditation, highly recommend the 20 min group meditation that is free. It does cut into the time allotted there though, so keep that in mind as you plan your trip. I was still able to walk the entire path.

One of the most beautiful places I've ever visited! Come during sunset and you won't regret it! There are two meditation rooms, a garden, a mini 10 minute trail, and multiple viewpoints of the sunset. It feels really spiritual and it was just a magical experience. The road up to it was not hard to follow on Google Maps. There is plenty of parking in the lot next to it. Make sure to talk to the staff and they will tell you how it was started, where each meditation room is, where the trail is, etc. The staff were very nice!! Breathe in the amazing smells of different wildflowers and plants and take in all of the beauty. The fresh crisp air during fall was just rejuvenating.

Nothing like to celebrate the night of my birthday stopping by Ojai and especially Meditation Mount. They say Ojai has been a spiritual magnet for centuries among the native Chumash, the town names means moon in their language. Celebrating my birthday this year in an auspicious place, a vortex of electromagnetic fields. 20 June 2020 auspicious date, my soul and my body needed to be present in Ojai, New moon, Eclipse, Mercury in retro and my birthday getting a glimpse of the pink moment from this beautiful mountain. The center was closed but parking was available and felt free to walk around the permitted areas. The sunsets are always free everywhere, no doors to that. This is a must visit, you feel the good vibrations and it is so close to downtown Ojai! you will pass through wonderfully smelling pixie orange groves to get there. It is just amazing and so glad that my low key birthday was spent in that magical small town.

So glad they re-opened during the time of COVID! Be sure to check their website as they have limited time slots to visit. Basically, these are self guided tours at $10 per person. We decided to go so that we can see the sunset. They allot two hours for you to meditate and unwind. They have benches along the paths and you can choose which view you would like to face (north, south, west, and east). Just be aware of your surroundings, as we did see (and hear!) a rattlesnake! If you're in the area, this is one of the places to check out!

Sad to see the negative reviews. We really loved visiting meditation mount during our stay in Ojai - we made reservations for a sunset visitation ($10/person above the age of 2). I would actually recommend it as one of my top 4 places to visit in Ojai, and wish we could have spent the entire day there. The grounds are beautiful and exude positive energy (the space gives off energy similar to Lake Shrine in the Pacific Palisades), and the staff is very kind (shout out to Michael to bring so warm and welcoming, and for engaging our kids). Other visitors seemed very understanding of our kids...who were having fun being kids. There are two indoor meditation rooms, a small to medium outdoor grounds, and a small gift shop that sells mainly gemstones. Hope to return when the kiddos are a little older to experience a sound meditation session.

Will keep my rating the same, as though the Meditation Mount venue remains closed after the Thomas Fire of December 2017, they are working to restore the property. They are also concerned for the safety of visitors. There are signs posted at the base of the hill showing the closed status. A hand-lettered one on the gate says, "See you in 2019". They also mention consulting their website for more details. My Aunt did check it out. The expected reopening is April, 2019. They are seeking donations from supporters to hasten the recovery process. As a valued space of stunning Ojai Valley vistas, where peace and reflection reign, its worth your consideration for support.

When we first decided to go to Ojai, I was super bummed that Meditation Mount was still closed (first because of the Thomas Fire, and then because of COVID). The day before we were leaving to Ojai, I happen to check the website and find out that they are opening again, to pre-registered visitors to maintain social distancing! We were there the very first day they opened to the public again! Many parts are still not open: a trail around the property, the meditation room, the library. But, we were able to follow the garden meditation path and spend some time at all the different seating areas. As many have said, you have beautiful views of the Ojai Valley, have a lot of bird-watching opportunities (I'm not really a bird watcher, but some of the hawks and these super cute blue birds were cool to follow for a while), and can just disconnect to enjoy the natural world. We didn't meditate while we were there, nor did we feel any special energy, but it was a lovely time in a a beautiful, quiet space.

Came to Ojai and had to visit this place. The drive there was nice and peaceful. Follow the signs to get to the top. There are plenty of parking up there. It's one way up and one way down. I made the reservation online and it was around $24 for the two of us. You check in with the person in the front and they'll guide you. It's very peaceful. The only sounds you'll probably hear are the nature and bugs. I meditated for a good hour and got to see the sunset. This is a good place to come if you want to see the Ojai lavender pink sky. You can see the valley from here. Definitely a great spot for views and to relax.

