Crafting connection:
Saddle making in Santa Margarita
Taught by her dad, Samantha Huston is making her mark on the Central Coast equestrian community
By Marlowe Hast
Whether you’re a rider or not, it’s easy to imagine that a horse’s entire body moves anytime a part of it moves. Picture the shoulder moving forward and back, muscles along the spine shifting as the horse walks, trots, or lopes. The body curves and bends as the horse covers ground, especially on the trail with elevation changes, hills to climb, and canyons to descend.
Now imagine a saddle on the horse’s back. Most saddles are made with a rigid frame called a tree, which were (not surprisingly) traditionally made out of wood. In more recent decades, the wood was wrapped in fiberglass. Some trees today are made of other materials, including synthetics like polyethylene.
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Beato Embodied
With handcrafted chocolates and inspired tableware, the Mama of Dada is back in the spotlight at the Porch Gallery
By Misty Hall
Part of the allure of Ojai’s Porch Gallery is its juxtaposition of contemporary art housed in a historic Victorian building. An expansive porch wraps around the exterior, creating a welcoming space dotted with pink lounge chairs. This is not a cold and formal “look reverently and leave” type of gallery. It is inviting — intentionally so. Come on in, it seems to say. Stay awhile.
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Central Coast Blacksmith melds old-world skill with modern-day art
By Marlowe Hast
Photos by Hans Duss
The blacksmith trade dates back to 1500 BC. The craft has evolved dramatically since then, and pieces forged today in 2,000-degree heat have changed from simply utilitarian metalwork to works of art.
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Jewelry With Meaning
By Marlowe Hast
Sometimes when you step into an unfamiliar place, there’s a vibe, an energy, a magic to it — something that’s hard to describe, but undeniably there. That’s how you’ll feel entering Jes MaHarry’s shop in downtown Ojai. The renowned jeweler/artist and her family have put countless hours into revamping the flagship store, where every item, every light fixture, even the boards in the floor, tell a story that’s entirely MaHarry’s.
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2021 Fall Events
The Central Coast has a calendar full of fun activities and events to check out.
Due to COVID-19 all events are tentative and their dates are subject to change. We encourage you to call ahead or visit the event’s website!
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Life’s a Beach
Beach life is the best life. Especially on a warm summer evening.
From the dramatic outcroppings of Shell Beach to the watersports haven of Surfer’s Point, our sun-drenched Central Coast offers some of the best stretches of beach in California.
Let photographer Chris Meugniot inspire your next visit with these knock-out images.
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