The Matilija Wilderness is a 29,207-acre (11,820 ha) wilderness area in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties, Southern California. It is managed by the U.S. Forest Service, being situated within the Ojai Ranger District of the Los Padres National Forest. It is located adjacent to the Dick Smith Wilderness to the northwest and the Sespe Wilderness to the northeast, although it is much smaller than either one. The Matilija Wilderness was established in 1992 in part to protect California condor habitat.
Matilija Creek in the Matilija Wilderness
Matilija Creek canyon, pictured c. 1917, was host to not just Matilija Hot Springs, but Lyons Springs, the short-lived Vickers Springs resort (1873–1884), and Stingley's Hot Springs (which were eventually submerged under the creek).
Ventura County, California
Ventura County is a county located in the southern part of the U.S. state of California. As of the 2020 census, the population was 843,843. The largest city is Oxnard, and the county seat is the city of Ventura.
Image: Ventura County Courthouse 1 sm
Image: Ojai, California (12)
Image: View of the Reagan Library from the south
Image: Point Mugu September 2013 010