Wow, this place is stunning. And so peaceful. We reserved spots for the self-guided meditation / nature walk at sunset and it was so beautiful. Incredible, breathtaking views in every direction, lovely trails, amazing wildlife. We will be back!

As someone who has visited the garden over the years and donated $600 to the center I am very disappointed to see this place treat a member of the community with such hostility. I was in the area visiting Ojai and wanted to visit the center and spend a peaceful time in the garden. I attempted to call ahead to speak to someone about open visiting hours but all I got was a pre-recorded message about checking the website for more info. Well the information was not clear on the site about open visiting hours like the center had established for many years. All it had was vague information and a calendar to sign up for classes. So since I was nearby I decided to drive up to the center to see if I could speak to someone in person. When I arrived I was confronted by a tall woman with wavy, curly brown hair who instantly made me feel like I was trespassing and was very hostile towards me. I explained to her that the center for years had open hours for visiting and that their website did not have any information about this but she didn't care what I had to say and proceeded to be hostile and very negative. She then told me how I needed to leave and get off the property. Absolutely unacceptable behavior for an adult and for the center to have this person to treat people like this and to be a representative of the center is appalling! So later that evening after speaking to a local did I learn that apparently if you are not a paying customer for a class you are no longer welcome to the center. They no longer allow open visiting hours to the garden. It's ridiculous that this all could have been avoided had they just made that clear on their website and not treat people disrespectfully especially a supporting member of the community. So much for building a welcoming community environment as this place has changed and not for the better.

If you are in the area or visiting this place is a must! The drive there is peaceful and beautiful and once you get to the top of the mountain there is a palpable change in energy. It is so still, peaceful, quiet and just a serene experience. They have a little library with lots of books that you can read, teas and gifts in a little shop, but the best is probably the views and being surrounded in nature and getting to meditate. Everyone is usually very mindful about being quiet to allow people to fully submerse in the meditative energy. 10/10 recommend.

Meditation Mount is a beautiful, serene place to go to when seeking peace and harmony with nature. Came here with no idea what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised by the facilities. I thoroughly enjoyed my experience, and would definitely come back again. The mountain was quite quiet, and contained a couple indoor meditation rooms, and a nice outdoor trail that takes you by a pond, and eventually to an epic viewpoint at the end. Still, I felt like I wasn't able to channel my true inner-peace to its full potential, as there were a few loud tourists on the loose at times, but I was able to find peace and meditate to a decent degree. Most people here were quiet and respectful, which was nice. All around, this was a pretty fun and interesting experience. Go ahead and check it out for yourself.

Visited Ojai on a day visit. Beautiful place. No more it feels like non profit organization though. Strict rules, hourly paid visits and u are asked to leave the premises after couple of hours. NO SUNSET views possible if you have noon tickets.

Writing a three star review about Meditation Mount says more about me than it does MM. Unless you park at the bottom of the hill (where the entrance gate is), there's no hike associated with the grounds, which is what I was looking for...so I could appreciate/earn the sweeping vistas of Ojai afforded by the "mount." The grounds are gorgeous and well kept, and there are a lot of benches spread around to take meditation breaks but if your third eye isn't dripping with zen, it's most likely going to be lost on you. It's worth a pit stop if you're in Ojai for a photo or two or to sip on your coffee in the morning or at dusk.

As I was looking for things to do in Ojai, Meditation Mount kept coming up on lists as a place not to miss. So, we drove up to the grounds, parked, and made the short walk down the path to the edge of the mountain to take in the amazing view. Aside from a small gift shop and chapel, there really isn't much there aside from nature. Signs around the property serve as a reminder to remain quiet. People were relaxing, sleeping, meditating, and just walking around. This was such a peaceful and beautiful attraction that I'm glad we went to see it. Since both of us are afraid of heights, we weren't too keen on the drive up or down along the narrow road, but it was worth a brief detour. I'm not sure that this is a "can't miss" place, but we enjoyed the serenity of it all.

