Ojai Warnings and Dangers

I'm not a very experienced hiker, but here are a few tips for novice hikers like myself. Always wear proper shoes, and layered clothing. Even if it is a hot day, I always bring a light sweatshirt, just in case. Sunscreen, a baseball cap and a cell phone. I typically pack 1 or 2 protien bars. On a 2 or 3 hour hike you need nourishment. And of course I always bring water. If you bring your dog, make sure you bring water for them as well. Try not to hike in the middle of the day when it can get very hot. And always begin your hike to give yourself plenty of time to get back before dusk. You don't want to be on a trail at night, when an easy trail can become trecherous.
If you're taking photos, always have a disposable battery for your digital camera if your regular battery dies for some unexpected reason. And tell someone where you are planning to hike, along with your return time. Check out my packing tip for Ojai.

They have their own laws and one of the ones I could have been affected by was no smoking anywhere in the street at all! I met other smokers in car parks.
You can be fined or arrested on the spot by any of their friendly policemen!

For some reason there are drunken derelicts in the parks of Ojai. Sometimes they panhandle or congregate at bus stops.
I think they are harmless, however I would not walk through Libby park at night or alone. You'll see them in town as well and Cluff Park. I think it's the same group of transients that we kept seeing over again.

Poisen Oak is all over Ojai, especially on the trails. Be careful and don't touch anything you are unfamiliar with. Poisen Oak always have three leaves that eminate from the branch. Sometimes it has red and pink spots on the leaves, like in the upper right of the photo.