Inn of the Seventh Ray – Dining in Fairytale Land

Do you believe in magic?

Fairy or sprite sightings would not seem out of the ordinary at this Topanga Canyon restaurant. The fairy tale-like setting in a woodsy canyon next to a trickling brook feels more like Middle Earth than LA.



Twinkling lights, fresh flowers, and a Buddha welcome guests as they pass under the Inn of the Seventh Ray’s entrance archway.

From the entrance, a staircase winds past tables tucked away into nooks that are surrounded by shrubbery. At the bottom, there’s a central, brightly lit fountain surrounded by tables graced with freshly-cut flowers. A small gazebo nearby houses another table.



The restaurant is unusual in that most of the seating is outdoors. It can get chilly at night, but judicious use of heating lamps makes it comfortable. And in case of rain, it’s covered by a clear tent top lit up with twinkling white lights. A small indoor dining area is available, but it’s nowhere near as spectacular as the outdoor section.

What really makes this restaurant special is the trickling brook that runs alongside the dining area. It is lit up at night to give guests a better view. Sometimes, you can even spot deer drinking from the stream.

The menu, filled with plenty of vegetarian and organic selections, perfectly complements the outdoorsy atmosphere. Fresh salmon, organic greens dressed in an herb and lemon vinaigrette, goat cheese stuffed portabello mushroom with apricot puree, butternut squash risotto, etc. Also worth noting is the restaurant’s pride in accommodating those with special diets, such as gluten-free or vegan.

On your way out, don’t forget to stop in the restaurant’s accompanying gift store, filled with organic cookbooks and handmade jewelry.

Inn of the Seventh Ray is something I don’t share easily. It’s not gimmicky or Disneylandesque. To me, it’s elegant, natural, and spiritual and it holds a special place in my heart because my husband and I celebrated our wedding day here.

May you enjoy this magical place as much as I have.

To check out reviews from fellow bloggers, click here and here.

Inn of the Seventh Ray
128 Old Topanga Canyon Road
Topanga, California 90290
310.455.1311

Eagle Rock Hike: Topanga Canyon

Hike 2 miles to see a rock?

Eagle Rock is actually more a massive boulder outcrop and like most things it’s more about the journey than the goal.



The real rewards of this walk are the stunning views of Topanga Canyon and the slivers of Pacific Ocean you’ll catch on a clear day. The fact that the surrounding hills are not packed with homes like you see on other trails is also a plus.



Whether the funky-looking rock is so-named because it resembles an eagle or because eagles sometimes soar around it is up for debate (at least in my mind). I can sort of make out the head and wings of an eagle on the boulder (shown above), but maybe my imagination is just on overdrive.



The 2 mile jaunt (4 miles roundtrip) is the shortest hike out of Trippet Ranch, the starting point. While most of the trail is along a wide, meandering fire road with a mild incline, the final ¼ mile gets a bit steeper and narrower. There are occasional forks in the road. But as far as getting lost, the trail is very clearly signed so I’d be impressed if you managed it.



It’s pretty much uphill the whole way to the rock. A bench inscribed with “Rest for the Soul” awaits you there.



Colorful wildflowers congregate along the path in spring, making it a great time to go. In summer, the grass and shrubs can look a bit thirsty. Evenings, when the sunset light casts a golden glow over the grass and shrubs and when the packs of hikers have gone home, is my favorite part of the day here.



Wildlife sightings are common. Jack rabbits scurry across the path, birds flutter through the grassy fields, and deer sometimes pop up. Watch out for the dung presents left behind by the horses ridden on the path. (I learned the hard way.)

There is a day use fee of $5 per car to use the parking lot at Trippet Ranch. This, however, can be avoided by parking about 150 feet away from the entrance on Entrada Road and walking in.

Directions:
o Take Topanga Canyon Blvd (Hwy 27)
o Turn on Entrada Drive
o Carefully follow signs along the winding road for about a mile to the
Trippet Ranch entrance