There needs to be more places like Meditation Mount in today's world, practically everywhere. Had enough craze with materials, social media frenzy, work stress, ego, or all that baggage from complicated relationship? This is where you need to be. Drive up, let go, take a walk along the peaceful trail, smell the plants, breathe the sunlight, distance civilization, empty the mind. There are several meditation rooms and various workshops available should you need more. To me, the environment itself is good enough. It's amazing how this place isn't too far from the city at all but takes the load off your mind.

my friends and I made it to their Saturday morning 8:30 meditation and then we stayed for the meditation walk. This place is a hidden gem and one reason people go to Ojai is to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big city. Coming to Meditation Mount is a one step closer to "Shangri-la". The garden is so peaceful so come and meditate or just to enjoy the silence. Return in the evening to see the sunset and if you're lucky you'll catch the "Pink Moment"

Though meditation Mount is currently closed due to fire damage, the base of the mountain is still pretty to drive to! Very calming with the birds chirping, the smell of citrus groves, and the view of the unspoiled mountain range! Love!

This place is solid. It's essentially free (suggested donation per person $2, no brainier!) and is open to the public. Sunset is a beautiful time to take in the views and but try to come 20 mins before then to get some zen time in before the crowds come 10 mins before what time your phone says sunset is... It really is such a peaceful spot and the garden is beautifully done .. you feel relaxed right when you walk in and here the water fountain. Also, it's DOG FRIENDLY on leash. Woohoo!!

Mediation Mount is one of my favorite stops in Ojai. I love coming here after a long day of exploring to rest and unwind as the sun sets. The scent of orange blossoms on the drive up here is intoxicating, so be sure to put your windows down and breath deeply. I've been here when it's busy and I've been here when it's quiet, and either way, you'll be treated to a gorgeous view and a place to rest. It's dog friendly so be sure to bring your pup along. They have a decent bathroom, so I usually make this place my last pit stop in Ojai before heading back to Los Angeles. It can get buggy in the evening, so maybe bring some bug spray if you want to be left alone. Parking is easy, and so is the walk to the mount. Feel free to bring your grandma along, it's not a strenuous hike at all.

My favorite place to visit in Ojai. I make the drive from LA regularly to catch the sunset and soak in the zen vibes. Best time to visit is during the colder months. The view is breathtaking and the aroma is divine. Some plants are available for purchase. Very special place to connect and feel the peace.

I drove there not realizing they were closed. A young blond woman came up to us was was very rude

In principle I think Meditation Mount is intrinsically worth visiting. What it has unfortunately become is what will deter me from future visits. This center was founded as an area of peace, harmony, and spirituality. The various rooms for self-reflection and meditation are a testament to that. They even have a library with writings to further your understanding of health and spirit. But, at least on our recent visit, this place has become an over-exposed social media stomping grounds. People flood from all over to make sure they get their snapchat video or instagram selfie. We witnessed two couples take the entire day it seemed to make sure they had the picture that would garner them the most likes. I think the many tattered parasols the venue allows you to use are symbolic of what this place has become. People just use and abuse it in the name of seeking true enlightenment. In actuality, they've just used the parasols in 9000 angles and then simply toss it back in the bin once the photo shoot is over. They have a short trail that leads to a better view but on our visit it was closed for maintenance. I commend the people who bring a book up here and actually try to enjoy the view even while the circus is going on around them. My only hope is the social media presence here increases support to keep these grounds well-kept for the public.

What a unique, serene spot to spend a Saturday sunset! This was my first time to meditation mount, and I had no idea what to expect. I actually thought we were going to have to hike up a mountain...luckily we didn't have to because we had been eating and drinking our way through Ojai all day. After only a short drive from downtown, we ascended a hill and arrived at meditation mount, a kind of meditation/nature center. Make sure to roll down your windows on the way and smell the orange blossoms! Anyways, we arrived at the top of the mountain and were immediately overcome with Zen vibes. You must be respectful and quiet here, no yelling and ruining other people's meditation! By the parking lot is a big room that is open for anyone to go in and meditate...it has great views of the ojai valley, but is also extremely hot like a sauna which really limits how much time you can spend in there. If you walk past the room there is a path which leads you to various meditation spots, and at the end of the path is a lookout point which provides a beautiful view of ojai. (The path is really short, not a hike at all). We walked to the end of the path and sat on a bench for a while, and then did some.meditation in the room. This is not a place you can spend a long amount of time, but it is a great 30-45 min stop on your way home....I would recommend for sure! They have a jar for donations but it is free to go and take a look.

**OK SCENIC VIEW** Maybe I'm a bit jaded after my return from Joshua Tree National Park and the Getty Museum. But I didn't really care for the "view" here. ABOUT IT ======== It is part of a non-profit educational center offering spiritual programs on 32 acres of land at the east end of the Ojai Valley. The facilities were completed and became operational in 1971. PARKING ======== Parking lot up top. HIKE ==== Short hike to the top. Lot of tourists there, being loud. Screaming children. Heck, there was even a full-on photo shoot to ruin my "meditation" experience. Beautiful gardens and zen-like. The view was "OK". HOURS ====== OPEN: Wednesday - Sunday from 10:00 AM until Sunset CLOSED: Monday and Tuesday OVERALL ======== If you are spending more than 3 hours in Ojai, then do it. Please donate $2 in their wooden boxes in the front. It's the least you can do; especially if you have screaming children and/or a photo shoot.

If peace and quiet is what you are seeking, Meditation Mount is a place to escape the disruptions of city life. Parking was a breeze as this place seems to be elusive to many people. Seriously, it was really quiet. You could easily hear a pin drop. The people that run this place keep the grounds in pristine condition. There are donation boxes all over the small premises where they ask for a donation of $2. You can also purchase a plant for a couple of bucks which you can keep as a memento for this place which also contribute to maintenance of this tranquil sanctuary. It would be nice if they had on demand meditation classes to accompany their meditation room, but the path itself was already a treat with its immaculate views of the surrounding Ojai community.

Sunshine, fresh air, views, flower gardens, walking paths, and serenity, what more do you need in life? A car to get here since it is at the far end of the Ojai Valley, although we did pass a couple struggling up the hill on bicycles. Follow signs, always staying to the right at intersections and you will find yourself at a parking lot at the top of the hill after winding through orchards. Follow the signs around the building to a beautiful walkway leading through the portal along the garden and pond to a view overlooking the Ojai Valley. There are benches, grassy areas, and a very serene feeling here as you wander the quiet paths. April brings beautiful flowers, summer brings intense heat, so grab a sun umbrella at the annex building, check out their library and gift shop. Bathrooms are available.

I have not had the joy of visiting the grounds yet due to CoViD. However, their online full meditation is relaxing. I do plan to visit when our situation becomes safe to do so. In the meantime, connecting with this organization is useful.

What a beautiful spot! Meditation Mount sits on a hill, overlooking the entire Ojai valley, with it's beautiful mountains, orange groves and spectacular sunlight drenching the well maintained gardens. Ojai has always had a veneer of spiritualism attached to it, given the presence of Theosophical Society here as well as the fact that Krishnamurti apparently achieved Self-Realization here. In some ways it's the West Coast version of Taos (except no skiing), mountains, valleys, hot springs, chichi spas and biodynamic or organic farming. The Mount is not affiliated with any group or movement and works on a donation-only basis and has a very secular approach to meditation and spiritualism. Which is nice, because the last thing you want is someone hounding you for your email so that can constantly send you monthly newsletters when you don't want it. I came here in the late afternoon, and as soon as I stepped out of the car, I noticed even the air was different up here. The smell of laurels and oleander was all around you. Some of the flowered bushes had so many bumblebees, that you could hear the buzzing many feet away, the drone of hummingbirds every few steps, flowers and foliage like you can't believe. And then the silence. A beautiful, sweet kind of silence where you can almost sense life itself pulsating all around you. Everything seemed a little bit more purer. To the naysayers complaining about how long it takes to get here from downtown LA, it took me all but 90 minutes to come here. The drive back was just as easy. I know for sure, if I lived in the LA area, I'b probably be visiting here to check out their monthly full-moon meditation sessions.

Awesome place to chill out! A beat off the beaten path but worth the short drive out of Ojai. This is a lovely place with native plants and wonderful spaces to sit and meditate or just enjoy nature. There are paths that wind along the hillside and let you take in the beautiful scenic views. They have a small gift shop and tea room. The sell plants, too!. We bought a hematite bracelet while there. There is an awesome little bench at the end of the main pathway to the right of the main building. Nice place to sit and chill out. They have bathrooms :). There is a room that looks like you could rent it out. And they have a meditation room that is always open. We spent about an hour and a half there walking the grounds and doing a meditation.

Wow, what a beautiful space to get away and take in the surroundings of beautiful Ojai. Plenty of parking available here which is nice. There are meditation rooms available with classes, however they were empty when I came. There's a little reading room with meditation books and and other readings about world religions as well. Clean restrooms here too! The actual path itself is very peaceful and relaxing. Lots of beautiful flowers and the views are awesome. There's also a pond with some flowing water that creates a nice ambience. They have rocks where you can sit and meditate and have words engraved on them to focus on. Definitely worth making the drive (it's not too far if you're already in Ojai) to check this place out.

Meditation Mount is a quiet place on a hill in the middle of nowhere.

Really nice and peaceful place. We went to watch the sunset. Suggestion is to get there a bit before the sunset time. It is true that the sunsets have a pinkish tone to them and bathe the surrounding montains in that color. Great place for couple to go and if you want to enjoy the silence, sunset or meditate.

Very peaceful and serene. A calming location. Great views of the Ojai Valley & Mountains. We enjoyed the quick stroll through the gardens. There were on-site meditation rooms and tea rooms (sold snacks, rejuvenation products, etc.) We happened to come across a table w/ organic fruits & plants for sale. It was donation-based and we paid for a tangelo. Free parking.

A pretty and awesome place to take a walk, watch the sunset or hang out with nature. Lots of animals too. Rabbits, squirrels, birds, frogs, etc. I like this place, gave them some money cause I hope it sticks around. Also a high school is right next door that has a great view as well.

Great views and great message. Personally, it felt somewhat contrived, may have just been me. Regardless, I loved the place, and would recommend. Also, lucky to have stumbled upon this on a Friday, as it's closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

There are a few places in Southern California where I feel so comfortable doing nothing but stare at the view...this is one of them. It is a very easy walk through the international peace garden to the best view of the Ojai Valley! It can get chilly on a cold afternoon, but it is worth any and all shivers! We made it twice up here on our weekend away because we couldn't leave without hanging out one more time. Make sure you make it here on your Ojai vacay! Also, super clean restrooms!

It was my first time here. I came on my birthday with my boyfriend. This place is magical & I will definitely be back.

Best free thing to do in Ojai! Views are awesome, parking is ample, and the feeling of serenity just overwhelms you. Bring a little picnic and enjoy an outdoor meal on a grassy patch, a bench, or a little cafe style table. *Pro tip* - They have really cute sun umbrellas available for use by the small gift shop area. Use them! They are great protection from the sun and a really fun accessory to take some glamour shots with :)

The view and serenity here was amazing - once you get up here, you really get away from the sounds of the city and traffic and it's super quiet. Don't expect to come here for an actual hiking trail - it's just a short path that leads to a great viewpoint of the valley and mountains. I would definitely pay this a visit if you're in the area since there's not a whole lot to do in Ojai anyway except relax and veg out. There's outdoor tables and chairs where you can sit. It's an easy 10-15 minute drive from the Ojai Valley Inn and very easy to get to. It's a great area to check out at sunset for the "pink moment."

Not much to say to be honest....it was pretty...but that's about it? Worth the drive and view? I think not..

I'll admit im a little biased on this one, it is always so beautiful at sunset and fairly secluded. my husband proposed to me here :) I would've considered my wedding to be here, but the no alcohol rule nixed that one.

This is a great location and a definite must if you are anywhere near Ojai, CA. Like other reviewers have noted, it seems to have moments where it has become a hippie commune instead of a quiet place to meditate and relax in peace. Well maintained grounds and beautiful landscape with impressive views.

Wow - what a view and such a peaceful place to escape the world! We drove up at sunset in hopes of the pink moment, but no such luck; however, it was still stunningly beautiful and well worth it. On our next visit to Ojai, I will definitely come back and participate in one of the guided morning meditations. I can't think of a better way to start the morning!

Beautiful grounds, view and vibe. You could hear a pin drop outside. Lovely! My only advice would be to ask the staff (bookshop and adjoining space) to keep their voices down as well.

This place is gorgeous. It's so green up here, and the view of the orange groves, and little valley to the far mountains is serene, and if you can't relax here, there is no hope for you. There is not much else to say. You just gotta be here to see it.